High Speed Steel Finger Joint Cutters
Perhaps 95% of the solid wood finger jointing done is accomplished using Molybdenum tool steels such as M-2. This tool steel is especially well suited for natural woods.

The make up of the M-2 alloy offers the ultimate in grindability, edge retention, and resistance to abrasion and corrosion. Other alloys are available, and may be necessary in certain applications, however M-2 remains the best choice of tool steels for natural wood finger jointing.

OPTI^® Cutters
The OPTI^® process produces an ultra-hard surface on the cutter.  Unlike the coatings used by other manufacturers, OPTI^® will not chip, peel, or flake off.  Extremely long run times may be obtained under certain circumstances.  Check with WKW for specifics as to whether these cutters are correct for you.

Carbide Cutters
Man-made materials such as LVL (laminated veneer lumber), plywood, particle board, MDF, and other products containing glues or other non-wood products are much too abrasive for tool steel or OPTI^® cutters.  Solid carbide and carbide-tipped cutters are often the answer to these problems. In some cases carbide cutters may be used to produce extremely long run times in solid woods, but generally speaking, the high cost of these cutters suits them for only the most extreme applications.

Other Materials
Difficult and unusual applications are welcomed at WKW. D-2 tool steel, high cobalt alloys, and other materials may be the answer for you. Whether you are looking for a specialized joint length, or whether you are interested in a tool to cut an unusual material, give us a call.