Whether you’re a hobbyist, a beginner, or professional, cutting blades will play a major part in most of your projects. Though the market is cluttered with several brands that offer cutting blades, we recommend giving Starrett a shot. Their blades are sturdy, versatile, and efficient. And to be honest, that’s really all you need your cutting blades to be.  

That said, you may have questions as to how they work and which ones to use for which purpose. Add to that, you have to get accustomed to every Starrett cutting blade and its purpose to avoid danger and serious injuries.

Don’t let that scare you though. You are in the right place as today, we will discuss the different types of blades which are specific to particular materials along with some safety tips for you to get started.

Different types of Starrett cutting blades and their purpose 

While all blades when mishandled can cause severe injuries, picking up the wrong blade for the wrong material comes with its own set of problems. That is why you must develop know-how of different types of Starrett cutting blades and uses.

The interesting part is that different blades work on different materials. The choice of their teeth (or their sharp edges through which all the cutting happens) is made keeping in mind the type of materials they’ll be used on, their toughness, and their overall geometry. Let us explain:

Bi-metal Blades

These are ideal for cutting all kinds of ferrous metals such as copper, nickel, zinc, lead, tin, steel, and more. Moreover, these have been designed to weather all kinds of production needs and can be used for all kinds of cutting.

Carbon Blades

If you have a vertical or horizontal machine that works manually or with the force of gravity, these Starrett cutting blades are the best ones for you. They feature a comprehensive range of tooth shapes and pitches as well as widths.

Carbide Tip Blades

These are perfect for abrasive or extremely hard materials. The plus side of carbide tip blades is that they’ve been designed to be tough, resisting wear and tear as well as working well under extreme pressure.

Carbide Grit Blades

Bonded with tungsten, these work well on abrasive materials. Think steel-belted tyres, fiber-reinforced plastics, composite graphite and more.

Diamond Grip Blades

These are made for specialised applications only. You can use them to cut materials such as ceramics, silicone, stone or even fiberglass for that matter.

Choose the right Starrett cutting blades for the right tool

One of the best things about these blades is that they are compatible with every kind of tool. This extends to bandsaws, welding, and even jigsaws. Let’s take a look at how they work band saws and jig saws below:

Bandsaw

Bandsaws are tools where the blades are made up of unending loops. These help in cutting the material in linear motion. They can be used both horizontally and vertically. However, for vertical cuts, one needs to use a hacksaw even though it works on the same principle.

Jig saw

These tools are used for cutting materials in different shapes from different angles. They are very versatile and can cut different kinds of metals, wood, plastics, etc. You can use a jig saw Starrett cutting blade to make intricate curvatures on your surface material.

Safety measures to take when using Starrett cutting blades

Regardless of the quality of the blades, accidents can happen. It is essential to keep in mind some safety tips to ensure a safe session in your toolshed. Here are some of the ABCs of working with Starrett cutting blades:

• Get your basics right first by working in a well-lit room and wearing safety guards. Make sure you wear rubber gloves to avoid getting electrocuted or cut.
• Ensure that the pointy sides of the Starrett cutting blades are facing away from you and that you’re holding it with your stronger hand.
• Always use a stable table or matte surface that will prevent the material from sliding away. 
• Try to carry one tool at a time to prevent any injuries or cause damage to the tools.
• Make sure that you do not try to catch falling tools rather move away from it, let it fall, and then pick it up.
• With power cutters, ensure that you follow the manufacturer's guidelines to assemble the too. This will prevent any mishaps.
• Only use the tool for the job it was made for and nothing else.
• Try to be very calm when using power cutters. Additionally, unplug after operating the tool.
• Inspect the tool very carefully before using it each time.

Conclusion

For a DIY-er the best thing to do is to first research individual tools and learn which blades are suitable for which material. Although most Starrett cutting blades work with all kinds of tools, it is important to know the basics as a beginner. If you are confused, you can always turn to us. At FK Tools, we are always there to provide you with the correct know-how for every type of tool you need.