Published 4/21/22 by Mike Conger

 

Storing your bandsaw blade can be as tricky as folding a fitted bed sheet. However, unlike a bedsheet, there is a proper way to store your blade. Most bandsaw blades are manufactured to coil easily for storage purposes. This way, they take up less room and are easier and safer to transport.

Here are Laguna Tools' top three methods for storing bandsaw blades, which will ensure that they stay unbent, undamaged, and compact.

Safety Precautions

Before attempting any of these three methods of storing your bandsaw blade, remember to follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper safety precautions.

Bandsaw blades are very sharp, and their size can make them difficult to control. When attempting to perform any of these methods or when removing, installing, or handling your bandsaw blade, always follow the manufacturer’s handling instructions.

If the bandsaw blade comes with a guard, we recommend saving it to use to store the blade safely when not in use. We also recommend wearing heavy cloth gloves and long sleeves while handling your blade. Lastly, when performing methods that involve stepping on your bandsaw blade, we suggest you place your blade on a soft material that will not damage the blade teeth, such as wood or cardboard.

Method 1

The first method to safely store a bandsaw blade is to hold the blade in front of you in one large loop, with the saw teeth facing toward you.

Place your foot on the blade, holding it to the ground. You do not need to apply excessive force. Your foot is simply there to hold the blade in place and provide stability. If you step too hard on the blade, you may damage the teeth or bend the band.

Next, grab the blade with two hands, with your thumbs to the outside, at the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions. Slowly twist the top of the blade away from your body.

Bring your hands together to form two loops while folding down. Keep rotating the blade until it coils into three loops. Carefully bring the three loops together until they are evenly sized.

Method 2

This method of storing a bandsaw blade works well with small blades but may not be possible for larger bandsaw blades.

This method works the same as method 1, but rather than holding the blade with both hands, you should grab the blade at the top while holding the bottom of the blade with your foot with teeth still facing away from you.

Grasp the blade with your hand, twisting your arm such that your elbow is facing away from your body. Turn the palm of your hand toward your body about 180 degrees and then continue turning while pushing down on the blade.

The blade will fold down upon itself into three circles, lying flat on the ground.

Method 3

This last method of storing a bandsaw blade is the "steering wheel method."

Start with the blade in front of you, as if you were holding a steering wheel. Your hands should be placed roughly at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions.

Simultaneously, twist your left hand up and your right hand down. As the blade starts to fold, move your hands closer together while tilting your left hand to the right and your right hand to the left. The blade will fall into three coils.

Your bandsaw blades will no longer clutter up your workshop storage space. Use one of these three methods to properly coil your bandsaw blades and keep them as good as new!