If the sheet metal is too thin for this to work with the finest tooth blade available, a useful trick is to put the metal between pieces of plywood, fiberboard, or soft thicker metal to support the blade. Our webpage How to use a BandSaw has a guide for selecting the proper pitch band saw blade for different metals and metal thickness. Recommended use of a CARBON STEEL BLADE Thickness of metal to be cut Blade Teeth per inch For high speed cutting of aluminum, brass, copper, soft bronze, magnesium, wood, mild steel and also tougher steels at slow speed.
Carbide tipped blades cut harder, denser metals like hardened steel, cast iron, alloys including boron steel, and higher grades of stainless steel. These blades are extremely hard, heat-resistant, and impact-resistant. They are typically 8 TPI. Diamond Grit blades also cut hardened steel, however they are expensive and take longer to cut through the material.
In a perfect world, saw operators would have a multitude of blades for each saw, allowing them to select the optimal blade for each tube or pipe they cut. Blade back: The body of the blade that does not include the tooth. Depending on the application and the band saw, a carbide-tipped blade can provide faster cutting, reduced downtime for blade changes, and an improved cut finish as compared to bimetal blades.
08-06-2014, 11:41 AM #1 bandsaw blades I just ruined a bandsaw blade trying to cut something too hard. My 14″ MSC Taiwan made,legitimate metal cutting bandsaw is infinitely better,though my favorite(which I OWN) is my Roll In bandsaw,which CAN be used as a contour saw,or a cutoff saw that can cut off a 9″ round(though you have to make means to CLAMP the metal!! The factory provided clamp is pretty worthless. Band Saw Blade Selection :: Band Saw Blades :: Ellis Mfg. I’ve been buying their blades for the last 10 years or so.
best bandsaw blade for hardened steel Related Question:
Can a bandsaw cut hardened steel?
Carbide band saw blades provide high wear resistance and toughness when cutting a variety of applications such as: case hardened steels, spring steels, high speed steels, nickel based alloys, case hardened steels, composite graphite, high nickel alloys, titanium, inconnel, and other exotic metals.
What is the best TPI for cutting thick metal?
Choose a blade with 20 to 24 TPI (teeth per inch) for thin metal, 10 to 18 TPI for medium-thickness metal, and about 8 TPI for thick metal.
How do I choose a metal band saw blade?
In general the following rule applies to choosing the speed of your bandsaw blade: The harder the material, the slower the speed; conversely, the softer the material, the faster the speed. The faster the speed, the finer the finish produced on the cut surface.
What band saw blade for steel?
Carbide (or carbide-tipped) band saw blades are ideal for cutting materials such as high-nickel alloy steel , HASTELLOY, titanium, MONEL, and INCONEL since they are able to withstand greater amounts of heat and maintain their edges for longer when used to routinely and continually cut especially hard metals.
What will cut through hardened steel?
If a clean cut is desired when cutting through hardened steel, or if the steel’s hardness must be retained, a fine toothed hacksaw will work wonderfully, though the process is long and will require a great deal of intense effort.
Will a diamond blade cut hardened steel?
These blades are extremely hard, heat-resistant, and impact-resistant. They are typically 8 TPI. Diamond Grit blades also cut hardened steel, however they are expensive and take longer to cut through the material.
How many TPI does a bandsaw blade need?
For general wood cutting duties in typical 3/4″ material, use a 4 TPI blade for coarse, fast cutting and a 14 TPI blade for slower, smoother cutting. A blade in the 6 to 8 TPI range provides good general-purpose performance.
What is 18 TPI for cutting?
Blades 12-18 TPI are typically used for metal and denser materials as well as finish cuts in wood. The 18-24 TPI range is almost always used for metal cutting. Pro Tip: Always keep 3 teeth in contact with the material being cut.
What blade is best for cutting metal?
Ferrous blades are ideal for cutting metals that contain iron, such as stainless steel or cast iron. Choose a non-ferrous blade when cutting softer metals, like aluminum or copper. For the best results, use a diamond blade that’s rated to cut the type of metal you are working with.
How long should a metal bandsaw blade last?
On average your bandsaw blade should last 6 months to as long as a few years depending on what your cutting with it. Make sure to match your blade strength and quality to the project and material your cutting.
What TPI is used to cut steel?
Cutting thinner metals, including sheet metal, requires a finer cut. Use 18-24 TPI bi-metal blades. For thicker metals such as steel pipe, angle irons, or tubing, use 14-18 TPI bi-metal blades. For aluminum, an 8-10 TPI blade is best.
Is more TPI better?
Woodworkers quickly learn that the number of teeth-per-inch (TPI) on the blade has a big impact on the quality of a cut. The general rule of thumb is “the more TPI, the smoother the cut.” The true answer, however, is just a little more complicated than that, as you’ll learn once you understand how saw teeth work.
Are saw blades hardened steel?
Yes, circular saw blades are hardened steel. This is accomplished by positioning the blade near a source of intense heat. The often-utilized temperature is between 900 and 1,100 degrees Celsius, which is ideal for hardening steel blades.
What’s the difference between bandsaw blades?
Bandsaw blades differ in thickness, width, length, and tooth configuration. Length varies by machine, but the size of your saw’s wheels typically determines thickness and width: Smaller machines (9–12″ wheels) need thinner blades to prevent breaking the welds. They also accept only narrow blades, often 1⁄ 2 ” or less.
Will HSS cut hardened steel?
You want a cobalt bit, as it’s a type of high-speed steel (HSS) that has more cobalt in it and is strong enough to cut through hardened steel.