Masonry Magazine October 2005 Page. 32
SAW BLADES
Photo courtesy of Danish Tool Company
There are certain ways to get the most out of your reciprocating saw when cutting masonry.
building, measure the brick or block, and cut it off while you are there, instead of going over to a big table saw to do the work," he says. "Mason contractors and their crews will probably save quite a bit of time."
More information on Danish Tool Company products can be found at www.danishtoolshop.com.
Economical and Versatile
REPRESENTATIVES from LENOX of East Longmeadow, Mass.manufacturers of the Master-Grit recip blades - also feel that reciprocating saws are a great alternative for masonry work. Reciprocating blades can be a welcome relief to the cost and care required for diamond blades.
"Typically, reciprocating blades are sold in multiple piece packs, around $10-15 for a two blade pack, unlike $100 and up for a single diamond blade," says Nick Morrisroe, director of marketing for LENOX power tool accessories.
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He says that this price advantage allows masons to be able to focus on the job at hand, rather than focusing on pampering the tool. "If they go out on the job and are going to do cutting for the day," Morrisroe says, "they might use one blade one day and start with a new one the next, and they're only out $6."
Steve Hampton, engineering manager for LENOX reciprocating blades and linear edge products, agrees: "You need to take care to keep from fracturing the diamonds off of masonry table and cut-off saw blades. However, these blades are extremely robust, designed for a robust machine, and they don't need to be babied in any way."
Reciprocating blades can also do things with masonry that you can only dream of completing with other saws.
"The blade is designed for spring back, so you can actually bend the blade while you're cutting," explains John Sullivan, senior product manager for LENOX reciprocating blades and linear edge products. "I know that's totally different than what people are used to with other types of saws. Flush and plunge cuts are also possible, which is relatively impractical with other saws."
Available in 6", 8" and 10" lengths, the Master-Grit blades consist of a single-layer of grit that can cut through hard, abrasive materials.
"The harder the material is, the better. That's actually what that blade is designed for," Sullivan explains. "Not that you can't cut soft materials with these blades, but the softer materials tend to gum up and make the blade a little less effective."
Hampton adds that the blade's abilities to slice through hard brick, block and stone come down to the materials used in manufacturing the Master-Grit product.
"The blade has a very high-strength, resilient backing steel - it's the same steel that we use on the LENOX band saw blades," he says. "Meanwhile, the 400-600 micron carbide grit is held in place on the blade with a high-temperature silver alloy braising compound.
While the blade is rough and tough, there are certain ways to get the most out of a reciprocating saw when cutting masonry.
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