There are lots of options to think about when choosing a disc cutter and it’s important that you make the right choice. The material you need to cut, the type of blade, how the cutter is powered and the depth adjustment options should all play a part in your choice of cutter.
Disc cutters can be a really useful tool. They’re excellent at cutting through tough substances that an ordinary handheld saw just wouldn’t be able to get through, from concrete to some types of metal. However, there are different disc cutters available and they often have different specifications, so how do you know which would be most appropriate for you? Let’s take a look at some of the things you need to look for when you are choosing a disc cutter.
What are you cutting through?
It’s worth mentioning that different types of blade and cutter will be able to cut through different types of material – and some materials will require a stronger blade than others. This means that when you are choosing which disc cutter to get, it will help if you have an idea of the kind of materials you are likely to be working with, as this will help you tailor your search.
For instance, even if you think you will normally be cutting through comparatively ‘soft’ materials, it can still be useful to get a more powerful blade if you will be cutting through harder materials occasionally. This should give your tool better performance and hopefully keep your blade in good working order for longer as you’ll be minimising the risk of using the tool on a material it isn’t particularly meant to cut through.
Do you want a cordless cutter?
You also need to decide whether you want a cutter that is cordless or one that comes with a cord. If you go for a cordless one, it will instead be powered by fuel. Many people like to eliminate the cord from the equation, but a lot of it is down to personal preference and how you like to work. If you do choose a fuel-powered disc cutter, it’s worth bearing in mind that you can get options that help to maintain power while reducing fuel consumption, which can be a draw for many.
Do you need depth adjustment?
Depth adjustment is usually a very good thing to look for in your disc cutter as there are times when you might want to make shallow cuts but you’ll still need excellent control over the blade. The depth adjustment feature should help you achieve this, giving you greater control as well as more options to utilise.
Do you know the saw?
When you buy a new saw, it is always a good idea to get to know it a little bit before you start to use it for real. For example, you could set up your disc cutter with a few scraps of material so you can test out the different features and its capabilities. This will allow you to get a good idea of how it works before you use it on a real project. It can also tell you a lot about the accuracy of the saw.
What about the blades?
The blade of the disc cutter is one of its most important aspects and you should definitely think about it when choosing your tool. For instance, how sharp do you need the blade to be? Hollow ground blades are often recommended if you require a really sharp cut, but for most purposes, a combination rip and crosscut blade ought to fulfil the brief.