Final answer:
The width of a contour bandsaw blade affects the minimum radius it can cut; narrower blades allow for tighter curves, while wider blades are better for straighter cuts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Effects of Saw Blade Width on Cuttable Radius
The width of a contour bandsaw blade significantly impacts the minimum radius that can be cut. The principle is straightforward: a narrower blade can make tighter curves, while a wider blade is more suited for straighter cuts due to its rigidity. Imagine the blade as a part of a circle; the width of the blade is akin to the circle's width, therefore, a narrower blade corresponds to a smaller circle, which in turn, means a smaller radius can be achieved. Conversely, trying to bend a wider blade into a tight curve could cause the blade to buckle or break. In practice, for very intricate contour cutting, a blade width as small as 1/8 inch may be used, whereas more general-purpose cutting might use a blade that is 1/2 inch wide or more.
For any cuttable radius, there is a minimum blade width that can accomplish the cut without compromising the integrity of the blade. Woodworkers and metalworkers must select the appropriate bandsaw blade width based on the complexity of the cuts they plan to make.