2.8
DETERMINE OPTIMUM BLADE PITCH – TEETH PER INCH (T.P.I.)
Selecting a blade with proper tooth pitch is important in order to achieve optimal cutting rates and good blade life. For
cutting narrow or thin wall structural materials, a ne blade with many teeth per inch (T.P.I.) is recommended. For wide
materials a blade with a coarse pitch should be used. See the sketch below for the blade pitch changes for differing effec-
tive material widths.
It is impractical to change the blade to the proper pitch every time a different width of material is cut and it is not neces-
sary, but remember that the optimum blade will cut most efciently. Too ne a blade must be fed slower on wide mate-
rial because the small gullets between the teeth will get packed with chips before they get across and out of the cut. Too
coarse a blade must be fed slower because it has fewer teeth cutting and there is a limit to the depth of a cut taken by
each tooth.