What You Need To Know When Buying Blades For Your Bandsaw
Bandsaws are incredibly versatile tools that offer you the ability to cut many different materials with them. The type of blade you select is important, and you need to know what size fits before buying new blades, such as Lenox bandsaw blades, for your bandsaw.
Blade Sizes
Lenox bandsaw blades, or any brand you choose to use, are not all universal in size. The blades typically differ in length to fit specific sizes of saws on the market, so the first step is to determine the length and width required for your saw.
Most bandsaws will have the size of the blade and a diagram that shows the correct installation path inside the blade cover on the side of the saw. Be sure to unplug the saw before opening this cover, then copy the information for the blade dimensions from it so you can take them with you when you are looking for bandsaw blades at your favorite hardware store or home center.
Look for the bandsaw blades in the size you need, including the length and the width of the blade. There may be many options available in the same size, so ask for some help if you are unsure what you need. Once you find the right size blades for your saw, you can choose the best one for the material you will cut with it.
Blade Types
Bandsaw blades come in many different styles or types that are made to cut different materials. A bandsaw blade with small, fine teeth is typically designed for cutting metal, and most saws can handle material like steel pipe and tubing without any problem.
A wood-cutting bandsaw blade will typically have larger teeth for rough-cutting material. Still, some blades designed for finish work or cutting plywood and similar materials will use a smaller, fine-tooth design to reduce the chance of chipping the wood as it is being cut.
If you are not sure which bandsaw blade you need for the job you are doing, talk with an associate at the home center or hardware store about your project; they may be able to recommend a blade for you. Bandsaw blades will have information on the packaging about the blade and the material it is best suited for.
Installing The Blade
When you are ready to install bandsaw blades on any bandsaw, unplug the machine and reference the blade path on the inside cover of the saw. The teeth need to be pointing down on a bandsaw, or the blade will not work correctly.
The stroke of a bandsaw runs in that direction to force the material down on the table as it is cutting. If the blade is put on backward, the back of the teeth with impact the material, potentially causing damage to the material you are working with.