Here are some of those problems that can be avoided while using the quality Aluminum Saw Blade:
- Inconsistent gullet
- Wavy cuts
- Reduced cutting speeds and premature blade breakage
- Too slow feed rate during cutting
- Not enough or too much hook angle
- Not enough/too much set in the teeth
- Too sharp a radius at the base of tooth
- Severe pitch build-up on teeth
- Grinding wheel maintenance
- Dressing the grinding wheel incorrectly changes the angles and contours that make up the blade profile, which in turn, changes a blade's cutting characteristics.
Top ways to increase your blade's life expectancy
1. Pay attention to detail: The sawyer has control over many of the cutting conditions that affect the blade. Monitor metal cleanliness, blade tension, feed rate, blade guide position, etc. and cut as fast as possible while still maintaining a straight cut.
2. Measure blade tension. Proper tension is critical for maximum blade performance and cutting speeds.
3. Clean the Aluminum: Dirt, rocks, sand and other foreign material that may be present will wear down the teeth faster. Dull blades require slow cutting speeds. One common and effective solution is the Aluminum RENEGADE A. The Renegade A is specifically designed for cutting through Aluminum.
4. Examine blade wheel belts. The blade wheel belts should be in good condition. Worn belts can allow the blade to contact the metal blade wheel, resulting in early blade breakage. The belts must also be of uniform thickness. Non-uniform belt thickness causes additional stress to a blade, resulting in mill vibration and reduced blade life. It is also important to keep the belts free of sawdust build-up.
5. Low cutting forces: Aluminum and other soft, ductile metals are characterized by low cutting forces and large chips. The most productive blade for such material has deep tooth gullets that better evacuate chips from the cut and prevent clogging to improve the quality of the finished work piece.
6. Examine the blade guide position. The blade guides must be positively aligned to provide stability and allow maximum cutting speeds. If the blade guides are tipped upward or downward, they will cause the aluminum cutting blades to cut in the same direction.
Selecting a saw blade for your band saw involves considering the steps listed above in order to ensure that you have one that will work effectively for the project that you are trying to complete. If the blade used on the saw is not appropriate for your needs, not only will it affect the performance of the saw, it will also shorten the overall life span of your project.
