Bandsaw blades -- which ones

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cmccarter

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I just upgraded to a new (for me bandsaw) I know it needs ab alignment and probably new blade as it tracks awful. What blade do you use for normal everyday use? I don't do any resawing(yet) so don't need a resaw blade just one for cutting pens and possibly for trimming a bowl blank occassionally,


tia
 
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Depending on the size of the saw, they typically come with .25 or .375 inch blades.

Most good size saws can handle up to half an inch.
Bigger saws can take up to 3/4". So, the wider the blade, the better it will stay straight in cutting straight.

If you want to cut circles, the wider the blade, the larger your minimum diameter will be.

Hope this helps,
Ed
 
For most every day use, I use a timberwolf 3/8" blade. But I do switch out regularly for a 1/4" for tighter radius cutting.

A 3/8" is probably a good general purpose blade. For resawing, you'll want as wide as you can get though. Pick up a variety and learn how to fold them :)
 
I have a generic Tiwianese 14 inch band saw. The 1/2 variable tooth Wood Slicer from highlandwoodworking.com is the best resaw blade that I have used. It tracks very true (assuming the saw is properly tuned) and is even quieter and more efficient than any other blade I have used.

It is priced like the cheap blades (+\- $25 for 80 inch), cut like the high priced Laguna.
 
For sawing curved lines, a 1/4 inch may be the blade of choice. BUT, the only way I could control the small blade was to change to urathane tires. The 1/4 was all over the place with rubber tires.

I finally just bought an inexpensive scroll saw and left the BS set for straight and accurate cuts.
 
I have a 3/4" timberwolf on my saw. It was about $40 from WC but it is a 105". Before that I used the $13 Olsen from WC on my Shopsmith bandsaw. I cut lot of wood with the olsens and they are good blades at a good price. For me they wore out a little fast becasue I did about 95% resaw so I was maxing the saw out quite a bit. I never really tried them for finer work.
 
The Wood Slicer is the best for the money I have found. Quiet, cuts very well and straight (if your saw is tuned) and stays sharp through tough cuts. I use mine to make planks from logs up to 10 - 12" dia. Be cautious doing this, the log can do nasty things to your saw and blade when things go wrong. DAMHIKT
Charles
 
I have a bi-metal blade on my 10" Craftsman (twin to the Rikon) that I throw everything at. I believe it is a Lenox. On my 14" Rikon Deluxe I use the Highland "Woodturners" blade (NOT the Wood Slicer), but it is primarily used for cutting rough, wet(ish), wood in preparation for turning.

I recommend both blades that I have been using.
 
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