Versatix MP bi-metal bandsaw blades from The LS Starrett Co Ltd, Jedburgh (www.starrett.co.uk), have been designed for cutting structural steel profiles such as RSJs, I-beams and C-sections, as well as tubes, channels and small solids used in many industry sectors.

The blades feature a new tooth design that provides a significant increase in tooth strength and, consequently, a reduction in tooth stripping. Furthermore, this strength ensures that the blades can easily cope with the shock loading conditions associated with intermittent cutting, making the blades ideal for manual ‘pull-down’ bandsaw machines with uncontrolled feed rates.

The profile of the saw teeth has a variable rake all the way down the tooth to reduce vibration, plus a shallow gullet to reduce noise levels for smooth, quick cutting. Available in widths from 19 to 54mm, Versatix MP bandsaw blades feature a triple-tempered M-42 cobalt high-speed steel for the teeth, and a fatigue-resistant alloy steel backing strip.

Blades up to 27mm wide are produced using the principle of solid-state diffusion bonding to join two strips of high-speed steel wire to a backing steel strip; wider blades are produced using a standard electron beam welding process.

In tests, these blades have proved to be capable of cutting typically 35% faster while lasting an average of 35% longer than competing blades — advantages that add up to a lower cost per cut.

Graham Munro, Starrett technical support team leader, said: “We were very pleased with the results of our in-house tests of the blade when compared with key competitors and our previous offering in this category. Versatix MP is offering huge improvements in performance and reductions in cost to a wide range of bandsaw users.”