What is the key feature of a friction saw?

The key feature of a friction saw is that it uses high speed to soften metal in front of the blade. This method revolves around the principle of generating heat through friction, which effectively melts a thin layer of the material being cut. The saw blade, rotating at high speeds, creates enough friction to reduce the material’s hardness, allowing for efficient cutting of tough metals. This approach can achieve cutting that minimizes the mechanical load on the blade and can be particularly effective in applications involving hard materials.

While cutting through wood, precision cutting, or operating exclusively in a vertical position may describe certain characteristics of different saws, they do not capture the defining mechanism that distinguishes a friction saw from other cutting tools.