Blade Selection
Blade Type
Figure 55 shows three major blade types: Raker, Hook and Skip. Raker (standard) blades usually have many teeth per inch (T.P.I.) and each tooth is flat along the tip. These type of blades leave an excellent finish but cannot clear sawdust very efficiently because of teeth prox- imity. Skip blades are essentially a raker blade missing every other tooth. These blades clear sawdust efficiently but do not leave as fine of a finish as a raker. Hook blades are not flat along the tip; instead, they have curved profile to give a more aggressive “bite” into the material. Their spacing is similar to that of a skip blade, so they clear sawdust quite efficiently. This makes these types of blades good for cutting thick stock.
Blade Width
As a general rule, large blades provide more support for thick stock and allow you to cut straighter. Small blades provide maximum con- trol for cutting tight curves, but are not a good choice for cutting straight cuts and do not have the strength for thick stock. Medium blades are excellent for gradual curves and perform well for cutting round stock, but they are not meant to perform the jobs of large or small blades. Many people are tempted to only use a medium blade so they never have to change blades. Use the right blade for the right job, and you will get better results.
Blade Teeth
Blade teeth come coarse, medium and fine. Coarse teeth cut softer woods and thick stock more efficiently, but they do not leave a fine finish. Fine teeth are good for cutting hard woods and leave a fine finish. Medium teeth, naturally, achieve a balance between efficient cutting, while leaving a moderate finish.
Blade selection should be taken into considera- tion for each type of cut. No matter what selec- tion you are using, you should always feed the workpiece into the blade at a slow and even pace.
Figure 55. Types of blade teeth.
Type Of Cut | Width | Teeth | Blade Type | Bandsaw Speed |
Sharp Curves | Small | Fine | Raker | 2300 F.P.M. |
Gradual Curves | Medium | Medium | Skip | 2300 F.P.M. |
Ripping (less than 13⁄4") | Large | Medium | Hook | 2300 F.P.M. |
Ripping (more than 13⁄4") | Large | Coarse | Hook | 3200 F.P.M. |
Crosscutting (less than 1") | Large | Fine | Raker | 3200 F.P.M. |
Crosscutting (more than 1") | Large | Medium | Raker | 3200 F.P.M. |
Resawing (all sizes) | Large | Coarse | Hook | 3200 F.P.M. |
Round Stock | Medium | Medium | Raker | 3200 F.P.M. |
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