Band Saw Blades

Hi, All,

I going to get a 14" bandsaw finally, prob the Griz, and I'm not sure what blades to get. I use a Woodworker 2 on the table saw, and can see the difference between that and something from Harbor Freight!!! So... First: What brands are good, which ones to stay away from?

2nd: I see hook, standard, rake teeth. What are they, or where can I find some descriptions? I will probably look for 3/4 inch something for resawing, and something smaller for general cutting. I usually cut oak, fir, cedar, and walnut if that matters.

Well, any help at all, will be a big help in getting started with a band saw. Thanks, and Happy New Year to all.

Rich.....

Reply to
cwo4cno7325
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Hello Rich, One thing I have read in a variety of places is that you should not go over 1/2 inch for a 14 inch bandsaw. Your saw may not produce enough spring pressure to properly tension the blade. Although I have used

3/4 inch successfully on my 14, I prefer - and get similar results with 1/2 inch. I did replace the stock spring with a heavier style. I have no comments on what to avoid but I use Morse and Olsen interchangeably. I have used Carter too, but I end up buying the two other brands more. If you plan to use your saw for scrolling I highly recommend the Carter Stabilizer. Used with a 1/8 or 3/16 blade it can deliver scroll saw type curves with bandsaw type speed. Call Louis Iturra at Iturra designs for one of his catalogues. He sells a lot of blades and accessories for the 14 (he focusses on the Delta but so many 14s are copies of that machine. Here is his number 1-866-883-8064 Thanks for the New Year wishes and same to you. Hope you have lots of fun with that bandsaw. Marc
Reply to
marc rosen

I use BC SAW (Canada) blades. I use 3tpi skip tooth blades for everything. This is in accordance with Michael Fortune's recommendations. I use primarily 1/2" blades.

Reply to
Lowell Holmes

Look here...

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don't need a 3/4 blade for resawing. See below for a great blade.

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Congrats on your soon-to-be new saw. Bandsaws are wonderful tools, very handy. They are also a PITA when it comes to changing blades. If I had the space (and $$) I would have two...one with a 1/2" 3-4 tpi hook tooth blade for resawing, another with a 3/16" 3-4 tpi skip or hook tooth for curves. High teeth per inch (10-14) means a smoother (slightly) cut but it also means a *much* slower cut. I've never had a use for other than those two blades, YMMV.

This is the best generally available 1/2" resaw blade I know of...

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Reply to
dadiOH

Give Louis Iturra at 888-722-7078. He will talk to you with a level headed expertise and not try to load you up with anything that doesn't suit your applications. He also carries a better tension spring (as do Rockler and Woodcraft) and other improvements and his catalog reads like a hardcover book - thicker than many! He really helped me out and his blades are very good. Not that you will need it but he can make custom lengths as well.

Chuck

Reply to
C & E

If I may, I'd like to extend this thread a little. I am going to get a 14" Griz sometime in the coming year. I like to buy a good book if I'm buying a tool that has many uses. I have one for my table saw and router. Does anyone have a book to recommend for the bandsaw.

Sorry for jumping on your posting Rich but you might benefit too.........??

Reply to
Dick Snyder

??- Hide quoted text -

Agree with a good book. Did that for the table saw and a few others. But I now live in downtown Montana, and those stores with books in the big cities are no where to be found. Yea Internet!

Reply to
cwo4cno7325

I use plain old $12 Olson's, width excellent results on my 14" Delta w/ riser.

I'd probably not use a 3/4" blade, as most 14" saws won't tension it properly. I get excellent resaw results with a 3 TPI 1/2". I usually leave that blade on the saw, as I also use it for rough ripping. I'll switch to a 1/4" 6TPI or 3/16" 8TPI for curves.

The Olson blades seem to work best with the blades tensioned ~ 1 width higher on the saw scale, based on the "flutter" test. For example, I tension a 1/2" blade to the 5/8" mark on the scale.

Reply to
B A R R Y

My preference is a 3/8" blade... Ok for what little resawing I do and good for curves..

I've tried most name brand blades and can't see any difference between them and the ones that I have made at the local saw shop.. I might just have a saw shop that stocks good quality blade rolls and such..

I have the Ridgid (same as Griz) with the Griz riser kit, using 105" blades. I pay about $12 each, in lots of 5..

mac

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Reply to
mac davis

Mastering Your Bandsaw Mark Duginske Video, or book I have his video I highly recommend it. Check out Tauton books

Reply to
Dave

Iturra's free catalog Duginski's book.

Reply to
Maxwell Lol

I agree with dadiOH - Highland Hardware's WoodSlicer is the best blade I've ever used, and I just wish they made them in sizes smaller than

1/2". If your Grizzly will accommodate a 1/2" blade, but all means get a WoodSlicer; it's the Forrest Woodworker of bandsaw blades (well, as close as you're going to get, unless you move up to a big daddy saw with a carbide blade).

Woodworker's Supply is now carrying Bahco/Starrett blades (two of my favorite brand names) at reasonable prices. Just today I received my first batch of these blades (two 1/4" and one 3/8") for my MiniMax and I'm anxious to put them to the test. The 1/4" blade sliced through some scrap Pecan like buttah, and I used it to cut some router templates with plenty of tight curves and was quite pleased with the results. Now if they just don't break before they lose their edge I'll be happy. Most of the other 1/4" blades I've used have been either Timberwolf or Olson and they've all broken before they had a chance to get dull. Of course, with the MiniMax it's very easy to over-tension a blade, so I could just be expecting too much of my poor little 1/4" blades... :-)

Reply to
Steve Turner

Here's a link to get the book for under $20

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Reply to
KIMOSABE

Thanks to all the ideas. I ended up getting 2 extra Olsen blades from Rockler, 3/8 and 5/8 inch, and the cool blocks. I suspect I will try these and see what they do. Now if only Griz would ship by air at the same rip-off freight price!

Rich.....

Reply to
cwo4cno7325

First do yourself a favor and get Mark Duginski's book on bandsaws. A well-tuned bandsaw is an absolute joy to use and Mark goes over the steps involved. These steps should be done often and don't take a lot of time. I have always used Delta-brand blades on my Delta bandsaw because that's what's available locally, maybe not the best brand, but not the worst either. If you want the best possible cut, take the time to use the appropriate blade for the work at hand. I am surprised how many woodworkers never change their blades.

Reply to
Phisherman

Should have purchased your Olsen blades from Coastal Tools, as I had and they're the cheapest I found in Internet. Wonder if there are anyone cheaper?

Comparison between Rockler and Coastal Tools

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Reply to
Turner

Repost, forget to include Rockler website. :-)

Should have purchased your Olsen blades from Coastal Tools, as I had and they're the cheapest I found in Internet. Wonder if there are anyone cheaper?

Comparison between Rockler and Coastal Tools

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Reply to
Turner

I just got the Griz G0555 and it's a nice machine. The 3/8" relatively fine tooth blade that came with it is what you call "not aggressive".

I'm saving my pennies to get the riser kit and then will try a Timberwolf 1/2" 3 tpi from woodcraft, even though they run about $30 per which is about 3 times the cost of the cheapies. They do make a 3/4" 3 tpi for the 105" blade needed for the riser kit at about the same price.

Reply to
Doug Winterburn

for the next go-around. Thanks for the heads up!

Reply to
cwo4cno7325

I can walk in and buy them there!

I love Coastal...

Reply to
B A R R Y

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