Bandsaw blade recommendation for ripping Micarta.

These are the only 115" options I'm seeing from Timber Wolf. I've been using the first one. Sorry for the links.

https://www.timberwolfblades.com/proddetail.php?prod=3403AS

https://www.timberwolfblades.com/proddetail.php?prod=3423VPC

https://www.timberwolfblades.com/proddetail.php?prod=3414RK


This is the only real option I'm seeing from Lenox that's carbide tipped. $238 plus shipping.


I guess there's also a Lenox b-metal blade, lol.



Vs a Laguna Resaw King.

www.woodcraft.com

Laguna - ResawKing Bandsaw Blade 115" x .75" x Variable TPI

The Resaw King looks more like a table saw blade with its C4 carbide tipped teeth that are individually brazed and ground to perfection on a stress crack resistant Swedish silicon steel backing. Combine these one-of-a-kind features with the 3/4" width and the vibration/harmonic reducing 2-3 TPI...
www.woodcraft.com www.woodcraft.com


It seems strange to me that there isn't a gold standard solution for this.
 
Could not hurt to contact Highland Woodworking. Similarly, couldn’t hurt to email Simonds Saw for prices.
 
C_Claycomb said:
Could not hurt to contact Highland Woodworking. Similarly, couldn’t hurt to email Simonds Saw for prices.
Click to expand...

Highland wants about $225 for a carbide blade, I'll message Simonds Saw.
 
DevinT said:
Check sawblade.com

Hoss
Click to expand...

Looks like their carbide blades in my size are $160 - $220.

A vintage phenolic seller recommended a Lenox Classic 10/14 bimetal. I grabbed one of those Starrett skip tooth blades too. If that doesn’t work, I’m just gonna bite the bullet and spend $150 - $200 on a carbide tipped blade, or just continue with the Timber Wolf blades. If nothing else…. I’ll have a good understanding of what DOESN’T work, lol.

I estimate I have about 120 - 150 ~six inch cuts through 2” - 3” phenolic material…. But then I’ll likely never do it again.
 
Last edited:
DevinT said:
Check sawblade.com

Hoss
Click to expand...


I use bandsaw blades from sawblades.com to process that material in bulk. I think I'm using a 4-6.


I would want carbide if I was doing carbon fiber or G10, but I get good blade life cutting up micarta


The blade I use says M71 1x.035-4-6


I can't say that it's optimal for the application I haven't tried everything, but I've been using these for years
 
High speed steel will dull if it just sits there and rubs creating dust. You have to feed it hard enough to cut a chip. This might mean running it kind of slow also if you run out of horsepower, but you need to feed it hard enough that you're creating something with the consistency of coffee grounds, not dust.
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
I use bandsaw blades from sawblades.com to process that material in bulk. I think I'm using a 4-6.


I would want carbide if I was doing carbon fiber or G10, but I get good blade life cutting up micarta


The blade I use says M71 1x.035-4-6


I can't say that it's optimal for the application I haven't tried everything, but I've been using these for years
Click to expand...
The carbide tipped blade I got from laguna lasted 1 day cutting g10 and micarta.
 
Ok, so carbide is out. Copy that. That’s good, lol.

On the downside…. A slower speed won’t be possible for the metal cutting blades. My saw runs at ~3150 fpm. No way to slow it down For the m71 or Lenox 10/14 without way too much work.

Maybe I should cancel the metal cutting blade while I can?
 
Fixall said:
Ok, so carbide is out. Copy that. That’s good, lol.

On the downside…. A slower speed won’t be possible for the metal cutting blades. My saw runs at ~3150 fpm. No way to slow it down For the m71 or Lenox 10/14 without way too much work.

Maybe I should cancel the metal cutting blade while I can?
Click to expand...
I think this is the issue and not the blade. Smaller saws only run 1 or 2 speeds and its too fast for resawing micarta blocks properly. I have a brand new Rikon saw that I have used 2 times and both times it bound up bad when I tried to resaw micarta. Scary as hell when it does.
 
Signalprick said:
I think this is the issue and not the blade. Smaller saws only run 1 or 2 speeds and its too fast for resawing micarta blocks properly. I have a brand new Rikon saw that I have used 2 times and both times it bound up bad when I tried to resaw micarta. Scary as hell when it does.
Click to expand...

It’s not that small of a saw…. It’s a 14” Laguna 14 twelve, 1-3/4hp saw. I haven’t ever had it bind on me. It is just a single speed though.

You’ll get to see the rip cuts it makes though 2x6” crosscut in a few days. ;)
 
Last edited:
I resaw micarta frequently on a 14” rikon bandsaw using the blades I linked earlier and the speed isn’t an issue with the correct blade and feed rate.
 
DevinT said:
Sounds like you’ve made up your mind on this.

Hoss
Click to expand...

I’ve got one of those skip tooth blades on the way, and I’m still interested in a carbide blade…. I was just hoping for a little more anecdotal evidence that a carbide blade would last at least 3 times longer or so.

The comments saying they carbide blades only lasted a day of cutting Micarta worry me.
 
So I did a thing.

48" x 5-3/8" real Westinghouse Micarta rod.

G0tKLrg.jpg


Redwood Lace Burl and curly maple.
5uxbhZk.jpg



Big Leaf Maple Burl
k34aYRs.jpg



My poor bandsaw is hiding in the corner crying.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top