Grizzly G0664 Blade Breakage, Workpiece Inspection, Most common causes of blade breakage are

Blade Breakage

Many conditions may cause a bandsaw blade to break. Blade breakage is unavoidable, in some cases, since it is the natural result of the peculiar stresses that bandsaw blades must endure. Blade breakage is also due to avoidable circumstances. Avoidable blade 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:

•Faulty alignment or adjustment of the blade guides.

•Feeding the blade too fast.

•Dull or damaged teeth.

•Over-tensioned blade.

•Top blade guide assembly set too high above the workpiece. Adjust the top blade guide assembly so that there is approximately ½" between the bottom of the assembly and the workpiece.

•Using a blade with a lumpy or improperly fin- ished braze or weld.

•Continuously running the bandsaw when not in use.

•Leaving the blade tensioned when not in use.

•Using the wrong pitch (TPI) for the workpiece thickness. The general rule of thumb is to have at least two teeth in contact with the workpiece at all times during cutting.

G0664 Heavy Duty Metal-Cutting Bandsaw

Workpiece

Inspection

Some metal workpieces are not safe to cut with a metal cutting bandsaw; instead, a different tool or machine should be used.

Before cutting, inspect the material for any of the following conditions and take the neces- sary precautions:

•Small or Thin Workpieces: Small or thin workpieces may be damaged during cut- ting—avoid cutting these workpieces if possi- ble. If you must cut a small or thin workpiece, attach it to or clamp it between larger scrap pieces that will both support the workpiece through the cut. Some thin sheet metals will not withstand the forces from this bandsaw during cutting; instead, use a shear, nibblers, or sheet metal nippers to cut these pieces.

•Unstable Workpieces: Workpieces that can- not be properly supported or stabilized with the vise should not be cut on this bandsaw. Examples are chains, cables, workpieces with internal or built-in moving or rotating parts, etc.

•Material Hardness: Always factor in the hard- ness of the metal before cutting it. Hardened metals will take longer to cut, may require lubrication, and may require a different type of blade in order to efficiently cut them.

•Tanks, Cylinders, Containers, Valves, Etc:

Cutting into containers that are pressur- ized or contain gasses or liquids can cause explosions, fires, caustic burns, or machine damage. Avoid cutting any of these types of containers unless you have verified that the container is empty and it can be properly sup- ported during a cut.

•Magnesium: Pure magnesium burns eas- ily. Cutting magnesium with a dull blade can create enough friction to ignite the small magnesium chips. Avoid cutting magnesium if possible.

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