Blade for ripping blocks?

Matt Rochester

Matt Rochester

Joined
Nov 28, 2014
Messages
1,864
My bandsaw is not the best so I’ve been cutting my blocks into slabs on my table saw. At the moment I’m using a 60 tooth Diablo blade. Anybody have a better suggestion? Especially for stabilized blocks? I’m gonna get a new bandsaw soon but the table saw will have to work for now.
 
I also use a Diablo blade on the table saw when cutting scales.

I use a 3TPI carbide tipped blade on the bandsaw to rip long 2"X2" or 1.5"X1.5" strips from large boards, then cut them into 5" or 6" long pieces. After stabilizing the blocks, I use the table saw to cut the blocks into scales, or cut the large blocks into two handle blocks.

To avoid burning the wood:
Raise the blade until it is only 1/4" proud of the blocks.
Feed with even pressure, but don't push hard.
Use a sled jig that grips the block being cut. Woodcraft makes one that is perfect for cutting scales.
Blades don't last forever. Change it when cutting speed or burning become an issue.

TIP:
Many folks don't know that carbide circular saw blades can be resharpened. Many blade companies and blade suppliers do it at a fraction of the price of a new blade. Highland Woodworking, Freud, many sharpening services, and some large hardware companies. So, the next time your blade starts cutting slow, or you see a $60 saw blade in the $1.00 box at a flea market … get it resharpened.
 
Also, a thin kerf blade will save a bit of wood, = more scales/blocks per blank.
 
When you say your bandsaw isn't the best, what do you mean?
I've got a cheap harbor freight band saw and after trying to cut a block with the metal blade year ago, I got a low TPI blade designed for wood. It is a little bit of a pain to change to a metal cutting blade when I want to cut some steel, but it's great for blocks, both stabilized and unstabilized.
 
Diablo blades are a great bang for the buck blade. Maybe look at a thin kerf ripping blade for non cross cut duties. Sled/jig. The woodslicer sawblades for bandsaws will rejuvenate an older saw, but stabilized woods will probably kill the edge. As Stacey said, keep the blades sharp. I have an old forrest ripping blade I use that has been sharpened many times.
 
weo said:
When you say your bandsaw isn't the best, what do you mean?
I've got a cheap harbor freight band saw and after trying to cut a block with the metal blade year ago, I got a low TPI blade designed for wood. It is a little bit of a pain to change to a metal cutting blade when I want to cut some steel, but it's great for blocks, both stabilized and unstabilized.
Click to expand...
One guide is broken so it doesn’t cut straight. I end up wasting a bunch of material trying to flatten them back out. I am currently looking for parts but haven’t found them yet.
 
Yeah, you're right, that's not the best. Good luck.
 
Diablo is just Freud's consumer line. My understanding is that they can't be resharpened as much but are otherwise equivalent.
 
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