What Blades to Use????

[dna1964dna]

Currently we've been cutting MDF with carbide blades on our PRT 48x96 and PR 48x96. I'm looking to begin cutting into solid woods (hard maple, oak, poplar, etc.). I was wondering what blades are best for this application. Carbide, Steel, Diamond Abrasive, etc. We run thousands of feet of molding with steel blades before sharpening. any suggestions???
David

[rick_woodward]

well, i assume you mean bits, not blades. carbide is the weapon of choice for solid woods.

[olecrafty]

David,

Rick is correct. Carbide works very well. I use SGS end mills for some of my production work. To improve usage time by a multiple of at least 3X I coat all cutters with tritenite A coating. Takes an end mill from 1.5 days of use to 6 or7 days.

Kaiwa
olecrafty@charter.net (mailto:olecrafty@charter.net)

[beacon14]

Can you enlighten me a little about "tritenite A" coating and where to get it?

[den73160]

Yes I would also like to know about this coating

[evan]

As would I.

[dna1964dna]

Thanks for the response. Yeah, I meant bits not blades. I would like to know where to acquire this formula.

[olecrafty]

OK I had a fat finger miss spell
the coating is Ti-NAMITE-A
(AlTiN)

Most good cutter grinding shops can have it put on your cutters. The shop I use in Fort Worth sends my end mills to Houston to be coated.

Go to sgstool.com and they have a section on the web site about coatings.

Most of my specialty end mills and bits cost between $35 and $80 each. Add about $5 each for coating and it is easy to see the savings when you double cutting time before sharpening.

Kaiwa
olecrafty@charter.net (mailto:olecrafty@charter.net)

[olecrafty]

Has any one else used coated cutters? Did you get the same results?
Kaiwa
olecrafty@charter.net (mailto:olecrafty@charter.net)