Adam Popson

Using a band saw to cut bundles of structural shapes is good for productivity but bad for band saw blade wear. Knowledge of application-specific tooth designs, tooth pitch, band tension, band speeds, and cutting fluid will help maintain blade life.

Nearly every metal sawing operation can become more cost-effective with a properly mixed and maintained sawing coolant. Proper use of sawing coolant improves cutting rates by balancing the combination of cooling and lubrication of the blade. Quality coolant improves the cut finish and can extend blade life by as much as 20 percent.

Material separation with a band saw machine is the beginning of most fabrication and many manufacturing operations, but it doesn't have to cause headaches with the proper preventive maintenance.