Shopsmith Forums

I'm more of the school of fewer teeth per inch. Then the kerf is more readily cleaned of sawdust, reducing the heat and vibrations in the blade. Nothing highly scientific, but since I've gone that direction I haven't regretted it.

Chris

I think that cutting with a band saw is never a finish cut so why are we discussing the quality of the cut? Only because a cleaner cut requires less cleanup ?

dusty wrote:OK. Maybe my expectations were set inappropriately high. I paid a bit more for a saw blade that was advertised as a Premium Bandsaw Blade but maybe the "Premium" is not based on smoothness of cut. Right now I am not overly impressed.

Goodness, Dusty one! The example you showed looked just fine to me. What's wrong with sanding or better yet - planing the sawn face? If planing would make the narrower board too thin just change the fence setting and you can get one board per your specs.

Yes, the thinner half of the resawn board would be waste, but not nearly as much as you will by testing all of your blades.

charlese wrote:

dusty wrote:OK. Maybe my expectations were set inappropriately high. I paid a bit more for a saw blade that was advertised as a Premium Bandsaw Blade but maybe the "Premium" is not based on smoothness of cut. Right now I am not overly impressed.

Goodness, Dusty one! The example you showed looked just fine to me. What's wrong with sanding or better yet - planing the sawn face? If planing would make the narrower board too thin just change the fence setting and you can get one board per your specs.

Yes, the thinner half of the resawn board would be waste, but not nearly as much as you will by testing all of your blades.

I think Dusty wants 'premium' to mean smooth cut.

JPG wrote:

charlese wrote:

dusty wrote:OK. Maybe my expectations were set inappropriately high. I paid a bit more for a saw blade that was advertised as a Premium Bandsaw Blade but maybe the "Premium" is not based on smoothness of cut. Right now I am not overly impressed.

Goodness, Dusty one! The example you showed looked just fine to me. What's wrong with sanding or better yet - planing the sawn face? If planing would make the narrower board too thin just change the fence setting and you can get one board per your specs.

Yes, the thinner half of the resawn board would be waste, but not nearly as much as you will by testing all of your blades.

I think Dusty wants 'premium' to mean smooth cut.

Yes, that is what I expected and as I said earlier "maybe my expectations were unrealistic".

Not all is lost. I have four new band saw blades that are sharp. Before the only one that I knew was sharp was my resaw blade.

Dusty,
The only blade that I have personally seen that gives a better finish is one with carbide tips. However the guy that has it paid in excess of $120 (or about $1 per inch!)

I guess when "I" think of a premium blade (not carbide tips) I think of a tooth harden to a higher rockwell rating and maybe a better machined (not stamped) cut and set which "to me" means longer lasting without getting dull. Also a better weld so no "clicking".

So as JPG wrote, I think your perception of what premium would provide is different that what some of us are expecting.

If you have a local big box wood store (Woodcrafters, etc.) ask if they have a band saw that has a carbide tipped blade to demo. Smooooooth! Though not nearly smooth enough for me to pay 5 or 6 times my max per blade (maybe when I win the lottery!!! )

Be well,
Ben