Are you thinking of investing in a bandsaw for your metalworking shop? A bandsaw can be useful for many tasks around the shop and helps expedite a lot of traditional cutting jobs. However, it may seem like an overwhelming decision to make when scoping out your purchase options. To help make the decision a bit easier, keep reading for the ultimate guide and tips for choosing a bandsaw for your shop.

What Can a Bandsaw Do?

There are many benefits to adding a bandsaw to your tool lineup. You can use a bandsaw in a variety of ways to make different cuts. This saw’s blade is very narrow and cuts in a vertical, downward motion; this makes it ideal for intricate cutting jobs. And because the saw operates automatically, you can always keep both hands on your working materials. This allows you to create even more precise cuts, plus rounded corners and shapes, too. Some of the most common jobs for the bandsaw include creating these rounded edges as well as cutting materials into thinner, more workable forms. Overall, this machine has the potential to speed up your workflow and create more stable cuts than you would be able to manually.

Right Saw for the Right Shop

The bandsaw can be a great addition to your workshop and may even replace some of your more outdated tools and techniques. For shops that want to upgrade from a lot of hand tool-centric cutting, a bandsaw would be the perfect addition. It can increase efficiency and speed up your material cutting times exponentially, especially if you aren’t currently using many machines or automated tools. Once you know that a bandsaw is a right fit for your shop, you will need to decide what kind of saw is the best choice, as there are many different features and models.

Features To Note

• Frame: The frame encompasses the exterior of your bandsaw and is typically constructed with steel, aluminum, or cast iron. You may even find a model with a plastic outer frame, which is a lightweight and affordable option, though it may not hold up as well as the metal varieties.
• Base: The base and frame of your bandsaw go hand in hand. The base affects where and how the bandsaw will sit in your workshop. The most common base for this machine is the floor base. As the name implies, this model will sit stationary on the floor of your shop. While it has the most limited mobility, this base and the closed base offer the most stability and keep vibration to a minimum. On the other hand, open and panel bases can be moved more easily about your workspace but are less effective at containing vibrations from the motor. You can also find mountable bases that can fit atop your workbench for maximum convenience. This style is best if you don’t have a lot of free space to work with in your shop.
• Position: While not as common, bandsaws do appear in the horizontal cutting variety as well. The industrial horizontal bandsaw excels at cutting longer materials down to a more workable size, such as pipes and bars.
• Blades: There are several types of blades to choose from when it comes to outfitting your bandsaw. Each saw blade falls into a different category of pitch, which affects the cut and speed of the cut. Choosing the right blade is just as important as choosing the right bandsaw. We will outline the different types of blades and some of their uses.

Choosing Your Bandsaw Blades

As mentioned above, there are many different types of bandsaw blades. Here’s how these types of blades are classified.

Pitch

The pitch of a blade is measured in TPI or “teeth per inch” and has three sub-categories:

• Coarse
• Medium
• Fine

A blade with a coarse pitch will have fewer teeth per inch, while one with a fine pitch has a greater number of teeth per inch. A medium pitch is the middle ground between the two, which makes it ideal for a variety of jobs and cuts. Determine what blade pitch you need for your bandsaw by examining your materials. Typically, you want to use a blade with a coarse pitch when cutting thicker materials. On the other hand, if you expect to be working with thinner, more fragile materials, a fine pitch will be better suited for the job.

Tooth Shape

You should also know the common types of tooth shapes and how they can affect your work. The basic tooth shapes include:

• Regular: The standard saw blade. Regular-toothed blades are multi-purpose and can be used for a variety of jobs. Regular blades are best used for cutting thin sheets of wood, metal, and other materials.
• Skipped: Skipped-tooth blades are notable for their widely spaced teeth. These blades are ideal for cutting softer materials that would cause more traditional blades to stick. The skipped blade provides a smooth cut but loses some of the precision and control of the regular blade.
• Hooked: Hooked blades have even larger spaces between teeth with deep gaps in between. Hooked blades are best for cutting any tougher materials you may be working with, such as cast iron and non-ferrous metals. However, these blades sacrifice some precision and accuracy for their strength.
• Variable: The variable-pitch saw blade has an uneven pitch and tooth. These blades can help reduce vibrations in your bandsaw machine, producing a more accurate cut.

These are the main categories of bandsaw blades and their main uses. Each blade has different specialties; there are even blades that feature very specific materials such as carbide, tungsten, and even diamond that tackle very specific projects.

You should now have a better idea of the different functions, features, and blades of the bandsaw. Keep these tips for choosing a bandsaw for your shop in mind while doing your shopping. Think about which saw, base, and blade will be most useful for the materials you work with and your shop’s overall production. This will help you make the best choice of investment for your specific shop.