Over the years I've tried different brands and used different steel, high carbon and high speed, but the best by far are carbide tipped blades. It's not just that the blade lasts a very long time (my last one lasted 9 months of light daily use) but it's the quality of the cut. The teeth are ground in the same fashion as table saws blades and are all in line, unlike other bandsaw blades where each tooth finishes in an outward facing point.
I ordered these (for my Startrite 401) yesterday afternoon and they arrived this morning! They came from Harrison Saw and Tool 01706 225221 and cost £114 inc vat each for a 3850 mm blade. That might seem expensive but I used to buy the Lennox Trimaster blades which are over £200 for the same spec. The teeth are nicely covered and you can keep this on until the blade is fitted but not tightened.
The blade I use is a 2/3 tpi which may seem coarse but because of the in line teeth it cut very smoothly indeed. Pictured below is my blade guide setting which you can see has plenty of clearance either side of the blade. This may be against all advice but if you have really good tension, a sharp blade and you don't try to go too fast, the blade will cut as straight as a die even to the full 16" depth of my saw.
Here's the English burr walnut for one of my box lids cut to a depth of 14" in about 30 seconds. The finish is good enough to go straight to the sander.
Although I only needed a piece 14" wide I was able then choose the best position to make the cut. I used a negative template of the area required which I marked out when I was happy. This is a great technique which can be used with a mirror if you want to find the best book match.
This is the Burr brown oak which came from Yandles.
Here's a close up of the finish you get with these blades
This is the Claro walnut
Great insight as usual David, I'm going to book mark this page for when I get a bandsaw.
ReplyDeleteHi Simon, yes they are a great investment. All the best, David.
DeleteDo you have these blades re-sharpened or do you treat them as disposable blades?
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ReplyDeleteHi Mark, They can be sharpened once or twice at a cost of about £50 if you can find someone local. They have to be done by hand as they have variable pitch teeth. I'm lazy and just buy another! All the best, David.
DeleteThanks David, I will give one a try, bandsaw blades are a minefield!
ReplyDeleteThis post has helped me for an article which I am writing. Thank you for giving me another point of view on this topic. Now I can easily complete my article. Top 5 Best Band Saw
ReplyDeleteHi David can you tell me what you do to achieve perfect blade tension consistently.
ReplyDeleteHi David can you tell me what you do to achieve perfect blade tension consistently.
ReplyDeleteHi Kevin, I tighten it as far as it will go and then don't touch it until I need a new blade. All the best David.
DeleteNice post
ReplyDeleteDiscussion of the advantages and disadvantages of wide cut blades. We know that tooth load is very important with all bandsaw blades, and keeping tooth load down per square inch is the most important thing that a sawyer/sawfiler can do to preserve his bandsaw.Click Here
ReplyDeleteBandsaw's Blades being such a versatile tool has become an integral part of any woodworking. Any respectable wood shop has one. Whatever your saw, it is only as good as the blade you put in it, so always use the best - and at the correct cutting speed too of course! A bandsaw is a great addition to any workshop, so much so that it should be your first choice when it comes to cutting timber as it's safe, easy to set up and use, and is extremely versatile.
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