Looking for bandsaw blade advice

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Cwalker935

Cwalker935

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May 18, 2014
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Richmond, Va
I recently bought a used 14" Jet Bandsaw with the 6" extension and am thinking about buying a new blade. I want a blade that would be good for roughing out large bowl blanks (5"-6" inches in depth and 15 " in dia.) from rough stock. What rake, blade width and TPI would be best? Is there a blade that would handle both this and more finer work like bandsaw boxes?
 
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For resawing I would think that you would need at least a half inch blade with either 4 or 6 tpi (teeth per inch). For bandsaw boxes you will need a smaller blade that will be easier to cut curves and round corners,maybe a 1/4 inch blade with either 6or 8tpi.
 
Cody,
I am sure you will get many different suggestions.
Here is what I bought for bowl blanks from a group buy here on IAP.
I did also buy this blade in 3/8" as well.

I would think you need different blades for these two projects. This blade for heavy cutting / green wood to clear without clogging.

For the bandsaw boxes,(dry wood), you would most likely want something with more tpi and much narrower for the curves you need to make...and a smoother cut.
William Young may be of help with these as he has been posting those great boxes lately.

Two bandsaws is a good solution! Tell the wife that "Charlie" suggested this :eek::biggrin:
 
I have a 14" bandsaw with riser block. I use it primarily for cutting bowl blanks from logs including many with bark. Bark it tough on any blades, including tools because of all the dirt etc.

I use Olson blades from Woodcraft. I use the one that an employee recommended. He cuts a lot of logs.

Width 1/2 inches
Gauge .025
TPI: 4 (he also said I could use a 3)
Style: Hook
Set: Raker

These have worked well for me cutting up to the maximum height of 12" that will fit through my BS. You do need to cut slow when cutting tall pieces. The blades are not expensive compared to other brands so if you damage a blade the replacement cost isn't that much.
 
Charlie_W said:
Cody,
I am sure you will get many different suggestions.
Here is what I bought for bowl blanks from a group buy here on IAP.
I did also buy this blade in 3/8" as well.

I would think you need different blades for these two projects. This blade for heavy cutting / green wood to clear without clogging.

For the bandsaw boxes,(dry wood), you would most likely want something with more tpi and much narrower for the curves you need to make...and a smoother cut.
William Young may be of help with these as he has been posting those great boxes lately.

Two bandsaws is a good solution! Tell the wife that "Charlie" suggested this :eek::biggrin:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice, did you mean to include a link?
 
Call Suffolk Machinery, Suffolk Machinery - Timber Wolf Bandsaw Blades ,and tell the lady who answers the phone what saw you have and what you will be cutting and she will suggest the blade(s) you need. They sell timber wolf blades cheaper than anyone I've found and often have specials to buy 3 and get one free. Ordering from the website is now possible once you know the blade specs you want.
Do a good turn daily!
Don

Cwalker935 said:
I recently bought a used 14" Jet Bandsaw with the 6" extension and am thinking about buying a new blade. I want a blade that would be good for roughing out large bowl blanks (5"-6" inches in depth and 15 " in dia.) from rough stock. What rake, blade width and TPI would be best? Is there a blade that would handle both this and more finer work like bandsaw boxes?
Click to expand...
 
Good advice

Thanks for all the good advice.

I told my my wife that I was complaining to Charlie about how much hassle it was to be changing bandsaw blades all the time and that Charlie said "you know I was complaining to my wife about that very same thing and she said you should buy a second bandsaw." My wife did not diegn to reply, she just gave me the LOOK, you know- that look.
 
I agree with what Virgil said above. Blade change is really not that difficult once you do it a time or two. I can change a blade on my 14" Delta in less than 5 minutes. Be sure to readjust the thrust bearings and guides before turning on the power or your new blade may become and old blade very quickly. You may also want to learn how to fold/unfold your blades for storage. Here is a YouTube video that may help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si-Ws6S18-A
 
Yep, Cody, I did miss adding the pic. Let's try it again.
 

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Cwalker935 said:
Thanks for all the good advice.

I told my my wife that I was complaining to Charlie about how much hassle it was to be changing bandsaw blades all the time and that Charlie said "you know I was complaining to my wife about that very same thing and she said you should buy a second bandsaw." My wife did not diegn to reply, she just gave me the LOOK, you know- that look.
Click to expand...

OH NO....NOT "THE LOOK" :eek:
I Love It! :tongue: I will share this with My Wifey tonight! :biggrin:

She surprised me with a Sorby full size spiraling/texturing tool for Christmas!
What a Wonderful Wifey I have! :smile:
 
Cwalker935 said:
Thanks for all the good advice.

I told my my wife that I was complaining to Charlie about how much hassle it was to be changing bandsaw blades all the time and that Charlie said "you know I was complaining to my wife about that very same thing and she said you should buy a second bandsaw." My wife did not diegn to reply, she just gave me the LOOK, you know- that look.
Click to expand...

I have 3 bandsaws, 2-14" and 1-16"........Couldn't do with out them
 
gimpy said:
Cwalker935 said:
Thanks for all the good advice.

I told my my wife that I was complaining to Charlie about how much hassle it was to be changing bandsaw blades all the time and that Charlie said "you know I was complaining to my wife about that very same thing and she said you should buy a second bandsaw." My wife did not diegn to reply, she just gave me the LOOK, you know- that look.
Click to expand...

I have 3 bandsaws, 2-14" and 1-16"........Couldn't do with out them
Click to expand...

Now you are just showing off. I would love to have 3 bandsaws and a big shop to put th m in.
 
I have a 14" Delta with a Grizzly 6" riser... I pretty much only use it to cut bowl blanks from rough logs... I buy all my blades from Packardwoods... I use the Olson blades in 1/2 and 3/8" with 4 TPI (I think)... I've had a couple of the narrower blades, but don't now and don't use them much anyway.

On one of the forums I frequent, a member posted that he spoke with the Timberwolf people and was told that a band saw blade is good for about 200 - 300 board feet and then it's time to replace it.

I also have a little Ryobi 9" band saw that I don't use much anymore.... I used for cutting pen blanks and then just relegated it to cutting plastic and antler before I stopped doing pens... last time I got it out, a squirrel or packrat was using it as a cache for their winter harvest.
 

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Timberwolf blades!!! Can't go wrong... Olsen's are great, but Timberwolf are better and last longer... Never had a Timberwolf break ever!!! Safe your $$$ and go for Timberwolf... Check out Grizzly if you have one close to you...
 
I use one of these, "Diemaster 111 in (9 ft 3 in) x 1/2 x .035 x 3tpi H L", it is a Lenox Bi-metal blade suitable for both metal and wood. I have used it for a couple years now including re-sawing vintage Oak barn and covered bridge timbers including embedded 1/4" spike nails in them.:eek: In the two years of use I have had no problems with it, it is just now starting to drift a little to the left but not uncontrollable and that may just be due to worn guides rather then the blade. Still cuts great. Being a Lenox blade I am sure it can be found at many vendors but I got mine at "Cyber Woodworking Depot". They seemed to have the best price at the time.
 
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