Folding and storing a bandsaw blade.

A bandsaw blade arrives folded into a small coil of three loops, and it can go back into that coil for storage. Folding looks like a magic trick the first time, but it is a simple twist once you have done it a few times. Practise with an old blade before you try it with a new one.

Unfolding a new blade.

Hold the coil away from your body and face, at arm’s length, with the teeth pointing away from you. Cut or remove the tie that holds it, then let the loops open on their own while you keep hold of one side. Don’t try to pull the loops apart; the blade will open into one big loop by itself. Wood-Mizer, which makes bandsaw blades, shows a controlled way to do it: grip two loops crossed over, then separate your hands slowly as you turn your forearms outward.

Folding a blade into three loops.

1. Hold it up. Stand the blade on the floor, or hold it up in front of you, with the teeth pointing towards you and away from your hands. Hold it at the sides, about halfway up, palms facing outward.
2. Squeeze and twist. Squeeze the sides gently inward and, keeping your arms fairly straight, turn your hands so the top of the loop swings down towards you and folds under.
3. Cross over. As the top comes down, bring your hands together and cross them. The blade collapses into three loops lying on top of each other.
4. Gather and tie. Lift the bottom loop up to join the others, then secure the coil with a cable tie, string or a twist of wire so it can’t spring open.

If the blade won’t fold, let it open again and start over; forcing it can kink the band. Wide and long blades are harder to fold than narrow ones. Wood-Mizer also describes a method with the blade on the floor, holding the bottom of the loop down with your foot.

Storing blades.

• Hang them on a hook or peg near the saw, coiled and tied, so the teeth don’t touch anything metal.
• Label them with the length, width, teeth per inch and the job you use them for. A size card in My Workshop keeps the length on your phone too.
• Keep them dry. A light coat of oil or a corrosion inhibitor stops carbon-steel blades rusting in a damp workshop; wipe it off before use.
• Clean before storing. Remove resin and sawdust from the teeth first.

Some manufacturers recommend releasing the blade tension when the saw won’t be used for a while; check whether your manual does.

Sources

• Wood-Mizer, “How to Fold Sawmill Band Blades”.