Premium Band Saw Blades

[jsburger]

I can't tell you much about shopsmith bandsaw blades because I don't use them. Let me add that for most of my shop life I have not had a shopsmith bandsaw so there was no way I would have used their blades.

I got my first band saw back before I got a shopsmith, the early 1970's and still have the same machine now but have added a shopsmith band saw a couple of years back.

My first years of bandsaw use was with the cheap blades of the day. They cut they got dull and I got rid of them and spent another $6 or so for a new one. Those were also the days of steel table saw blades......... Not long after I got my shopsmith in 1976 I started buying better saw blades and got hooked on them. Better blades better cuts and less sanding.

It was maybe the mid 1980's before I started looking to other bandsaw blades. In almost all cases the cheap blades did the job but had limited life in the most part due to getting dull. I've not broken many blades, maybe only a couple during sawing and a few trying to get a kink or bend out.

I used several brands before I started using timber wolf and while I have no actual measurements that proved they cut better and lasted longer I know that I felt that they did so it became my brand. I have tried a few other along the way but came back to timber wolf.

I do like two blades from another source, that being the green wood blade and the wood slicer from Highland. They have worked well for me and I have a lot of faith in them.

When I got my shopsmith bandsaw I did get a blade with it (used bandsaw & blade) and the blade was pretty much junk so I did not even attempt to cut with it. I did get a blade from a local source to do some testing and alignment work but was unhappy with how it cut so I went back to what I knew would work, timber wolf and highland.

So I have no proof that one blade is better then another I still like to use what I have learned to like and plan to stay the course of getting better (premium) blades rather then the less expensive ones.

I have to admit to having a small collection of cheaper standard shopsmith blades I picked up at a restore for a couple of bucks each but have not used them.... so perhaps my story might change but I doubt it.

I can recall only 2 blades that I lost at the weld. In one case I could hear it and see it was not flat at the weld. When I attempted to make it flat it broke, cheap blade anyway so I didn't think much about it. The other broke in use but it was my fault, trying to back out of a curve that I shouldn't have tried..... bang and it was over. Again a cheap blade so it was only a small loss. I might have had others but I can only remember those two.

So that is my story and I'm sticking to it.

Ed

Thanks Ed for confirming what I think about Timberwolf blades. Superior quality at a cheaper price IF you buy direct.

[charlese]

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?

I really can't answer that question. I don't know what standards are for being malleable or brittle. The premium blades seem stiffer than the standard ones. I say seem stiffer because I am not one to delve into the engineering or metalurgy of them. Just going by my feel. I just use the stuff I've bought and rate (in my mind) how they perform for me. They are very good blades!

When I first started with them I broke 3 during sawing. Finding no reason for breakage, I assume the coiling of the blades did no good. I am still using the 4th one (it has many hours) and the 5th is still in its packaging.

I used a blade welding kit from Woodcraft and mended two of the broken ones. They both broke again after an hour or so use. The good news here is they didn't break at any of the welds.

[benush26]

Hi Dusty,

I have one SS premium a 3/8 that was included when i bought a used 510 with a bandsaw. The only way I knew it was premium was because the PO said it was. It cuts very nice in hard woods but is really mediocre in pine and fir. I have a variety of Timberwolf blades. The 3/8 is better with soft woods but still does a decent job in hardwoods. My main reason for a majority of Timberwolf is from previous experience on a non SS bandsaw. Had a large project with no time, found the site and ordered 3. They were here in a matter of days, worked very well in the oak and a decent price. I guess it is force of habit that I stick with them, but they do make a decent blade.

I think calling one brand better than the other is better defined by the task.

I have a few custom ordered Lenox (LONG wait times). They fit somewhere between the Olson and Timberwolf in general acceptability.

For resawing I've tried both the WoodSlicer and a near match in the Timberwolf (1/2" 3 tooth big gullet). The slicer (to me) is significantly better than the Timberwolf, but I've only resawed hardwoods.

For really intricate work that isn't easily done on the scroll saw I use SSs 1/16" (I buy everyone I can find on Ebay!) The smallest Tw sells (at least on their site) is 1/8". I did buy one and tried it but didn't care for it.

So for re-sawing and fine work of hardwoods I prefer something other than Timberwolf, I think I have 3 sizes in between that are Timberwolf and they are what I stick with.

An older gentleman who taught me a great deal about making shavings MANY years ago would talk about two ways to make shavings. Use the tools you've got and make the best you can with them or search for the tools that work the best for you.

My guess is that you will make things best no matter which path you choose.

Be well,
Ben

[dusty]

My thanks to everyone for the feed back. Now I just have to get back out into the shop to see for myself. My wife stands guard at the door every time she gets a hint that I might be thinking about going out there so it might be awhile.

Right now I am being hindered by the doctors. Two of my doctors have moved out of town and I can not locate doctors who will take me as a patient (I think because I am medicare and need more than routine office visits).

[charlese]

Geeze! You are now hindered by at least two more off limit activities. Shop is off limits and Doctors are not available.

Looks like you'll just have to stay with your computer and books and T.V. and phone for a while.

Well, Old Friend - Recommend you take it in stride and try to relax. Knowing this is easy to say and hard to do - Just mind your wife!!!!!!

[dusty]

Geeze! You are now hindered by at least two more off limit activities. Shop is off limits and Doctors are not available.

Looks like you'll just have to stay with your computer and books and T.V. and phone for a while.

Well, Old Friend - Recommend you take it in stride and try to relax. Knowing this is easy to say and hard to do - Just mind your wife!!!!!!

Thanks Charlese. I am confident that this will all work out in the very near future.

[charlese]

An older gentleman who taught me a great deal about making shavings MANY years ago would talk about two ways to make shavings. Use the tools you've got and make the best you can with them or search for the tools that work the best for you.

I think that's what this older gentleman said in the second post on this page . Only this old curmudgeon is mostly happy with what he's got.