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-31-
M1113 18" Wood/Metal Bandsaw
OPERATIONS
Blade Characteristics
(Wood Cutting)
Blade Length
Measured by the circumference, blade lengths are usually
unique to the brand of your bandsaw and the distance
between wheels. This saw uses 133" long blades.
Blade Width
Measured from 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. Blade width
dictates the largest and smallest curve that can be cut, as
well as how accurately it can cut a straight line.
This saw uses blades from
1
⁄8" to 1
1
⁄4" in width. Always
pick the size of blade that best suits your application.
• Curve Cutting: Use the chart in Figure 43 to deter-
mine the correct blade for curve cutting. Determine
the smallest radius curve that will be cut on your
workpiece and use the corresponding blade width.
• Straight Cutting: Use the largest width blade that
you own. Large blades excel at cutting straight lines
and are less prone to wander.
Tooth Style
Figure 45 illustrates the three main tooth styles:
•
Raker: Considered to be the standard because the
tooth size and shape are the same as the tooth
gullet. The teeth on raker blades usually are very
numerous, have no angle, and produce cuts by
scraping the material; these characteristics result in
very smooth cuts, but do not cut fast and generate
more heat than other types while cutting.
• Skip: Similar to 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 therefore, cut faster and generate less heat.
However, these blades also leave a rougher cut than
raker blades.
• Hook: The teeth have a positive angle (downward)
which makes them dig into the material, and the
gullets are usually rounded for easier waste removal.
These blades are excellent for the tough demands of
resawing and ripping thick material.
Figure 45. Raker, Skip & Hook tooth
styles.