Thread: Bandsaw Blade recommendations

I'm interested in this too... Mostly just preparing blanks for me though.

Cheers,
Dave

1/4" x 3 or 4 tpiskip tooth will work great for bowl blanks etc

I only use a 3/8 3tpi skip tooth blade for everything and as those on the board who have used it will tell you, it works very well.

Yep same here - from C&S Saw Service 03 9802 1040 wioll post Australia wide

Cheers

What would you recommend for ripping 12" logs? I have used a 1 1/4" blade but from what you guys say it looks a bit of an overkill.

Originally Posted by

i only use a 3/8 3tpi skip tooth blade for everything and as those on the board who have used it will tell you, it works very well.:d

Originally Posted by frank&earnest

what would you recommend for ripping 12" logs? I have used a 1 1/4" blade but from what you guys say it looks a bit of an overkill.

:d

Originally Posted by Frank&Earnest

What would you recommend for ripping 12" logs? I have used a 1 1/4" blade but from what you guys say it looks a bit of an overkill.

As usual, I do things a little differently . I have 2 16" saws so I keep a 1"- 1.3TPI bi-metal on one for all my ripping and breaking down of small logs and a 1/2"- 3TPI on the other saw for circle cutting. The bi-metal is the only thing that will stand up to the timber I cut out here and anything smaller would be too hard to re-sharpen. . . . . . . . . and I'm basically impatient so I like it to cut like butter and not wait to erode it's way through

Originally Posted by

I only use a 3/8 3tpi skip tooth blade for everything and as those on the board who have used it will tell you, it works very well.

.... Adelaide Saw Works could look after you on that, Redgum.

Originally Posted by Frank&Earnest

What would you recommend for ripping 12" logs? I have used a 1 1/4" blade but from what you guys say it looks a bit of an overkill.

... the 1 1/4" blade does a nice job of ripping 12"diam logs. I've ripped 12" logs up to 6ft long on my 19" Leda (similar to yours Frank) with a second pair of hands to get it on the table and to take the out-feed. You could probably do logs of that length by yourself with in and out-feed rollers. An extended fence and some form of straight board nailed to the log helps to get a straight cut. May have to pre-flatten that part of the log that sits on the BS bed to avoid rocking.

But changing between the 3/8" and 1 1/4" blades is always a pain...... It would be very nice to have two BS, like TTIT

.....

I too have a JET 16 and use the blade recommends for just about everything except ripping large quantities of bigger green logs. I found as soon as the smaller blade got blunt it wandered and jammed ripping the bigger green logs, mind you I do a lot of acacias, gums and desert hardwoods.

When I have a lot of green large logs to rip I use the 25mm (largest blade the 16 can take) 1tpi bimetal blade from C&S. It is easy to sharpen using those chainsaw grinder bits in the dremmel. I tend to get at least 7-8 sharpens out of each blade.

OK then, thank you all. I'll keep aside the 1 1/4" for the odd hacking, the 1/2" fine tooth for the odd veneering and mount a new 3/8 3tpi skip tooth blade for everything (else)

BTW, on the small Ryobi I have already a 1/4" blade, if I put the 3/8" on the Leda I might as well put a 1/8" on that for very small jobs.

NeilS: Have you tried Central Saws at Edwardstown? I have been told they are the only ones around here to stock the thinnest blades.

IMHO for city hobbyists sharpening is not really an issue, unless one can get it done on the spot or for many blades at once, the time and petrol of the double trip would cost more than the difference with buying a new blade.

I'm with TITT on this. Henry Bros in Syd. supply a 1.3tpi x25mm bi-metal blade for about $75 (expensive but good) - these things slide through Gidgee, Belah, burls and all the other tough stuff like a hot knife through butter and after 1 year of faithfull service on the Sheppach 15", the blade broke - I feel I had good value.This was my first bandsaw so every mistake you could make I made!!
I have tried other blades around 6tpi for dessert timber but they tend to "choke" trying to dump the dust with the end result they overheat and burn the timber and ultimately melt the blade tips.
I dont think that Henry Bros have the skip tooth blade that mentioned but I'll give it a go.
Bruce.

Henry Bros give good service and will also post anywhere

And I'm jealous of all you blokes who have bigger saws then my little 14"

Originally Posted by bellyup

I'm with TITT on this. Henry Bros in Syd. supply a 1.3tpi x25mm bi-metal blade for about $75 (expensive but good) - these things slide through Gidgee, Belah, burls and all the other tough stuff like a hot knife through butter and after 1 year of faithfull service on the Sheppach 15", the blade broke - I feel I had good value.This was my first bandsaw so every mistake you could make I made!!
I have tried other blades around 6tpi for dessert timber but they tend to "choke" trying to dump the dust with the end result they overheat and burn the timber and ultimately melt the blade tips.
I dont think that Henry Bros have the skip tooth blade that mentioned but I'll give it a go.
Bruce.

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

Henry Bros give good service and will also post anywhere

And I'm jealous of all you blokes who have bigger saws then my little 14"

I was trying to remember the name - Henry Bros. I remember reading it before on these hallowed forums as being a good supplier in Sydney. I'll have to give them a try, though I am like Sawdust Maker - only a little 14" to play with. Still, it gives you an excuse to fire up the chainsaw for bigger stuff

Cheers,
Dave