14
BLADE SELECTION
An 8-tooth per inch, general use blade is
furnished with this metal cutting band saw.
Additional blades in 4, 6, 8 and 10 teeth
sizes are available. The choice of the blade
pitch is governed by the thickness of the
work-piece to be cut. The thinner the work-
piece, the blade with more teeth should be
used. A minimum of three teeth should
engage the work-piece at all times for
proper cutting. If the teeth of the blade are
so far apart that they straddle the work,
severe damage can occur to the work-piece
and to the blade.
BLADE DIRECTION OF
TRAVEL
The blade is mounted on the wheels such
that the vertical edge engages the work-
piece first. See figure-19.
Figure-19 Shows blade direction of travel
BLADE TENSION
A properly tensioned blade is very
important to get the best performance from
any band saw. If the blade is too loose
there is a possibility that the blade slip or
drift off the line while operation and it will be
hard to have accuracy in the line of cut. If
the blade is tensioned too tightly, it will be
very difficult to make tighter radius cuts and
secondly there will be a great possibility of
breaking prematurely.
To adjust the blade tension:
Turn the switch OFF and disconnect the
cord from the power source.
Turn the blade tension knob shown in
figure-20 clockwise to increase the tension
on the blade and turn it counter clockwise
to decrease the blade tension.
Figure-20 Blade tensioning
BLADE CHANGING
The band saw blade is sharp and while
changing the blade you should wear leather
gloves for the protection of your hands.
IMPORTANT
To prolong the life of the blade and
reduce blade stretching, when the
machine is not in use for period of 24
hours or more, release the tension on the
blade
