Optimized Cutting Blades/Solutions for W1 Tool Steel Rods
The user is currently using a standard abrasive chop saw for W1 tool steel and is actively looking for recommendations on a different blade. While some comments mention bandsaws and confirm that abrasive cut-off tools are commonly used, the explicit search for alternatives suggests some dissatisfaction or a desire for improvement—maybe cleaner cuts, faster speed, less heat, or longer blade life. This points to a niche market for specialized abrasive blades or bandsaw blades specifically designed for W1 tool steel, or even a compact, affordable cutting machine optimized for this material. The expected benefits include better cutting efficiency, a smoother finish that requires less lathe work, and longer tool life for those working with W1 steel.
Origin Reddit Post
r/metalworking
Better options for cutting W1 tool steel rods?
Posted by u/UH60Mgamecock•05/28/2025
Currently cutting W1 tool steel rods to rough length using an abrasive 14” disk on a chop saw. Then I finish them with a lathe.
Does anyone have any recommendations on a different blade to
Top Comments
u/rhythm-weaver
No it’s not? W1 is sold in the annealed state.
u/rhythm-weaver
A saw blade that can cut 1018 can cut annealed W1. I’ve cut plenty with a cold saw blade and band saw blades.
W1 can’t air-harden so I’d wager that the normalized condition has the same appr
u/no1SomeGuy
This...abrasive is really the only way for hardened steels. You can sometimes use carbide toothed saws (like a dry cut or cold cut saw has) but it gets expensive fast, so only really makes se
u/rhythm-weaver
Use a bandsaw or whatever. If you can machine it, then the steel is soft. I’ve never seen W1 sold in the pre-hardened state - it’s annealed.
u/unicoitn
1018 is a very mild steel, ideal for making tongs:-) I need to do some research on this.
u/rhythm-weaver
Why do we think it’s hardened?
u/rhythm-weaver
A saw blade that can cut 1018 can cut annealed W1. I’ve cut plenty with a cold saw blade and band saw blades.
W1 can’t air-harden so I’d wager that the normalized condition has the same appr
u/rhythm-weaver
Yes that’s my point - annealed W1 machines and cuts just like a mild steel.
u/rhythm-weaver
A saw blade that can cut 1018 can cut annealed W1. I’ve cut plenty with a cold saw blade and band saw blades.
W1 can’t air-harden so I’d wager that the normalized condition has the same appr
u/rhythm-weaver
Use a bandsaw or whatever. If you can machine it, then the steel is soft. I’ve never seen W1 sold in the pre-hardened state - it’s annealed.
u/rhythm-weaver
Use a bandsaw or whatever. If you can machine it, then the steel is soft. I’ve never seen W1 sold in the pre-hardened state - it’s annealed.
u/rhythm-weaver
How much W1 have you machined? In practice there is no significant observable difference in the machineability.
The Brinell scale is not a meaningful determination of machinability. The C s
u/unicoitn
for W1 steel, abrasive cut off tools are the accepted practice.
u/spinwizard69
1. BandSaw
2. Bar feeder on the lathe, self feed and use cutoff tools.
u/mopower65
If they aren't hardened you can use a metal cutting band saw.
u/unicoitn
for W1 steel, abrasive cut off tools are the accepted practice.
u/rhythm-weaver
Why do we think it’s hardened?
u/no1SomeGuy
I mean that is a fair point, but even annealed tool steel can be a little more challenging than mild steel. Like mild steel is somewhere in the 120's HBW, where even annealed W2 is getting cl
u/rhythm-weaver
What I say goes for cutting too. How many hours have you stood at a band saw while it cuts W1?
u/no1SomeGuy
Enough to know that W1 doesn't cut as nicely as mild steel.
u/rhythm-weaver
Yes that’s my point - annealed W1 machines and cuts just like a mild steel.
u/SCAMMERASSASIN007
I'd be trying my thin 7" Dewalt zip cut.
u/rhythm-weaver
Why do we think it’s hardened?
u/mopower65
If they aren't hardened you can use a metal cutting band saw.
u/unicoitn
except we don't build band saw blades out of tool steel...and the forces on the cutting edge of the carbide for a circular saw type wheel require an excessive kerf. Machining and sawing oper
u/rhythm-weaver
What I say goes for cutting too. How many hours have you stood at a band saw while it cuts W1?
u/unicoitn
for W1 steel, abrasive cut off tools are the accepted practice.
u/no1SomeGuy
This...abrasive is really the only way for hardened steels. You can sometimes use carbide toothed saws (like a dry cut or cold cut saw has) but it gets expensive fast, so only really makes se
u/rhythm-weaver
No it’s not? W1 is sold in the annealed state.
u/unicoitn
except we don't build band saw blades out of tool steel...and the forces on the cutting edge of the carbide for a circular saw type wheel require an excessive kerf. Machining and sawing oper
u/rhythm-weaver
Use a bandsaw or whatever. If you can machine it, then the steel is soft. I’ve never seen W1 sold in the pre-hardened state - it’s annealed.
u/SCAMMERASSASIN007
I'd be trying my thin 7" Dewalt zip cut.
u/mopower65
If they aren't hardened you can use a metal cutting band saw.
u/rhythm-weaver
Yes that’s my point - annealed W1 machines and cuts just like a mild steel.
u/rhythm-weaver
Gotcha. I never noticed a difference.
u/no1SomeGuy
I mean that is a fair point, but even annealed tool steel can be a little more challenging than mild steel. Like mild steel is somewhere in the 120's HBW, where even annealed W2 is getting cl
u/zacmakes
My favorite less-sketch-than-it-looks shop trick is a reinforced cutoff blade on a 6" bench grinder, with a slotted rest - it'll cut through just about anything, you can get the nice thin .04
u/no1SomeGuy
Enough to know that W1 doesn't cut as nicely as mild steel.
u/no1SomeGuy
We're talking cutting stock not machining...
u/mopower65
If they aren't hardened you can use a metal cutting band saw.
u/unicoitn
except we don't build band saw blades out of tool steel...and the forces on the cutting edge of the carbide for a circular saw type wheel require an excessive kerf. Machining and sawing oper
u/rhythm-weaver
How much W1 have you machined? In practice there is no significant observable difference in the machineability.
The Brinell scale is not a meaningful determination of machinability. The C s
u/no1SomeGuy
We're talking cutting stock not machining...
u/rhythm-weaver
Gotcha. I never noticed a difference.
u/zacmakes
My favorite less-sketch-than-it-looks shop trick is a reinforced cutoff blade on a 6" bench grinder, with a slotted rest - it'll cut through just about anything, you can get the nice thin .04
u/unicoitn
for W1 steel, abrasive cut off tools are the accepted practice.
u/unicoitn
1018 is a very mild steel, ideal for making tongs:-) I need to do some research on this.
u/no1SomeGuy
This...abrasive is really the only way for hardened steels. You can sometimes use carbide toothed saws (like a dry cut or cold cut saw has) but it gets expensive fast, so only really makes se
u/rhythm-weaver
No it’s not? W1 is sold in the annealed state.
u/zacmakes
My favorite less-sketch-than-it-looks shop trick is a reinforced cutoff blade on a 6" bench grinder, with a slotted rest - it'll cut through just about anything, you can get the nice thin .04
u/unicoitn
1018 is a very mild steel, ideal for making tongs:-) I need to do some research on this.