Solid stock
Pitch is selected from the full thickness of the cut.
Tube and profile
Wall thickness controls minimum engagement while corners can temporarily increase the number of teeth in contact.
Machine setup
Correct tension, guide spacing, break-in, and feed are inseparable from blade selection.
Method for this decision
- Measure the section that enters the blade and identify whether it is solid, tube, or a changing profile.
- Choose a fixed or variable pitch that keeps teeth engaged through the full section without packing the gullets.
- Verify band length, width, tension, guide setting, break-in, and feed as part of the same setup.
Worked example
Example: a tube’s wall controls minimum engagement while its corners briefly increase contact. Variable pitch can cover changing sections, but it does not remove the need to set tension and guides correctly.
Limits and stop conditions
Pitch cannot compensate for a wrong loop length, damaged weld, poor tension, or unsupported work. Keep hands out of the cut path and follow the machine’s guarding and break-in procedure.