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Bandsawing D2

flatgrinder

flatgrinder

Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
2,045
Anyone use a bandsaw to profile blades? I recently purchased one of Harborfreight's variable speed portable bandsaws with the intention of using it to profile handle slabs.

I have some 5/32" thick D2 and was wondering what kind of bandsaw blades would work well? How many TPI? 14-18? Or 20-24? Bandsaw blades are around $22 and I don't want to get the wrong one.

Thanks!
 
I use my bandsaw to do some profiling. I mainly use O-1 for stock removal, and have not used any D-2 yet. The blade I use now is a Lennox Diemaster2, 18tpi. It's on the pricey side at about $40, but for me its worth it, because I run all kinds of metal besides knife steel through it and it keeps cutting. I would imagine that just about any bi-metal blade or something along those lines would serve you well. As far as TPI , My dad (an old machinist) told me to always have two teeth in the workpiece at all times if i could help it, but with thinner stock 18 tpi is kinda pushin' it at times.

Be sure to watch your speed, because some steels work harden more readily than others. Also,if you do what I did with my first bandsaw blade, you would have the speed about 10 times faster than it should be, you would hear a loud screaming noise, followed by another loud screaming noise. Which was me, after I realized that in just under a second, there were very few teeth left on the saw blade. :eek: :o I hope my ramblings were of some help. Good Luck! -Matt-
 
I have been using a bandsaw to cut D2. I mainly cut 1/8" material but have used it on 31/6" material also. I use a bimetal blade with 14 teeth per inch. Have not had any problems. You want to cut very slow as D2 will work harden and the blade life will be shortened.
 
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