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.
Next you need to figure out the width of the blade that will work for the type of cut you plan to make. Once you determine length, width and teeth per inch, you need to figure out what type of tooth configuration is right for the cut type and material you are cutting. There are three main types of bandsaw blade teeth: regular, hook and skip.
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.
which bandsaw blade to buy Related Question:
What kind of band saw blade should I use?
Use coarse tooth blades (2 or 3 TPI) for re-sawing and cutting thicker materials. 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 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 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.
How do I know what size bandsaw blade I need?
In inches, determine the radius of each wheel, by measuring from the center to the outside of the wheel. Apply the following formula: (R1 x 3.1416) + (R2 x 3.1416) + (2 x C) = Saw blade length. Put a strip of tape on the floor to mark a starting point.
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 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 size blade does a 14 inch bandsaw take?
Olson® All Pro&trade band saw blades 93-1/2″ length fits most 14″ band saws (Delta, Jet, etc.), hard back and exclusive material, in skip, hook, or regular teeth.
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.
Which way should the teeth face on a bandsaw?
On a typical wood or metal cutting blade the hook or of point of the blade should be pointing down for a vertical blade bandsaw, or for a horizontal blade saw the hook of the teeth should be pointed such that they enter the workpiece first as the blade moves.
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.
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 width bandsaw blade is best for Resawing?
Resawing involves making rip cuts in the face of a wide board. So just like you would on the table saw, you’ll want to select a blade with fewer teeth per inch (TPI) than the blades you use for crosscutting or cutting curves. For most 14″ band saws, a 1 ⁄ 2 “-wide blade with 2-3 TPI is a good choice.
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 size blade does a 12 inch bandsaw take?
The Craftsman 12″ Bandsaw-Sander takes an 80″ blade or an 80″, 1/2″ wide sanding belt. There is a Vacuum port on the back of the saw. Hook the shop vac to the port during operations.
What size blade does a Milwaukee band saw?
Milwaukee Standard / Deep Cut Portable Band Saw Blades are designed to maximize performance of any portable band saw that takes a 44-7/8″ blade.