Time to order new bandsaw blades

I had good luck with the IRWIN M42 blades from ENCO as well as the m42 blades I get from Damon & CO These are all ran in a import 7x12 bandsaw. For the 6x9 bandsaw the only blade that worked well in it were the SIMONDS M42 Die blades. That said I get 10x the life out of a blade in 7x12 then the 6x9. The 6x9s eat blades up for some reason.
 
I use the cheap $10 blades from HF for my 4x6, and starrett in my portaband. I've found that breakage is far more likely than dulling, and the cheaper blades haven't broken any quicker than the Starrett. I'm cutting lots of 5" channel, 3" channell, and 3/4" & 1" stainless tubing.

The following blade looks like the blade wasn't aligned on the wheels, but I could be wrong. The cracked portion wasn't on the wheel, so it cracked. It took me several blade to figure that one out. Haven't had that happen again since I had a friend come and align the saw for me.

HFPortabandBladefailure_zpse72c4f13.jpg
Click to expand...
 
I use the Chicago brand bimetal (24 TPI) from Harbor Freight in my 4x6 bandsaw. I tried the Starrett and Lenox and have had better luck with the HF blades which I had originally just kept as spares

-Page
 
zaph1 said:
I use the cheap $10 blades from HF for my 4x6, and starrett in my portaband. I've found that breakage is far more likely than dulling, and the cheaper blades haven't broken any quicker than the Starrett. I'm cutting lots of 5" channel, 3" channell, and 3/4" & 1" stainless tubing.

The following blade looks like the blade wasn't aligned on the wheels, but I could be wrong. The cracked portion wasn't on the wheel, so it cracked. It took me several blade to figure that one out. Haven't had that happen again since I had a friend come and align the saw for me.
Click to expand...

That's on a Portaband, no adjustments possible as far as I know, if there is I'd love t see it.
The wheels are crowned and the blade rides the high spot.


Those are the Canadian version of HF, I had 3 or 4 of them break in that way.
(even though they were branded as Morse blades)

Once I switched to a better blade
http://www.homedepot.ca/product/18-tpi-standard-deep-cut-portable-band-saw-blade-1-pack/981565

No problems.
 
sunshadow said:
I use the Chicago brand bimetal (24 TPI) from Harbor Freight in my 4x6 bandsaw. I tried the Starrett and Lenox and have had better luck with the HF blades which I had originally just kept as spares

-Page
Click to expand...

Ummm...

Me too.

Also I keep the package and receipt and if it breaks within 90 days they will replace it no problem. I use my bandsaw a lot and broke 3 of them and they have replaced each one.

So I have paid for one and have gone through 3 blades.

If the Starret blade broke I was shit out of luck and had to fork over more $$ for another that broke much easier then the HF blades do.
 
Are you using the $9.99, $17.99, or the $24.99 blades from HF? I can't seem to tell much difference in quality, other than 10 TPI is only available on the cheapest one.
 
I use the 24 TPI. You need at least 3 teeth in the work for good cutting and to avoid tooth breakage so the minimum thickness you *should* cut with 10 tpi is .300 inch. I often cut 1/8 inch or thinner so 24 TPI is my go-to

-Page
 
Bill DeShivs said:
Starrett is what I use. BiMetal 24 TPI.
They last a long time.
Click to expand...

I'm trying to choose a good blade for the first time. How wide do you want for general use? I want to be able to cut curves a bit for the handles. I was thinking a thinner blade since it can do both curves and straight?
 
coldblooded357 said:
I'm trying to choose a good blade for the first time. How wide do you want for general use? I want to be able to cut curves a bit for the handles. I was thinking a thinner blade since it can do both curves and straight?
Click to expand...

What bandsaw are you reffreing to?

The HF 4x6 with the 64.5" blade must be a 1/2" blade you cannot choose a different width.
The spine rides against the step of the wheel and the teeth hang off the edge of the wheel.
A smaller width will flatten out the kerf of the teeth.

As for thickness, .025 is probably most common.




You do curves by cutting out a series of radial relief cuts, like a kid draws the rays around the sun.
 
Last edited:
I was at HF today, the blade is the 16.95 Chicago Electric with no picture on the package

-Page
 
Bill DeShivs said:
I did have a brand new Starrett that sheared a bunch of teeth on the first use. I discarded it, and stuck another one on and it has held up fine. I may look into Lennox. Are they available in 24 tpi?
Click to expand...

I've only tried the Lennox blades once (in a three pack) and had that same issue. Most of the teeth sheared off the blade in the first five seconds of use. All three blades did the same thing. I was afraid to try them again, but it sounds like they may have just had a bad batch of blades now that I read this thread.

I use the cheap Morse blades sold at Menards and get what I think is good life out of them, but then I don't have much of a basis of comparison. I may try the Lennox again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top