If you find yourself in a career or position where you are using tools a lot, it is very important that you learn how to use them properly.
Different tools have different techniques and things you need to watch out for in order to operate and prepare them safely.
One such tool comes in the form of a bandsaw blade. This tool can be quite tricky to use and when you don’t know what you are doing with it, it can be quite dangerous too.
One thing you need to prioritize when using a bandsaw blade is how to fold it properly, and that’s what we are going to be talking about in this article.
If you don’t know what a bandsaw blade is or you are just starting to use one for the first time, read on to find out everything you need to know, as well as some extra tips that will help you use this tool safely.
What Is A Bandsaw Blade?
So before we get into how to fold a bandsaw blade safely, let’s talk about what a bandsaw blade actually is.
This particular tool is a form of blade that is a long band of metal that has sharp teeth on one side and it stretches between two or more wheels on the tool.
These blades are used for cutting materials in a precise and fast way. You will usually find bandsaw blades most commonly used for things like woodworking, metalworking, and lumbering.
The width of the blade is usually determined by the machine that is using it.
For example, if you are cutting straight lines with a bandsaw blade, you will want to make sure that you use the widest bandsaw blade possible, to avoid breaking the wood or the blade itself.
Bandsaw blades are incredibly useful tools when they are used correctly.
How To Fold A Bandsaw Blade
Now you have a better idea of what a bandsaw blade actually is, let’s talk about how you fold one.
There are lots of different methods out there when it comes to folding these blades, but this method is one of the safest and most practical.
If you’ve never folded a bandsaw blade before, do not rush this process.
Safety is the most important thing when it comes to handling sharp and dangerous tools, so if you need to take a bit of extra time, make sure that you do.
You also need to make sure that you wear safety gloves and safety glasses whenever you are handling this tool.
Once you have the appropriate safety gear on and you’re ready to fold the bandsaw blade, follow these steps:
- First, you will want to put the blade onto a surface that is level. Make sure that the teeth of the blade are facing away from you.
- Hold the bottom of the loop against the floor with your foot and put your right hand inside the blade.
- Firmly grasp the top of the loop from underneath.
- Now, push the blade downwards and compress the loop’s diameter to about half of its original size.
- For this step, you will want to create two loops with the blade by twisting the blade. To do this, rotate your right hand.
- Continue by creating more loops and use your left hand to reposition your right hand. Most blades typically fold between three to five loops, but this will vary depending on the length of your blade.
- Using a twist tie or a zip tie, tie the loops together.
- Once you have completed step 7, put your blade away in a safe place until you are ready to use it again.
Once you have folded a bandsaw blade a few times, you will feel a lot more confident and comfortable in this process.
Remember, it is important to put safety first when you are handling any tools or blades, so make sure that you are using the right protective gear and that you take your time throughout.
The Main Types Of Bandsaw Blades
There are a few different types of bandsaw blades, and if you are going to be using them a lot, it’s important you have a better understanding of the different types.
There are three main types of bandsaw blades they are Bi-Metal, Carbon Steel, and Carbide. Let’s take a deeper look at each of these types of blades now.
Bi-Metal Saw Blades
First, we have Bi-Metal blades. These blades are great for materials such as carbon steel, tool steel, structural steel, stainless steel, and mixed metal.
Bi-Metal blades are largely considered to have the broadest range when it comes to which materials they are good for cutting.
Carbon Steel Saw Blades
Carbon Steel saw blades come in two different types: Carbon Flexback and Carbon Hardback.
Both of these types can cut through the following materials with ease- copper, wood, plastic, cast iron, cork, brass, lead, furniture, resawing projects, and other related materials.
The reason these two blades are different is that Carbon Flexback saw blades have a flexible backer that is suitable for contour cutting, and the Carbon Hardback saw blades have been heat treated on their teeth and backer.
This heat treatment means that the beam on the Carbon Hardback blades is much stronger.
Carbide Saw Blades
And finally, we have Carbide saw blades. Most people use this type of bandsaw blade if they are dealing with materials that bi-metal and carbon steel blades cant cut.
Carbide saw blades have a high wear resistance and toughness and they are able to cut through materials such as composite graphite, high nickel alloys, titanium, spring steels, high-speed steels, and nickel-based alloys.
Conclusion
The most important thing to remember when handling a bandsaw blade is safety.
Make sure you follow the instructions we have provided exactly and make sure you are wearing the correct safety gloves and safety goggles.
Take your time when you are folding your bandsaw blade for the first time and if you are concerned, don’t be afraid to ask for help!
