Selecting the Right Band Saw Blade
Get the best, most efficient performance from your band saw with the proper
band saw blade. The information below will give you the best blade
recommendation in most cases.
1 - Blade Type
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Materials
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Starrett Blade Type
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Tool Steel and Stainless Steel
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Best: Intenss PRO-DIE
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Alloy and High Carbon Steel
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Best: Intenss PRO-DIE
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General Purpose
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Best: Intenss PRO-DIE
Good: Duratec FB
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Carbon Steel
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Best: Intenss PRO-DIE
Good: Duratec FB
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|
Aluminum
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Best:Intenss PRO-DIE
Good: Duratec FB
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Non Ferrous
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Best: Intenss PRO-DIE
Good: Duratec FB |
2 - Type of Pitch
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Constant - All teeth on the blade have uniform spacing, gullet depth,
rake angle throughout the full length. Usually general purpose cutting and
identified by one pitch number.
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|
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Variable - Size of tooth and depth of gullet varies to substantially
reduce noise levels and vibration so as to cut all structurals, tubing and
solids, smoothly and quickly. Identified by two pitch numbers.
|
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3 - Pitch
Pitch is the number of teeth per inch or 25 mm. Cutting thinner sections
requires a finer pitch (more teeth per inch or 25 mm). Thick sections requires
coarser pitches (less teeth per inch or 25 mm). The chart is a good guideline.
Because the cross section limits in the chart are broad and overlap, choose a
coarser pitch if the speed of cut is most important. Choose a finer pitch if
finish is most important.
Constant Pitch Selection
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Cross Section Thickness To Be Cut
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Use Constant Pitch
|
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Inch
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mm
|
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Up to 5/16"
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Up to 8 mm
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32*
|
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5/32"-1/2"
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4-13 mm
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24
|
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7/32"-5/8"
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6-16 mm
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18
|
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1/4"-7/8"
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6.4-22 mm
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14
|
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3/8"-1 1/4"
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9.5-35 mm
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10
|
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1/2"-1 1/2"
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13-40 mm
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8
|
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1"-2"
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25-50 mm
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6
|
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1 1/2"-3"
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38-75 mm
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4
|
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2"-4"
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50-100 mm
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3
|
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3"-6"
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75-150 mm
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2
|
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4 1/2"-9"
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114-225 mm
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1 1/4
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8" and Over
|
200 mm and Over
|
3/4
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*Anything thinner than a 1/8" (3.2 mm) in cross section should be angled to the
blade.
Variable Pitch Selection
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Cross Section Thickness To Be Cut
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Use Variable Pitch
|
|
Inch
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mm
|
|
7/32"-7/8"
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6-22 mm
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14-18
|
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1/4"-1 1/4"
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6.4-35 mm
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10-14
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11/32"-1 1/2"
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9-40 mm
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8-12
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3/8"-2"
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9.5-50 mm
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6-10
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1/2"-2 3/8"
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13-60 mm
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5-8
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1"-3"
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25-75 mm
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4-6
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1 1/2"-4"
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38-100 mm
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3-4
|
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2"-6"
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50-150 mm
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2-3
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3"-12"
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75-300 mm
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1-2
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8" and Over
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200 mm and Over
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3/4-1 1/4
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Band Saw Blade Break-In Procedure
The proper break-in of a bi-metal blade assures longer blade life, faster cuts
for a longer period of time and consistent performance.
Run the normal surface feet per minute (SFM). Adjust the feed pressure to about
one-half the normal cutting rate for the first few cuts or for 50-100 square
inches (323-645 sq. cm). Increase to the normal cutting rate.
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Turning & Boring Tools, 3/8" Indexable, Triangle Inserts
