Choosing the right blade for your meat saw is essential to making quality cuts that don’t waste product and reduce the risk of injury. But with so many different types of blades available, it’s easy to get confused. The best blade for your specific application will depend on the kind of cutting you’re doing and the material you’re working with. Depending on the type of blade, you’ll also need to consider the width of the “kerf” – how big of a slot the blade cuts through your workpiece.
Generally speaking, the more teeth per inch a blade has, the faster it will cut. However, if the product finish or how much waste you’re discarding are of concern, then a less aggressive blade with fewer teeth may be more suitable for your needs.
Most fabrication and metal shops use band saws for a variety of applications, including cutting solid materials, heavy-wall tubing, structural shapes, high-efficiency bundle cutting, and hard allow materials such as tool steels. This naturally subjects the blade to a lot of shock, which shortens its life span. Choosing the right blade for your applications will help prolong its life.
The most important factor in selecting a blade is the kind of cutting you’re doing. For example, if you’re cutting wood and metal, a crosscut blade would be best for your needs as it’s designed to achieve a clean, smooth cut when cutting perpendicular to the wood grain. A rip blade, on the other hand, is a good choice for cutting across the grain as it can help you make smoother cuts while minimizing dust and debris.
Another thing to consider is the gullet size of your blade. The gullets are the holes in the blade that clear away the waste material as the blade cuts through the workpiece. The bigger the gullets, the more waste you’ll be able to clear from your workpieces as you cut.
Depending on the materials you’re cutting, you may need to select a blade with an appropriate rake angle. A straight, zero-degree rake is best for most cutting, but if you need to cut thick solids, then you’ll want a positive rake blade.
When you’re ready to replace your blade, simply take out the old one and screw in the new one using a blade tensioner to keep your workpieces secure. meat saw replacement blades are made from high-quality, durable, and corrosion resistant hardened steel. They’re also designed to fit your hand meat saw frame with a snug fit and a pin-to-pin design. To avoid damaging your blades, always measure from pin to pin when selecting a meat hand saw replacement blade.