Selection of the right blade for the right material in order to produce the best cut can be time-consuming. The need to undergo a lot of trial & error will lead to frustration for the bandsaw operator and unwanted down-time for the entire shop.
To help make the selection process a bit easier, take a moment to consider such things as the materials to be cut, the blade dimensions, speed and feed rates, cut quality, production output, and the bandsaw machine settings.
Knowing the answers to these key elements in any cutting operation will make the selection process simpler and result in obtaining the best overall performance.
Consider the components used to make the saw blade.
If the saw operator understand the various blade types available, how they were made, and their usage factors, determining the right blade for the materials on hand is achieved.
Saw blade quality depends on blade type.
Blades differ in their ability to resist the heat generated while cutting and also the ability to resist shock when entering and exiting the material during the cutting process. This is especially true of materials like structural, pipe, and tubing.
Carbon blades, like our 101 and 201 series, are used for woodcutting and non-ferrous applications. This blade type is best for use in maintenance shops and for general-purpose, low-volume cutting.
Bi-Metal saw blades are often referred to as the everyday work horse. They are typically used in metal cutting like die and mold steel, stainless, nickel-based alloy, non-ferrous, some exotic metals, high hardness steels, and other solids.
SawBlade.com offers the 501, 601, 701, and 901 series of bi-metal bandsaw blade.
Carbide Tipped blades are typically used to cut difficult-to-machine steels, high alloy metal, titanium, stainless steel, fiberglass, composite materials, abrasive woods, and the more exotic metals that a bi-metal blade cannot cut.
Use these blades if high production rates and/or a good surface finish are required.
At SawBlade.com, we carry the CT1001 and the CT1002 Carbide Tip blades.
Know the recommended blade size for the bandsaw.
Before making any purchase, it is a good idea to consult the bandsaw machine’s operator’s manual to find out the correct size of blade for that machine.
Identify the correct blade to match the work load of the materials.
In order to achieve good quality in every cut, it is imperative to understand the different types of bandsaw blades available and their usage on a specific type of material. This advice will help to achieve higher production rates, smoother materials finish, and especially ease of operation.
