You must select the correct Teeth Per Inch for the thickness of material you are cutting. That’s why Dakin-Flathers have created this useful bandsaw teeth per inch chart. Use the bandsaw teeth per inch chart below to select the optimum TPI for your project needs.
Bandsaw blades come in a variety of widths, tooth designs, materials, and configurations. Or keep reading to learn more about choosing and using bandsaw blades. Never use water as a lubricant on bandsaw blades -or any other blades, for that matter.
To achieve a smoother, more refined cut choose a blade that has more TPI. High TPI configurations should be used on thinner materials and may require a reduced material feed rate through the blade. Thicker materials require a low TPI blade, but may be fed through the blade at a higher feed rate. A regular tooth blade is available in higher TPI blades and produces smoother cuts in all woods.
More teeth should be used on thinner materials and may require a reduced feed rate. Thicker materials require a less TPI blade, but they will get you a faster cut rate. This video will help you chose the correct tooth configuration you need too get your job done right.
Bandsaw blades begin to fail when fewer teeth are engaged because the depth of cut for a given feed pressure increases rapidly, putting all that strain onto a single tooth. “18 TPI is.055, so.165” stock minimum. Once you get to a certain TPI, the height of the tooth becomes so small the teeth are inherently stronger and can accept almost all of the load you give them.
The TPI of a bandsaw blade is usually listed within the product specifications that come with a new blade. Always begin the TPI measurement in the center of the gullet. Measure left to right one inch along blade, from the center of the gullet.
Band saw tooth size is determined by the size and type of material to be cut and the desired finish. Find material dimensions on bottom of chart and move up for appropriate teeth per inch. In general the following rule applies to choosing the speed of your band saw blade: The harder the material, the slower the speed; conversely, the softer the material, the faster the speed.
how many teeth per inch on bandsaw blade Related Question:
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.
What TPI is best for cutting wood?
If you’re looking to cut wood or other soft materials, you’ll need a blade with a TPI of 6 up to 20. For harder materials like metal, a TPI between 14 up to 36 is more suitable. The number of teeth can be found on the blade.
What is 14 TPI for cutting?
8-14 TPI blades are capable of cutting wood and the occasional nail. Demo blades fall into this category. 14-24 TPI is the range of metal cutting, PVC cutting and finish cut blades. The blades cut slowly, but leave being a very smooth edge.
Is it better to have more or less teeth on a saw blade?
The number of teeth on the blade helps determine the speed, type and finish of the cut. Blades with fewer teeth cut faster, but those with more teeth create a finer finish.
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.
How much tension should a bandsaw blade be?
For carbon steel toothed blades (cutting blades) this is typically 15,000 to 25,000 PSI. Slitting type blades typically are tensioned in the range of 12,000 to 20,000 PSI. In general bandsaw blades are never tensioned past 35,000 psi.
How many teeth per inch does a crosscut saw have?
Each cutting tooth cuts with one edge and pushes the sawdust out with the other. Crosscut saws have 8 to 15 pointed teeth per inch.
How many teeth do I need on my saw blade?
Ripping: 10-inch blades with 24-30 teeth and 12-inch blades with 40 or fewer teeth. Crosscutting: 10-inch blades with 60 teeth and 12-inch with 80 teeth.
What is a 60 tooth saw blade used for?
A crosscut blade, on the other hand, is designed to produce a smooth cut across the grain of the wood, without splintering or tearing. This type of blade will usually have 60 to 80 teeth, and the higher tooth count means that each tooth has to remove less material.
What is 24 TPI for cutting?
Teeth-Per-Inch (TPI) Reciprocating saw blades range from 3 – 24 TPI. The number of teeth per inch determines the cut speed and roughness of the cut. Lower TPI blades cut fast but leave rougher edges. Blades in the 3 – 11 TPI range are typically best for wood and demolition work.
How many teeth do you need for plywood?
Cross-cutting wood or sawing plywood: Use a 40-tooth to 80-tooth blade. You can use a 40-tooth to 50-tooth general purpose blade as well. Joinery work: Use a 40-tooth to 50-tooth all-purpose combination blade. Cutting MDF and man-made materials: Use a 50-tooth to 80-tooth blade.
What is the advantage of more teeth on a saw blade?
More teeth means a smoother cut, fewer teeth means that the blade removes more material. Crosscut blades have more teeth and make smoother cuts across the grain of the material, rip blades have fewer teeth, are optimized to cut with the grain, and remove a lot more material.
Is a wider bandsaw blade better?
The wider blades are stiffer overall (more metal) and tend to track better on the band wheels than narrow blades. When cutting thicker material, the wider blade has less ability to deviate because the back end, when in the cut, helps steer the front of the blade, especially if the side clearance is not excessive.
Can a band saw cut curves?
Whether it’s a tight curve or a closed opening, you can cut it on your band saw with a couple of easy tricks. Cutting on the band saw can be the same thing. The narrower the blade, the tighter the spots you can cut; in fact, some band saw blades rival a scroll saw for cutting tight curves.
What is teeth per inch?
Tooth pitch refers to the number of teeth per inch (tpi). 1 inch = 25.4 mm. The relevant variable for selecting the tooth pitch is the contact length of the band saw in the workpiece. The material being sawed and the type of band saw blade used also play a role in the selection.