JET Tools JWBS-18-3 User Manual - Page 23
Resawing, Blade lead, Saw blade selection, Width, Pitch
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Figure 9-3 9.4 Resawing Resawing is the process of slicing stock to reduce its thickness, or to produce boards that are thinner than the original workpiece. Figure 9-4 demonstrates resawing. The ideal blade for resawing is the widest one the machine can handle, as the wider the blade the better it can hold a straight line. When resawing thin stock, use a push block, push stick, or similar device to keep your hands away from the blade. Figure 9-5 9.6 Saw blade selection Using the proper blade for the job will increase the operating efficiency of your band saw, help reduce necessary saw maintenance, and improve your productivity. Thus, it is important to follow certain guidelines when selecting a saw blade. Here are factors to consider when selecting a blade: The type of material you will be cutting. The thickness of the workpiece or part. The features of the workpiece or part, such as bends or curves with small radii. These factors are important because they involve basic concepts of saw blade design. There are five (5) blade features that are normally changed to meet certain kinds of sawing requirements. They are: 1. width 2. pitch (number of teeth per inch) 3. tooth form (or shape) 4. the "set" of the teeth 5. the blade material itself. Figure 9-4 9.5 Blade lead Blade lead, or drift, is when the blade begins to wander off the cutting line even when the band saw fence is being used. Figure 9-5 shows an example of blade lead. It is more common with small, narrow blades, and is almost always attributable to poor blade quality, or lack of proper adjustments. Inspect the band saw for the following: • Fence not parallel to miter slot and blade. • Blade not tensioned correctly. • Blade is dull. • Teeth have excessive "set" on one side of blade. • Workpiece being fed too quickly. 9.7 Width Band saw blades come in different standard widths, measured from the back of the blade to the tip of the tooth. Generally, wider blades are used for ripping or making straight cuts; narrower blades are often used when the part being cut has curves with small radii. When cutting straight lines with a narrow blade, the blade may have a tendency to wander, causing blade lead. (refer to sect. 9.5). 9.8 Pitch Pitch is measured in "teeth per inch" (TPI). Figure 96 shows blades with different pitches. A fine pitch (more teeth per inch) will cut more slowly but smoother. A coarse pitch (fewer teeth per inch) will cut rougher but faster. As a rule of thumb, the thicker the workpiece, the coarser will be the blade pitch. If you have to cut a hard or very brittle material, you will probably want to use a blade with a finer pitch in order to get good clean cuts. 23