Blade selection (metal cutting), Ope r at io n s – Woodstock M1113 User Manual

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M1113 18" Wood/Metal Bandsaw

Blade Selection

(Metal Cutting)

Selecting the right blade for the job depends on

a variety of factors, such as the type of mate-

rial being cut, hardness of the material, material

shape machine capability, and operator tech-

nique.

The chart below is a basic starting point for

choosing a blade type based on teeth per inch

(TPI) for variable tooth pitch blades and for

standard raker type bi-metal blades/HSS blades.

However, for exact specifications of bandsaw

blades, contact the blade manufacturer.

To select the correct blade TPI, do these steps:

1. Measure the material thickness.

2. Refer to the "Material Width/Diameter"

row of the blade selection chart in

Figure

46 and read across to find the workpiece

thickness you need to cut.

3. Compare the "Material Shapes" row to the

material to be cut.

4. In the applicable row, read across to the

right and find the box where the row and

column intersect. Listed in the box is the

minimum TPI recommended for the vari-

able tooth pitch blades.

5. The "Cutting Speed Rate Recommendation"

section of the charts offers guidelines for

various metals, given in feet per minute

(speed FPM) and meters per minute in

parenthesis. Choose the speed closest to

the number shown in the chart.

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Material Width/Diameter

Material Shapes

Teeth Per Inch Variable Pitch Blades

Figure 46. Blade selection and speed chart.