Bandsaw Blades

lv2wdwrk · Post by **lv2wdwrk** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:44 pm

Will a 3/4" blade work on a Shopsmith bandsaw? I know that the largest they sell is 5/8", but all I can find locally is 3/4".

Just looked online and the 5/8" blade is on back order.

I am starting a project that will require a lot of resawing. I have a good 1/2" blade, but was thinking a larger blade might make the resawing easier.

Thanks for any help.

PS. The wood is Spalt Maple.

mbcabinetmaker · Post by **mbcabinetmaker** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 8:52 am

I dont know about the 3/4 inch and how it would work with the SS guides, but here is a link for a resaw blade that I use and will never go back to a regular blade. You can order any length in 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch. http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/inde ... tegory=295

tdubnik · Post by **tdubnik** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:29 am

mbcabinetmaker wrote:I dont know about the 3/4 inch and how it would work with the SS guides, but here is a link for a resaw blade that I use and will never go back to a regular blade. You can order any length in 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch. http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/inde ... tegory=295

I wholeheartedly second this suggestion!! I use a 1/2" blade and it is fantastic.

curiousgeorge · Post by **curiousgeorge** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 2:06 pm

The 5/8" blade is the largest size you should use on the SS band saw. I lucked out and found some correct sized Timber Wolf blades on closeout at Woodcraft a while back. Good luck on your quest. Just keep looking... they are out there.

lv2wdwrk · Post by **lv2wdwrk** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 7:08 pm

mbcabinetmaker wrote:I dont know about the 3/4 inch and how it would work with the SS guides, but here is a link for a resaw blade that I use and will never go back to a regular blade. You can order any length in 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch. http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/inde ... tegory=295

Thanks for the link. Does anyone know the difference between the two 1/2" blades shown? I can find no difference except for price and way size is specified.

Probably missing something.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 7:11 pm

One is for stocked sizes, the other for odd or special sizes.

lv2wdwrk · Post by **lv2wdwrk** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 7:59 pm

Bob - Thanks for the quick reply. Makes sense.

keakap · Post by **keakap** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:32 pm

Just in case-- the SS blade is 72-1/2".
Highland actually used to list the Wood Slicer in ShopSmith size, 72-1/2", to eliminate any confusion.

Btw, I used to run mine, on the old original tires, adjusted to the 5/8 setting on the BS. Don't remember if that was recommended or if I figured it out myself. Haven't run the Slicer on the new urethane tires. Probably no difference.

lv2wdwrk · Post by **lv2wdwrk** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:37 pm

keakap wrote:Just in case-- the SS blade is 72-1/2".
Highland actually used to list the Wood Slicer in ShopSmith size, 72-1/2", to eliminate any confusion.

Btw, I used to run mine, on the old original tires, adjusted to the 5/8 setting on the BS. Don't remember if that was recommended or if I figured it out myself. Haven't run the Slicer on the new urethane tires. Probably no difference.

Thought it was 72"

keakap · Post by **keakap** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:39 pm

lv2wdwrk wrote:Thought it was 72"

Sorry bout that. I have a SS blade in a box labeled "72", yet the Wood Slicer wrap says "72 1/2". Now I'm wondering if the WS label means "72 inch" and "1/2" inch wide.... ? I shouldn't have said anything.

Probably best bet is to ignore me and just order a WoodSlicer blade "for ShopSmith" (which is what I did). Anaway, your query was about width, and SS says no on 3/4.

UPDATE: went back and checked the order from Highland, and the blade IS 72" long and 1/2" wide, thus the label: 72 1/2 on the packaging. Sorry about the confusion.