Milwaukee Metal Cutting Circular Saw Blade 203 x 15.87 x 1.8 mm, 42T, 48404515

Milwaukee Metal Cutting Circular Saw Blade 203 x 15.87 x 1.8 mm, 42 Teeth, 48404515

Milwaukee article number 48404515 is a metal-cutting circular saw blade measuring 203 mm (8") in diameter, with a 15.87 mm (5/8") bore, a 1.8 mm kerf and 42 carbide-tipped teeth. It is designed for dry cutting without coolant in ferrous metals and stainless steel.

Dry cutting - what separates it from an abrasive disc

The difference from an ordinary abrasive metal disc is fundamental. An abrasive disc grinds the metal away and turns much of the energy into heat, sparks and abrasive dust - the cut comes out blued from heat, with a rough edge and a burr, and the disc itself visibly shrinks with every cut. A carbide-tipped blade cuts a chip, the way it would in wood or aluminium. The result is a burr-free cut, a piece you can pick up by hand straight away, minimal sparking, and a blade that lasts many times more cuts.

ATB tooth geometry

The teeth have an alternate top bevel (ATB) - each successive tooth is ground the opposite way. That geometry slices the material with the side edge of the tooth rather than pushing it forward, producing a cleaner edge and a considerably lower cutting temperature. The count of 42 teeth at 203 mm is chosen for material from about 2.4 mm thick upwards: enough teeth that thin sheet is not torn, and enough gullet space for the chip to clear.

Hand-tensioned body with vibration damping

The body is hardened alloy steel, hand-tensioned - a process in which the blade is trued and stressed so that it stays flat at working speed. A blade that has lost its tension wanders in the kerf and leaves a sloping edge. The body also carries vibration-damping slots, which reduce heat, sparking and noise at once - all three being symptoms of the same thing, wasted energy.

Which materials

The blade cuts ferrous metals and stainless steel from around 2.4 mm thick upwards: pipe, angle iron, steel studs, conduit, rail and section. For sheet thinner than that, a finer-toothed blade is more suitable, because thin sheet starts to tear between the teeth.

Mounting and speed

The bore is 15.87 mm - the standard for 8-inch blades. Maximum speed is 5,000 rpm; a machine that runs faster must not be used, because centrifugal force exceeds what the body is designed for. Check the marking on your machine before fitting, and make sure the direction of rotation matches the arrow on the blade.

Safety

Although there is far less sparking than with an abrasive disc, cutting metal always calls for eye protection and gloves. The cut edge is sharp and the chip is hot as it leaves the work. Never cut material that is not firmly clamped - if the blade binds, it throws the loose piece with considerable force.

Technical specifications

Questions and Answers