Band Saw Blades

Q Why are my band saw blades breaking on my Doall machine
A Weld breakage is generally thought of as a manufacturer problem, but there are many instances where the problem may be avoided with a simple adjustment to your bandsaw. Although many cases are unique, the following list of problems are the most common.

1. Tension too high.
2. Wheel diameter too small.
3. Blade rubbing against wheel flange.
4. Guides worn, or frozen in place (see Parts for MST replacement parts).
5. Feed rate too heavy (see Speed & Feed Rates for MST recomendation).
6. Chips stuck in guides.
7. Feed system not working correctly.
8. Internal stress pinching blade.
Q Should I always break in my new Simonds Band Saw Blade on my Marvel Band Saw?
A The importance of breaking in a new blade should not be under estimated. It can mean the difference between success and failure of your bandsaw blade.

Proper break-in of your bandsaw blade will give you a more uniform blade life. It will make it easier to judge the overall blade life and performance.

One should always break-in a blade when first installed to remove the sharp edge. Breaking-in the bandsaw blade will give you a much longer blade life and you will not have as many problems with breaking/stripping teeth, or crooked cuts.

Think of a new bandsaw blade as if it were a knife with a new edge or a pencil with a new point. Everyone knows that a knife will stay sharper longer if you take the time to hone the edge before you use the knife. We also know one cannot push down hard on a pencil point without breaking the tip when it is new. Bandsaw blades are no different.
Q I have a new Hem Saw H160 using Lenox saw bladesmand I am striping the teeth, how can I stop this
A One of the most common problems in bandsawing is stripping the teeth from the blade. While every case is unique, the following is a list of the most commonly found causes.

1. Too few teeth in the cut (see Cutting Basics for the MST recommendation).
2. Too many teeth in the cut (see Cutting Basics for the MST recommendation).
3. Excessive feed rate (see Speed & Feed Rates for the MST recommendation).
4. Band Speed too slow (see Speed & Feed Rates for the MST recommendation).
5. Improper Break-In (see Break-In Procedure for the MST recommendation).
6. Misalignment at weld.
7. Low band tension.
8. Workpiece moved.
9. Chip welding.
10. Coolant problems (Contact MST for a recommendation).
11. Material too hard (Contact MST for a recommendation).
12. Feed system not working correctly.
Q The Blades are bouncing on out Hydmech S20 Band saw, what is wrong?????
A Often a blade will "bounce" or "jump" when passing through the saws guides. This will cause problems by overloading the blade gullet, or causing expensive damage to your head feed system. The following is a list of the most common causes for a "bouncing blade".

1. Straightness of the blade.
2. Straightness of the weld.
3. Blade tension is set too low.
4. Wheels are out of round.
5. Blade guides are damaged.
6. Blade is bent.
7. Wheel Bearings are bad.
Q We are using a Amada Saw Blade on a Marvel 81 saw, lately we have been seeing Gullet cracks, is this a saw or blade issue
A Gullet cracks are a common problem which can stem from a great number of variables. Unlike most blade problems, the most likely causes for gullet cracks lie with the machine, and not the blade itself. Although most cases are unique, the following is a list of the most common reasons for gullet cracks.

1. Straightness of band.
2. Guides too tight.
3. Tension too high.
4. Feed rate too heavy (see Speed & Feed Rates for MST recomendation).
5. Coolant flow too low (Contact MST for a recomendation).
6. Coolant mix improper (Contact MST for arecomendation).
7. Guide arms misaligned.
8. Feed pressure too high (see Speed & Feed Rates for MST recommendation).
9. Wheel damaged or dirty.
10. Speed too fast (see Speed & Feed Rates for MST recommendation).
11. Running time too long.
12. Bad wheel bearings.
13. Guide to Wheel alignment is bad.
Q We use Lenox Saw Blades on a Hydmech Band Saw, Lately our production on beam has goon down due to cracks in the back of the saw blade, is this common and how do we fix this?
A Back cracks are often the cause of many problems, from crooked welds to bandsaw blade breakage. The following is a list of most of the known problems that cause cracks in the back of a bandsaw blade.

1. Guide arms are too far apart.
2. Guide to wheel alignment is wrong.
3. Top guide is missing.
4. Bandsaw blade is rubbing wheel flange.
5. Notch in top guide.
6. Guides too tight.
7. Straightness of bend.
8. Speed to fast (see Speed & Feed Rates for MST recommendation).
9. Running time too long.
10. Tension too high.
11. Feed rate too heavy (see Speed & Feed Rates for MST recommendation).
12. Feed pressure too high (see Speed & Feed Rates for MST recommendation).
13. Coolant flow too low (Contact MST for a recommendation).
14. Coolant mix improper (Contact MST for a recommendation).


Call Metal Sawing Technology 713-697-1605 and they will help you find the correct band for the job
Q The teeth on out Wikus Saw blades seem to be damaged. why??? Please help
A Often, a blade is damaged even before it makes it to the saw, and even damaged when it is being put on the saw. The following is a list of the most common reasons why bandsaw blade teeth are damaged.

1. Improper handling.
2. Band installed incorrectly.
3. Improper break in (see Break-In for MST recommendation).
4. Work piece has moved.
5. Work piece indexed into the bandsaw blade.
6. Chipbrush hub is hitting teeth.
7. Erratic feed system.
8. Drive belts are slipping.
Q Is there a online speed and feed chart that will help our production?
A Yes, at http://www.metalsaw.com, there is a link on the page that will help you out
Q Do you stock WF Wells Blade guides?
A Yes, over 1000 of them are in stock

Band Saw Machines

Q We are a Fab shop looking for a 60 Degree Mitre Band saw, what saw do you recomend?
A The Trajan 1319 is a proven leader in this area, you can find them at www.trajansaw.com or www.utilitybandsaw.com

Blade Guides

Q Why is the carbide coming off my Hydmech Blade Guides?
A during manufacturing sometime the steel backing is heated fasted than the carbide, this will cause a substandard product that will result in carbide loss. Ask your supplier how the guide is heated, if they are not using a induction type system the Carbide Blade Guide has a much higher chance of defect
Q Do you grind your Hem Saw Blade guides?
A Hem Saw grinds all of there Carbide Blade Guides, we have the system in place to grind all of our Hydmech Blade Guide, Marvel Saw Guide and Doall Band Saw Blade Guides
Q How fast can you ship me a set of Amada HA250 Saw Guides
A We stock the Amada Blade guides, so we ship the same day
Q Are HemSaw H160 blade guides sold by each or as a set?
A All Hem Blade Guides are sold in sets
Q Do you stock Backup guides for the Hydmech S20?
A Yes
Q Why do your Marvel Blade Guides seem to be better than others purchased
A We use only the finest grade of carbide; the craftsmen who produce our carbide all start at a young age and progress to ,aster creaftmenwe also have spent tens of thousands of dollars in our CNC machining centers as well as our state of the art induction soldering system. All of the machines that produce our guides are less than 3 years old.
Q is the Marvel 15 and 15a use tha same saw guides?
A depending on the series, the Marvel A4 will use a 15-BD2A