CMT 288.180.36M Scoring Blade 180 x 30mm T36 is a 180mm (7 in.) industrial conical scoring blade engineered by CMT for chip-free cuts on melamine, double-sided laminates, and veneered panel surfaces. With 36 hardmetal (HW) teeth ground to a conical plus flat-top (CO + FLAT) profile, this scoring blade delivers the precise pre-scoring action needed to protect coated and laminated panel faces during through-sawing on panel sizing machines. Designed for machines with vertical regulation of the scoring blade, the 288.180.36M pairs with thick-kerf or panel sizing blades to produce clean, splinter-free edges that meet industrial production standards.

Key Features

• Conical CO + FLAT tooth geometry - the combined conical grind and flat-top sharpening creates a scoring nick that matches the kerf of the main blade, preventing tearout and chipping on melamine and laminate surfaces so panel faces remain factory-clean.
• 36 hardmetal (HW) teeth - a high tooth count in hard metal (carbide) construction means more scoring contacts per revolution, resulting in smoother scored lines and extended service life between sharpenings on demanding industrial panel runs.
• Adjustable kerf range of 0.175 in. - 0.209 in. (4.45mm - 5.3mm) - the variable tooth thickness allows the scoring kerf to be matched precisely to the main saw blade, eliminating the double-score visible lines that occur when the kerf widths are mismatched.
• 30mm bore with COMBI3 pin-hole pattern - the universal COMBI3 flange configuration offers broad compatibility with industrial panel sizing machine spindles, reducing the need for adapter bushings.
• 10 deg. hook (cutting) angle - the positive rake geometry allows the teeth to engage panel surfaces aggressively yet cleanly, supporting consistent scoring quality at industrial feed rates.
• 0.126 in. plate thickness - a rigid, precision-ground plate minimizes blade deflection under load, keeping the score line straight and accurately positioned relative to the main blade cut.
• Vertical-regulation machine compatibility - specifically suggested for machines where scoring blade height is adjusted vertically, ensuring the blade operates at the correct depth for each panel thickness without manual shimming.

Why This Product

• Prevents surface damage on high-value panel materials - the CO + FLAT conical geometry is purpose-built for melamine and laminated panels where face chipping is a costly defect, making this blade the appropriate choice for shops processing coated sheet goods at volume.
• Adjustable kerf eliminates kerf-mismatch defects - the 0.175 in. - 0.209 in. tooth thickness range lets operators dial in an exact match with their main blade, a common source of visible double-score lines that this blade directly addresses.
• Suggested for use alongside thick-kerf or panel sizing blades - designed as part of a two-blade scoring system, the 288.180.36M works in tandem with the main blade rather than as a standalone tool, delivering results that a single main blade alone cannot achieve on coated panels.
• Industrial-grade HW carbide construction for production environments - hardmetal tipped teeth and a rigid 0.126 in. plate are suited to continuous-duty panel processing, supporting consistent output quality across high-volume production cycles.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 288.180.36M
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Blade Diameter: 180mm (7 in.)
• Number of Teeth: 36
• Bore Diameter: 30mm
• Pin Hole Pattern: COMBI3
• Tooth Thickness (Kerf Range): 0.175 in. - 0.209 in.
• Plate Thickness: 0.126 in.
• Cutting Angle: 10 deg.
• Tooth Grind / Sharpening: CO + FLAT (Conical plus Flat Top)
• Tooth Material: HW (Hardmetal / Carbide)
• Blade Class: Industrial Conical Scoring Blade

Approved Applications

• Melamine-faced panels
• Double-sided laminates
• Veneered panels
• Laminated chipboard and MDF
• Panel sizing production lines requiring chip-free edge quality

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of machine is the CMT 288.180.36M designed for?

This scoring blade is suggested for panel sizing machines with vertical regulation of the scoring blade. It is designed to be used in a two-blade system alongside a thick-kerf or panel sizing main blade, where the scoring blade pre-cuts the panel face to prevent chipping during the main through-cut.

Why does this blade have a variable tooth thickness (kerf range) instead of a fixed kerf?

The 0.175 in. - 0.209 in. tooth thickness range allows the operator to adjust the scoring kerf so it matches the kerf width of the main saw blade exactly. When the two kerfs align, the scoring cut is completely hidden within the main cut, eliminating the double-score lines and surface chipping that result from a kerf-width mismatch.

What does CO + FLAT tooth geometry mean and why does it matter for laminated panels?

CO + FLAT refers to a combined conical grind plus flat-top sharpening profile. The conical shape allows the outer edges of each tooth to score the panel face at a slight angle, creating a clean nick along both faces of the panel simultaneously. The flat-top element ensures the bottom of the score groove is smooth. Together, these prevent the splintering and chipping that would otherwise occur on melamine, laminate, and veneer surfaces during panel sizing.

Is the COMBI3 bore pattern compatible with standard panel saw spindles?

The COMBI3 pin-hole configuration is a widely used industrial flange pattern designed to accommodate a range of panel sizing machine spindles with a 30mm bore. Operators should confirm their specific machine's flange and pin arrangement against the COMBI3 specification before mounting the blade.