Southbend SB1041, SB1040 owner manual Blade Selection, Blade Length, Blade Terminology, Blade Width

Model SB1040/SB1041 O P E R A T I O N For Machines Mfg. Since 8/09

Blade Selection

Selecting the right blade for the cut requires a knowledge of various blade characteristics.

Blade Length

Measured by the blade circumference, blade lengths are usually unique to the brand of your bandsaw and the distance between the wheels.

Blade Terminology

	A
	B
	C
E	F
	H
		D	G
			I

Figure 13. Bandsaw blade terminology.

A.Kerf: The amount of material removed by the blade during cutting.

B.Tooth Set: The amount each tooth is bent left or right from the blade.

C.Gauge: The thickness of the blade.

D.Blade Width: The widest point of the blade measured from the tip of the tooth to the back edge of the blade.

E.Tooth Rake: The angle of the tooth face from a line perpendicular to the length of the blade.

F.Gullet Depth: The distance from the tooth tip to the bottom of the curved area (gullet).

G.Tooth Pitch: The distance between tooth tips.

H.Blade Back: The distance between the bottom of the gullet and the back edge of the blade.

I.Blade Pitch or TPI: The number of teeth per inch measured from gullet to gullet.

Model	Blade Length Range
SB1040/SB1041	................................ 1393⁄8"–1401⁄2"

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—generally the wider the blade, the straighter it will cut.

Model	Blade Width Range
SB1040/SB1041	............................................ 1⁄8"–5⁄8"

Always pick the blade width that best suits your operation.

Curve Cutting: Use the chart in Figure 14 to choose the correct blade for curve cutting. Determine the smallest radius curve that will be cut on your workpiece and use the corresponding blade width.

The list below shows the minimum radius that can be cut by each blade width.

Width	Radius
1⁄8"	1⁄8"
3⁄16"	3⁄8"
1⁄4''	5⁄8''
3⁄8''	11⁄4''
1⁄2''	21⁄2''
5⁄8''	4''

Figure 14. Blade width radii.

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