Bandsaw blades revisited...

Chiro75

Chiro75

Joined
Feb 4, 1999
Messages
5,786
Sorry to rehash a popular topic, but I couldn't find a definite answer to my question through searching... I bought the el cheapo Harbor Freight bandsaw and it's on the way (hopefully)which has a stock 1/2"x64.5"x0.025" blade. I realize that one will crap out and that I need a bimetal blade. Carbide.com seems to have the best prices on the Lenox Diemaster II blades, but my questions:

1) Do I stick with the 1/2" wide one, which is what comes on the saw, or should I get 3/8" or 1/4"? I have been using a bandsaw for so long, frankly I don't really mind "cutting triangles" to make rude curves instead of being able to saw all of my radii, so if a wider blade = more durable, I'd be fine with that. But, if the width of the blade is inconsequential and 1/4" would work better and be just as durable, I'll get that!

2) I'm currently cutting mostly 1/8" stuff (1095, G-10, carbon fiber, etc, most of it is 1/8") but I'd like to start using some thicker steels down the road. Should I start with a 14/18 TPI blade or should I just use 10/12?

That should be it. Thanks!
 
I always assumed that the 1/2 inche wide blades were more robust though I don't know for sure. I run a 14/18 right now and it is good for 3/16" but while I have cut 1/8" it's kind of scary. Hawkins Supply carries 18 tpi and 24 tpi, which should be better on 1/8" and at $22 they are only a little more expensive. I plan on getting some coarse blades one of these days for cutting wood but I would not use them on steel unless I was using the saw in the horizontal position and had the steel clamped horizontaly.
Daniel Krohn
 
Hi Chiro,

I've been using the same HF bandsaw since 1997. I had a 1/4" blade made for it once. It did not work very well with the machine. I tried to make some modifications but was unsucessful. I would recomend sticking with the Lennox Bimetal blades 1/2" x 64.5".
 
I've had my Hf bandsaw since 1989. Their blades work pretty well and are cheaper.I'm still working on the original 3 wood blades I bought, the metal cutting blades don"t seem to like tight radiuses around coffee mug size is max.
I found a great deal on e-bay on Starrett blades and bought every one they had.Their blades have worked pretty well on everything I cut up to 1/4", mostly O-1 and 1095. Good luck.
 
I have an 18 TPI that I use on my saw. It is a bimetal that I got from Mcmaster Carr. It works great on 1/8 and 3/16 and even thicker but just takes longer to cut the thicker stuff. I have torn up many-o-blade trying to cut too thin of material with not enought TPI. I have even cut 0.050 Ti with the 18 TPI, but that was pushing it.
 
got my blades for my HF bandsaw from www.carbide.com

14/18 is what you want, 1/2" wide, 0.025" thick, vari-rake (iirc), BiMetal Lennox.

Starret is good too.


The HF saw doesn't like blades less than 1/2" wide, (imho).
 
Thanks, guys. I ordered exactly what Daniel suggested. $25 with shipping. With all the crap I've been buying lately I sure would like to deal with local businesses. I've probably spent $100 in the last two weeks on shipping charges for little things here and there. :grumpy:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top