Tag Archives: band saw machines
A Guide to Band Saw Tune-Up
A Guide to Band Saw Tune-Up. Tuning the band saw is a necessary evil if perfection of cut, smoothness of materials, and pride in workmanship are the desired end-result of any work effort. The band saw machine is an important tool for woodworkers. Few things are more satisfying than re-sawing thin sheets of veneer out of a large piece of wood. The band saw is essential for cutting such curves and for re-sawing veneers. In order for these results to be achieved, the band saw in use must be tuned correctly or the re-sawing will become difficult. There are four primary steps …
Hard-Back and Flex-Back Saw Blades
Hard-Back and Flex-Back Saw Blades. Band saw blades are as complex and they are diversified. It is important to consider all of the different variables that come into play when it comes to cutting different types of materials. There is wood, metal, steel, etc. Also, think about how precise and accurate these materials can be cut, and how fast the saw blade actually starts the cut the moment it makes contact with the material that is being worked. Band saw blade diversification can be carried over to the Hard-Back and Flex-Back band saw blades. They are just as complex and …
Wide-Set Structural Band Saw Blades
Wide-Set Structural Band Saw Blades. The metal fabrication and manufacturing industries are two of the toughest and most competitive businesses in operation today. From several viewpoints, there are different issues to consider in order to remain successful, competitive, and to continue to attract new customers. The quality of the product being produced may be the most important factor to consider in this market. Customers may tolerate some things, but a poor quality finish to any end result product is not one of them. The same is true for those who supply the products used to produce more products for other consumers. Being particular about the purchase of high-quality …
Coolants and Lubricants 101
Coolants and Lubricants 101 – a primer. Heat is one of the main reasons for blade failure. Lubricating the cutting edge of a band saw blade will reduce the heat that is generated by the cutting friction of the blade as it comes into contact with the material in production. A flood of coolant will help to wash away the chips from the gullets of the blade. Chips can become work-hardened during the cutting process occurs due to the friction heat and by compaction. If the chips are dragged back into a cut more than once, they can damage the saw blade’s teeth. Coolant …
Band Saw Feed Rate and Feed System
Band Saw Feed Rate and Feed System. Feed Rate and Feed Systems in band saw operation are important cutting variables that impact production rate and machine-ability. So, what is Feed Rate and the various types of Feed Systems that exist? The Feed Rate is defined as the amount of material (in square inches) that a band saw can cut per minute. This number or amount is often referred to as S.I.P.M. (Square Inches Per Minute). Critical to the proper operation of a band saw is the smooth steadiness of the head of the saw as it drops onto the material being cut. The feed should always be …
Band Saw Tooth Pitch
Band Saw Tooth Pitch — a guide. First and foremost, there should be a minimum of three teeth in a cut and a maximum of 24 teeth. Optimally then, there should be six to twelve teeth in any one cutting operation for best output performance. Softer materials require fewer teeth in the cut, but more gullet capacity. The harder materials being worked with will require more teeth in a cut, sharing the machine-ability load but with less gullet area. Constant-feed band saw machines can use a coarser pitch blade while gravity-feed machines can use a finer pitch blade. Too many teeth in the cut will work to …
Band Saw Blade Tooth Stripping
Band Saw Blade Tooth Stripping. Some questions to consider when band saw blades end up with stripped teeth early in its life span. What type of saw is used to cut materials? What types of materials are being cut? Are there too few teeth in the cut? Too many? Is the chip brush working? Are the lubricants and coolant being utilized? Are the gullets filling with material, causing bounce? What speed is being run for the particular production task being operated? Is it a quality blade that is being used? Is the saw blade’s weld straight? If no, Stop! Call your supplier right away. Is the …
Blade Fail Check-List
Blade Fail Check-List. So, how does a band saw blade fail? Above and beyond the most easily recognizable symptom of blade failure — when your 10’5 1/4″ blade becomes just one long bow saw type blade — there are certain aspects of the cutting process before, during, and after that need to be taken into consideration. Let’s look at the Big 22: variables that might cause blade failure. 1. Operator error — if there are multiple operators on one saw, the question becomes, is everybody on the same page? 2. The right teeth in the band — remember, minimum of 3; maximum …
