A bandsaw will make many cuts with precision and speed-when equipped with the right blade for the application. Bandsaw blades differ in thickness, width, length, and tooth configuration. Every time you change from one bandsaw blade width to another, you have to reset the saw’s tracking, tension, and blade guides.
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.
The wider the blade, the stronger the beam strength; therefore, a 1″ blade has far greater beam strength than a 1/8″ blade and will cut straighter and is more suitable for resawing. BLADE BACK- The back of the blade that runs on the back blade guide. BLADE MAINTENANCE- There is not very much that needs to be maintained on the blade, but below are a few points that will help you keep your blade in peak cutting performance.
With all of these things to consider, it is no surprise that you’re looking for an essential guide to bandsaw blades! The blade width determines how much your bandsaw will cut and the minimum number you want to cut. How many teeth you need for your bandsaw blade is another factor to consider when choosing your blade.
Bandsaw blades come in a variety of tooth geometries, combination metals and sizes but I’ve always been happy using the basic standard bandsaw blades. If you are like me, a low-volume, pretty average bandsaw user, then a General-Purpose Bandsaw Blade works well for most of my applications. The General-Purpose Bandsaw Blades from Highland Woodworking provide an excellent, everyday blade for your bandsaw.
best bandsaw blade for straight cuts Related Question:
What type of blade should you use for straight cuts?
Therefore, when cutting laminates, or any material where you want minimal damage, a “Clean for Wood” blade like the T101B should be your choice. It’ll give you that clean, straight cut you’re looking for. A Jigsaw Blade for Straight Cuts Won’t Cut Curves!
Can you cut straight with a band saw?
Making Straight Cuts The band saw can also excel at a variety of straight cuts. Resawing, cutting thin strips of veneer, or even rough-cutting lumber from logs (using a specially-designed sled) are all tasks that a band saw can tackle. For these straight cuts, you’ll need the right blade plus a sturdy fence.
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.
How many teeth per inch should a bandsaw blade have?
The general rule of thumb is: For wood and soft materials aim for 3 – 6 teeth in the workpiece. For metals and harder materials aim for 6 – 24 teeth in the workpiece.
What is a 24-tooth blade used for?
For most construction work, a 24-tooth general use blade is sufficient. That blade is very aggressive and will help you rip and cross-cut lumber and sheet goods quickly and with a high degree of accuracy. With a 24-tooth demo blade, you’re getting work done quickly, but you won’t get a near-finished edge.
What is the purpose of the gullet on a saw blade?
The gullet is the rounded gap, cut into the blade plate, between the teeth. This gap is intended to bring waste, such as sawdust and chips, away from clogging the blade. On the saw blade, the size of the gullets is closely related to the feed-rate factor.
Why does bandsaw not 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.
Why is my horizontal band saw not cutting straight?
Make sure the blade is running in the correct direction. On machines powered by three phases power so it is common to get the wiring reversed and have the blade running the wrong direction. On all vertical blade bandsaws the working portion of the blade should go down. This forces the workpiece down into the table.
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.
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.
What is the best TPI 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’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.
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 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 is a 40 tooth saw blade used for?
Crosscut blades, made for cutting across the woodgrain (across the face of a board), have between 40 and 80 teeth and are designed for clean cuts. Smaller gullets separate the teeth. Combination blades can make both rip cuts and crosscuts.