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-30- G1012 18" Bandsaw
Do not force the material against the blade, use
light and even pressure. Light contact with the
blade will permit easier line following and prevent
undue friction, heat and work-hardening along
the back edge of the blade.
Avoid trying to turn sharp corners because this
will twist the blade. Remember, you must saw
around corners.
NOTICE
Set the top guide assembly so it is just
above the top of the work at all times.
Blade Information
Although you can perform many types of straight
cuts such as angling and mitering on the band-
saw, they will not be as precise as on a table saw.
Also, since the blade is flexible, the resulting cut
is somewhat rougher than one performed on a
table saw. However, just as a table saw is suited
to precision straight cuts and miters, the bandsaw
excels when resawing and when cutting irregular
shapes. A properly adjusted and tuned up band-
saw is also safer to operate than most other saws
and is capable of performing many sawing func-
tions with ease and accuracy.
A common fault when using a bandsaw is blam-
ing the saw for not performing up to expectations.
Many factors contribute to the performance of a
bandsaw. Using the wrong kind of blade for the
job or using a poor quality blade will result in
unsatisfactory performance. Misuse of the saw or
using incorrect sawing techniques can be unsafe
as well as result in frustration and poor cuts.
Remember, the blade does the cutting with the
operator’s guidance. Replace and clean blades
as necessary and make adjustments periodically
to keep the saw always running in top condition.
Selecting the right blade requires a combination
of the various blade characteristics mentioned
below, the type of material you plan to cut, and
the type of cut you are going to perform.
Blade Length
Measured by the circumference, blade lengths
are usually unique to the brand of your bandsaw
and the wheel diameter. The Model G1012 is
designed for blades that are 124" long. However,
the tension adjustment will accommodate blades
up to a maximum length of 125" and down to a
minimum of approximately 123" in length.
Blade Width
Measured from the the back of the blade to the tip
of the blade tooth (the widest point), blade width
is often the first consideration given to blade
selection.
A narrow blade can cut tight curves (a small
radius) but is not very good at cutting straight
lines, because they naturally wander (blade
lead). However, larger blades are much better at
cutting straight lines, but function poorly at cutting
small curves because of their size.
The Model G1012 functions best with
1
⁄4",
3
⁄8",
1
⁄2",
1" and 1
1
⁄2" widths. Refer to the current Grizzly
catalog for prices and ordering information.
Always pick the size of blade that best suits your
application.
Tooth Style
When selecting blades, another option to consid-
er is the shape, gullet size and angle of the teeth
— otherwise known as “Tooth Style.”
Figure 40 shows the three main categories of
tooth style: