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M1014 7" x 12" Metal Cutting Bandsaw
OPERATIONS
Blade Selection
The chart below is a basic starting point for
choosing blade type based on teeth per inch (TPI)
for variable tooth pitch blades and for standard
raker type bi-metal blades/HSS blades. However,
for exact specifications of bandsaw blades,
contact the blade manufacturer.
There are three general rules of thumb with
respect to bandsaw blade use.
• At least three teeth must contact the
metal at any phase of the cut. Otherwise
the teeth can load up with metal,
fracture, and break off. If the TPI is too
high, the teeth can load up with material
and overheat damaging the blade.
• For a faster but rougher cut, use a blade
with a lower TPI and a higher feed rate.
• For a slower but smoother cut, use a blade
with a lower TPI and a lower feed rate.
Figure 36. Blade selection chart. Note: The TPI numbers
in parentheses apply to bi-metal/HSS blades only.
To select the correct blade TPI do these
steps:
1. Measure the material thickness. This
measurement is the length of cut
taken from where the tooth enters the
workpiece, sweeps through, and exits the
workpiece.
2. Refer to the "Material Thickness" row of the
blade selection chart in Figure 36 and read
across to find your workpiece thickness you
need to cut.
3. Refer to the "Shape" of metal and "Material
Type" columns and find the shape and
material to be cut.
4. In the applicable row, read across to the
right and find the box where the row and
column intersect. Listed in the box is the
minimum TPI recommended for the variable
tooth pitch blades; and the TPI for bi-metal
raker blades in parentheses.