A cold saw is a circular saw for cutting metal, which uses a toothed blade to transfer the heat generated by cutting to the chips created by the saw blade, allowing both the blade and material being cut to remain cool. This is in contrast to an abrasive saw, which abrades the metal and generates a great deal of heat absorbed by the material being cut and saw blade. The Jet J-FK350 cold saw employs a flood coolant system to keep saw blade teeth cooled and lubricated.
Metals expand when heated, so abrasive cutting causes both the material being cut and blade to expand, resulting in increased effort to produce a cut and potential binding. This generates more heat through friction, resulting in increased blade wear.
Cold saws are capable of machining most ferrous and non-ferrous alloys. Additional advantages include minimal burr production, fewer sparks, less discoloration and no dust. Cutting speed and feed rate must be appropriate to the type and size of material being cut, which must be mechanically clamped to prevent movement during the cutting process.
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