Olson Saw Blade Finder Tools | Find the Right Scroll Saw & Band Saw Blade
Introducing the Olson Blade Finder: Two New Interactive Tools to Help You Find the Right Saw Blade Choosing the right
What band saw blade should I get?
What band saw blade should I get?
Choosing a band saw blade can be confusing. Here we break down some common blade terms and choices to help you decide.
Blade Width – measured from the tips of the teeth to the back edge of the blade. Follow the instructions for your band saw when choosing blade width.
Fore straight cuts the wider the better, check with your particular band saw model for maximum widths.
To the left is a chart to help you decide which bandwidth you need depending on your project and if you are doing curves.
TPI – Teeth Per Inch –
The number of teeth per inch (TPI) is important for getting the finish desired and the proper feed rate.
A coarse tooth blade (2, 3 TPI) should be used for resawing wood and cutting thicker stock up to 8″.
A fine toothed blade (18 to 32 TPI) should be used for thinner metals and plastics under 1/4″.For general cutting of 3/4″ wood 4 TPI will provide a fast cut and 14 TPI will cut slow but leave a smoother finish.
When Selecting TPI remember:
- More TPI give a smoother but slower cut
- Fewer TPI allow a faster cut with a slightly rougher finish
- At least three teeth must be in the workpiece, for harder material more teeth is better— take a look at this chat that shows TPI and minimum material thickness.
TPI Minimum Material Thickness
32 3/32″
24 1/8″
18 5/32″
14 1/4″
10 5/16″
8 3/8″
6 1/2″
4 3/4″
3 1″
2 11⁄2“
SFM (Surface Feet Per Minute)
It is important to know the SFM (Surface Feet Per Minute) for the various speed settings of your band saw, so that you can select the proper speed for cutting wood or other materials. Check the operator’s manual of your band saw to determine the SFM or use one of the following procedures:
- Determine the RPM: check the operator’s manual
- clock the revolutions per minute of the wheels with a tachometer or revolution counter.
- Measure the diameter of the drive wheel in inches and multiply by .262 to find the wheel circumference. RPM x circumference = surface speed of the blade.
RPM x diameter in inches x .262 = SFM
Note: Olson Spring Steel Wood Cutting Band Saw Blades should never be operated at surface speeds above 3000 SFM. Olson Carbon Hard Edge Flexible Back Band Saw Blades may be run up to 8000 SFM.
Tooth Types: Below are the most common tooth types available for band saw blades.
Hook Tooth provide excellent chip evacuation and uniform tooth set to cut faster with a smoother finish for thick wood, plastic, plywood, and composition material. Perfect for re-sawing.
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Regular Tooth – fine, equally spaced teeth in narrow
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Skip Tooth – wide spaced teeth with a 0° rake angle prevent clogging when cutting soft, non-ferrous metals, plastics and wood.
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What the heck is a tooth set?
Tooth set is the way the teeth are bent or “set” in a saw blade, to the left and/or right of the center. The setting of teeth enables a saw blade to cut straighter, to clear the chips from the kerf, and to allow the back of the band to clear the cut and not bind. Here are the most common choices.
Raker Set tooth consists of one tooth set to the left, one to the right and one tooth (raker) is unset.
It is used for cutting thick, solid metal sections on horizontal cut-off machines. Also for contour cutting and resawing on vertical band machines.
Alternate Set or double alternate plus raker set blades are for faster, smoother cuts in wood.
Wavy Set pattern has groups of teeth set to the left and to the right, separated by unset raker teeth. It is made primarily with small teeth and is recommended for cutting thinner sections–tubes, pipes, thin sheets and other small shapes.
By understanding the relationship between TPI, blade width, and tooth types, you’re now prepared to match your blade to your project needs accurately. Remember, the key is to balance the smoothness of the cut with the speed and efficiency of your workflow. Whether you’re working with wood, metal, or plastic, the right blade makes all the difference, ensuring precision and longevity in your craft.
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