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Welcome to Solent Tools, we supply bandsaw blades tailored to your needs. Below we explain the differences between the ranges of width & TPI (Teeth Per Inch) available as well as correctly measuring the length of your blade. Whether your current blade needs replacement or you’re aiming to enhance the finishing quality, understanding the right blade for your saw and the material you are cutting is crucial.
At Solent Tools, we simplify your blade selection process. We categorize blades by machine model numbers, eliminating the hassle of determining blade length and tension compatibility. While a variety of blades remains available for your model, understanding different blade widths and TPIs (Teeth Per Inch) is essential.
We stock blades designed for smaller bench-top DIY and professional bandsaws, primarily for wood and non-ferrous metal cutting. Custom-length blades can also be ordered with a lead time of approximately one week.
If your machine model number isn’t listed, identifying the blade length becomes paramount. Some saws display the blade length on the information plate; otherwise, you can measure in the following ways:
Our shorter stock blades (up to 1699mm) are crafted from Thin Gauge Flexback Carbon. Known for its precision and durability, design to flex around smaller wheels and minimizing premature blade breakage. Longer stock blades (1700mm-2500mm) are made from Standard Gauge Flexback Carbon, offering enhanced strength for larger machines with greater wheel diameters.
Blade width determines flexibility and strength. A simple rule is the narrower the blade, the more flexible it is; wider blades offer greater strength. Select the width based on your cutting needs:
We stock these widths as standard. Additional widths can be ordered with a lead time of around one week. Some saws specify minimum and maximum blade widths, this is crucial for blade tension and wheel width so should always be adhered to.
The TPI impacts finish quality. Fewer TPI result in a rougher finish, while more TPI will give a finer finish. Here are the TPI’s we stock:
We can order different TPIs on request, with a lead time of around one week.
Finer blades are better suited to plastic and metal cutting. The number of teeth on a bandsaw blade will also determine the feed rate. The higher the TPI, the slower the feed rate.
You should be aiming to have at least 3 teeth in the material that you are cutting. So, if you need to cut very thin material (e.g., under 6mm), it will be better to use a higher TPI (14 TPI) blade; otherwise, the material can bounce.
The blades we stock are all for wood cutting bandsaws (which are capable of cutting plastic and thin non-ferrous metals such as Aluminium & Brass – always check your manual before cutting), these bandsaws run in a range of between 2500 – 3200 FPM (Feet Per Minute).
If you are wanting to cut Steel, Stainless Steel and other Ferrous metals you will need a specific metal cutting bandsaw that runs a lot slower in the range of 40-400 FPM (Feet Per Minute). Never attempt to cut steel on a metal cutting bandsaw, it will ruin the blade, probably the saw and above all else the user will be at a high risk of serious injury.
When the blade is under no load the guide blocks / bearings and thrust bearings should not be touching the blades, they should be as close as possible without making direct contact. When a gentle pressure is applied contact should be made and the bearings should spin.
Incorrect pressure of the bearings or the blocks is the number one reason for blades breaking.
If you are still unsure of which blade you need, have any questions or would like to order a bespoke blade please get in contact with us by email sales@solenttools.co.uk or by phone 02380578057.
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