22-Cutting Tools.40_200310.qxd - Hanes Supply, Inc

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Cutting
Tools
Cutting Tools
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band Saw blade Characteristics
There are hundreds of band saw machine models in use today and tens of
thousands of potential band saw blade specifications. Yet for each application,
there is one “best” blade. Each of the following variables must be
considered in selecting that best band saw blade specification for a given
application.
LENGTH - Band saw length varies by machine model. Blades are available
custom welded to fit specific machines or in coil form for distributor or
user welding. Blade length may be specified in either inches (e.g. 150") or
in feet (e.g. 12'6"). Morse uses the foot designation.
WIDTH - Most machines accept one width only. The following should be
considered for machines that can accommodate multiple widths.
• Wider blades allow more tension and more feed pressure for faster and
straighter cuts in production applications.
• In contour sawing on vertical machines, the smaller the radius in a given
pattern, the narrower the blade required.
TOOTH PITCH - Pitch determines the number of teeth per inch for a given
cross section to be cut. More teeth per inch are needed for thin materials
and fewer teeth per inch for thicker materials. Ideally, 6-10 teeth should be
in contact with the work in metal cutting, while more teeth may be required
for harder materials or a smoother finish. There should never be fewer than
three teeth in contact with the work for bi-metal and six teeth for carbon.
• Standard Pitch - A single, constant size and shape throughout the
length of the blade or coil.
M.K. Morse ®
TOOTH FOrM:
• Straight - A straight (0 O ) tooth face for metals with easy to
moderate machinability or for applications with varying tooth
loads such as pipe and structural materials.
• Positive rake - Teeth “lean” into the work via a 5 to 10 O
rake angle, for more aggressive cutting in moderate to
difficult to machine materials.
TOOTH TYPE:
• Standard - Available in carbon and bi-metal, it features a 0 O rake angle
and constant tooth pitch for general purpose sawing in a wide range of
applications.
• variable Pitch - Available in bi-metal only. Standard variable pitch
features a 0 O rake angle with varying tooth and gullet sizes for smooth
and more efficient cutting in both solid and structural materials.
• variable Pitch - Positive rake - Available in bi-metal only, these blades
offer a 10 O positive rake angle for faster, more aggressive cutting in
thicker, harder to machine materials.
• Skip - Available in carbon only. Wide, flat, shallow gullets for efficient chip
removal in large sections of non-ferrous metals or non-metallic materials.
• variable Pitch - Tooth and gullet size vary in progressive intervals
through the length of the blade or coil. Varying tooth size reduces vibration
for quieter, more efficient cutting.
• Hook - Available in carbon and bi-metal. 10 O positive rake angle and
rounded gullets allow for faster, more aggressive cutting with less feed
pressure than straight face blades in both hard to cut metals and wood.
band Saw blade Characteristics
TOOTH SET - The teeth of most saw blades are offset
to each side so that the cut or “kerf” is wider than
the blade body. The set prevents the back of the
blade from binding in the work.
• raker - Available in both carbon and bi-metal
and used for most standard, skip, and hook form
specifications. Teeth are set in a recurring pattern -
right, left, straight - with the straight tooth clearing or
“raking” the chips from the work.
• Wavy - Available in finer carbon and bi-metal tooth
specifications. Teeth are set in a “wave” pattern
reducing impact on individual teeth and increasing
contact area with the work. The wave pattern allows
better finish and reduces the risk of tooth damage
in thin walled materials.
• Alternate (ETS) - Used primarily in carbon specialty
furniture blades, all teeth are set alternately to the
left and right. Each tooth cuts resulting in faster,
smoother cutting in wood and select non-ferrous
alloy and non-metallic applications.
• Modified raker -The primary set pattern used in
bi-metal variable pitch blades. Unlike the standard
raker design, where every third tooth “rakes”, modified
raker features a straight or “raker” tooth only
after 4 or 6 set teeth.
variables Affecting blade Selection
Variable Options Blade Choice Considerations
Machine Blade Length Determined by Model Larger Machines - More capacity (larger pieces), more
Size (300+ Options) control, higher production. Small machines - low cost.
Blade Width(s) 1 - 8 Widths per Model Wide blades - more tension, feed pressure for for faster,
straighter cut-off. Narrow widths - allow tight curved cuts
or vertical machine.
Frequency Production Cutting Bi-Metal Matrix or M42 Bi-Metal allows higher cutting speed, more feed pressure for
of use in Metal faster cutting, greater resistance to wear & lower cost per cut.
Production Cutting Carbon Hard Edge HEF, HB blades can withstand high production rates due to low
in Wood Flexible Back of heat generation in wood.
Hard Edge Hard Back
Occasional Use/ Carbon Hard Edge Differing materials & applications subject blades to conditions
Various Apps. Flexible Back or Hard which can destroy carbon or bi-metal blades. Cutting rates are
(Maintenance in Edge Hard Back not critical. Okay to run carbon blades at lower speeds.
Wood or Metal)
Type of Easy to Cut Materials Carbon Hard Edge Low blade cost; high cost per cut.
Materials Easier Manageability Flex Back or Hard Low blade cost; better performance on larger machines.
Edge Hard Back or Higher blade cost; lower cost per cut.
Bi-Metal Matrix
Hard to Machine Bi-Metal M42 Only Bi-Metal blades offer heat resistance & wear resistance
Metals (i.e. Stainless,
Capable of cutting materials of moderate to difficult
Special Alloys, etc.)
machinability.
Wood or Easy to Carbon hard Edge Can achieve good cost per cut due to easy cutting.
Cut Material Flexible Back or Hard
Hard Edge Hard Back
Dimensions/ Various Dimensions Min. 3 Teeth in contact Ideal is 6-10 teeth in contact w/work. Use finer pitch for
Shapes of of Solids w/work at all times harder materials. Too few teeth per inch can destroy teeth.
Material Interrupted Cuts Determine TPI by Wall For production sawing in interrupted, irregular shapes use
Pipe, Angle, Thickness rather than Variable Pitch tooth pattern if possible.
I-Beam, etc.) nominal pipe or angle size.
Finish Fine Finish Fine Pitch (More TPI) Fine finish from fine pitch will slow production rate.
Rough Finish Coarse Pitch Faster cutting but rougher cut.
Speed Fast Cutting Coarse Pitch Rough Cuts.
of Cut Slow Cutting Fine Pitch Slow cutting will also help to prevent dulling of carbon blades
in some harder materials.
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