One of the most common tools in every woodworker’s shop is the bandsaw. Whether you’re cutting curves or ripping boards, a well-tuned bandsaw can make quick work of even the toughest cuts. You can choose the best circular saw easily from woodedwire.
However, as with all tools, there are certain things you can do to keep it running smoothly. Here are 7 caring ways to preserve the life of your bandsaw blade:
- Keep it clean and lubricated
A clean blade runs better and lasts longer than a dirty one. To clean one, simply scrub it with a wire brush or sandpaper. Then apply a thin coat of oil with every use to help prevent rusting and increase performance. Bandsaw blades are made from steel, which rusts when exposed to moisture and air. This can happen if your blade gets wet or dirty while cutting wood or metal. If you notice that there is rust on your blade after using it, clean off all the rust immediately with steel wool or sandpaper before it causes damage to the teeth of the blade.
You should also wipe down your band saw table after every use and keep it dry to prevent dust from settling into crevices where dust may cause friction between moving parts and cause wear on your saw blade over time.
- Sharpen regularly
Like any tool that gets used often, a sharp blade metal bandsaw for sale at Asset Plant & Machinery makes for better results and less effort on your part. You should sharpen your band saw blade before each project, or at least once per month if you don’t use it regularly (or if you use it for only small projects). Sharpening isn’t difficult; most people can do it themselves in under 10 minutes using an off-the-shelf sharpener or a bench grinder equipped with an abrasive wheel set (not included).
- Store it properly
You should store your bandsaw blade in a cool, dry place where humidity is low. This will prevent rust from forming on the metal surfaces of the blade (especially if it’s steel) and keep oil from drying out over time. If you live in an area with high humidity or frequent rain showers, consider storing your bandsaw inside a shed or garage instead of outside under an open sky where water could splash onto the machine during storms and cause damage before you even notice it happening!
- Install a good blade
It may seem obvious, but a dull blade is going to last less time than a sharp one. You’ll also get better cuts if you use the right blade for the job at hand.
- Don’t force it
If your blade starts to bind or jump out of its groove while cutting, stop immediately! This can cause damage to both the blade and the material being cut. If you continue to force it through, it could break or become permanently damaged by overheating.
- Never Cut Metal with Your Blade
The cutting surface of your bandsaw blade is designed to cut wood, plastic and other non-ferrous materials. Attempting to cut metal with your bandsaw will dull or break the blade and may even cause it to explode. To avoid this disaster, always use a metal-cutting blade when working with metal.
- Checking for cracks
When checking for cracks, look at both sides of your band saw blade from all angles possible to ensure that there are no cracks present on either side of the blade. If there are any cracks present then they should be replaced immediately because they can cause serious damage if used without being replaced first!
