08-01-2009, 10:09 PM #1 I’ve never owned a band saw. 08-01-2009, 10:26 PM #2 Stephen – in nearly 40 years of woodworking I’ve only had a band saw blade snap twice. I’ve never seen a band do anything other than just sit there in the bottom of the saw.
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.
This increases the temperature of the blade, which permits imperfections in the material to bend instead of breaking blade teeth. “Typically, blades need to be run with break-in in mind for two to three hours,” said Ebony Goldsmith, office manager and bandsaw specialist at Aldan, Pennsylvania-based Kaast Machine Tools Inc. “A blade that is not broken in will likely only last about an hour. A properly broke-in blade should last 100 to 150 hours.” Once teeth are honed and broken in, a blade will cut faster and straighter and last longer than an incorrectly broken-in blade.
Whenever you work a new blade it is essential to run in the blade before commencing a production cycle. If you want to change your blade very regularly, buy cheaper ones, but if you want a blade that will not only last but will deliver premier cuts for its whole life, it is worth spending a little more. Bandsaw blades are designed to produce perfect cuts time and again, and if used properly, and on a well-maintained machine, you can be assured of a long blade life too.
Bandsaw blades will break if you force timber into it, apply too much or too little tension, you use the wrong type of blade for the cut, the blade tooth pitch is incorrect, the blade is installed incorrectly, the thrust bearings are not adjusted, the blade is blunt, the blade has a faulty weld, you are cutting too tight a curve or you are not using the correct run in sequence. If you have gone through all of these items to see why your blade has broken and you are still not sure, it is possible you have a faulty blade or faulty weld on the blade. I hope this article was helpful in explaining the most common reasons why your bandsaw blade keeps breaking.
Anyone of the above reasons are a good, well rounded, general guidelines to follow, not only with bandsaw blades but any blade in general if you think about it. Buy a quality bandsaw blade from a reputable company. You will be on your way to finishing your projects, however if this doesn’t sound like your situation, then I encourage you to read on and perhaps discover some more reasons your bandsaw blade is always breaking.
If your band saw blade is undergoing weld breakage when you use it, there may be a number of reasons things have gone wrong. Even though many of the problems are unique, keep listening to learn about the most common problems with band saw blades. Although many cases are unique, the following list of problems are the most common reason for bandsaw blades breaking at the weld.
what happens when a bandsaw blade breaks Related Question:
What causes bandsaw blades to break?
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.
What should you do if the blade breaks?
When breaking in a blade, users should run the machine at the normal blade speed. For softer materials, such as carbon steel and aluminum, adjust the feed to 50% of the normal rate for the first 50 to 100 sq. in. Then, gradually increase the feed rate to 100%, he suggested.
How do you know if a bandsaw blade is bad?
Aside from visual signs like chipped blade teeth or rough cuts in material, you can hear when it’s time to replace a dull blade. As it goes bad, the saw blade forces the motor to work harder to cut through material, which causes a loud whining sound.
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.
What is the most common cause of a ruined band saw blade?
The most common reason for band saw blade failure is end of life due to wear of the cutting teeth, but also unnatural cutting characteristics, poor cutting surface and band or weld seam breakage.
Can you fix a bent bandsaw blade?
How to straighten a bandsaw blade? It is risky but if it’s absolutely necessary, a temporary fix to straighten a bandsaw blade can be done by placing it on an anvil and gently tapping it flat with a nylon head hammer/mallet or using a pair of gas pliers to straighten out the blade.
Can a saw blade break?
That very sharp edge is easily broken and chipped if not broken in properly. Just like a very sharp pencil, the sharp point can break off when you start using it, leaving an irregular, jagged point that doesn’t write well.
How safe is a band saw?
The band saw is widely regarded as among the safest of all woodworking machinery. However, it is still a dangerous woodworking tool, one that can cause considerable injury if used improperly.
How long should a 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.
Why do bandsaws wander?
If the wheels are worn and do not have a distinct top to the crown then the blade will not know where to go, and may wander around. This of course can cause poor cut quality and difficulty in setting the guides.
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 you sharpen a bandsaw blade?
You should be able to sharpen your blade two or three times before needing to replace it, but sometimes breakage happens. Blade breakage can result from a range of situations. Common causes of blade breakage include: Dull teeth.
Can a bandsaw blade be sharpened?
If you’re looking to sharpen your band saw blade, you have two options: manually sharpen the blade yourself or use a mechanical sharpening machine.
What type of faults can you find with the blade?
Common types of blade faults and blade failures in turbomachinery include blade rubbing, low and high cycle fatigue failures, creep, fouled blade, loose blade, and blade induced FOD.
What dangers exist when a hacksaw blade breaks while it is being used?
what danger exist when a hacksaw blade breaks while it is being used? when a blade breaks it can shatter causing blade particle to fly quite a distance with the possibility of insuring someone.