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.
The band saw blade is prone to breaking prematurely for several reasons. The main reason for band saw blades breaking is incorrect technique or maintenance. It is evident from the myriad of factors that affect band saw blades and cut performance that a band saw is not the ideal tool for a novice to work with.
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.
Delta, Jet, Grizzly, all good brands….you can probably pick up a nice bandsaw that is 3-5 years old, used lightly, for about $250. to $300. Check out Craig’s list for your area. “You can get a 14” Jet or Delta bandsaw used and ad the “Riser attachment” to it to allow you to cut thicker wood. In his travels, hubby has found quite a few 14″ bandsaws that had the riser attachment added, for less than half the price of the new 14″ saw without the riser……..
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.
Especially where bimetal blades are cutting soft materials such as aluminium, it is often the case that by the time the blade snaps, the teeth are still like new but the band is worn out. Some bandsaw models have a relatively short blade length when compared to the width of the blade or cutting capacity. Rarer factors causing bimetal blades to break include blade tension, material clamping and the concentricity of the band wheels.
why do my bandsaw blades keep breaking Related Question:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Why do saws break?
If you saw too fast, the wood might get pushed into the blade too quickly. When this happens, it probably is happening so fast that the sawdust can’t even be removed, which is going to cause a clog, which will cause your blade to break.
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.
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.
How many times can you sharpen a sawmill 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.
What allows a saw blade to last longer?
Hang Circular Saw Blades Through the Center Hole Don’t let the blade’s kerf rest on the ground but hang a blade through its center hole for temporary storage. This can be as simple as a nail or screw in the wall, but at least the blade won’t be dulled by the floor or a shelf.
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.
Why is a hacksaw blade harder than a wood saw blade?
Due to the different materials that these handheld saws are designed to cut, their blades also differ in thickness. The blade utilized by a hacksaw to cut metal materials and plastic is the thinner blade. The blade used to cut wood on a handsaw is thicker than the blades used on a hacksaw.
What causes bandsaw blade drift?
Drift is cause because the blade buckles under the load. You can see that by stretching a ribbon between 2 points and applying a pressure to one of the edges, it will turn sideway easily. A sharp blade and high blade speed will help a lot with that.