Blade Selection - Shop fox W1729 Owner's Manual

Blade.Selection
Blade.Type
Figure.31 shows three major blade types:
Raker, Hook, and Skip.
Raker (standard) blades usually have many
teeth per-inch (TPI), and each tooth is flat
along the tip. These type of blades leave an
excellent finish, but cannot efficiently clear
sawdust because of the high teeth per-inch.
Skip blades are essentially raker blades that
are missing every other tooth. Skip blades clear
sawdust efficiently, but do not leave as fine of
a finish as raker blades.
Hook blades are not flat along the tip; instead,
they have a curved profile to give an aggressive
"bite" into the material. A hook blade tooth
spacing is similar to that of a skip blade, so
it can clear sawdust efficiently. This sawdust
removal makes a hook blade good for cutting
thick stock. However, remember that the higher
the moisture content and the more pitch the
wood has, the more difficult it will be for the
blade to shed the sawdust.
Blade.Teeth
Blade teeth are coarse, medium and fine.
Coarse teeth cut softer woods and thick stock
more efficiently, but they do not leave a fine
finish. Fine teeth are good for cutting hard
woods and leave a fine finish. Medium teeth,
naturally, achieve a balance between efficient
cutting, while leaving a moderate finish.
Type.of.Cut . .
Sharp Curves
Gradual Curves
Ripping (less than 1-
Ripping (more than 1-
Crosscutting (less than 1") Large
Crosscutting (more than 1") Large
Resawing (all sizes)
Round Stock
. Width .. Teeth ........ Blade.Type .
Small Fine
Medium Medium
⁄ ") Large Medium
3
4
⁄ ") Large Coarse
3
4
Fine
Medium
Large Coarse
Medium Medium
Table.2..Blade Selections.
Model W1729 (For Machines Mfd. Since 1/12)
Blade selection should be taken into
consideration for each type of cut. No matter
what selection you are using, you should
always feed the workpiece into the blade at a
slow and even pace.
Blade.Width
As a general rule, large blades provide more
support for thick stock and allow you to cut
straighter. Small blades provide maximum
control for cutting tight curves, but are not a
good choice for cutting straight cuts and do
not have the strength for thick stock. Medium
blades are excellent for gradual curves and
perform well for cutting round stock, but they
are not meant to perform the jobs of large
or small blades. Many people are tempted to
only use a medium blade so they never have to
change blades. Use the right blade for the job,
and you will get better results.
Figure.31..Types of blade teeth.
Raker
Skip
Hook
Hook
Raker
Raker
Hook
Raker
-26-
........ Bandsaw.Speed
1,700 FPM
1,700 FPM
1,700 FPM
1,500 FPM
1,500 FPM
1,500 FPM
1,500 FPM
1,500 FPM