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Bandsaw blade selection.

2K views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  bigblockyeti 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have an older late 70s Rockwell 14" BS with 6" riser that I inherited from my father. I installed cool blocks as my dad still had the original steel or ferrous material blocks that came with the saw. I'm in desperate need of new blades as all my dads blades are pretty much shot. I figured the first blade I would get would be a 1/4" 6tpi raker blade for contour cutting as I see that is what I will be doing most on the machine. From what I've been able to determine, the Lenox Diemaster 2 is one fine blade and among the best in bimetal blades as it should last quite a while. The only problem I have found is that the blade itself generally runs $40sh (doable) but every place I try charges an arm and a leg for shipping. Upwards of $17.00 (not doable!) unless you spend xx.xx amount of dollars and qualify for free shipping. Funds are tight and I only absolutely need one blade for now. I surfed around on amazon and found a Starrett Intenss Pro-Die Band Saw Blade, Bimetal, Regular Tooth, Raker Set, Positive Rake for $35sh with free shipping. I haven't seen very many reviews of starrett blades, but would like to get some opinions. Thanks

Scott
 
#2 ·
I use Starrett blades. They are well made. The weld is invisible so that means a perfectly running blade with no bumps. I buy my blades from WT Tool and they cost around $20 each. I resaw with it and there is no "blade drift". That indicates the accuracy of set on the teeth. That is the only brand I have used, so I can't comment on other brands. Please note that no matter which blade you use, the quality of cut depends more on the set of the teeth (absolutely equal on both sides) than on the material, although you still need good steel to hold a sharp well set tooth. For cutting wood, the only blades you need are either skip tooth or hook tooth, alternate set.
 
#5 ·
Thanks guys. I appreciate the vote of confidence. I know Starrett makes some of the highest quality measurment hardware, I wasnt sure if that would translate into a good bandsaw blade maker. I just ordererd the Starrett from Amazon. Good thing I did too as it was the last one in stock. Best part of the deal was free shipping! paid $35.00 I'll give you all an update after Ive had a chance to play around with it.

Scott.

Side note. I did find a really good deal on some Olson bi-metal blades. 1/4-in. x .025-in. x 10/14 Variable Teeth for $7.00 plus shipping, but they have a minimum order policy of $25.00 and I was really looking for the 6pt blade not the 10/14 blade. here is a link
 
#7 ·
This is old I know, is anyone using bi-metal blades designed for cutting metal on their wood cutting bandsaw with success? I too checked out the Starrett Intenss bi-metal blades on Amazon and the price seemed reasonable. With 10tpi on a 1/2" blade I'm just wondering how it would perform at the much high blade speeds of a wood cutting bandsaw.
 
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