How Much Set

[homesteader1972]

I see there is some variation in the set you all run, and was curious what set you use on various woods and species. I am still new at sharpening and setting and am trying to learn more about the benefits of using varying sets. Does the HP of the mill affect how much or little set one may use? What else should one know whose still on the short side of the learning curve?

Thanks much.

[shakebone]

I run 19ths on 4°hardwood blades and 24 the on 10°works well on both mills the gas burner suffers a little on the 10°'s the 40 desiel just eats it up 

[Brian_Rhoad]

Softwood needs more set than hardwood. Softwood fibers expand more in the kerf and will rub on the blade, which will make the blade get hot.

[xlogger]

So you are saying if you are cutting knotty pine or white oak with 4° you run a little less set?

[redprospector]

You have to have enough set to make a wide enough kerf to clear the band body, and the sawdust that spills out of the gullet and over the band body. The width of cut can have some influence on this too.
You can have 20 different sets for different species, conditions, and log sizes to strive for the "perfect" cut. Or you can do like most and settle on a "happy medium" that will cut well on most logs. Probably wind up with 2 sets, one for hardwood and one for softwood. We don't have enough hardwood to worry about it around here. I try to keep them at about 25 thousandths for softwood.

[4x4American]

I have been having good luck with .020" in frozen pine and a 4 degree blade.

[Chuck White]

I set my bands at .028-.030 and have had pretty good luck in all species.

[pineywoods]

I just set everything to 29 thou and go. Not enough set will cause problems. The only ill effect I see from more set than is absolutely necessary, is more sawdust left in the kerf..

[4x4American]

My turn to ask dumb question, will more set make a rougher-finish cut?

[redprospector]

Generally speaking...Yes.
But it still depends on what you're sawing. Being underset may cut a little smoother, but your cut speed will drop and you'll have trouble keeping the wave out.
Set one at 30, if it's too rough for you set it down to 25. Keep playing until you find what works for you. Sawing usually ain't a one size fits all deal. You may want to keep blades with 2 or 3 different sets.