Premium Band Saw Blades

[dusty]

I know that the timing for this question is "questionable" but I still must ask.

I just purchased "Premium Band Saw Blades" when they were last an email special. I know that they are premium; just check the price and compare that to the other Shopsmith Band Saw Blades.

Can anyone tell me what makes them "premium" and how they are going to perform (or are suppose to perform) differently than any other band saw blade?

Unfortunately, it will be awhile before I can go top the shop and check/test for myself.

[dgreen810]

Dusty

They are probably called "Premium" like our health care system now is "Premium" because Obama says it's Premium with no proof what so ever!

Everything anymore seems to be "Premium"

Don G

[masonsailor2]

I am not sure either. Good question though Dusty. I just ordered a couple of new drive belts and I added on a "premium" 1/4 " blade. When it gets here I will compare it to the non premium one I have had for a while. We will see On another note the new 510 I picked up yesterday had an interesting accessory I didn't know existed. It has a 5/8 saw arbor that has a large 1 1/4 threaded flange similar to the arbor for a standard SS 10 inch saw blade. I have a couple of 5/8 arbors for standard blades which have the washers and nut but this is much nicer.
Paul

[ChrisNeilan]

Let's just answer the questions asked and keep the politics out of it. By the way, my insurance premiums went down 5 k...

[jsburger]

I am not sure either. Good question though Dusty. I just ordered a couple of new drive belts and I added on a "premium" 1/4 " blade. When it gets here I will compare it to the non premium one I have had for a while. We will see On another note the new 510 I picked up yesterday had an interesting accessory I didn't know existed. It has a 5/8 saw arbor that has a large 1 1/4 threaded flange similar to the arbor for a standard SS 10 inch saw blade. I have a couple of 5/8 arbors for standard blades which have the washers and nut but this is much nicer.
Paul

That is the standard SS saw arbor. SS blades have a 1 1/4" hole in them. Premium blades I don,t think so. Timberwolf!!!

[jsburger]

I know that the timing for this question is "questionable" but I still must ask.

I just purchased "Premium Band Saw Blades" when they were last an email special. I know that they are premium; just check the price and compare that to the other Shopsmith Band Saw Blades.

Can anyone tell me what makes them "premium" and how they are going to perform (or are suppose to perform) differently than any other band saw blade?

Unfortunately, it will be awhile before I can go top the shop and check/test for myself.

Believing in SS I hope their Band Saw blades are GOOD ...but

The only band saw blade to buy is the Timberwolf from Suffolk machinery. They know what a SS is and they have the blades even though they don't always list a 72" blade on their web site. If you buy them direct they are a lot cheaper than all the resellers like Woodcraft or whoever.

[charlese]

Hi Dusty! It seems like I am one of few guys that have used Shopsmith's Premium bandsaw blades.

I've only bought the Premium 3/8" blades. I've used 5 of them. They are sharper, hold the sharpness longer, and have a slightly wider kerf than the standard blades. The wider kerf allows a sharper turn than the standard blades.

I love them!and will continue to buy and use them!

The only issue I have found is they are more brittle and if once put on the saw it is not a good practice to "throw" the blades back into smaller wraps. Sharp bends will cause the blade to break at a later date. (Yes, they break more easily)

I've probably sawn out 5 or 6 hundred toy cars with these blades. Because of their sharpness there is very little sanding needed to smooth out the curves.

[dusty]

Let's just answer the questions asked and keep the politics out of it. By the way, my insurance premiums went down 5 k...

and...Your coverage has????????

[dusty]

I am not sure either. Good question though Dusty. I just ordered a couple of new drive belts and I added on a "premium" 1/4 " blade. When it gets here I will compare it to the non premium one I have had for a while. We will see On another note the new 510 I picked up yesterday had an interesting accessory I didn't know existed. It has a 5/8 saw arbor that has a large 1 1/4 threaded flange similar to the arbor for a standard SS 10 inch saw blade. I have a couple of 5/8 arbors for standard blades which have the washers and nut but this is much nicer.
Paul

That is the standard SS saw arbor. SS blades have a 1 1/4" hole in them. Premium blades I don,t think so. Timberwolf!!!

Why don't you think so? The Premium blade could be a relabeled Timberwolf.

But my question was intended to spark a discussion about "What makes a band saw blade "premium". Assuming that you are using the correct blade for the work being performed - why is one blade better than any other?

[dusty]

Hi Dusty! It seems like I am one of few guys that have used Shopsmith's Premium bandsaw blades.

I've only bought the Premium 3/8" blades. I've used 5 of them. They are sharper, hold the sharpness longer, and have a slightly wider kerf than the standard blades. The wider kerf allows a sharper turn than the standard blades.

I love them!and will continue to buy and use them!

The only issue I have found is they are more brittle and if once put on the saw it is not a good practice to "throw" the blades back into smaller wraps. Sharp bends will cause the blade to break at a later date. (Yes, they break more easily)

I've probably sawn out 5 or 6 hundred toy cars with these blades. Because of their sharpness there is very little sanding needed to smooth out the curves.

Thanks for that insight, Charlese. This is really good news because of the way I use the band saw. I have two. One is used almost exclusively for resaw jobs while all other band saw work or done on the other. I will be changing blades very infrequently.

I have been coiling my blades when not mounted so I may have to rethink storage of used blades.

Is it unreasonable for me to feel that if these blades are more brittle and thus more subject to breaking that Shopsmith (the vendor) should advertise that? Is everything a "buyer beware" situation?