Metal bandsaw faq

[NickWheeler]

I have the Jet which was probably made in the same building as the Central M., Enco, Grizzly, and Delta's that are out there.

A couple questions:

Any better blade suppliers than EC Blackstone, Ellis Man., DoAll ???

What's the best price per blade found so far?

Optimal operating speeds are provided by the blade reps, but what do you recommend for stainless (ATS, 440V, BG42. 416) ?

Cutting fluid seems to just disipate, how well do the hard bar lubes work?

Just curious.
Thanks in advance,
Nick

ps- With my luck so far, it seems to be faster to just grind the blades (small to large fixed blades 1/8-1/4" steel) out with a ceramic belt on the Burr King. But belts are spendy...

 

[magnum .44]

if you can afford it delta sells a really nice 20" metal/wood saw no. 28-662. it has options for a blade welder, flash grinder, and shear. 3hp, single phase 230v or three phase 200-230/460. says in my book it's shipping weight is 957 lbs. variable speed drive with belts and pulleys, clearview blade guard, chip blower, chip chute, blade and speed chart. 12.5" under column. 24.25" square table. 50-4500 speed (there's separte drives for the speeds, but that's the overall range.) looks like it's built very sturdy, foot operated speed changer. looks a little pricey too,it doesn't have a price in my book. this isn't the bandsaw delta feature in most wood working mags. it's the wood/metal 20" if you call delta they'll tell you more about it. probably less expensive just to buy a horizontal profiling belt sander.

 

[C L Wilkins]

Personally, I have just discovered DoAll and they are the best source at a reasonable price I have found so far...

By the way, if they weld up a blade for you and the teeth are "backwards", turn the blade inside out.......
C Wilkins