Manual

BAND SAW BLADES

A band saw blade is a delicate piece of steel that is subjected to tremendous strain. You can

obtain long use from a band saw blade if you give it fair treatment. Be sure you use blades of the

proper thickness, width and temper for the various types of material to be cut.

Always use the widest blade possible. Use the narrow blades only for sawing small, abrupt

curves and for fine, delicate work. This will save blades and will produce better work. Band saw

blades may be purchased, welded, set and sharpened ready for use. For cutting wood and simi-

lar materials, Delta can supply blades in widths of 1/8, 1/4, and 3/8 inches.

Any one of a number of conditions may cause a band saw blade to break. Blade breakage is, in

some cases, unavoidable, being the natural result of the peculiar stresses to which such blades

are subjected. It is, however, often due to avoidable causes, most often to lack of care or judg-

ment on the part of the operator in mounting or adjusting the blade or guides. The most common

causes of blade breakage are:

(1) faulty alignments and adjustments of the guides;

(2) forcing or twisting a wide blade around a curve of short radius;

(3) feeding too fast;

(4) dullness of the teeth or absence of sufficient set;

(5) excessive tensioning of the blade;

(6) top guide set too high above the work being cut;

(7) using a blade with a lumpy or improperly finished braze or weld; and

(8) continuous running of the saw blade when not in use for cutting.

Blades for the new 28-150 9" Band Saw are 59-1/2 inches long.

Always use a sharp blade. Keep it free from gum and pitch. Clean frequently with a stiff fiber

brush.

Narrow blades are used for cutting small circles or curves while the wider blades are best suited

for straight cutting such as ripping.

Due to the low cost of blades, it is advisable to purchase new blades rather than attempt to have

them sharpened.

Make sure the blade guides are always adjusted properly as previously outlined.

Do not force or twist the blade around a curve or a very short radius.

Feed the work uniformly, allowing the blade to cut - do not feed too fast.

Do not apply excessive tension on blades. The tension is only necessary to drive the blade with-

out slipping on the wheels. Narrow blades require less tension than wider blades.