Bandsaw Blade Selection

[Patrickknives]

I will be cutting quite a bit of ATS-34 that is 3/32 and 1/8. I typically use a Matrix bi metal with 18 tpi, what about the variable tooth 14-18 better?? Why variable tooth?

 

[turtleman]

Patrick, I was always taught that there needs to be two (2) teeth in the metal always or you will start tearing the points off. Depending on the thickness of metal you want to cut; the distance between the tips of the teeth should measure less than the thickness of the metal. Just measure and go with the blade for the thinest metal you will be cutting. Hope this helps but you might want to check with a machinist also.

 

[gixxer]

In my 10min of internet research people use variable tooth blades to cut down on vibration and this makes the blade last longer. Of course the term "last longer" is extremely broad. My next blade is gonna be a variable cause I wanna try it to see if there really is a difference. I could not really find anything that said a variable cuts better but hopefully somebody can chime in that really knows what they are using.

having enough teeth in the material is another good point.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

I use nothing but bimetal 24 TPI blades, but I cut a lot of thin stuff. Mine last forever cutting 1/8" 1095.

 

[Patrickknives]

The thinnest will be 3/32, I typically use a 18tpi and it works well I have not sheared any teeth, however 3/32 would be about 21 tpi to get 2 teeth into the metal. So the 14-18 may be too agressive on the 14 part, 18 ok but not ideal. The 24 cuts pretty slow but I do want to get my $$ worth from the blade.

I wonder if the vibration issue is more for larger machines??

thanks

 

[Mark Knapp]

The rule of thumb is three teeth in the work, that is the recomendation from the manufacturers that I am familiar with. As mentioned, the reason for Variable pitch is to cut down on harmonic vibration or chatter, that is the shadow of the contour of your work piece that you sometimes see in your cut on heavier pieces. Variable pitch is supposed to increase blade life, though not necessarily cut faster, it is not beneficial in thinner pieces of metal. Some of what I have picked up from factory reps and tech' guys

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

I was just at the steel shop getting some quench plates. They showed me the last band saw blade that died on them. They were cutting 304 stainless and hit a hard spot. On a 14' 6 TPI blade, it took off every tooth on the blade in one pass around the saw. Apparently you can still rip the teeth off even with more than 3 teeth on the saw.

 

[argel55]

I would side with Bill on the 24TPI blades for that thin a stock.