The number one requirement to achieving efficient cutting performance using a bandsaw is to have the right blade installed for the materials it was specifically designed to cut.
Every cutting application has different demands – type and size of bandsaw machine, feed and speed rates, coolant, and blade dimension. There are a variety of bandsaw blades designed exclusively for cutting specific types of materials and shapes. There are bandsaw blades designed especially for use with wood or metal cutting, or both.
One of the most efficient and most expensive saw blades is the triple-chip Carbide bandsaw blade. The triple-chip features teeth ground from high-quality, micro-grained Carbide cylinders welded to a tough, ductile backing material. A ball of Carbide is welded in a pocket that is milled into the tooth tip and then ground to blend with the tooth shape. A unique design feature that offers the toughest resistance cutting in bandsaw blade products.
The triple-chip geometry provides for a smoother surface finish on abrasive woods, mold and carbon steel, tool- bearing- and stainless steels, titanium and nickel-based alloys, aluminium, and some non-ferrous metals.
When used to cut wood, however, the triple-chip bandsaw blade frequently produces stress fractures along the back of the blade. They aren’t recommended for cutting wood. Excessive stress is being applied beyond the tensile strength of the Carbide blade, making it a poor choice for woodcutters. The backer can’t handle the fast cutting speeds on most types of wood cutting bandsaw machines.
A bi-metal blade with a spring steel alloy backer gives better rigidity that will withstand high cutting speeds and excessive heat.
With any saw blade, there are usage factors that affect performance, output, and life span. Overfeeding of stock and overloading the gullets, over or under tension of the blade, improperly adjusted blade guides, setting the incorrect blade TPI, improper adjustment of speed rate, and using the wrong blade for the material.
To learn more about saw blade issues, their possible causes and subsequent solutions, click on this link.
Choosing the right bandsaw blade for the right material is the best way to prolong blade life and achieve successful output. It is also advisable to consult blade manufacturers to discover suitable blades for materials compatibility.
