Broken band saw blades

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jsburger
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Broken band saw blades

Post by jsburger »

How many of you have broken a band saw blade? I never have. If you did how did it happen? The only thing that happened to me was when I was cutting a couple of pieces of fire wood that were too long to put in the wood stove. I was very careful to make sure they were solid on the table but one of them caught with a big bang and stooped the saw. This was on my 14" Powermatic with my 3/4" Timberwolf resaw blade not the SS band saw. It kinked the blade but it did not break. That blade does not resaw any more. It is used for cutting stuff that I don't care about the blade. I bought a new Timberwolf blade to replace it for resawing..
John & Mary Burger
Eagle's Lair Woodshop
Hooper, UT
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algale
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Re: Broken band saw blades

Post by algale »

Never.
Gale's Law: The bigger the woodworking project, the less the mistakes show in any photo taken far enough away to show the entire project!

Hobbyman2
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Re: Broken band saw blades

Post by Hobbyman2 »

Broke a small one 1/8 in trying to cut curve on a thick piece of stock that was wet .

knew better but had to take the chance . turns out it was a good thing, I ran out of jig saw blades , cut the band saw blade and used the piece in the jig saw , works better then the jig saw blades .
Last edited by Hobbyman2 on Wed Mar 07, 2018 5:37 am, edited 1 time in total.
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rjent
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Re: Broken band saw blades

Post by rjent »

As to my thread earlier, I broke an 1/8" blade a week ago or so. Just cutting a somewhat tight curved piece. Probably my fault, but the blade was old and dull, so it deserved to die LOL.

It broke the weld FWIW
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swampgator
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Re: Broken band saw blades

Post by swampgator »

I often make bandsaw boxes of laminated boards. The final measurement is 6 X 6 X 12. I cut off the back with 1/2", then cut out the drawers with 1/8". Yes, they break when there is too much to cut. I have broken welds and in between. The saw blade simply spills out. It is always my fault as I push it while making curves.

the old swampgator
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ChrisNeilan
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Re: Broken band saw blades

Post by ChrisNeilan »

I have snapped one on my Grizzly. Old, dull and metal fatigued. One other time I burried a blade in a huge block of Sycamore that decided to close on the kerf. Needless to say, I had to use the diagonal cutter to remove the wood from the saw. Can’t blame the blade for that. I have never had a Shopsmith blade break.
Chris Neilan

Shopsmith Mark 7, Shopsmith Mark V 1982, shortened, Shopsmith 10 ER; Craftsman table saw (1964); Powermatic 3520B lathe
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everettdavis
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Re: Broken band saw blades

Post by everettdavis »

If a Shopsmith blade ever breaks at the weld they will replace it free is my understanding.

Everett
davebodner
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Re: Broken band saw blades

Post by davebodner »

I broke a blade in junior high shop class. It scared the crap out of me. I have no idea what I did wrong, if anything. I didn't know anything more about woodworking or machinery than any other 14 year old boy.
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wa2crk
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Re: Broken band saw blades

Post by wa2crk »

Many blades will break from improper set up of the machine. If the upper backup bearing is too far forward and the stock is pushed through the blade will flex from front to rear which will put extra stress on the weld. Bad welds will also present a problem. I had a blade from Olsen break at the weld. An examination of the weld showed contamination in the weld. Looked like dirt or some other impurity.
I have had one break at the community shop but only broke the one at my home shop.
Bill V
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rlkeeney
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Re: Broken band saw blades

Post by rlkeeney »

I've broken several bandsaw blades. Quite a few years ago I ripped a truckload of siding down to the right size to fit my house. Ripping 16 foot long boards on my Shopsmith bandsaw was a challenge. I wish I had pictures of the contraption I had set up in my driveway. That project paid for the Shopsmith.

I have also broken blades cutting oak, cherry, and pecan limbs into chunks for cooking in my BBQ.

All of the breaks were caused by the blade getting caught and/or twisted somehow.
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