7 Benefits Of Carbide Cutting Tools

Carbide refers to industrial grade steel that is often applied to bits, blades and other different tools that are used for cutting hardwood. Carbide’s formula consists of half carbide and half tungsten making it thrice as stiff in comparison to the steel that is used commonly in making other wood-cutting tools. All the woodcutting tools that are tipped with this industrial grade steel offer some proven benefits over typical woodworking tools. Some of these major benefits are highlighted below:

1. Cleaner And Straighter Cuts

The carbide cutting tools are known to make the straightest and cleanest of cuts and do not damage the grain. With straight and clean cuts, woodworking joints can fit better leading to tighter glue bonds. It also helps in reducing kickback incidences which are quite common in woodworking accidents.

2. Carbide Tools Are Tougher

There are some hardwood types that have very small mineral or silica particles which tend to dull the normal steel types. Particleboards and other different products made of composite wood, tend to carry small rocks, sand, or some other type of debris in the cores leading to instant damage to steel blades. The toughness of carbide tools allows them to cut through such debris while making sure that the blade, as well as its tip, is kept intact.

3. Carbide Tipped Blades Are Sharper

You can expect carbide cutting tools to remain shaper for a longer period than typical plain steel and, hence, they are more efficient. The blades can cut faster with no binding and help reduce the workload on the woodworking machines. You also don’t need to sharpen the blades too often.

4. Carbide Tips Last Longer

Carbide tips are made to last longer and, even when they break or wear out, new tops can be welded onto the cutting tools at most of the tool-sharpening shops. Though you have to bear more expense for buying carbide tools initially, the replacement of the tips makes them affordable as they can last longer than you expect.

5. Carbide Tools Are Resistant To Thermal Deformations

Machining temperatures can rise to a significant extent during the cutting process and this can cause ordinary steel to deform. However, carbide cutting tools are resistant to thermal deformations and can retain the cutting edge even at really high temperatures.

6. Easy Replacement

As mentioned earlier, the carbide tools can be expected to last longer courtesy easy replacement of the tips should they wear out. In tipped models, you just have to grind off old carbide from the tool and renew it with a fresh carbide layer.

7. Cost Effectiveness

Carbide tools tend to be cheaper and more cost-effective as compared to other HSS tools available in the market. Their endurance to high temperatures and durability makes them less prone to reworking or replacement which certainly cuts down the overall costs in the long run.

In short, carbide tools are an effective option for precision and quality cutting and can be expected to last longer than any other alternatives. The benefits don’t end here and you can expect more to come your way when you’ll actually start using them.