Southbend SB1040 - Manual (Page 28)

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For Machines Mfg. Since 8/09 Model SB1040/SB1041 O P E R A T I O N
Blade Pitch (TPI)
The chart below is a basic starting point for
choosing teeth per inch (TPI) for variable pitch
blades and standard raker set bi-metal blades/
HSS blades. However, for exact specifications
of bandsaw blades that are correct for your
operation, contact the blade manufacturer.
To select the correct blade pitch:
1. Measure the material thickness. This
measurement is the length of cut taken
from where the tooth enters the workpiece,
sweeps through, and exits the workpiece.
2. Refer to the "Material Width/Diameter"
row of the blade selection chart in Figure
17, and read across to find the workpiece
thickness you need to cut.
3. Refer to the "Material Shapes" row and find
the shape of the material to be cut.
4. In the applicable row, read across to the
right and find the box where the row and
column intersect. Listed in the box is the
minimum TPI recommended for the variable
tooth pitch blades.
5. The "Cutting Speed Rate Recommendation"
section of the chart offers guidelines for
various metals, given in feet per minute
(FPM). Choose the speed closest to the
number shown in the chart.
TOOTH SELECTION
50
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 2½ 3½
75 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
2/3
2/3
2/3 1.4/2.5
1.4/2.5
1.5/.8
1.5/.8
3/4
3/4
3/4
4/6
4/6
5/8
450 mm
inch
Material Width/Diameter
Material Shapes
Teeth Per Inch (TPI) for Variable Pitch Blades
Figure 17. General guidelines for blade selection and speed chart.