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wide kerf oscillating tool blades

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wide kerf oscillating tool blades

Edited #1

wide kerf oscillating tool blades

I have to partially open up a series of long grain joints in some solid wood panels and am looking for some thicker multi-tool blades that cut a kerf wider than the standard 1/16".z I need a wider kerf because I need to fill the joints with thickened epoxy.

Due to space constraints, I cannot use a small circular saw or a router to open the joints, nor will a sawzall work, and there are just too many joints to cut them by hand.

I've looked through Fein's website and others. I can't help but thinking there's something I'm missing when I do an internet search for said items. I've seen 1/8" thick carbide blades for grout removal, but I fear these blades won't cut the wood that well. One thought I had was to start the process using a standard 1/16" saw blade, but switch to a carbide blade to open the joint to 1/8". I'd really prefer to find a thicker kerf saw blade, though. Another thought I had was to remove one blade from its holder and have it spot welded to another blade. I also considered trying to re-set an existing blade to get the wider kerf. Any other thoughts?


Re: wide kerf oscillating tool blades

#2

Joe Fleming

Re: wide kerf oscillating tool blades

I'm guessing they are not available because they would require too much power to cut.


Re: wide kerf oscillating tool blades

#3

Re: wide kerf oscillating tool blades

Any chance you can stack 2 of your 1/16 inch blades together? I tried it on mine and it will almost fit, but not quite. The blade holder on mine won't open quite wide enough to get both in and locked down.


Re: wide kerf oscillating tool blades

#4

Re: wide kerf oscillating tool blades

Or maybe you could cut the mounting collar off one blade and find someone to spot-weld or TIG-weld the remaining part to an unmodified blade. 


Re: wide kerf oscillating tool blades

#5

Re: wide kerf oscillating tool blades

I was thinking the same: stack blades and have them welded together; that is if I’m unable to find some wide kerf blades in stock somewhere. 


Re: wide kerf oscillating tool blades

Edited #6

Re: wide kerf oscillating tool blades

I've not used an oscillating tool a bunch, and never for this purpose, but I would be concerned about the ability to create a neat-looking kerf, if that's a requirement for the job.


Re: wide kerf oscillating tool blades

#7

I would try adding more set to a blade first.

I that would be EASY to do. Just clamp a blade in the vice with only the teeth sticking above, then lightly tap every other one with a punch. 

You can hone the sides after on a stone if they’re not even. Back when I got my first multi tool the blades seemed to be more expensive, so I would re sharpen them. Because the teeth are so small, they don’t take a lot of filing. The hard part is keeping track of which tooth I just filed and getting in the next gullet. Rather than going by eye, I found pinching the blade with my thumbnail touching the file before lifting out, then nudging it over by feel was easier. 

If you use adhesive backed sanding disk, you might see if folding a piece around an old blade might abrade the old glue better.  

Just ideas, good luck.


Re: wide kerf oscillating tool blades

#8

Re: wide kerf oscillating tool blades

Could you possibly Rub Goldberg -up  something attached to a Foredom or a Dremel.? if so, you could combine whatever cutting wheels, shims ,etc. you wanted on the shaft to get the kerf you need.


Re: wide kerf oscillating tool blades

#9

Re: I would try adding more set to a blade first.

If you first coat the teeth with machinists blue, as you are filing, you will easily see which teeth have been filed and which have not.


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