Track cutting tips needed

[smokindave]

Yesterday myself and a couple of friends worked at my shop cutting down a 16" wide track down to a fifteen wide.
I went and bought a new 10"blade with 200 teeth on it.
No matter what we tried the blade would get hot and warp real bad causing the cut to get real ugly.
I am glad I started with the 162 not the 174.
We were spraying WD40 on it,it didn't help other than making it a dirty job.
I ended up just using a small air angle grinder and seem to be having a little better success other than having to cut on the inside and than go around the outside afterwards and cut the paddles...

Is there a easier way?
Has anyone tryed a bandsaw?
Any advice or tips will be appreciated..
I would gladly pay someone to do this job for me....I have two more to cut down today.

 

[skibreeze]

I thought that somebody posted them using a table saw cutting a track. I think a normal carbide tipped blade would do fine. The carbides widen the cut and keep the actual blade away from the rubber, which causes the heat.

 

[smokindave]

I thought that somebody posted them using a table saw cutting a track. I think a normal carbide tipped blade would do fine. The carbides widen the cut and keep the actual blade away from the rubber, which causes the heat.

I used a carbide blade,maybe mine was too thin a blade.After a couple of inches cutting it would start warping and then would start wobbling real bad.
Almost need water running on it while cutting.

 

[skibreeze]

Maybe too many teeth. Try using a rip blade with fewer teeth, ie with a bigger cutout in the blade for air cooling.

Also, are your helpers pulling the cut apart, away from the blade?

 

[skibreeze]

here's the one I saw.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hmsFQ37APk

 

[smokindave]

here's the one I saw.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hmsFQ37APk

Thanks.....We never turned mine inside out,I wonder how hard that is to do.
I will try when I get to my shop.

 

[skibreeze]

Notice that they had a block inside the track to help rotating it, and 4 guys to help keep it moving along smoothly.

Time for me to hit the garage also, a couple guys are coming over to get our new Pro's all decked out.

 

[Givemeaboost]

We tryed using a cheapo Craftsman 10'' table saw and ended up burning the bearings out of the motor. We finally used a sawsall to finish and it worked out good. You just have to get a good line marked on it and be able to follow it.

Ken....

 

[Ryanlilly]

I know fastrax cuts tracks down, 253 848 0908

 

[SnoKrazy]

An electric carving knife works real well. Just keep spraying WD-40 occasionally. I use one to cut mud flaps for my truck which are similar belt type construction. Real easy to cut a straight line, also work well on styrofoam , cardboard and upholstery padding. Usually can buy one at a 2nd Hand Store for under $5

 

[volcano buster]

An electric carving knife works real well. Just keep spraying WD-40 occasionally. I use one to cut mud flaps for my truck which are similar belt type construction. Real easy to cut a straight line, also work well on styrofoam , cardboard and upholstery padding. Usually can buy one at a 2nd Hand Store for under $5

I'm not sure the electric carving knife would handle the fiberglass rods that run perpendicular to the track. There is one at every lug.

 

[smokindave]

I ended up just calling Curtis at Tracks Canada,I am going to pay him to cut the rest of them for me as I QUIT!
I have done some awful jobs in my life but that was one of the worst.

 

[Thistledoo]

16 wide fits in the apex dave....

 

[gordo1]

inside out would be great i bet! never tried it that way but did cut one down using a large bandsaw with a fence. it worked very well, still a two man job. I know people that i think did an even better job and they used a portable bandsaw. they just made a fence for it.