new bandsaw

buckmaster96

buckmaster96

Joined
Jan 6, 2012
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794
just picked up a used craftsman 1/2 hp 9 inch bandsaw for 80 dollars. i want to start making knives as a hobby so i need to know how to start. what do i need, what safety things are there.
 
This bandsaw will be good at cutting wood for handles, but that's about it since it is only a wood cutting bandsaw. It runs way too fast for cutting any type of metal, so save yourself the headache and blades and don't even try.
Jason
 
It will cut copper and brass I think with a metal cutting blade, but it will not cut blade steel.

Trust us.
 
Ok thanks for the help. Can I use it for g10 or micarta. And will a bench grinder work for blade making
 
Micarta yes.g10 no.bench grinder not really.
Read the 5th sticky from the top,it will give you a simple way to start.
Stan
 
Look for a blade with between 18 and 24 teeth per inch. I've heard that a good rule of thumb is to use a blade that keeps at least 3 teeth in the material at once. This will cut down on teeth chipping out.

Hope this helps. -chris

Chris Crawford Knives
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Stan, I use mine to cut AKS's G10 pretty successfully. Of course, use a metal blade and know that when you get done the blade will be dull. Also, I was cutting pretty thin stuff; .080 and .040". Probably not going to cut .140 stuff very well.

As it is, don't try to cut blade steel. You'll ruin saw blades and get frustrated before you get 1/4" in. Non-ferrous metals only. And even then not real well and only with a good blade. Works great for wood though.
 
The craftsman bandsaw will not cut metal regardless of whether you have the metal baldes or not. I have 2 in my garage right now and they are the 10 inch models. Both will zing through wood but blade steel is a definate no go. Buy a 4 1/2 inch grinder and some cutting disks. The grinder you can get cheap on sale or at pawns shops. Cutting disks are less than 2 dollars apiece and will cut out quite a few knives before having to replace. Plus the grinder itself is real handy for grinding knives and other things. Good luck and God Bless
 
Regarding hacksaws - It is commonly recommended that we get a HIGH TENSION hacksaw, not the typical less expensive one. I bit the bullet and bought the high tension saw. As the name says, the blade is under higher tension. The blade is less likely to bend or warp while using it. In my experience blades get just as dull as in a lower-cost saw but I don't lose blades to cracking (I think caused by warping) and it "feels" like it's cutting where I want it to. If you don't own a hacksaw already, spend a few extra dollars for a high tension saw.

- Paul Meske
 
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