Need advice on bandsaw blade

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Haynie

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How do you folks choose a band saw blade, or blades? Are there brands you like more thna others, and are there some serious junk ones out there? I know there will be as many answers as their are people. Is there anything wrong with the blades at woodcraft?

I want to do some resawing, and some small diameter curves. I assume I will need two. There are a LOT of bandsaw blades out there. Some for 24.99 and I saw some for over a hundred dollars. That is a big price swing.

How do you guys choose your bandsaw blades. I don't want junk, but I can't justify a hundred dollars for a bandsaw blade either.
 
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I buy mine from a place called century saw in Waco. They work as well as expensive blades and they are a lot cheaper. I usualy get about 10 at a time. They are made in shop. There is probably a saw shop near you and that is what I would recommend. This place dose it all they can sharpen most tools and make blades on site. No shipping and great prices.
 
I get my blades from WC. I have a Shopsmith BS so it is tough to find a 72" blade. WC is the only place locally aside from Lowes which carrier a 72 7/16" blade. I get the Olson brand, again only option. Timberwolf does not have 72" that I have found. Th Olson is a good blad. I am sure not the best but I am not looking for dead straight cuts just rounding blanks and cutting pen blanks.
 
I've been buying blades from WoodCraft Bands, Inc. for a year or so. I'm quite happy with the quality, price, and service. You don't necessarily need a big fat blade for resawing, although most people will tell you to use the widest blade your saw will accommodate. Depends on what you are doing. I have a 1" blade that I used a few times and never put back on the saw. I get decent enough results with a 3/8" blade and I can use that for most of the other curvy stuff I want to do.
 
I use the Olsen from Woodcraft and have been happy with them although I don't really have much to compare them to. They only run about $16. To determine what type of blade I researched online and looked at what each type was for. I was able to determine what I thought I needed and when I went to WC I spoke to one of the guys who does a lot of BS work of all types (uses his BS daily). He recommended the same blade I thought I needed and recommended Olsen as a good blade that won't break the bank.
 
Some things to keep in mind buying band saw blades: width, thickness, TPI, and tool set. On 14" bandsaw ½" width good compromise for re-sawing, also 3 or 4 TPI and thickness on no more than 0.025.

Like a 3/8", 3 TPI hook blade for my band saw others prefer ½" and other folks like raker set for resawing. I would not go below ¼" wide blade for resawing.

Hook and raker set blade good compromise for cutting wood 1" thick or more.

Intricate cuts hook set with 6 TPI, less blade width for tight turns.

Selecting Bandsaw Blade Width, Thickness and TPI
http://www.toolcenter.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=TC&Category_Code=BLADE_SELECTION

I have been getting by with Lenox Flex Back blades since bought my band saw.

TimberWolf, WoodCraft Bands, and Woodslicer outstanding blades too.

Would not buy 0.035 thick blades for a 14" band saw.
 
I look at it and if it says "Lenox" and is carbide tiped, then it is the one I buy... nuf said.
Tom
 
Most carbide blades come 0.035 thick not good for a 14" bandsaw. I would not run anything over .032 thick on my band saw. I like Timber Wolf , 3/8" x 3AS silcon blades for band saw. Just have not bought one yet.

http://www.suffolkmachinery.com/silicon-steel-carbide-blade-selection-chart/

If had an 18" or larger bandsaw would spend the money on carbide tipped blades. If cut a lot of tropical hardwoods would get a bigger band saw and use carbide blades. I understand folks love carbide band sawblades. Check link below.

http://www.woodcentral.com/bparticles/lennox_bs_blades.shtml

BAND SAW TUNE –UP
&
RESAWING SECRETS
http://www.americanfurnituredsgn.com/Band Saw Tune-up Dec 03.htm
 
I usually buy mine from woodcraft. Frankly, I would probably just pop into Lowes or Home Depot and buy whatever, but they do not stock 105" blades.
 
Justturnin said:
I get my blades from WC. I have a Shopsmith BS so it is tough to find a 72" blade. WC is the only place locally aside from Lowes which carrier a 72 7/16" blade. I get the Olson brand, again only option. Timberwolf does not have 72" that I have found. Th Olson is a good blad. I am sure not the best but I am not looking for dead straight cuts just rounding blanks and cutting pen blanks.
Click to expand...

I get my blades from R&D Bandsaws in Brampton Ontario. Generally get industrial or Swedish silicon blades. You tell them how long you want the blade and they make it to that length and send it. For blades over 72" it's 20 cents per inch. Order 3 or more of the same length you get a 15% discount.

You can also by coil stock and a splice kit if you want to make your own blades. Website is. http://www.tufftooth.com/
 
After asking around on another forum, I got a DieMaster 2 bimetal blade. Cuts through some old dry cherry like butter (that used to smoke and take forever with my old blade)!
 
For strictly resawing I went with Carbide. For everything else I buy R&D or the stock blades from Welbeck Sawmill in Durham, Ontario.

Dave

Sent from my-phone.
 
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