Band Saw Blade Recomendations

Dec 08, 2011 8 Replies

I need band saw blades and would like some recommendations.



I have 10" low-end saw that takes 72 5/8" blades.



I'm looking for some general purpose blades of various sizes for applications mainly related to DIY home repair projects.



Since there are so many choices of TPI, Tooth set, blade thickness and width, I don't know what to choose.



Can you guys suggest 3, maybe 4, configurations of general purposes blades that'll be adequate for my projects - even if you don't know what my projects are. ;-)



Let's just say I'm more apt to replace a window or put up a shed than build a raised panel cabinet door or a finely crafted jewlery box.



A source for the blades would also be appreciated.



Thanks!


If you go to the timberwolf site you can have any size made and they will be more than willing to advise you what you would want to use for which purpose.

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questions. Look under "Timber Wolf Blades" and then "Vertical Woodcutting Bandsaws".

I use two, have never had a need for anything else...

  1. 1/2" 3/4 tpi "Woodslicer"
  2. 3/16" 4 tpi skip tooth

Both are available from

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did buy a 1/2" Timberwolf one time...tried it once, tool it off and put back the Woodslicer, never used the Timberwolf again.

I use the Woodslicer 85% of the time; the 3/16" when I want to cut a curve. It is a pain to change blades and the best of all possible worlds would be a saw for each blade.

Through the use and owning of 3 different sized and brands of band saws I have found IME that brand does not so much mattter as most all BS blades work well on some machines and some not so good. I briefly owned a 18" Rikon and could only use locally made BS blades and the one that came on it. Timberwolf walked all over the place. I suspected the BS and upgraded to a Laguna. The Laguna so far after 6 years does not care what brand or style blade is mounted on it. All blades track perfectly.

I wish that upgrading the Band Saw was a justifiable option, but it's not at this point.

I could get away with it just by buying it and sneaking it in the back door, but that would delay the other things that I know the house needs more than I need a new band saw.

It some how works out that I end up happier when SWMBO is happy with something I've bought for both of us than when I buy something that just makes me happy.

It's strange how happiness multiplies when it's shared. ;-)

And I was not necessarily suggesting that you should go to the extent that I did. I was mostly pointing out that not all BS blades and Band Saws are created equally. You have to experiment with different brands to see which work out the best for you. Don't be turned off by a particular brand because it does not work well on your saw, it may very well work great on another saw.

SWMBO's Christmas gift to me has been ordered.

Thanks!

Just used my woodslicer to resaw some 1/4" thick hard maple blanks 10" wide on my G0555 with riser. Like buttah and no drift :-)

- Doug

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