- 1). Gather the correct specifications for your particular band saw. This includes the overall length of the blade, the speed of the motor at the drive wheel and the type of material you want to cut.
- 2). Understand that all band saw blades are welded together. This spot-welded joint, if not done properly, can make the new blade worthless. Ask the retailer about the placement of the weld in relation to the cutting teeth. The weld should be placed in the center distance between the peaks of the cutting teeth or pitch of the blade.
- 3). Know the pitch of the blade, or how many cutting teeth there are per inch of blade. Wood-cutting blades will have very few teeth per running inch; in some cases only one tooth per inch will be used for removing wood from a work piece. The teeth will also be very long, in some cases ¾ of an inch in length. On the contrary, a metal cutting blade will have many teeth per inch; most common are 32 teeth per inch. Their height is minuscule.
- 4). Consider the material you are cutting when choosing the overall width and thickness of the band saw blade. Thick material, whether metal or wood, will require a thicker and wider blade to support an even and straight cut. Thin materials, such as wood veneer and sheet metal, only need a thin blade that can rip through quickly for a clean finished edge.
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