I've got a quick project (yeah, right) in mind that would involve cutting some melamine shelving to length, and possibly ripping them down to width (although I'm hoping to avoid that). I hear Melamine is tough on blades. I'd like to try to quantify that. If I make a half-dozen cuts, will I ruin a blade in the process? Is there something I could buy that's not too expensive that would do a good job?
Carbide blade; specific to purpose will be the best bet for minimal chipping and joy.
W/ carbide you'll not notice anything at all on a blade in so few cuts (unless they're miles in length :) ); a HSS blade may show a little.
"Hard on blades" is relative...sawing anything is hard on a blade; I'd truthfully think the MDF and similar are probably as bad as the thin melamine coating is; for one thing there's so much more of it even if the glues aren't quite as hard in a Rockwell sense.
--
You won't notice any change with a few shelves. It is really only a thin layer and cuts easily. There are blades made just for that though if you need top quality results and are willing to buy a new blade.
Laminate flooring though, can kill a blade fast. Real fast. Plan on sending it out for sharpening if you do a jobs. I use Ridge Carbide for that service.
I'd like to try to quantify that. If I make a half-dozen
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
A thin kerf, coated blade, such as a Freud Diablo, works just fine. I tape all laminate cuts on both sides and set blade height just above the insert (carbide tooth) height. Even a new 40T HF blade works fine for awhile.
The glue in MDF and OSB seems to be the dulling agent in cutting, rather than the melamine, although I haven't cut a shipload of it.
Try a
(If someone wishes to give me half a dozen Forrest blades, I'd happily accept them, BTW.)
-- In an industrial society which confuses work and productivity, the necessity of producing has always been an enemy of the desire to create. -- Raoul Vaneigem
No
No
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.