1.  What is the recommended set amount for hard and soft wood?

Band saw blade set amount is usually chosen according to the width and thickness of the blade, the type and state (green, dry, frozen) of the processed wood.

2.  What blade material should I choose for hard/soft  wood cutting?

The material of the band saw blade does not depend on the timber to be cut. The factors influencing the maximal cutting output of a blade are the characteristics of the teeth (shape, pitch, height, set amount, sharpening angle), the state of the equipment and the proper operating of the machinery according to specific instructions.

3. Which are the differences (advantages, disadvantages) between set, swaged and stellited band saw blades?

• A stellited blade has the following advantages:
• superior cutting conditions, and a smooth final surface,
• higher productivity, due to higher feedings,
• higher durability, between two sharpenings,
• allows the cutting of logs with higher diameter, the removal of sawdust being much easier,
• ensures superior cutting conditions for frozen wood during winter (especially winter shaped blades) compared to swaged or spring set blades,
• lower costs because of reduced number of yearly required blades, the durability of a stellited blade being much higher compared with untipped blades.

Disadvantages of a stellited band saw blade:

• requires cleaning and washing of logs (recommended for all types of blades), to avoid stellite tips damages due to foreign bodies like mud, stones, ice, etc.,
• higher unit price compared to untipped blades.

In terms of performance swaged saw blades are medium, their output ranging between stellited and spring set blades:

• they have all the advantages of stellited blades compared to spring set blades,
• they come with lower unit prices than stellited blades.

Compared to stellited blades swaged blades have several disadvantages, being less performant. The required number of swaged blades per one year is higher.

• Spring set blades come with lowest prices but are inferior to stellited or swaged blades from all points of view:
• quality of the surface,
• productivity,
• durability between two sharpenings,
• winter cutting,
• required blades per one year.

4. What profiles of band saw blades for cutting logs can be ordered?  

The final profile of the blade is primarily determined by the characteristics of the sharpening machine, the profiles that can be operated on the equipment. For stellited and swaged blades PV or PCP profiles are recommended.  For spring set blades it is recommended to use NU, NV, or PV profiles combined with a reduced tooth height (compared to stellited blades).

Please contact us for more details!

5. What blade width should I choose on cutting machines?  

Blade width is determined by the machine being calculated with the following formula:

Width = fly-wheel width  + tooth height (8, 10, 13 mm) + 5 mm

What blade thickness should I choose?  

The fly-wheel thickness must not exceed 1/1000 from the fly-wheel diameter for fly-wheels with thicknesses up to  1400 mm and 1/1200 from the fly-wheel diameter for fly-wheels with higher thicknesses.

6.  What are the causes of cracks forming on tooth bases of band saw blades?  

The main causes are the following:

• improper sharpening (tooth base burnings appeared during sharpening),
• bearing failure,
• improper tensioning,
• the blade is to thick for the fly-wheels,
• continuous cutting with outworn blades,
• continuous cutting with blades loaded with sawdust.

7. What would you recommend for winter cutting?  

For efficient winter cuttings we recommend:

•     a reduced set amount,
•     a lower cutting angle,
•     use wide blades with special winter toothing,
•     use variable blades,
•     reduce tooth height.

8. Why does my band saw blade cut in waves?

Cutting in waves may be caused by many factors, such as:

• improper leveling of the blade,
• the set is unequal on the two sides,
• improper entering and back angles,
• excessive cutting edges wearing,
• outworn or improperly set machine guides.