Defining Saw Blade Tooth Sets
Nomenclature is the study of words and their usage, and jargon is a term used to describe the unique aspects of a profession’s equipment and/or procedure.
In the metal sawing industry, this jargon becomes a complex issue of word usage that can often end up overwhelming and exasperating those not familiar with all aspects of the industry’s jargon.
It even has the potential to confuse those already in-the-know when the same piece of equipment is referred to by two different forms of that jargon.
We say tires when we mean belts, or we will refer to lubricants as coolants interchangeably when there are clearly different definitions for each. Similarly, how many different terms are there for the variety of synthetic and semi-synthetic fluids and oils being used?
Below are some saw blade teeth set terminology that will be encountered industry-wide and that remain consistent from manufacturer to manufacturer.
REGULAR SET is sometimes referred to as RAKER SET. It consists of a repetitive pattern with one tooth set to the right, the next to the left, and the third (called the raker tooth) without a set. This type of set is best used when the material being cut is of uniform size. It is also used in contour sawing.
WAVY SET blades have groups of teeth set to the left and to the right, alternating throughout the band blade. This reduces the strain that occurs on individually-set teeth, making the saw more suitable for cutting a variety of shapes and thickness without changing blades. It also helps eliminate tooth stripping when sawing thin sections such as tubing, pipe, sheet stock, etc. The wavy tooth set blades are recommended for most light-duty sawing machines. Wavy set teeth offer a range of applications that make it superior to the regular-set tooth pattern blade.
EVERY TOOTH SET (E.T.S.) is similar to the regular set tooth pattern but without the raker or unset tooth. All ETS teeth are set right and left in an alternating and repeating pattern. This provides one-third more cutting teeth and is especially good for use in foundries that saw non-ferrous castings where the raker tooth set would be at a disadvantage.
MODIFIED E.T.S. is a pattern designed for the Si-Pitch blade (a Simonds brand name exclusive to Simonds). It consists of teeth set alternately right and left along with being interspersed at regular intervals, and with a raker tooth being added. The modified ETS is an excellent saw blade for cutting a variety of shapes such as structural steel.
Understanding not only the terminology but also the process and application of every sawing method and the unique aspects of every saw blade manufactured will help to produce a more efficient, effective, and professional bandsaw operator.
