What Is The Difference Between High Speed Steel Blades And Carbide Blades?
Most planers use disposable carbide double edged blades that are relatively inexpensive to buy. These blades are usually easy to change and last a very long time under normal conditions. Be careful not to plane over old nails or screws as these can wreck the blades or cause lines to be left in your work. At worst, carbide blades can dangerously shatter when they hit a metal object! High speed steel blades are still sold with some cheaper electric planers. These blades can be sharpened but are now seen as outdated. They are more time consuming to replace, as the blades must be realigned when installed into the blade holders. Carbide planer blade adapters kits are available that convert most electric planers from high speed steel to carbide blades. If you own or buy a planer with supplied high speed steel blades, but later decide to use disposable carbide blades, it is not a big problem or cost. One advantage that high speed steel blades have over carbide is that if you do hit a nail or
