Blade meets Nail?

[Ronn W]

Will a carbide TS blade survive and encounter with an 18" gauge brad nail that is inside a piece of wood without damage?

[drzaius]

It depends. I've cut them with no issue, but I also ruined an almost new blade when an 18 Ga brad took out several teeth.

[Mark J]

Not if it is a SawStop.   Otherwise, it's like Dr. Z said, maybe.  I've had good luck, but if you know the nail is there maybe there's an alternative (assuming it can't be removed).  Maybe TS or BS close to the nail and through cut witha hack saw?  Use an inexpensive/disposable blade? 

[Von]

I've cut them without noticing at the time but don't doubt other stories.

[Beechwood Chip]

I've cut through them on a Sawstop and nothing happened.  No electrical path from the blade to my body.

But, you should do everything you can to avoid it.  And if you can't avoid it, I'd use a blade you don't mind damaging.

Since I've got a Sawzall with a demolition blade, I'd probably use that to cut out the nail and then make the precise cut on the table saw.

 

[Ronn W]

Thanks, all. I will remove the foam from the top of my gluing form and try to locate the nails.  If I can't avoid one, I will use and old, cheap blade.  If I had thought 13 steps ahead i would have located the nails out of the way.

 

[Ronn W]

On 4/26/2024 at 7:05 PM, Ronn W said:

Thanks, all. I will remove the foam from the top of my gluing form and try to locate the nails.  If I can't avoid one, I will use and old, cheap blade.  If I had thought 13 steps ahead i would have located the nails out of the way.

Follow up------I cut my curved drawers to length while they were on the form (with and old cheap blade).  Got lucky - did not hit any nails.  Note to self - in the future - put marks on the side of the form where the nails are an  approximately where you might be cutting.

[BillyJack]

The Sawstop won’t fire unless the fragment gets caught between the blade and the brake. This happened to me a fired the brake..

[Beechwood Chip]

Bourbon Moth did a YouTube video where he purchased a bunch of Sawstop brake cartridges and tested various scenarios.

I set off my Sawstop once by accidentally touching the side of the blade.  It the blade was below the table, then I heard the bang, and then I realized that I had touched the blade.

Someone else was using my Sawstop and set off the brake.  He said that he wasn't touching the blade, but his finger was very close to the blade and he saw a spark jump between his finger and the blade and that's what set off the brake.  I don't consider this a misfire, because (A) the brake fire much faster than the eye can see, so I suspect that he actually touched the blade without realizing it, and (B) if his finger was that close to the blade, then it's too close for safety.

[Tpt life]

I’ve cut thousands of 16p nails with worm gear saws, opening ridge vents. I think the biggest fear is a badly brazed tooth. The carbide is brazed to the steel plate, and they can pop off at times.
 

More likely, the nails themselves may “tear out.” 

[JustAnotherGuy]

I've had the same issue but for a band saw machine. What blade do you think works best? Cheaper would be better. 

[Mark J]

My first thought would be a carbide tipped BS blade, but that certainly wouldn't be cheaper.