Band saw blade
Band saw blade
The number of teeth per inch (TPI) defines the pitch of the blade and can vary from less than 1 to 24.
Thin-walled workpieces like tubes, pipes, sheet etc., require fine teeth, otherwise there is a risk of tooth damage or breakage.
Large cross sections should be cut with a coarse-pitched saw, i.e. fewer teeth per inch. The fewer teeth engaged in the work, the higher the cutting capacity. This is because the penetration capacity of each individual tooth is greater if the saw’s feed pressure is distributed over a fewer number of teeth. A coarse pitch (few TPI) therefore increases productivity and provides a desirable, large chip space.
Soft materials, such as aluminium and bronze, require a large chip space. A coarse pitch prevents the chips from building up and packing together in the gullets, which can impair sawing and damage the blade.
Use the TPI selection guides to find the right pitch for your application.
Tooth pitch example for solid workpieces
Example 1: When cutting a Ø 150 mm (6 inch) bar, use 2 TPI, if an evenly pitched blade is your choice. Use a 2/3 TPI or a 1.4/2 TPI if you choose a variably pitched blade.
Example 2: If you are sawing in soft materials like plastics, aluminium or wood, choose a pitch two steps coarser than recommended. When cutting 13-20 mm (1/2 – 3/4 inch) thick pieces of aluminium, use a 6 TPI or a 5/8 TPI blade.
Tooth pitch example for pipes and profiles
Example 3: When cutting a 100 x 10 mm (4 x .4 inch) U-beam, select a 5/8 TPI or a 4/6 TPI blade.
The recommended tooth pitch is found in the field where the outer diameter meets the wall thickness of the pipe to be cut.
Example 4: When cutting a 40 x 1.6 mm (1-1/2 x .06 inch) pipe, select a 10/14 TPI blade.
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