Bandsaw blade recommendations?

[heathicus]

Now that I have my SS restored and my bandsaw running, I need to buy some bandsaw blades. I have one 1/4" blade (I think 14TPI, but I haven't counted) and two 1/8" blades. I'm not sure what I'll be doing with the bandsaw. Maybe a little bit of resawing (up to the 6" limit), some bandsaw boxes, etc. I might need to saw some metal every now and then, but that would be very limited. If I were to get 2 or 3 blades to compliment what I already have, what should I get?

[hagarz71]

Good post, mine is chewed up, so im needing to order a couple too.

[SDSSmith]

Now that I have my SS restored and my bandsaw running, I need to buy some bandsaw blades. I have one 1/4" blade (I think 14TPI, but I haven't counted) and two 1/8" blades. I'm not sure what I'll be doing with the bandsaw. Maybe a little bit of resawing (up to the 6" limit), some bandsaw boxes, etc. I might need to saw some metal every now and then, but that would be very limited. If I were to get 2 or 3 blades to compliment what I already have, what should I get?

Choice of blades really depends upon what you want to cut. I find the folks at Suffolk Machinery very helpful. They sell Timberwolf blades. You tell them what you want to do and they will recommend the blade. They regularly run a buy 3 blades and get another blade for free. Their website is http://www.suffolkmachinery.com/default.asp.

[nuhobby]

Hi, I go by the rule of thumb that you don't need much more than ~ 3 teeth per the thickness of your wood workpiece. So I haven't used a 14TPI for some time. My default is a 1/2" wide blade at 3 or 4 TPI. I do more straight or resaw slices than corner work. After reading a James Krenov book I am thinking of going to a 3/8" blade after my 1/2" wears out. That might be my 'all around' job blade. Anyway it's fun to experiment.

[hagarz71]

How long are the blades? If i wanted to pick one up from Sears, what is the length needed? I did look at the shopsmith website, that information is not listed. Im working in the shop now and can pick one up in minutes vs. days.

[rkh2]

The band saw blades are 72" in length and can be from 1/16" to 5/8" in width. Several manufacturers make them that will work on a Shopsmith. Personally I have always used the ones from Shopsmith and never had any issues with them. Periodically they are on sale and that's a good time to stock up as I like to have spares on hand in the event that I do damage one.

[fjimp]

The band saw blades are 72" in length and can be from 1/16" to 5/8" in width. Several manufacturers make them that will work on a Shopsmith. Personally I have always used the ones from Shopsmith and never had any issues with them. Periodically they are on sale and that's a good time to stock up as I like to have spares on hand in the event that I do damage one.

I agree with Ron my luck with Shopsmith blade has been superior. Their sales are great and always seem to occur at the right times. Jim

[ryanbp01]

I agree with Ron my luck with Shopsmith blade has been superior. Their sales are great and always seem to occur at the right times. Jim

Plus the premium blades are guaranteed for life against breakage at the weld point!
BPR

[hagarz71]

Good advice guys, I'll go ahead and order from shopsmith. I chopped down a tree in my backyard that had been dead for a year and doesn't appear to have too much rot and what seems dry. Was wanting to cut some bowl blanks, by the time i chopped the tree in to pieces and split several logs, i figured waiting a few days was a good idea.

[beeg]

Adding the woodslicer blade from Highland Woodworking.

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/woodslicer-resaw-bandsaw-blades.aspx