Getting the most efficient performance from your band saw machine requires the proper blade. The information below will give you the best blade recommendation in most cases.
There are always exceptions due to machine type/condition or some variation in the materials to be cut.
Use the Band Saw Application Guide to help choose the blade that will work best for the materials to be cut.
Use the widest blade your machine will take except when cutting contours. Use this chart below for cutting radii.
3 - Tooth Rake
Select the appropriate rake for the materials/shapes to be cut.
Select the proper tooth shape. (See also Technical Information with more specifications with reference to Tooth Shape).
Pitch is generally referred to as the number of teeth per 25mm/inch. Cutting thinner sections requires a finer pitch (more teeth per 25mm/inch). Thick sections require coarser pitches (less teeth per 25mm/inch). See charts below.
Because the cross section limits in the chart are broad and overlap, choose a coarser pitch if the spread of cut is more important. Choose a finer pitch if surface finish is more important.
|
Section Size (mm) |
Constant Pitch (TPI) |
Variable Pitch (TPI) |
|---|---|---|
|
Up to 10 |
24 or 18 |
14/18 or 10/14 |
|
10 - 15 |
14 |
8 - 12 |
|
16 - 30 |
10 |
6 - 10 |
|
31 - 50 |
8 |
5 - 8 |
|
51 - 80 |
6 |
4 - 6 |
|
81 - 120 |
4 |
3 - 4 |
|
121 - 200 |
3 |
2 - 3 |
|
Over 200 |
1 or 1.3 |
0.8 - 1.3 to 1.4 - 2 |