Multi tools have now become a very common tool used by various tradespeople to do a variety of jobs, from trimming door casings to cutting plumbing pipes. I use them quite often and it seems to be the tool that gets me out of situations where my back’s against the ropes.
One problem with them is that the blades can quickly become tired and need replacing sooner than you’d like. To minimise this problem it’s important to use the right blade for the right job. Another reason for this is if the face of the blade takes an unexpected blow by a nail which is often enough to knock its teeth out.
I was given some new ‘SMART Rapid Wood Blades’ in both 32mm and 64mm to put in the ring to test how many rounds they would endure before throwing in the towel.
The first thing I noticed about them was the shape of the teeth in that they had a slight curve. The other convenient thing I noticed was its quick release shank that allows it to fit most main brands of multi-tool.
When I did try them, I must say that the blades do consistently go through wood with ease. This performance can be achieved continuously due to the HCS (High Carbon Steel) giving the blades good wear resistance.
I also noticed that the blade didn’t bounce off the material; instead it sunk its teeth straight into the timber. This is also where the curvature of the blade plays a big part. It creates a single point of contact when making the initial cut, thus maximising precision.
Putting the SMART blade under the microscope and looking closer at its dental anatomy, you can see that the teeth are on both sides of the blade. These staggered teeth are like having two sets of teeth to eat into the material.
This dual action cut in both directions is mostly likely to be the feature that means the blade is claimed to cut twice as fast as an ordinary blade, not making a meal out of any cut. This innovative design is SMART’s new ‘SMARTCUT Technology’ giving the blades their name ‘Rapid Wood Blades’.
Another feature of this blade is that it has small teeth. The advantage of this is making it sturdier and faster but also reduces the chances of losing its baby teeth if you were to accidently hit any hidden nails.
SMART has a selection of other blades that will allow you to cut through nails, screws, non-ferrous metals, grout and fibreglass just to name a few, so you can get the correct blade that is cut out for the job.
To stop confusion the manufacturer has even colour-coded the blades into different categories, making selection easier. So, the next time you’re thinking multi-tool, work smarter, not harder.
For further information on SMART click here.
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