Many people call in and ask the difference between a cold saw and a chop saw.
The name “cold saw” comes from the actual cutting process which takes place. A cold saw transfers any heat generated in the cutting process directly to the chips created through a flood coolant system, thereby keeping the blade and material cool. This is very different from a “chop” or abrasive saw, which wears away at metal and creates a great deal of heat in the metal and cutting blade.
Cold saws use a solid high speed steel (HSS) or tungsten carbide-tipped blade. These blades are able to be sharpened numerous times before they are retired, lending to the overall value of the process.
All cold saws are equipped with a high torque electric motor with some models offering gear reduction units and variable speed drives to reduce the saw blade’s rotational speed while maintaining consistent speed while under heavy load. This allows the saw blade to feed at a constant rate with a very high chip load per tooth. This precise control enables a cold saw to produce accurate cuts with minimal burring, no sparks, no discoloration and no dust.
Cold saws are capable of slicing most ferrous and non-ferrous alloys due to the wide RPM ranges and blade tooth prouploads available. Balancing these factors enables a cold saw to excel at differing applications with a simple blade and speed adjustment.
Due to the relatively low blade speeds, vibration can become a major concern while cutting. For this reason, Baileigh Industrial cold saws utilize a heavy duty, robust vise system as standard fare on all cold saws. This is absolutely essential in creating a precise cut with minimal waste.
Extra care should be taken to choose the appropriate number of teeth, saw blade type, cutting speed and feed rate. Our experts at Baileigh can help select the correct cold saw blade for your application. Call us today to discuss any Cold Saw questions you may have.