Grizzly G8144Z, G8145Z, G8146Z Blade Selection

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G8144Z/G8145Z/G8146Z

Vertical Metal Cutting Bandsaw

Blade Selection

Selecting the right blade for the cut requires a

knowledge of various blade characteristics.

Blade Terminology

The list below shows the minimum radius

that can be cut by common blade widths.

Width Radius

1⁄8" ....................................1⁄8"

3⁄16" ...................................3⁄8"

1⁄4'' ....................................5⁄8''

3⁄8'' ....................................11⁄4''

1⁄2'' ....................................21⁄2''

5⁄8'' ....................................33⁄4''

3⁄4'' ....................................51⁄2''

Figure 17. Blade width radii.

Blade Length

Measured by the blade circumference, blade

lengths are usually unique to the brand of your

bandsaw and the distance between the wheels.

Model Blade Length Range

G8144Z ..............................................941⁄4"–981⁄4"

G8145Z ................................................105"–110"

G8146Z ................................................133"–136"

Blade Width

Measured from the back of the blade to the tip of

the blade tooth (the widest po int), blade width is

often the first consideration given to blade selec-

tion. 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

G8144Z ......................................................1⁄8"–3⁄8"

G8145Z ......................................................1⁄8"–1⁄2"

G8146Z ......................................................1⁄8"–3⁄4"

Always pick the blade width that b est suits your

operation.

Curve Cutting: Use the chart in Figure 17

to choose the correct blade for curve c utting.

Determine the smallest radius curve that will be

cut on your workpiece and use the corresponding

blade width.

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 bot-

tom of the gullet and the back edge of the

blade.

I. TPI: The number of teeth per inch measured

from gullet to gullet.

blade widths and radius

blade selection

Figure 16. Bandsaw blade terminology.