Using a bandsaw blade that lasts longer while making high-quality cuts, to minimize the cost per cut directly correlates to increased productivity. The service life of a bandsaw blade and the quality of the surface finish made by the cut are not solely determined by the blade manufacturer’s product design. The process to break-in a bandsaw blade will vary depending on the characteristics of the material being cut.
The importance of breaking in a new blade should not be under estimated. Think of a new band saw blade as if it were a knife with a new edge or a pencil with a new point. The following are a few successful ways to properly break-in bandsaw blades.
Intenss™ PRO-VTH Bi-Metal Band Saw Blades from L.S. Starrett feature a uniquely designed tooth edge with variable height and set resulting in easy penetration for faster cuts when production cutting across a wide range of metals. Intenss PRO-VTH Bi-Metal Band Saw Blades from L.S. Starrett feature a uniquely designed tooth edge with variable height and set resulting in easy penetration for faster cuts when production cutting across a wide range of metals. In the context of band saw cutting operations, high efficiency and productivity means keeping the saw running.
All band saw blades, regardless of the manufacturer, need to be “Broken in”. Breaking in a band saw blade wears off this ultra sharp edge and allows the blade to retain its cutting ability longer. Refer to this checklist of bandsaw blade problems and causes if you have any problems with your band saw blade’s operation.
band saw blade break in Related Question:
Do band saw blades stretch?
Bandsaw blades have to be stretched tight to work. Bandsaw blades are tensioned by the amount of force per cross-sectional area of the blade, expressed as PSI (pounds per square inch). Two blades of different sizes will require different forces to achieve the same PSI.
What is the result of breaking in a saw blade?
When you break in a blade, you wear off the sharp pointed edge on the blade teeth and form a small rounded tip. This small radius will be able to better withstand the cutting pressures of sawing and will deliver more consistent cutting results.
Why do my bandsaw blades keep breaking?
Machine Defects Even the best blades can fail if there is something else wrong with your bandsaw, and even a small misalignment of bearings or guides can put a twist in the blade as it goes around. Resulting in tension being applied in all the wrong ways which will lead to early breakage.
How long should a metal cutting 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 is the blade break?
All band saw blades, regardless of the manufacturer, need to be “broken in”. When new, the teeth are just too sharp. Cutting at full rate will cause fracturing of the feather edges which will lead to premature blade failure.
How often do bandsaw blades break?
Some can last under six months, and some can last years! Some of the most important variables to consider are what you are cutting, the condition of the machine and blade, how long you are using the blade, and even how you are feeding the wood through your saw as well.
Are bandsaw blades worth sharpening?
Since a carbide-tipped bandsaw blade will cost well over $100, spending a third of the cost of the blade (or more) to get it sharp and working like new again can make financial sense. However the majority of bandsaw blades, the Wood Slicer included, are not worth spending money to have sharpened.
How many times can a bandsaw blade be sharpened?
It often makes sense to replace a dull blade with a new one, but you can sometimes get the best value out of merely sharpening an old blade instead of replacing it altogether. You should typically be able to get two to three sharpenings before you need to change your blade completely.
How long should a saw blade last?
They can last between 12 and 120 hours of continuous use, depending on the quality of the blade and material they’re used to cut.
How long do reciprocating saw blades last?
The blades on a reciprocating saw are made of tungsten carbide and are designed to last for a long time. The average blade life for a reciprocating saw blade is about 10,000 hours. Blades will wear down over time, and will need to be replaced.
Why won’t my bandsaw cut straight?
Band Saw: Why won’t my band saw cut straight? When the band saw cuts crooked, a dull blade, improper feeding, loose blade tension or not using a work piece guide could be the cause. Use the rip fence or miter gauge to guide the work piece uniformly through the cutting blade to make straight cuts.
Should you wear gloves when using a bandsaw?
Do not wear gloves while using a bandsaw (or any powered saw, drill press, or planer for that matter). The gloves will give you a false sense of security and do very little to protect your hands. In fact, they may end up getting your fingers pulled into the blade if the material catches.