Shopsmith Forums

I have several 2x12x72 pieces of very old (25-30 years) and very dense pine that I need to split into 2x4. Using the table saw isn't going to cut it so I need to get a blade for the bandsaw. I'm looking at three options I'm considering:

Timber Wolf® M42 1/2" x 4HK (Bi-Metal) metal cutting
Timber Wolf® 1/2" x 2/3VPC
Timber Wolf® 1/2" x 3PC
It doesn't need to be pretty, just with as little stress and time as needed. It will not be used for anything that is visible.

Give Timberwolf a call. The last time I talked to them (admittedly a number of years ago) they were very helpful with blade recommendations.

I contacted them before posting this. Those were the recommendations. I thought someone here had some experience and would make a suggestion. I'm thinking the metal cutting blade. If it can cut metal it should handle dense wood.

db5 wrote:I contacted them before posting this. Those were the recommendations. I thought someone here had some experience and would make a suggestion. I'm thinking the metal cutting blade. If it can cut metal it should handle dense wood.

Very SLOWLY.

JPG wrote:

db5 wrote:I contacted them before posting this. Those were the recommendations. I thought someone here had some experience and would make a suggestion. I'm thinking the metal cutting blade. If it can cut metal it should handle dense wood.

Very SLOWLY.

What would you recommend?

The 1/2" 3 PC will be your best choice.

db5 wrote:

JPG wrote:

db5 wrote:I contacted them before posting this. Those were the recommendations. I thought someone here had some experience and would make a suggestion. I'm thinking the metal cutting blade. If it can cut metal it should handle dense wood.

Very SLOWLY.

What would you recommend?

I defer a recommendation to those with more experience. A metal blade having VERY fine teeth will cut wood verry slowly.

JPG wrote:

db5 wrote:

JPG wrote:
Very SLOWLY.

What would you recommend?

I defer a recommendation to those with more experience. A metal blade having VERY fine teeth will cut wood verry slowly.

I agree, saying that if it can cut metal then it should cut dense wood is not a correct assumption IMO. The geometry of the blade is for metal not wood. Two very different materials. Maybe if you are cutting Lignum Vitae but even then I don't think that is valid.

I don't care how old it is, pine is not that hard. We cut dense hardwoods (Oak, Maple, Walnut, etc.) all the time with regular wood cutting blades. Those woods are probably more dense than any old Pine.

Beware of old (slow) growth southern yellow pine!

JPG wrote:Beware of old (slow) growth southern yellow pine!

Yes, I originally had that in my parentheses list and then deleted it before I posted.