Which Bandsaw Blade type should you be using for your application?

Knowing the type of bandsaw blade that will offer you the best performance and results within your cutting application can sometimes be challenging, potentially leading to breakages and other similar issues further down the line. It’s important that you choose the blade that is going to be best suited to the material you are cutting, allowing you to gain the best results that you possibly can from your bandsaw machine. Below, we have compiled a list of the saw blades best suited to a variety of the most commonly used materials, helping you to find your best option with ease.

Steel

The type of bandsaw blade best suited to your steel cutting application will depend entirely upon the type of steel you are intending to work with. For use upon stainless steel, an M51 Bi-Metal Bandsaw Blade will offer the best results as these blades are best suited to use upon difficult to cut materials. M51 saw blades tend to have a much longer operating life when compared to other options and also provide a much higher level of cutting accuracy, making this blade type a great option within cutting applications that require a deal of precision.
Alternatively, M42 Bi-Metal Bandsaw Blades can also be used in projects involving stainless steel as well as a number of other steel types such as alloy, carbons, tools, and structural steels, making it a much more versatile option by comparison. This saw blade type also provides a high level of cutting accuracy to your application, but can also reduce your cutting time by up to 50%; this makes it a highly efficient option. The M42 Bi-Metal saw blade can also be used upon aluminium and a range of non-ferrous metals.
When looking to work with hardened steel, it is recommended that a Carbide Tipped Bandsaw Blade is utilised, as this is ideal for use upon a number of abrasive building materials such as this; also making it ideal for use within fibreglass, cast iron, concrete, graphite, and ceramic cutting applications. This blade type tends to have a much longer life in comparison to other options due to its great resistance against abrasion and heat ware.
As previously mentioned, M42 Bi-Metal blades are ideal for use in cutting applications that involve the use of structural steel, however, M66 Bi-Metal Bandsaw Blades can also provide both excellent performance and results, being used exclusively for structural steel cutting projects. The use of M66 Bi-Metal blades reduces any risks of teeth stripping and jamming, resulting in a high-quality performance and longer saw blade life overall.

Wood

For use within wood cutting applications, a Carbon Flex Bandsaw Blade will offer the best overall performance, being perfectly suited to both wood and other general purpose projects. This saw blade type is extremely economical in comparison to other options on the market and also offers its users with the greatest variety in terms of the thickness, width, and tooth specifications of the blade in question. Carbon Flex bandsaw blades are also ideal for both straight and contoured cutting applications, making them highly versatile and great for a range of various applications.

Overall, there are a range of different types of bandsaw blades currently available on the market, making choosing the right option for you a sometimes difficult, but highly important task, ensuring you get the best possible performance from the blade best suited to you. For advice on choosing the best blade for both you and your bandsaw machine, get in touch with our experts and let us know what Sawcraft can do to help you.