Inspecting Workpieces; Selecting Blades - Grizzly G0561 Owner's Manual

Inspecting
Workpieces
Some metal workpieces are not safe to cut with a
metal cutting bandsaw; instead, a different tool or
machine should be used.
Before cutting, inspect the material for any of
the following conditions and take the neces-
sary precautions:
Small or Thin Workpieces: Small or thin
•
workpieces may be damaged during cut-
ting—avoid cutting these workpieces if possi-
ble. If you must cut a small or thin workpiece,
attach it to or clamp it between larger scrap
pieces that will both support the workpiece
through the cut. Some thin sheet metals will
not withstand the forces from this bandsaw
during cutting; instead, use a shear, nibblers,
or sheet metal nippers to cut these pieces.
Unstable Workpieces: Workpieces that can-
•
not be properly supported or stabilized with
the vise should not be cut on this bandsaw.
Examples are chains, cables, workpieces
with internal or built-in moving or rotating
parts, etc.
Material Hardness: Always factor in the hard-
•
ness of the metal before cutting it. Hardened
metals will take longer to cut, may require
lubrication, and may require a different type
of blade in order to efficiently cut them.
Tanks, Cylinders, Containers, Valves, Etc:
•
Cutting into containers that are pressur-
ized or contain gasses or liquids can cause
explosions, fires, caustic burns, or machine
damage. Avoid cutting any of these types of
containers unless you have verified that the
container is empty and it can be properly sup-
ported during a cut.
Magnesium: Pure magnesium burns eas-
•
ily. Cutting magnesium with a dull blade can
create enough friction to ignite the small
magnesium chips. Avoid cutting magnesium
if possible.
Model G0561 (Mfd. Since 01/18)

Selecting Blades

Selecting the right blade for the cut requires a
knowledge of various blade characteristics.
Blade Terminology
B
E
D
F
G
Figure 31. Bandsaw blade terminology.
A. Kerf: Amount of material removed by blade
during cutting.
B. Tooth Set: Amount each tooth is bent left or
right from blade.
C. Gauge: Thickness of blade.
D. Blade Width: Widest point of blade mea-
sured from tip of tooth to back edge of blade.
E. Tooth Rake: Angle of tooth face from line
perpendicular to length of blade.
F. Gullet Depth: Distance from tooth tip to bot-
tom of curved area (gullet).
G. Tooth Pitch: Distance between tooth tips.
H. Blade Back: Distance between bottom of
gullet and back edge of blade.
I. Blade Pitch or TPI: Number of teeth per inch
measured from gullet to gullet.
A
C
H
I
-25-