Carbide tipped saw blade steel question

misque

misque

Joined
Jul 9, 1999
Messages
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What kind of steel is used in the bulk of the blade on those carbide tipped circular saw blades?
I'm seeing more and more of these carbide tipped blades showing up in the local scrap yards recently and this question has been bouncing around in my mind for quite a while.
Any thoughts guys?

Thanks and all the best,
Mike U.
 
From what I have heard most of these are 15N20 steel.You might get a couple and cut them up and then try a heat treat on them like you would L-6 and see if they harden and hold there edge.I do know a guy that uses the big ones from a saw mill that work great for a knife.But I am kind of wondering if the cheaper off brand circular blades are worth messing with.
Bruce
 
My Moma says life is like a junkyard you never know what you're gonna get......

spark test ,quench test and brass rod test

UH... that's all I got to say about that.:) :) :)
 
I have been thinking that I could make a scraper, as shown by Don Fogg, for making a fuller with one of the blade ends. Just make a mounting bracket and point the carbide tip the right dirrection and angle.
Sound doable?
Lynn
 
Thanks for the answers guys. I guess it's time to get one of these bad boys, chop'im up and see what gives.


All the best,
Mike U.
 
I worked in a saw shop sharpening these for a little while. Never got around to finding out what steel exactly, but... when we took the blades in in the morning. We started by cleaning and separating the ones that did not need a simple facing on the carbide. Ones that needed more work had to be relieved of steel on the shoulders (ground down, with abrasive wheels), so later grinding of carbide wouldn't hit the shoulders and also so the blade would cut properly. OKAY, Point being... upon relieving, I always witnessed a shower of particular sparks that had lead me to believe some ranged from medium to high carbon. Most, were high carbon. Bright, fuzzy bursts. All of the blades we did seemed blade worthy for knives should someone make an attempt. In all sizes ranging from 3" diameter and 1/16" thick to 3 feet in diameter and a quarter in thick. Can't speak for all blades, but I did grind quite a bit for contractors and industry. Just some added info for ya. :D

Jason
 
Thanks Jason! The provided info so far has surprised me. I've read/heard before that carbide tipped saw blades had a softer low Carbon steel for the bulk of the blade and then I got info that it was indeed L-6 and...well, you know, on and on. I knew coming here would be the best place to get some accurate info on this stuff.

Thanks again guys!:)


All the best,
Mike U.
 
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