Metals TPI Chart:
Metals tpi chart: Selecting the correct teeth per inch (TPI) for your bandsaw blade is vital for achieving optimal performance, durability, and cut quality. This guide explains the use of carbon and bi-metal bandsaw blades and highlights appropriate TPI recommendations for various metals and applications.
1. Carbon Bandsaw Blades for Soft Metals
Carbon bandsaw blades are best suited for cutting soft metals, offering an economical solution for specific applications. Suitable metals include:
- Aluminium
- Brass
- Bronze
- Nickel
- Tin
- Copper
- Mild Steel
TPI Recommendations for Soft Metals
Carbon blades are ideal for cutting soft metals when the appropriate TPI is used:
- A 6 TPI blade provides smoother cuts with reduced vibrations.
- For a rough cut on thick materials, 4 TPI may suffice, but it often results in coarse cuts.
- Finer cutting applications benefit from 14 TPI, offering improved control and cut quality.
- Excessively high TPI (e.g., 24 TPI) is not advisable for thicker materials as it can wear out the tooth tips prematurely.
2. Bi-Metal Bandsaw Blades for Soft and Harder Metals
Bi-metal bandsaw blades combine a high-speed steel (HSS) tooth edge for wear resistance and a flexible alloy steel body for toughness. This design makes them ideal for cutting both soft and harder metals.
Examples of Metals Cut with Bi-Metal Blades
- Soft Metals: Aluminium, Brass, Mild Steel.
- Harder Metals: Stainless Steel, Cast Iron, Tool Steel, Copper Alloys.
TPI Options for Bi-Metal Blades
Bi-metal blades offer two key tooth pitch styles:
- Constant Pitch: Uniform tooth spacing, such as 4 TPI or 6 TPI. These blades excel in cutting materials with consistent cross-sections.
- Variable Pitch: Alternating tooth spacing, such as 10/14 TPI. This configuration reduces vibration and is better suited for cutting materials with varying thicknesses.
For softer metals, coarse TPIs like 6 TPI or 4 TPI may suffice for faster cutting. For harder metals or smoother finishes, variable pitch blades (e.g., 10/14 TPI) are recommended to enhance versatility and reduce vibrations.
Key Insights
- Carbon Blades: Best for soft metals like aluminium or brass. Use lower TPI (4–6) for thick materials and higher TPI (14–18) for finer cuts.
- Bi-Metal Blades: Versatile and ideal for cutting soft and hard metals. Choose variable pitch for smoother cuts and reduced vibration.
- Avoid Overloading: Excessively high TPI on thick materials can lead to rapid tooth wear and inefficient cutting.
By understanding the relationship between blade type, TPI, and metal properties, you can select the most effective blade for any metal cutting task, ensuring precision, durability, and efficiency.