Skip to content
Please Note : Our offices are closed from 9am on the 20th December through to 9am on the 2nd January 2025. All orders created in this time will be shipped from the 2nd January - We wish all our customers a Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year
Please Note : Our offices are closed from 9am on the 20th December through to 9am on the 2nd January 2025. All orders created in this time will be shipped from the 2nd January - We wish all our customers a Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year
How-To’s for all Band Saw Blades
November 7, 2024 woodford woodworking tooling ltd Arrowsmith

How-To’s for all Band Saw Blades

The most obvious piece of information you need to know is “how long is my bandsaw blade?” you need to choose the width of blade. Always use the widest blade possible – it is stronger and will withstand greater feed pressures without flexing. Blade width is measured from the tips of the teeth to the back edge
of the blade as shown above. The instructions for the particular
machine being used should be followed when selecting blade width.

How To Choose The Correct Number Of Teeth Per Inch (TPI)

If you are a woodturner, cutting bowl blanks with a Bandsaw Blades is both safe and effective. However, you will need to choose a blade that will cut the radius you need.

The minimum radius of curve for each blade width is as follows:

Blade width – Minimum radius
13mm (1/2″) – 63mm (2 1/2″)
10mm (3/8″) – 27mm (1 1/16″)
6mm (1/4″) – 19mm (3/4″)
5mm (3/16″) – 13mm (1/2″)
3mm (1/8″) – 10mm (3/8″)

When Selecting TPI remember:
• More TPI give a smoother but slower cut
• Fewer TPI allow a faster cut with a slightly rougher finish
• At least three teeth must be in the workpiece—
the chart to the right will help you decide.

Installing your Band Saw Blade
1. Unplug the saw, then loosen the tension on the upper wheel. With all the blade guides backed off, slip the new blade around the wheels and then tension it.
2. When you have tensioned the blade enough to keep it on the wheels, track it by turning the upper wheel with one hand while adjusting the tilt of the wheel’s axis with the other hand. The blade should ride in the middle of the rim. Never track the blade with the motor running and the cover open.
3. Next, adjust the blade guides; first the thrust bearings: upper and lower, then the left had side guides.
4. Use a square to make sure you are not pushing the blade out of line and place a piece of white paper between the blade guide and the blade to allow for clearance.
5. Premature Blade Breakage
6. Blade Making Belly-Shaped Cuts
7. Tooth Strippage
8. Band Develops a Negative Camber
9. Blade Not Running True Against Saw Guide Backup Bearing
10. Cutting Rate Too Slow

Previous article The Pole Barn Vs Timber Frame Barn
Next article Planer Knives – Choice of Materials and Quality