Bandsaw blades...what teeth per inch do you like?

G

godogs57

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Apr 16, 2004
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Currently using Lennox Diemaster 2 blades on my band saw. Used to use 10-14 tpi blades and in the last year have switched to 14-18 tpi. The more aggressive 10-14's seemed to break teeth off quite frequently...the 14-18's cut a little slower and last a little longer for me.

What do y'all like and why?
 
At least 3 teeth in the stock. I like 22 TPI. If there's 5 teeth in the stock, I'm OK with that. You aren't going to switch out blades for the stock are you?

Slowing down makes any choice more forgiving.

Rob!
 
this is near and deer to me as i have to cut thin stock (even to us )
i have little use for a blade that ha less then 22 TPI most the time as i use 3/32 for mmy kitchen knives

then again i do slab out a intergral blades also so i kee 3 different TPIs in house
24 for sheet stock cutting
10/14 vary for most other work and
when i have a tall block to cut i use a 6/8
all are bi metal blades
the 24 is only .5 wide the 10/14 is also .50 but the 6/8 was .75



now all this said i am using a saw that most dont have (14 inch roll in saw) tho the same ol 3 teeth in the cut at time is proper steel cutting math
 
Like Rob pointed out, it totally depends on the thickness of the stock your cutting.

If the stock your cutting doesn't engage at least 3 teeth at a time, then teeth will start catching an edge and shear off.

Lay your stock on a flat surface. Hold a given blade up along side it's edge. If 3 of the teeth of the given blade aren't covered by the edge of the stock, you're going to shear teeth off that blade at some point.

A finer tooth count is always OK. It might result in a slower cut, but it'll be cleaner and you won't run the risk of damaging the blade unless you run it too fast.

Here's a link to a great source for Portaband blades, for anyone using a vertical mod setup. http://www.portabandstore.com/index.html#

Hope this helps,

Taylor
 
I find more TPI to last the longest. That being said where are you guys getting yout 22-24 TPI blades? I have a vintage 14" Powermatic and have been using the blade that came on it; approx. 18 TPI. It is getting a bit dull.

Thanks
David
 
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starret is even phazeing the hier TPI stuff out as they have just 2 options anymore and some other Co. sent me a 10/14 to test and i told them it wouldnt work for what i was doing but its the best they got
 
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