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Tip
#31
Band
Sawing Versatility (continued)
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Pg. 1-3, Pg
4-6, Pg 7-9, Pg
10-12, Pg 13-15,
Pg 16-18
Speeds
Before
you begin any bandsaw operation, turn on the Mark V, set the
speed according to Table 14-1, and let the bandsaw come up
to speed. The speed of a bandsaw is measured by how fast the
blade travels, or "Feet Per Minute (FPM)."
The speed
is determined by the blade and the material. Generally, slow
speeds are used with wide blades to cut hard, thick woods
and dense materials. High speeds are used with narrow blades
in soft materials.
| Table
14-1: Bandsaw Blades and Speeds |
| Characteristics |
Recommended
Use |
Recommended
Speed** |
| 1/16"
Woodcutting Blade* - 24 teeth per inch, 1/32"
minimum turning radius |
For
extretmly fine detail work only. Use for wood and plywood
up to 3" thick. Not for heavy-duty cuts or resawing.
Note: Set the tension scale at 1/8" setting. |
A
(750 RPM, 2160 FPR) for hardwood. B (850 RPM, 2450 FPM)
for softwood. |
| 1/8"
Woodcutting Blade - 7.5 teeth per inch, 1/4"
minimum turning radius |
For
very fine detail work only. Use for wood and plywood up
to 3" thick. Not for heavy-duty cuts or resawing. |
C
(950 RPM, 2750 FPM) for hardwood. D (1050 RPM, 3000 FPM)
for softwood |
| 1/4"
Combination Blade - 6 teeth per inch, 3/4" minimum
turning radius |
A
good general purpose blade for wood, plywood, plastics,
particle board, and soft non-ferrous metals. Limit resawing
to stock 4" thick, metalwork to stock 1/4" thick.
This is the blade that comes with your bandsaw. |
B
(850 RPM, 2450 FPM) for hardwood. C (950 RPM, 2750 FPM)
for softwood. Slow (700 RPM, 2000 FPM) for other materials. |
| 1/2"
Combination Blade - 4 teeth per inch, 2" minimum
turning radius |
For
heavy-duty cutting fo wood, plywood, plastics, particle
board, and soft, non-ferrous metals. Suitable for resawing
stock up to 6" thick, and metalwork in stock up to
1/2" thick. |
Slow
(700 RPM, 2000 FPM) for hardwood, softwood, and other
materials. |
| 5/8"
Woodcutting Blade - 3 teeth per inch |
For
heavy-duty resawing. Efficiently handles wood up to 6"
thick. Straight cuts only. Note: Set the tension scale
at the 1/2" setting. |
Slow
(700 RPM, 2000 FPM) for hardwood and softwood |
|
Several
blade manufacturers make bandsaw blade stock for a variety
of special purposes -- intricate scrollwork, cutting
iron pipe, etc. If you need a special blade, you can
have it made at a well-equipped commercial saw shop.
Use only high-quality blade stock 1/16" - 1/2"
wide. Be sure that the finished blade is 72" long,
plus or minus 1/2" and that the weld is ground
perfectly smooth.
*Caution:
Do not use 1/16" blade without special guide blocks.
Failure to use special guide blocks will ruin the blade
and damage the standard guide blocks. **Note: these
speeds are for 60 hz. operations.
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