If you’ve read other posts on our blog, you know that the right tooth pattern is vital when using a bandsaw. Using the wrong blade can have dramatic consequences, like your blade snapping in half or your machine getting clogged. In this post, we’re going to cover tips for choosing the right tooth pattern for your bandsaw.
Cutting Different Types of Wood
The first step in choosing the right tooth pattern for your bandsaw is to consider which style works best with the material you’re trying to cut. For example, a hook-style blade works great on projects made of metal, hardwood, and other tough materials. If you use a hook blade on softer materials, the blade may cause too much friction or get clogged. We recommend hook blades for hardwood and skip blades for softwood.
Picking Tooth Patterns for Metal
Metal can be much tougher to cut than wood or plastic, so be sure to use a blade that is designed to cut metal. Most blades for cutting metal are hook blades, though you may also see skip blades used for cutting non-ferrous metal. When you’re cutting thin sheet metal, we recommend a wavy tooth blade, which is less aggressive.
Choosing Blades for Plastic
In addition to wood and metal, you can cut plastic on a bandsaw. Plastic is soft in comparison to other materials, and it creates a lot of debris. With that, you’ll want to use a blade that doesn’t clog easily, such as a skip blade. You might also use a variable pitch blade for making curved cuts in plastic.
Understanding Teeth Per Inch (TPI)
Knowing the types of blades isn’t the only thing you need to know when choosing the right tooth pattern for your bandsaw. Another factor that matters is how close the teeth are versus how thick the material is that you’re cutting. For softwood and plastics, you need about four teeth per inch of thickness. For hardwood and metals, you need more like six or eight TPI.
If you need an industrial metal cutting bandsaw, check out Kaka Industrial. We carry professional machining equipment that’s perfect for workshops and industrial fabrication. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.