When choosing a bandsaw blade, tooth pitch is often treated as a secondary consideration. Blade width or overall blade type usually takes priority, with TPI mentioned almost as an afterthought. In reality, tooth pitch plays a major role in how a blade performs in the cut, influencing cutting speed, surface finish, blade life and even machine load. According to EPS Services, problems often blamed on set up or machine condition can frequently be traced back to blade selection.

Tooth pitch refers to the number of teeth per inch of blade, written as TPI. Lower TPI blades feature larger teeth with deeper gaps between them, while higher TPI blades have smaller, closely spaced teeth. These gaps, known as gullets, are responsible for carrying chips away from the cut. If chips cannot clear efficiently, they pack into the gullets, increasing friction and heat and accelerating blade wear. Poor chip clearance is one of the most common causes of premature dulling.

A useful rule of thumb is to ensure at least three teeth are always engaged in the material. This spreads the cutting load and promotes smooth operation. Too few teeth can cause grabbing and chatter, while too many can lead to rubbing rather than cutting, generating heat and reducing efficiency.

Fast dulling, slow cutting, burning and wandering cuts are often linked to incorrect pitch selection, even when machine set up is sound. These symptoms are sometimes misattributed to blade quality.

Variable pitch blades, which alter tooth spacing along the blade, can reduce vibration and improve stability. However, they are not a substitute for selecting the correct pitch range.

Ultimately, tooth pitch affects far more than surface finish. A small change in TPI can significantly improve cutting performance, consistency and blade life.

More information www.eps-services.co.uk

Since UK-based KR Saws was founded in 2004, the stainless steel industry has been one of its core focus areas. Backed by the innovation and research of parent companies Kinkelder and Roentgen, KR Saws says it has continually pushed the boundaries of cutting performance and efficiency. The company’s long-standing commitment to this sector is reflected in its position as the only bandsaw blade supplier to be a member of the British Stainless Steel Association.

Roentgen’s R&D team never stops refining its blade technology. After promising test results on stainless steel, the company introduced the Titan ST — a next-generation carbide-tipped bandsaw blade designed for speed, precision and durability. To put the Titan ST to the test, KR Saws partnered with a major stainless steel stockholder that wanted to reduce cutting times and improve productivity.

The stockholder had been using a bi-metal blade, but using Roentgen’s RCS cutting calculator, KR Saws recommended a cutting speed four times faster than the company’s previous set up. In addition, the Titan ST delivered longer blade life, while its pre-honed edge meant no running-in period.

“I’m actually shocked,” said the customer. “The carbide ST blade has been running for a week at the recommended feed and speed, and it’s still cutting perfectly. We’ve had over 100 cuts (16.6 m² blade life) and it’s still going; this blade is a game changer.”

Another recent stainless steel project pushed the limits further — cutting large-diameter 316 and 304 stainless steel. The target was to outperform a competitor’s average blade life of 8.9 m². Following Roentgen’s recommendation, KR Saws introduced the M51 Master, a bi-metal blade built for stainless and alloy steels. Across five blades, the M51 Master achieved an average life of 10.8 m², outperforming the competition by over 21%.

More information www.krsaws.co.uk