Please advise. Band saw blade choice..

HHH Knives

HHH Knives

Super Moderator
Hello and good day. A few weeks back We added a 12X7 horizontal band saw to our shop. Good right? Well I thought so till I started burning up blades every couple of cuts.
Heres the problem, I am only getting about 5 cuts per blade.. mind you I am cutting through 1 1/2 X 1 1/2 solid 1095 high carbon and 15n20 damascus bars. I have been using 8 to 10 tooth per inch bi metal blades. and 6 to 8 tooth Lenex bi metal.. I use kiquid coolant and have tried cutting slower. and changing blade speeds.. etc..etc..etc..etc..
At $35.00 + a blade this is getting to be a expensive learning curve.

So I have found some carbide tipped blades, as well as some other blades in the 120.00 range per blade.. Are these worth the extra money. or am I just going about this wrong? maybe the blade tension? feed rate? blade speed??

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Iv looked at many charts and suppliers and trying to decifer there graphs and charts AND WADE THROUGH THE BS IS CRAZY! :) LOLOL oops sry cap locks..

Thanks Dogs..
Randy
 
You mention "burning up blades". Are they dulling prematurely, or are you breaking them?
 
There dulling prematurely. no broken blades or even broken teeth. I did resharpen one last night by hand.. took about a hour, and I got 2 more cuts B4 it dulled again.. :) HELP!!!! LMAO!
 
Tension should not be an issue; it should be kept very high. If you start getting low quality cuts (not straight), then check the tension.

The feed rate needs to be matched to both blade design and blade speed. This is the most common problem when experiencing premature dulling.
Many times people will put it on the lowest speed, but will not adjust the feed rate.
Assuming the blade design is appropriate for the material being cut, going slower usually needs increased feed. Faster blade speeds usually call for decreased feed.

Your saw probably uses a hydraulic cylinder to control downfeed, or possibly a spring assisted with hydraulic cylinder.
Trial and error is necessary, but only change one variable at a time.
Most importantly, don't change to a blade with different design (including pitch) when experimenting with changes in blade speed or feed rate.

I don't think your selection of blade material is the problem. The Bimetal blades were developed back in the '60s specifically for cutting metal. As a general rule, most manufacturers use high-speed steel (cobalt alloy). This is good for maintaining sharpness even up to 1100F. Plus, you're using a lubricant.

Some blade manufacturers do offer carbide or stellite tips. IMO, these are not necessary for what you're doing. In my experience, their best application is for applications with lots of "abrasiveness", e.g., tropical hardwoods, heavy cardboards and laminates, etc.

Play with your feed pressure; chances are it's probably inadequate.
 
Rob, Thank you for the informative info.. I went and got 2 more blades and have adjusted the spring that helps control the feed rate.. Thats the one thing I haven't adjusted yet.. keeping with a slow feed rate and a bit faster blade speed. per your advise.. So far 3 cuts in and its throwing chips as it should be.. Ill let ya know if I get past the 6th cut! lol

I appreciate your help.. God Bless.
Randy
 
OK! Its wasnt the blade that was the problem at all.. Till I screwed it up of course..
It was a feed and speed issue. after I raised the speed on the saw and continued to feed slow and steady.. The thing cuts awesome and even passed the dreaded 6 cut per blade! lol

Basically. I made 8 cuts through 1 1/2X 1 1/2 Inch damascus bar stock and it was cutting as good, and possibly better then the first cuts! Like it got broke in!

Thank you again Rob for the assistance. Sometimes its the little things that make a HUGE difference!

Randy
 
OK, Now I got it to cut with these off brand bimetal blades.. Just think how good it will do with a name brand blade.

So What blade do you run on your band saw? TPI, maker, etc..

I hope not to have to buy another blade for a year.. But doubt that will happen.. :)
 
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