Saw blade and gauge chart
Blade sizes with thickness, depth and teeth per inch, the sheet gauge each blade suits, and a Brown & Sharpe gauge to millimetre table for wire and sheet.
Saw blade sizes
Higher numbers with /0 are finer blades. Choose a blade that keeps at least two or three teeth on the metal thickness. Fewer teeth catch and snap the blade, and more cut slowly and clog.
| Blade | Thickness | Depth | Teeth per inch | B&S gauge | Drill for piercing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/0 | 0.16 mm (.0063″) | 0.32 mm (.0126″) | 89 | up to 26 | 80 |
| 7/0 | 0.17 mm (.0067″) | 0.33 mm (.0130″) | 84 | 24–26 | 80 |
| 6/0 | 0.18 mm (.0070″) | 0.36 mm (.0140″) | 76 | 24 | 79 |
| 5/0 | 0.20 mm (.0080″) | 0.40 mm (.0157″) | 71 | 22–24 | 78 |
| 4/0 | 0.22 mm (.0086″) | 0.44 mm (.0175″) | 66 | 22 | 77 |
| 3/0 | 0.24 mm (.0095″) | 0.48 mm (.0190″) | 61 | 22 | 76 |
| 2/0 | 0.26 mm (.0103″) | 0.52 mm (.0204″) | 56 | 20–22 | 75 |
| 1/0 | 0.28 mm (.0110″) | 0.56 mm (.0220″) | 53.5 | 18–22 | — |
Exact dimensions vary slightly by blade maker. Sizes #1 and up are coarser blades for thicker stock.
B&S gauge to millimetres
Brown & Sharpe (B&S) is the same scale as American Wire Gauge (AWG), used in the US for nonferrous wire and sheet. Smaller numbers are thicker. Every six gauges halves the thickness.
| Gauge | mm | Inches |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 3.264 | 0.1285 |
| 10 | 2.588 | 0.1019 |
| 12 | 2.053 | 0.0808 |
| 14 | 1.628 | 0.0641 |
| 16 | 1.291 | 0.0508 |
| 18 | 1.024 | 0.0403 |
| 20 | 0.812 | 0.0320 |
| 22 | 0.644 | 0.0253 |
| 24 | 0.511 | 0.0201 |
| 26 | 0.405 | 0.0159 |
| 28 | 0.321 | 0.0126 |
| 30 | 0.255 | 0.0100 |
Loading the blade
Teeth point out from the frame and down toward the handle, so the saw cuts on the downstroke. Clamp the top of the blade, press the frame in slightly, clamp the bottom, then release. A tight blade gives a high ping when plucked.
Piercing
Drill a pilot hole with the drill size listed for the blade, thread the blade through, and tension it in the frame. Keep the saw upright, use the full length of the blade, and turn the work rather than the saw at corners. A little lubricant on the blade cuts friction and breakage.
Saw blades and frames
All saw blades-
#3 - Pike
$37.50
-
144 Saw Blade Assortment - Anchor
$5.00 -
72 Saw Blade Assortment - Anchor
$5.00 -
72 Saw Blade Assortment - Golden Alps
$14.95
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