Milling is the ultimate way to produce a finished tooth configuration with a smooth, frictionless surface and superior sharpness. A dedicated gullet geometry, geometrically designed for the work it is intended to do, not only increases cost in its manufacturing time but also dramatically increases the tooling cost necessary to produce the tooth configuration. The gullet and its geometry make or break the overall life of the band. Tile setting of the teeth is done next. Although setting is universal, how accurately and where you set the tooth again influences band saw blade life.
Heat treating and straightening of the tooth and band body is done.
This process can run the gamut from state of the art full service electro heat induction hardening all the way down to the antiquated flame hardening process. As you can imagine full service, state of the art induction hardening cost a lot more than the cheaper methods of electro induction tip hardening or flame hardening. The more flexible and malleable the steel the more dramatically lower the tension applied to the body of the band must be. This intentional use of low tension, high quality steel gives you increased band body life and proportionally increases the overall life of your machine's bearings, shafts and wheel surfaces. State of the art heat treating does dramatically increase overall band body life.