Harbor Freight oscliting blade

[woodrail]

I know this is probably a dumb question, but here it goes.....

I bought a $7 metal cutting blade for my oscillating tool to cut thru some tough to get at 1/4" bolts.

I got thru three of them before the blade was very shot. Was I expecting too much? Are these not designed for this use?

 

[FigureItOut]

That's actually not terrible for a HF blade. Oscillating blades just don't last very long on metal. That said, you'd get more cuts from a better blade. Dewalt's are horrible, I like Bosch. I've tried the Fein blades and they're good, but I think you'll get more cuts for your money with the Bosch carbide blades. They're the best I've found.

 

[fourjeepin]

I've given up using these blades on metal (even thin sheet) because they dull so quickly.

 

[zendriver]

It's sort of like the equivalent of taking a hacksaw and cutting with about an inch and a half of the blade. Of course it's going to wear quickly especially if cutting Metal with no lubricant.

I use them only in situations where I can't use anything else. They last a lot longer if I use cutting oil.

The thing that ***** is that they should be charging seven dollars for 5 of thembut they know what other stores are ripping customers off for them


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[ez-duzit]

...Was I expecting too much?...

I'm surprised you got through 3. Buy quality.

 

[Raymond Fast]

They do wear out quickly on metal, but take a close look at the blade. Some of them are harder than others. Harbor Freight sells some that are labeled for wood and plastic and others that are labeled for metal, and they're all around the same price.

Also, if it's the crescent shaped blade, you can usually turn the blade to use different parts of it and extend the life a little that way.

I have a Harbor Freight 4-1/2 electric angle grinder that I usually use for cutting metal. I keep the cutting wheels that wear down to almost nothing and use those for tight spaces. When things get really tight, I break out my Dremel tool.

 

[joe--h]

I have bought a lot of blades from this ebay seller --> http://stores.ebay.com/specialtydiamondproducts?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

Good quality & cheap too.

Joe H

 

[zendriver]

I'm surprised you got through 3. Buy quality.

Throwing more money at something doesn't always guarantee results.

The dewalt blade is $15 and the results for the bosch can be dubious since they performed the test

http://toolguyd.com/oscillating-tool-metal-blade-best-durability/


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[augustus]

That's par for the course, I tend to get dull spots just from a few large nails. Either buy better or buy more, I haven't done the math on what's less expensive. I re-file my wood ones and use them down to the nub, really doesn't take much effort.

 

[ez-duzit]

z--thanks for the link.

I said Buy quality. I did't say spend more $. It is often cheaper to buy 1 of the better grade, that could do the whole job, than several packs of the cheap stuff. And you save the time spent otherwise changing blade after blade.

 

[cheechi]

I had one HF crescent blade that still actually has some teeth on it but 90% of it is worn smooth. I have two Imperial and a handful of HF blades all the same usage that didn't last nearly as long.

Cutting nails generally is the 'metal' these are referring to, ductile rather than brittle iron like bolts. I have cut through several 1/4" and 5/16" bolts but anything bigger you got the wrong tool for the job.

As far as cost per cut, generally the comparisons out there are going to be wood with nails in it. Usually you find the very expensive and the least expensive are going to give you the best value in terms of cuts/$. Generally I only buy HF, Imperial, Bosch, or Fein. I have a few of other brands if they were on clearance, but otherwise that's all I've got. Dremel, Skil, and Bosch blades I have seen look very similar, and you may wind up with one or two of them being the same blade attached to a different mechanism but most of the Bosch blades are one piece of metal so don't count on too much overlap on those. haven't been impressed at all with the PC/Dewalt ones which are pretty much the same thing.

 

[woodrail]

Just for shits and giggles, while in HF today I showed the Manager the blade. He told me "it must have been a bad one" and will swap it with a new one.

Maybe I'll use it only for "emergency" type cuts!

Good for them to at least attempt to make it right.