Blade Selection, Precision tooth, raker set blade

Blade Selection

A bandsaw blade is a ribbon of steel subjected to tremendous strain. Be sure you use qual- ity blades for the various types of cutting opera- tions. The Grizzly G1011Z bandsaw accepts 1'' x 101" blades. Bandsaw blades can be purchased welded, set, and sharpened ready-for-use from most saw shops. We also supply tool steel and variable pitch bi-metal blades for this saw. Please refer to our current catalog for prices and ordering information.

There are several key factors to consider in choosing a blade:

Tooth Pitch - The number of teeth per inch (TPI) on the blade, also known as tooth pitch. Select a pitch which will assure that at least three teeth are contacting the workpiece while cutting. This helps to dis- tribute the cutting forces and avoids tooth breakage.

Tooth Form - There are four common forms of teeth on the blade: buttress, claw-tooth, precision and tungsten carbide. Precision is the most common and is the type supplied with this saw. See Figure 9. It is the most versatile and it provides a good surface finish.

Tooth Set - Set is the degree to which the teeth are bent away from the blade. Typical tooth set styles are raker, wave and straight set. Raker set is the most common with one tooth offset to the right, the next one to the left, and the third is straight. A wave set will have 3-4 teeth bent progressively one direction, then to the other in a wave-like pattern. A straight set is alternating teeth set right, then left.

Always select and use good-quality saw blades and choose the right blade for the job. Discuss your cutting requirements with your saw blade dealer to make sure you are getting the type of blade which best suits your need. Poor quality blades and improper use are often the cause of premature blade failure.

G1011 7" x 12'' Bandsaw

Many conditions can lead to breakage. Blade breakage is, in some cases, unavoidable, since it is the natural result of the peculiar stresses that bandsaw blades are subjected to. Blade break- age is also due to avoidable causes. Avoidable breakage is most often the result of poor care or judgement on the part of the operator when mounting or adjusting the blade or support guides. The most common causes of blade breakage are:

(1)faulty alignment and adjustment of the guides;

(2)Insufficient number of teeth contacting the cut;

(3)feeding too fast; (4) tooth dullness or absence of sufficient set; (5) excessive tension; (6) using a blade with a lumpy or improperly finished weld; and (7), continuously running the bandsaw when not in use.

Gullet

Gullet Line

Figure 9. A precision tooth, raker set blade.

Operating this equipment has the poten- tial to propel debris into the air which can cause eye injury. Always wear safety glass- es or goggles when operating equipment. Everyday glasses or reading glasses only have impact resistant lenses, they are not safety glasses. Be certain the safety glasses you wear meet the appropriate standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

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