Knowing how to safely operate metal cutting tools and wood cutting tools can save you time and money in your shop. Not only will you know how to protect yourself, but you also learn how to get the most value from your cutting supplies. To put it plainly, safe operation of industrial cutting tools is the most cost-efficient operation.

You can receive cutting tools and supplies education and training from a variety of resources. Many high schools offer vocational training that includes operation of wood cutting tools and metal cutting tools as part of the basic shop curriculum. You can also find technical classes to train you to use glass cutting tools and stone cutting tools. Whatever training you receive it should include the following:

1. Safe operation of cutting tools.

2. Problem solving techniques to keep the machinery operational.

3. Selecting the right cutting supplies for the task.

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Learn basic information about industrial cutting tools

Whether you take refresher course or a class introduce yourself to cutting tool production practices, this knowledge base is necessary for any job you might get that involves the use of industrial cutting tools. You can receive this training at a community college or technical school, or your can find the information online. If you choose the online option, you need to provide your own cutting tools to do the laboratory exercises.

I recommend: Take the cutting tools and supplies education and training available online from Tooling University. Follow the lessons on cutting tools on the interactive CD “Cutting Tool Essentials” provided by TechDirections.

Participate in on-the-job cutting tools and supplies education and training

If you have a job in a shop, participate in every professional training opportunity possible, even if it's on machinery you don't normally use as part of your job. Also become knowledgeable about cutting supplies and work on ways to reduce the amount of waste you create the job.

I recommend: Horizon Solutions offers professional training for the operators of its industrial cutting tools. Horizon works with staff on-site to show methods that get the most out of cutting tools and supplies. You can find online facts to use for self-training on an industrial cutting machine, as well as proper industrial cutting supplies, from Melin Tool Company.

Find cutting tools training for specialty machines

Lathes require special training to operate, as do groove cutting tools. Not only do these machines take special training, you also need a considerable amount of practice on the machines to make the finished product perfect.

I recommend: Centroid offers a number of training videos for specialty cutting tools, such as lathe cutting tools. You can find information about lathe cutting tools from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. There is also information on how to choose the proper metal cutting supplies within the online lessons.

Cutting tools and supplies include machines and accessories that cut metal, glass, stone, wood and other raw industrial materials. By looking online, you can find many types of cutting supplies to meet your business needs.

Cutting tool manufacturers have differing quality standards and usually focus on specific industries. To choose the best industrial cutting tools and supplies, look at product specifications as well as the manufacturer's capabilities and certifications. Know the basic types of tools needed for the materials you cut in your industry.

1. High-precision machining centers that work hair-thin tolerances are edging out metal cutting tools like simple grinders.

2. Glass cutting tools for industrial use should have long-lasting, smooth-functioning tungsten carbide wheels.

3. Stone cutting tools can be simple blade-driven power tools up to complex three-axis laser cutters for large jobs.

4. Wood cutting tools for industrial use are generally made of tungsten carbide.

5. Other materials, such as ceramic tile, plastics, composites, textiles and foam need specialty cutting tools.

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Find the kind of metal cutting tools you need

Metal cutting tasks generally require either hand-held tools or more complex industrial machines, depending on the nature of the task.

I recommend: MSC Industrial Supply Company offers an online catalog of hundreds of hand-held cutting tools. Saar-Hartmetall USA, LLC sells high-speed steel and carbide cutting tools and supplies.

Seek the best glass cutting tools for your business

Glass cutting tools can be manual stained-glass cutters that craftspeople use, CNC glass cutting machines or precise lasers for glass tubing.

I recommend: For hand-held tools, look at AllStainedGlass.com. CMS Group offers CNC machines for engraving, edging and beveling glass. NLC Laser, LLC makes lasers to cut glass tubing for the medical, pharmaceutical and industrial fields.

Look for stone cutting tools to fit your needs

You may need smaller hand-held tools if you are a stone-working artisan or large tools if you need to cut a high volume of stone.

I recommend: Trow & Holden Company has a selection of stone cutting implements for sculpting both hard and soft stone. Master Wholesale, Inc. offers a variety of stone slab saws.

Shape wood with wood cutting tools

Wood cutting tools range from hand-held axes to large machines. Tools come in many forms so you can shape wood to precise specifications.

I recommend: W. Moore Profiles, Ltd. has wood cutting tools for shaping, trimming, beveling and more. Custom Cutting Tools, Inc. has wood flooring and paneling cutting tools to shape wood the way you want it.

Buy specialty cutting tools

Specialty cutting tools can include diamond cutting tools, abrasive cutting tools, carbide cutting tools and inserts, specialty tile cutting tools and industrial cutting tools for specified uses.

I recommend: New England Tool carries custom carbide cutting tools. Stark Industrial, Inc. offers cutting tools for almost every industry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Choose cutting tools and supplies for the material you cut most often. If you cut more than one type of material, consider buying an industrial cutting machine with all-in-one capabilities.

Cutting tools are useful for cutting and shaping metals and other materials. These tools require the use of specific geometric shapes and blade angles. Cutting tools and supplies can cut various types of materials, like wood, metal, stone and plastic.

While dealing with the manufacturers or suppliers of cutting tools and supplies, you will come across various technical terms. This guide intends to familiarize you with the key terms for cutting tools and supplies, such as broach, endmill, lathe, HSS, CBN, abrasive cutting tools and flush cutting saws.

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Broach

A broach is a piece of steel or metal with a series of increasingly taller chisel points. The teeth of the broach can cut steel, brass or any other metal very easily. The basic purpose of using a broach is to expand a circular or rectangular slot in an industrial product.

I recommend: You can read through the basics of a broach at Mechanicalindetail.info, an informative website for mechanical engineering concepts.

Endmill

An endmill is a machine tool used for shaping metal and other solid materials. It exists in two basic forms: horizontal and vertical. The form of endmill indicates the orientation of the cutting tool spindle.

I recommend: NMRI (National Maritime Research Institute) offers detailed information about endmills.

HSS (High Speed Steel)

HSS is a material used for manufacturing machine tool bits and other cutters. The ability of HSS to withstand higher temperatures without losing its hardness enables it to cut faster than other cutting tool materials.

I recommend: You can read through the basics of high speed steel at wiseGEEK.

Lathe

A lathe spins a block of material on its axis against a fixed tool to perform various operations, such as cutting or drilling.

I recommend: You can read through detailed information on lathe at MechE, a website by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

CBN (Cubic Boron Nitride)

CBN is a type of cutting tool material that is extremely hard; diamond is the only material harder than CBN. Its high degree of hardness allows efficient high-speed cutting without affecting quality.

I recommend: To understand the basics of CBN and its applications, read through the grinding technology glossary at Abrasive Engineering Society.

Abrasive cutting tools

Abrasive cutting tools machine the component by rubbing an abrasive material over the object. A grinding wheel is the most basic type of abrasive cutting tool.

I recommend: Grindwell Norton (PDF), an abrasives manufacturer, offers detailed information on abrasive cutting.

Cutting tools and supplies pricing and costs depend primarily on the material to be cut, the application and whether they are for professional or amateurs. Cutting tools with a wide variety of uses include scissors and knives, which can cut many different materials such as cloth, paper, sheet metal or food. These tools may be relatively inexpensive, costing only a few dollars in many cases. On the other hand, professional metal working generally requires tools specifically suited to this task and a complete set of these tools may cost thousands of dollars.

Metal cutting tools and supplies may be placed into the following categories:

1. Industrial cutting tools for professional application. These may consist of complete kits or specific attachments.

2. Cutting tools for home use. These may be cutting tools for the kitchen, wood cutting tools or general use.

3. Cutting supplies. These may be replacement blades or other supplies.

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Locate prices on specialty cutting tools for professionals

Professional auto mechanics, woodworkers and metalworkers require specific sets of tools to do their jobs. Complete tool sets can easily exceed $2000 and a single drill bit can be $10.

I recommend: Sherline Products sells a variety of tools directly from the factory, such as end mills for about $10 each. CuttingTools4Sale offers complete boring and cutting sets that start at $400 on sale.

Examine cutting tools for home use

Hobbyists use a variety of cutting tools for woodworking, scrapbooking and other crafts. Serious cooks also need knives and other cutting utensils in the kitchen.

I recommend: Rosle specializes in cutting tools for the kitchen in the $20 to $60 dollar range. E-filliate Reseller offers utility knives and scissors in the $10 to $20 dollar range.

Get prices for metal cutting supplies

Customers frequently save money by purchasing specific accessories rather than complete kits. Supplies may consist of simple replacement blades, attachments for specific applications or other supplies.

I recommend: Nasco offers a variety of supplies for cutting or trimming paper, such as a package of 500 X-ACTO blades for about $120. All Granite and Marble specializes in stone cutting tools, including single blades in the $15 to $70 range.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Cutting tools for harder material are generally more expensive than cutting tools for softer material. A cutting tool must be able to generate a total stress that is greater than the total strength of the material to be cut in order to be effective. This stress can calculated by dividing the total force exerted by the surface area to which the force is being applied. This relationship explains why cutting tools for metal must be harder and therefore more expensive than tools that are designed to cut wood.