Bandsaw blade type definitions, have they changed?

**dai sensei** · 9th February 2017, 08:22 PM

I have numerous blades for all sorts of purposes, but my general go to blade for day to day use on my bandsaw is a 3/8" 3TPI Skip Tooth Raker Set. This is based on my understanding of blade definitions as follows:
bandsaw teeth.jpg

This blade only come in carbon blades so I tend to order 4-5 at a time, sharpen using vinegar a couple of times, before it then usually brakes and I throw it away.

Now my last blade from the last order broke this week so I went to order more from a very well known supplier in Sydney as my old supplier in Melb has retired. The person on the end of the phone asked for what I wanted and I started to describe the blade. When I said I needed a "skip tooth" the guy said "all blades are skip tooth these days. Some what taken back, I asked Ok what is your definition of a skip tooth blade, to which he answered "one tooth is to the left then one to the right and then a clearing tooth that is the skip tooth". To which I answered that was the the tooth set not the tooth shape, and there were also the hook tooth and variable tooth. I explained my understanding was that a skip tooth was like a normal tooth blade but every second tooth was missing. To which he replied, yeh one is missing that cuts, only the teeth set to the side. I replied we were talking about two totally different types of blade.

Now we are talking about a really well know supplier that are supposed to be leaders on their field, and the guy didn't sound like a youngster, so I'm left with perhaps the definitions have changed???

Can anyone shed any more light on this?

**BobL** · 9th February 2017, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by dai sensei

When I said I needed a "skip tooth" the guy said "all blades are skip tooth these days. Some what taken back, I asked Ok what is your definition of a skip tooth blade, to which he answered "one tooth is to the left then one to the right and then a clearing tooth that is the skip tooth". To which I answered that was the the tooth set not the tooth shape, and there were also the hook tooth and variable tooth. I explained my understanding was that a skip tooth was like a normal tooth blade but every second tooth was missing. To which he replied, yeh one is missing that cuts, only the teeth set to the side. I replied we were talking about two totally different types of blade.

He's talking about "Raker Set" teeth, L Set, Right Set, No set, repeat. That's pretty standard for milling.
The Setting machine we have at the milling yard only sets the teeth in this pattern.

I seen skip toothed scroll saw blades and have heard of skip tooth BS bands but have never seen one.

According to Choose the Correct Band Saw Blade Style and Set
Skip Toothed blades have widely spaced teeth with a 0° rake angle to prevent clogging when cutting soft, non-ferrous metals, plastics and wood.

Doesn't sound like the kind of band suitable for Aussie timber??

I see Blackwoods sells 30m rolls of skip toothed BS blades but only in 6TPI

**dai sensei** · 10th February 2017, 08:47 PM

I agree Bob, to me he was talking about Raker Set teeth, but calling them Skip Tooth. Your link goes to a diagram that is basically the same as the one I posted. The one I have been using is the Skip Tooth, but with a Raker Set, not all being 0 set.

Mind you, I looked at a few "standard" blades today with 3tpi on a 3/8" blade, they looked like what I would call a skip blade anyway due to the teeth spacing.

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Bandsaw blade type definitions, have they changed?

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