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G8976 3 Wheel 12" Bandsaw
TOOTH STYLE
Tooth shape, gullet size, and cut angle are all fac-
tors that determine the tooth style. Figure 37
illustrates the three main categories of tooth
style.
• RAKER — This style is considered to be the
standard because the tooth size and shape
are the same as the tooth gullet. The teeth
on Raker blades are usually very numerous,
have no angle, and produce cuts by scraping
the material; these characteristics result in
very smooth cuts, but at the same time do
not cut fast and generate more heat while
cutting.These blades also work well for cut-
ting curves.
• SKIP — This style is like a raker blade that is
missing every other tooth. Because of the
design, skip toothed blades have a much
larger gullet than raker blades, and there-
fore, cut faster and generate less heat.
However, these blades also leave a rougher
cut than raker blades. Great for resawing
and ripping thin stock.
• HOOK — The teeth on this style have a pos-
itive angle (downward) which makes them
dig into the material, and the gullets are usu-
ally rounded for easier waste removal.
These blades are excellent for the tough
demands of resawing and ripping thick
stock.
Figure 37. Raker, skip and hook tooth styles.
Raker Skip Hook
TOOTH PITCH
Usually measured as TPI, tooth pitch refers to the
number of teeth-per-inch. More teeth-per-inch
(fine pitch) will cut slower, but will produce a
smoother cut; while fewer teeth-per-inch (coarse
pitch) will cut faster, but will produce a rougher
cut.
As a general rule, choose blades that will have at
least three teeth in the cut as shown in Figure 38.
Fewer TPI are best for softer, wetter woods.
Higher TPI are best for harder, drier woods.
Figure 38. Determining correct tooth pitch for
workpiece thickness.
Correct Incorrect
Workpiece