Panel saws
Panel saws that are designed to cut laminated boards often have a scribing blade (also called a 'scorer') in front of the main saw blade.
It cuts slightly into the underside of the panel before the main blade cuts through the full thickness.
This helps to stop the problem of 'break-out' occurring on the underside of the board, where the surface chips out as the teeth pull through the material.
On the other side of the main blade is a riving knife.
This is a piece of steel shaped to match the curve of the saw blade.
Its purpose is to stop the material on either side of the kerf (the saw cut) from closing up and jamming the blade.
The 'leading' tooth has a double 45 degree corner bevel.
The second tooth, or 'raker', removes the two corners left behind by the bevels in the leading tooth.
This blade requires more maintenance, but is the most suitable for plastic laminates.
Learning activity
Audio 12 (mp3 |6|KB)Have a look at the main blade used on the panel saw (or saws) at your workplace.
What type of teeth are they?
Take a close-up photo of the teeth, or alternatively do a line drawing of the profile.
Name the type of teeth, and share your answer with your trainer and other learners in your group.