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Dimensions of band saws for wood. Band-saw

The band saw is a multi-cutting tool that is used in band saw machines. Externally, such a saw looks like a closed steel band and has teeth on one side. The tape is installed on two pulleys of the machine, which rotate due to an electric motor.

In this article, we will find out what advantages a band saw has, we will analyze the types and types of power of these tools, and we will choose a band saw for working with wood. We hope that our advice will help you decide on the model of the band saw and simplify the choice of the right model.

Main advantages

The band saw has advantages that make it stand out from the background of circular and chain saws, as well as jigsaws.

Firstly, the design features of band saws mean that all engine power will go to work. At the same time, any resistance and friction are eliminated. Therefore, the performance of band saws is 30 percent higher than that of other tools that are used in this area.

Secondly, the cutting tape is durable. With continued use, it will not dull as quickly as other tools.

Thirdly, there is no need for trimming and trimming operations after using a band saw, which is an advantage for the user.

Also, band saw machines have asynchronous motors that drive a belt drive. And this is the most reliable design, at the moment.

A band saw is better than a jigsaw, as it does not deviate from the cutting line and does not wiggle.

Finally, the band saw is the safest tool when compared to analog tools. The material being processed does not need to be held by hand, as in other cases, but it is enough to direct the saw along the stop.

Power

The choice of band saw mainly depends on its power. Power defines the class of the tool, which can be:

semi-professional;

professional.

Accordingly, the higher the power of the machine, the higher its productive capabilities. But it is recommended to take into account the fact that a powerful engine consumes a lot of electrical energy. In order not to make a mistake, you should first calculate the amount of work to be done. And already, based on them, you can start choosing a band saw model.

And so, the classes of band saws:

Small-sized band saws are applicable in the household sphere. Their power can be from 350 W to 1 kW. These tools work from a regular network and do not differ in special requirements. Most often, small-sized band saws are compact and portable units. They are screwed to the table or workbench with screws. These saws differ in low noise level during operation. With the help of such a saw, you can cut blanks, make furniture at home. Such low-power tools are convenient, economical, however, completely unsuitable for working with hardwoods.

Semi-professional can be used in small workshops or small businesses. They are designed for long-term work. Compared with the previous class, they have more impressive dimensions and can withstand the tough pace of work. They can work with solid types of wood, and are also capable of processing large workpieces. Their power varies in the range of 1 - 3 kW. These tools differ in optimal performance - they can process a maximum of 10 cubic meters during the working day. This type of band saw can also be used at home.

Professional band saws are used in large enterprises with a corresponding specialization. Such devices require connection to a three-phase electrical network (380 W). Representatives of this class are able to work with thick beams, any type of wood, and even frozen logs.

Cutting parameters

An important band saw data is the cutting parameters, which are presented in several parameters.

The first parameter is the depth of cut. This characteristic indicates how much material thickness the tool will handle. This parameter can be from 8 to 50 cm. As you can see, the range is wide and it is necessary to choose a band saw carefully. This characteristic depends entirely on the power of the engine. It goes without saying that household units will not be able to cope with thick material.

The second parameter is the width of the cut. This value has an effect on the allowable maximum width of the material to be cut. Here it is worth noting only that the professional class will cope with sawing docks of 0.5 - 0.6 m.

Saw blade: material, dimensions, teeth

It is clear that the main element of a band saw is, in fact, a band saw, and it is precisely on its characteristics that the choice should depend entirely on its characteristics.

Material. Carbon steel is considered the best material for manufacturing band saws, since, when subjected to heat treatment, this material becomes hard and durable. Here it is worth paying attention to the saws of American manufacturers - they are now considered to be of the highest quality.

Lenght and width. The cut parameter will depend on this data. The longer and wider the band saw, the higher its productivity, that is, the ability to work with large workpieces and materials. Also, the speed of work depends on the value of these parameters. For domestic use and for making curved/bevel cuts, it is best to give preference to a saw with medium length parameters.

Saw teeth. Their quality and sharpening must be perfect, since it is the teeth that affect the quality of the cut. The more teeth in a band saw, the smoother the cut will be. The pitch of the teeth is also important. In order for the saw to perform its tasks well, the number of teeth must be a multiple of three. In other words, there is an alternate wiring at the teeth - right-right-left. So, the best option is 210 teeth with a ¾” pitch or 180 teeth with a 7/8 pitch. If your band saw has teeth that are not multiples of three, then defects in sawing cannot be avoided.

saw blade speed

Band saws may have a gearbox. The ability to choose the speed is definitely a win, as having multiple speeds will allow you to do the job better and work with different types of wood. The softer the type of material, the higher the sawing speed should be. The ability to adjust the speed, as a rule, is possessed by representatives of the semi-professional and professional class.

Additional functions

To increase the comfort in working with a band saw, manufacturers are trying to equip them with all sorts of additional features. Their presence significantly affects the price of instruments, however, sometimes, their presence in the model can pay for itself or in many ways differ in advantages.

What additional features are prioritized when choosing a band saw?

Quick pull function. This feature saves time and effort of the user, does not require additional tools.

The presence in the design of the millimeter scale, which significantly improves the accuracy of the cut.

Several stops also allow for much more precise sawing.

Table tilt and swivel are important options when making bevel/shaped cuts.

Illumination of the working area is convenient and does not require the installation of additional light sources.

A little about the manufacturers

The choice of a band saw largely depends on the listed parameters, but it is also worth remembering about manufacturers who are engaged in the production and sale of band machines. There are so-called fly-by-night companies that produce low-quality equipment in large quantities and flood our markets with their “product”. When choosing a band saw, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with manufacturers, reviews, view official websites, consult with consultants in the store and determine why and for what you need a band saw.

Band saws for wood and metal are widely used in production and at home by home craftsmen. The main cutting tool of these units is a band saw, which wears out over time and requires sharpening or replacement with a new one. You should be aware that not only the quality of material processing, but also the performance of the unit as a whole depends on the correct choice of blade for a band saw machine.

The cutting blade for this type of saw is a band with a certain number of teeth, welded in the form of a ring. The basis of the tape is made of spring steel, which has high elasticity. A tape made of high-speed steel is welded to the base, on which the teeth are milled.

Every band saw for metal and more is marked. For example, marking M42 20 x 0.9 x 2362, 8 / 12TPI, is decoded as follows:

M42 - the material from which the teeth of the tape are made;
20 - this value indicates the width of the canvas, mm;
0.9 - tooling thickness, mm;
2362 – saw blade circumference, mm;
8/12TPI - tooth pitch on the saw blade, per inch.

Blades can be made from other materials, for example, from M51, PQ, TSX and others. M42 is highly wear resistant and has a hardness of the cutter edges of 67–68 HRC. Therefore, saws made of this material can be used to cut steel with a hardness of not more than 45 HRC. Saws with M51 blades are more resistant to abrasion than those mentioned above. The edge hardness of the cutters of these saws is already 68 HRC, due to which this equipment cuts stainless steels, as well as steels that are characterized by high strength and heat resistance. In addition, the material of the saw M 51 allows you to cut thick steel blanks, that is, parts with a large cross section.

When choosing a band saw, you should pay special attention not only to the material from which the cutters are made, but also to their pitch, as well as geometry.

This is the distance between the edges of two adjacent incisors.

Advice! The tooth pitch should be selected depending on the type of metal, as well as on the cutting speed.

A large step loads the engine of the unit more and gives a poor cut quality. The small step of the cutters leads to a longer sawing, increases energy consumption, but gives clean cut with a smooth surface.

For cutting sheet material, pipes (thin-walled) and profiles, you should choose a blade that has a minimum pitch between the cutting elements (per 1 inch). But if you need to cut a large workpiece solid metal, you want to install a blade with the largest pitch of the cutters. The fewer teeth (per inch) the tool will have, the deeper the groove will be. Due to this, the cut is less clogged with chips. Also, a large tooth pitch on the tooling increases the performance of the unit.

Tooth height

The height of the cutter is the distance from the bottom point of the cavity between the teeth to the top of the cutting element. Due to the presence of a recess chips are removed formed when cutting metal. The height of the tooth should be sufficient so that the cavity is not clogged with chips, and the sawing process occurs without difficulty. In addition, insufficient tooth height causes overheating of the blade, as a result of which microcracks may occur on it.

Anterior angle of the tooth

The front angle or sharpening angle is responsible for the degree of engagement of the blade with the material of the workpiece. A large sharpening angle will not allow you to achieve high accuracy when cutting metal. At the same time, a small angle allows for a good cut quality, but at the same time reduces the productivity of the tool.

Selecting a blade for wood band saws

First of all, in order to choose the right blade for a band saw, you should look into instructions for your machine. It will indicate all the parameters of band saws that can be installed on this model of equipment (maximum and minimum band width, as well as its length). The length of the canvas must be exactly the same as indicated in the passport for the unit.

Tool Width

The width of the tape is selected based on the operations that will be performed on the machine. Also, the width of the tape is limited not only by the width of the pulley, but also by its diameter. With a small pulley diameter, the wide belt installed on it will collapse and eventually break. Therefore, for each unit there is a limitation on the width of the equipment.

For straight cut usually use saws with a width of 20 to 30 mm. Of course, on a circular machine, you can make a longitudinal cut faster and more accurately. But there is a height limit on it, which is no more than 80 mm. On band saws, it is possible to process workpieces up to 200 mm high and more.

But the main task of tape units is curly cut. The smallest accessory that can be mounted on a band saw is a 3 mm band. It cuts out a circle with the same radius.

The wider the tape, the larger the minimum radius that can be cut with it. For example, with a tape with a width of 12 mm, it will not work to cut a radius less than 60 mm. And for a tape 25 mm wide, the minimum radius will be about 100 mm.

On average, the blade width should be three times smaller than the required cutting radius on the workpiece. Therefore, equipment is selected in accordance with the tasks.

Tooth pitch

Indicated by a number indicating the number of incisors per inch. The numerical value of the step is set before the abbreviation TPI. When choosing a step, consider:

what is the thickness of the workpiece;
what is the hardness of the workpiece material;
what is required to obtain the purity of the edge of the part after cutting.

To effectively cut plastic and saw wood, the band must have at least three cutters per inch. The more cutters there are on one inch, the better the cut will be. But at the same time, the feed rate will decrease and the limit value of the workpiece thickness will decrease.

According to the pitch of the teeth, the blades are divided into two types: “skip” and “regular”. Type of cloths "skip" has a step from 3 to 6 TPI. Between the teeth there is a space for effective removal of sawdust, as poor removal of them reduces the quality of the cut. Door leaf type “regular” has teeth shaped like a triangle. They are placed on a snap in increments of 10 TPI and above. This type of teeth does not have enough space for fast chip removal. Due to the large number of cutting elements, the cut with such a blade is quite clean. The attachment can be used for sawing workpieces of small thickness and hard materials.

Advice! When sawing hard workpieces, the feed must be reduced.

These types of canvases have the following characteristics.

Shape of incisors

Tape blades can have the following tooth profiles.

Tooth setting

The teeth on the saw are bred in order to reduce the friction of the blade on the workpiece and to prevent it from jamming. The width of the cut should exceed the thickness of the tooling by approximately 30-60%.

The layout of the incisors can be of three types.

It is important to know that when setting the teeth, not the entire cutter is bent, but part of it: from 1/3 to 2/3 of the distance from the top of the tooth. Each tool manufacturer recommends their own tooth deflection to the side. But on average, it is in the range from 0.3 to 0.7 mm.

The softer the material, the more the saw should be set, and vice versa. But it is impossible to allow such a layout of the incisors so that uncut areas remain in the center of the cut. You should try to keep the teeth deviated to the side at the same distance. If the wiring is uneven, then the band saw will be pulled in the direction where the teeth have a stronger inclination.

Sharpening of band saws

Of course, it is better to sharpen a band saw on a special machine, in specialized workshops. And professional saw sharpening is inexpensive. But if for some reason you do not have the opportunity to take the saw for sharpening, then you can do the editing of the tool yourself.

Band saw sharpening is done using small file or file along the front and back edges of the incisor with several movements (3-4) for each tooth.

You can also sharpen a band saw with an engraver using accessories designed for sharpening chain saws.

The tool is inserted into the engraver, and the cutters are sharpened with gentle movements along the top of the cutter.

Strongly remove the metal is not necessary, just enough to lighten it.

Advice! While working with the tool, do not allow the cutter to slide off the top of the tooth towards the next one. So you shorten it, after which you will have to adjust all the teeth to its height.

You can also try to sharpen and saws for metal. But usually they are not resharpened, since the cutting part of these saw blades is either bi-metal or has a hardening zone. The teeth on such belts work until they crumble and may have microcracks. If you sharpen them, they will begin to crumble faster or they will cut even worse.

How and which one to choose - Band saw for work.

When choosing equipment for a carpentry or furniture company, among the existing saws, preference is given to the tape type. This is due to the high performance and low percentage of waste resulting from wood processing. However, with a wide assortment, it is difficult to make a useful and high-quality purchase. In this article, you can find useful information that determines the criteria for choosing a band saw.

Classification

The band saws on the market are divided into 3 classes, which differ primarily in technical characteristics.

Household - compact units of a desktop type of installation with the possibility of using canvases up to 60 mm, fixed with screws on a stand or workbench. For connection, a conventional 220V electrical network is used. Power is limited to 350 W, but this is quite enough for sawing blanks and their further processing in order to assemble small pieces of furniture. Productivity - up to 5 cubic meters. m. Disadvantages: unsuitability for working with hardwoods and frozen material.
Semi-professional units are installed in small workshops due to their high performance (up to 10 m3) and power (up to 1500 W). Saws are installed directly on the floor, connected to a 220V network. The thickness of the canvases used has a wider range, in contrast to the household class (up to 100 mm).
Professional equipment is installed mainly in large enterprises. Their power exceeds 1500 W, and a 380V network is required for connection. Productivity per shift - up to 15 cubic meters. m., the range of canvases used is extended to 300 mm. Hardwoods and frozen material are easy to process.

Advantages

Band saws have the following advantages:

cut parts do not require additional processing (trimming, trimming), which saves time and money;
low percentage of waste;
high productivity, exceeding other types of equipment by 30%;
the unit has a reliable device that ensures the durability of the machine (asynchronous motor driving a belt drive);
the equipment is suitable for making curly cuts;
high degree of security.

Popular Models

Bison model ZPL-350-190

The equipment is designed for processing workpieces whose thickness does not exceed 8 cm. The compact dimensions of the unit are ideal for a home workshop. The motor power is 350 W, the belt speed is 147 m/min.

Saw Benefits:

The ability to change the angle of the table (up to 45 °);

Adjustable supports, allowing you to accurately observe the specified size;

Connecting a vacuum cleaner;

Overload resistance.

Diold model PL-0.6

The semi-professional machine is designed for sawing soft wood and plywood. The power is 750 W, the parameters of the working canvas are 2234x12.5x0.5 mm. The table is adjustable, which makes it possible to make not only straight cuts, but also curly cuts.

Unit advantages:

2 speeds (6.3 m/s and 13.2 m/s);

Operating temperature range from +35° to -15°;

The maximum parameters of the workpiece - width 305 mm, height 130 mm.

Makita model LB1200F

A versatile unit with which you can work with different types of materials, including wood and metal. The power of the equipment is 900 W, the belt speed is 1000 rpm. Due to the presence of 3 blades, work of any complexity is performed.

Saw Benefits:

Mobile stand;

LED lights;

Ability to connect a vacuum cleaner;

Changing the angle of the table;

The presence of a container for waste.

Metabo model BAS 318 Precision DNB

Two-speed equipment designed for intensive production use. Power - 900 W, network connection 380 W. Regardless of the load, the saw runs smoothly without jerking. The engine is reliable and does not require frequent maintenance.

Unit advantages:

The belt tension indicator allows you to control the degree of web tension;

Adjustable table that changes the angle of inclination;

Automation that ensures the safety of work;

Table extensions, allowing the processing of long workpieces;

The rack is equipped with wheels, which makes it possible to change the installation location in the workshop.

When choosing a band saw, the depth and width of the cut are taken into account. These indicators determine the parameters of the workpieces that can be obtained in the process of working on the machine.

The power of the unit not only reflects belonging to the class, but also expands the functionality. When familiarizing yourself with the technical characteristics, you should pay attention to additional equipment, for example, the presence of a millimeter scale and stops, thanks to which you can more accurately process workpieces. Several speeds on the machine allow you to cut material of different hardness.

It is preferable that the band saw be equipped with a light. This eliminates the cost of money and time to install additional lighting in the room.

When performing curly cuts, good maneuverability is required. It will provide tilt and turn of the table.

Acquire band saws you need in specialized stores or from official representatives. A respectable seller always provides a certificate, which is the main guarantee of quality. A fake impersonates an uneven cut, which is explained by poor sharpening of the cutting part.

We equip the home workshop - we install a band saw for wood

Each band saw tree differs in alloy, width, as well as the size, shape and frequency of the teeth. Poor sawing quality is often not due to poor fabric, but due to the wrong choice of blade. In this case, there are many characteristics that you need to focus on when buying. Therefore, it is necessary to understand how to choose band saw.

The most important criteria for choosing a saw are:

the amount of work and the frequency of their behavior;
wood characteristics (thickness, species, humidity);
shape, size, frequency of teeth;
blade width;
sharpening quality;
manufacturing company.

All these parameters affect the main characteristics of the saw:

its uniformity;
thickness;
the presence of cracks and chips;
vibrations in progress.

Scope of work

The simplest criterion is the amount of material to be cut. For one-time use, it is better to choose a cheap canvas with a standard hardness. For permanent use, you need to purchase the highest quality tape on wood. A tool made of durable steel will last much longer, so the investment will pay off.

Blade width

Width should be selected based on working conditions. First of all, you need to focus on the type of machine, recommendations for choosing a saw should be considered in the instruction manual.

The width of the canvas varies in the range of 14-80 mm, the standard value is 38-41 mm.

What teeth are needed

Before choosing band saw you need to determine the type of teeth that will be optimal for the job.

First you need to determine the density of the dentition:

the more often the teeth, the better the quality of the drink, this is especially important when performing decorative work;
the rarer, the higher the pressure on each individual tooth, this is suitable for hardwoods;
The more often the teeth, the more uniform the tension is distributed in the network, it is less deformed;
The more frequent the teeth, the lower the pressure on each and the longer they last.

The next parameter is the size of the teeth:

Large dimensions necessary for rough cutting, for example, for sawing large logs;
Small dimensions suitable for thin plywood and decorative work.

Selection of saw blades for tape drank

Ribbon torn into small pieces bordered Saw? This is a known issue. I shared my experience as with.

Band for saw blade

We received a parcel with new canvases for our band-saw Seller contact information:

Remember to take into account the pitch of the teeth, there are 2 recommendations:

for thin plywood, a wide rhythmic step is needed;
For thick rods, a narrow pitch is required.

To prevent clogging of the blade, you can choose a variable pitch canvas for sawing through soft rock.

Read also

In a band saw on a tree, the teeth do not stand straight, but at an angle to each other. This design is called wiring, it is necessary to reduce the level of vibration, and this has a beneficial effect on wear resistance and tool life.

The standard layout is a triple with alternately slanted left and right teeth and another straight tooth that stands between them. This type is used for most jobs and can be used for contour sawing. The group arrangement is distinguished by the fact that straight lines and teeth inclined to the left or right stand in pairs. This shape makes sawing more efficient, but the fabric is also more expensive.

Also consider the shape of the teeth. The profile is best chosen for the type of wood to be sawn:

sharpening level

Difficult, but very important parameter to evaluate. It is necessary to check the sharpness of the teeth, to do it manually, experience is needed. It is also necessary to ensure the homogeneity of the material, it can be assessed by the uniformity of color and metal count. If possible, buy blades where services are provided to re-turn the canvas. If you want a DIY wood band saw to sharpen, don't forget to specify how many cycles are allowed for the blade.

Saw manufacturers

Basically, high-quality tools are produced by European and American companies. When choosing a saw, special attention should be paid to the manufacturer:

Make a saw with your own hands

If you have the skills and special tools, you can make a blade with your own hands. The mechanism of the machine itself is extremely simple, it looks like a bicycle with a wheel and pedals, but between them is not a chain, but a saw blade. The first wheel is attached to any spinning motor (you can use a drill). The second wheel is only needed to fix the saw.

We have collected for you photos, specifications, prices and reviews on the Best Band Saws rating.

band-saw
power 710 W
stepless speed control
weight 5.7 kg

Price

from 42930 rub. up to 52110 rub.

Reviews about Makita 2107FW

Advantages

Lightweight, powerful, compared to the "monkey" (mounting saw) consumables are free. 1 canvas is enough to dissolve 2-3 tons of metal. Cutting accuracy is beyond praise!

Flaws

The bed really lacks a clamp with the ability to cut the workpiece at an angle.

A comment

Worth the money, perfect for a small workshop.

band-saw
power 350 W
weight 17 kg

Price

from 10976 rub. up to 13390 rub.

Reviews about Zubr ZPL-350-190

Advantages

Flaws

the guides are very weak enough to unscrew and tighten a couple of times, the saws themselves also get dull very quickly, there is no wiring on the canvases and normal ones come across 1 out of 3 and that is enough until the first knot.

A comment

A sticker was glued on the working surface, I was tormented by scraping it off, and in the store they said it was necessary to heat it up with a hairdryer. Am I to them that spe by stickers? There is nothing good to say about the canvases, out of 7, one was superb, the rest were so-so, two immediately burst on the installation and you can see consumer goods by the soldering of the seam. All my expectations were dashed on the first day of work.

band-saw
power 900 W
weight 81.2 kg

Price

from 45680 rub. up to 51300 rub.

Reviews about Makita LB1200F

Advantages

1) Build quality (best in its price range)
2) Complete set (4 quality saws included, not weak demo saws like others, bearing guides)
3) Quality materials and attention to detail
4) Excellent, flat, cast-iron table (those who worked on cheaper ones will understand how important this is)
5) Quiet work (at 4+, the noise is mainly from the tree and not from the machine)
6) Good parallel stop. (aluminum, but fastened on 2 sides, so that the course is always smooth)
7) Excellent smooth cut at all speeds (despite vibration)
8) The ability to use improvised means to increase the cutting height up to 230 mm!
9) Price / quality ratio - 5+

Flaws

1) Vibration at high speeds (treated on the advice of the owners from a special forum)
2) Pulleys require fine-tuning (although this is persectionism, it does not interfere with work)
3) The protractor dangles and requires a “file”, but this is curable
4) Bearing guides (yes, this is both in advantages and disadvantages because it can create difficulties when working with resinous or undried wood - sawdust sticks to bearings) but if you wish, you can simply replace them with “crackers”
5) Weight. One of the heaviest (if not the heaviest) semi-professional band saws. For some, this is an honor.