Did you start machining with an end mill? Did fly cutters terrify you? It's okay, that's where most machinists start. But if you've been working for awhile, those days are long gone. That doesn't mean you get the most out of your tools. Take a minute to look at some jobs differently. Grab your
slitting saw arbor, load your blade, and open your eyes.
Use Your Hands
There's nothing wrong with a hand job. No, not that hand job. We're talking about cutting a part off and then finishing it by hand. The hand finish quality isn't equal to a fly cutter, but it is an alternative. On a 3 axis mill, just use your slitting saw and lop the piece off. Now you can finish the underside by hand. This is the perfect answer if you are machining a very thin part or working on a piece that is particularly hard to hold. Just cut it off and give it a hand finish. Believe it or not, you'll save time by hand finishing the piece. That's because if you ruin the part trying to machine finish it you've got to begin again. That wastes time, money, and material. Don't waste.
Use Slots for Relief
We all need a little relief from time to time. That includes your parts. No, your parts don't need to take a break, they need a relief slot to stop breakage. A relief slot provides a part just enough give to clamp tightly without destroying part integrity. The slitting saw is the superior tool for cutting a relief slot. With the saw blade tightly held in place with a good slitting saw arbor, make a relief slot in one or two passes. A good slitting saw arbor has a deep cap and low profile to get the blade as close as you want it to be.
Pick a Good Slitting Saw and Slitting Saw Arbor
Because slitting saws are thin and run fast, they heat up very fast. Buy a blade made from carbide if your budget can handle it. Steel costs less, but it doesn't have the staying power of carbide. Regardless of the blade metal, always run with copious coolant. Remember, slitting saw blades run hot. Fluid will let you make long cuts and fast cuts without warping. Selecting a slitting saw arbor is simple. Just buy your
slitting saw arbor from The Tool Company. Their deep, low profile caps get the cutter close. A"Vibra Core" design absorbs vibration. Less vibration means less runout. Made in American for American machinists.
Buy a slitting saw arbor today. And start looking that your slitting saw blade a bit different. Make it one of the most valuable tools in your cutter arsenal.
