Tag Archives: machinists
Saw Blade Back and Gullet Cracks
Bandsaw owners and operators will encounter saw blade back and gullet cracks and might wonder why, or think that it is simply a low quality blade. Yet, being economical doesn’t necessarily mean that the blade is the problem. At Sawblade.com, we offer some of the lowest saw blade and parts prices in the industry. This does not mean that we carry inferior stock, or that our blades are not engineered to the highest industry specifications. In many cases, the common problems resulting in gullet and back cracks often range from crooked welds to bandsaw blade breakage. Problems will also occur when …
Materials Handling Affects Cutting Process
Materials handling is the process of loading, unloading, staging, and transferring of cutting materials. Different types of materials handling systems on bandsaw machines include power in and out feed roller conveyors, to cross- transfer systems, and the automated cut-to-weight systems. There are also sorting and ejection units. Some manufacturers will allow users to modify or upgrade materials handling systems on the bandsaw depending on the customers production needs. A solid materials handling system is important for any sawing operation: especially for fabricators that deal with bundles and large profiles. The primary use of a materials handling system is to assure …
Bandsaw Chips Check
Fabricating shops use bandsaw machines to cut a variety of materials including beams, structurals, heavy wall tubing, stainless steel, tool steels , pipes, and tubes. Bandsaw operators incorporate an effective sawing operation by first choosing the right bandsaw blade, and then performing a blade break in procedure. These are then followed by properly setting the machine, using the correct feed rate for the material, running the saw blade at the recommended speed rate, and cutting with or without coolant (depending on the materials). But there is one aspect that most bandsaw operators do overlook, and that is to check the shavings …
Re-saw Basics and Bandsaw Blades
Re-sawing is basic to wood cutting and is a useful skill in the workshop. It is useful in certain applications as well. Bandsaws are useful since they are designed to handle any standard sized board and will cut whole logs. Material hardness and texture need consideration since they are major contributors to issues like blade bounce and tooth stripping. To help assure an easy cut, there are special re-saw blades available that are extra wide to prevent bending while cutting. Their sharp teeth in a skip tooth arrangement will clear sawdust fast enough to allow for more cut time. Tooth form describes tooth shape, and for re-saw purposes, a hook …
Band Tension and Cutting Performance
Saw blade tension is a technical term used to describe how tight the bandsaw blade is on a bandsaw and is expressed in Pound per Square Inch ( PSI). The amount of tension applied will depend on blade thickness and width, and wheel diameter. Various methods are used to set the correct blade tension, from gauge use to blade plucking not unlike that of a guitar string. Tension can be adjusted by a gauge indicator on the bandsaw. It will indicate the amount of tension required based on the width of the saw blade. Using a tension meter will assure the most accurate …
About Bandsaw Worm Gears
Worm gears are used when large gear reductions are needed. The set-up allows the user to determine rotational speed and also allows for higher torque to be transmitted. Many worm gears have an interesting property that no other gear set has: the worm can easily turn the gear, but the gear cannot turn the worm. This is because the worm angle is so shallow that when the gear tries to spin it, the friction between the gear and the worm holds the worm in place. The three different types of worm gear are: No throat – a straight worm without a groove …
Bandsaw Mist System Coolant
Most metal sawing operations can become cost-effective with the use of the proper mix of coolant on a well maintained bandsaw. Proper coolant usage improves cutting rates by balancing the combination of cooling and lubrication of the blade. Quality coolant improves the cut finish and can extend blade life by as much as 20%. The sawing operation generates extreme heat when chips are sheared from the material and from the friction of metal-to-metal contact at high speeds. Using a coolant — flood-applied or mist — reduces the heat generated by these sources. Coolant also prevents metal chips from welding to the tooth …
How Band Wheels Affect Cut
Band wheels provide tracking and support bandsaw blade tension. The wheel supports the blade in order for the blade to cut the material straight. Incorrect band wheel usage may result in cutting operation complications. Bandsaw machines run with two wheels: the idler wheel and the drive wheel. The idler wheel transfers the motion or guide and supports the drive wheel while the drive is the portion of a bandsaw’s pulley-like drive system that propels the blade forward. These two wheels revolve continuously inside a bandsaw machine to help keep the cutting operation in progress. If not properly maintained, band wheels will cause problems. …
Preventing Saw Blade Fractures
There are several reasons why bandsaw blades fail. Weld breakage is generally thought of as a manufacturer problem. The required length of band is cut from a coil and then welded together at both ends. Most weld centers follow the same procedure in creating bandsaw blades. It is important to assure that the two bands are tightly joined to avoid blade fracture at the weld. Simple adjustments to your bandsaw will put an end to blade problems. Bandsaw operators should be knowledgeable in order to prevent such problems. Common ways for an operator to prevent blade breakage include: Accurately setting …
