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Carpenter's band saw blade is a continuous ring of toothed metal used to make precise cuts in wood (and sometimes other materials) on a band saw. The blade’s design, width, tooth shape, and material determine its cutting capabilities.
- Material: Typically made from high-carbon steel (CS) or bi-metal (for durability).
- Width: Ranges from 1/8" (3mm) to 1" (25mm) (narrow for curves, wide for straight cuts).
- Tooth Pitch (TPI):
- Low TPI (3-6): Fast, aggressive cuts (ripping thick lumber).
- Medium TPI (6-10): General-purpose cutting.
- High TPI (10-18+): Smooth, fine cuts (hardwoods, thin stock).
- Tooth Geometry:
- Regular (Raker): General-purpose woodcutting.
- Skip Tooth: Faster chip clearance in softwoods.
- Hook Tooth: Aggressive cuts in thick or wet wood.
- Carbon steel blades – affordable and good for general wood cutting, but dull faster.
- Bi-metal blades – more durable (high-speed steel teeth, flexible carbon steel on the back), good for hardwoods and mixed materials.
- Carbide blades – extremely long-lasting, great for hardwoods or abrasive woods, but expensive.
- Curved Cuts: Narrow blades (1/4"–1/2") for intricate shapes.
- Resawing: Wider blades (1/2"–1") for splitting boards into thinner pieces.
- Ripping & Crosscutting: Medium-width blades with moderate TPI.
- Joinery: Cutting tenons, dovetails, or miters.
- Proper Tension – Avoid over tightening to prevent breakage.
- Tracking Adjustment – Make sure the blade runs centered on the wheel.
- Cleaning – Use a blade cleaner or simple solvent to remove asphalt buildup.
- Storage – Coil properly to avoid kinking or damage.
- Tension – Proper blade tension prevents wobbling or breakage.