Bandsaw blades and tension; tension required in order to consistently produce a more accurate and straight cut, especially when machining dense or thick materials.
Each saw blade for each specific job will require its own form of tensioning. For example, a carbon blade requires a tension of around 15,000 – 20,000 psi. Bi-metal blades require a higher tension.
Why do bandsaw blades require so much tension? Proper blade tension allows for greater beam strength, and all bandsaw blades — regardless of their width — require the same amount of tension for maximum beam strength.
The tighter the blade is stretched, the more rigid it becomes: meaning less tendency for the saw blade to deflect in the cut.
Inadequate tension causes the blade to bow, with the result being an inadequate cut. This is especially true when a precise, smooth cut is compared with production cutting, where an accurate cut isn’t as high a priority.
As well as crooked cuts, improper saw blade tension can lead to several other problems with the blade. Insufficient blade tension results in vibration and having the band become stuck in the material. On the other hand, excessive blade tension can result in premature band breakage.
Proper bandsaw blade tension is necessary. In order to achieve the optimum performance in the bandsaw machine and the bandsaw blades being used, it is imperative. For every type of cut required to get the job done efficiently and accurately, make sure that the bandsaw blade is at the proper tension prior to beginning the cut.
