Which blade is best suited to my application?

The selection of the best bandsaw blade configuration is necessary for optimum cutting performance. Correct blade choice is primarily dependent on two factors: material thickness and material type. The general rule of thumb is to aim for at least 2 to 3 teeth in the material at any time. The thinner and harder the material is the more you need to increase the number of teeth per inch (tpi). The thicker and softer the material, the more you should lower the number of teeth per inch (tpi) towards the minimum of 2 to 3 teeth in the material at any one time. If you have too many teeth per inch the gullet will not be sufficient to clear the waste and the blade can stall or burn the wood. A good general purpose blade for many of our machines is a 3/8" x 6tpi blade and for many users the vast majority of applications and materials can be satisfactorily cut with this blade, but as with all general purpose blades there is an element of compromise and optimum cutting performance. Having selected and appropriate blade for the particular thickness and type of material to be sawn, it is essential that the saw blade is allowed to cut freely by not applying too much pressure. If you find the need to apply excessive pressure it probably means you have the wrong blade for the application or it is worn and needs replacing. When cutting shapes, the width of the blade defines the minimum radius that can be cut. If the blade is too wide for the cutting radius the blade can twist, jam or even break. The smaller the radius the narrower (front cutting edge to back) the blade will need to be. For straight cuts it is best to use as wide a blade as possible as the additional beam strength helps resist twisting and improves accuracy. When straight cutting is is also important to check that there is adequate tension and this is the first thing to check if a new blade is wandering in cut. Regularly examine the blade for excessive damage or cracking as a result of fatigue. If such damage is present, replace the blade. It is important to use a sharp blade. Dull teeth result in increased feed pressure producing a poor quality finish and an inaccurate cut.

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