Southbend SB1017 owner manual Blade Selection, Blade Terminology, Blade Length, Blade Width

Blade Selection

Selecting the right blade for the cut requires a knowledge of various blade characteristics. This section breaks down blade characteristics to help the reader make an informed decision about what blade to use for a given operation.

Blade Terminology

Figure 22. Bandsaw blade terminology.

A.Kerf: The width of the cut made during operation.

B.Tooth Set: The distance 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.

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 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.

Curve Cutting: Curve cutting can only be performed while the machine is in the vertical position. See Vertical Operation on Page 30 for more information on vertical cutting. The smallest radius curve that can accurately be cut with a 1⁄2" blade width is approximately 2⁜1⁄2".