How long do your bandsaw blades last?

Re: How long do your bandsaw blades last?

Jerry Whitaker

>I saw mostly Mesquite, Ash, Oak and Sycamore on my 18 in. Jet using a Timberwolf 1/2 in 3tpi hooktooth blade and have had it on there for about 1 1/2 years. Most of the wood is dry except for the Mesquite and it is still cutting very well. The original blade that came with it was no good at all. I had it off there and in the garbage can within 3 weeks time. I also got a stone for dressing the back of the blade and got some sticks of lubricant from Eagle America which has helped a lot in my opinion. Some say that Pam and other type sprays work well but I have never tried them. It seems to me that they would be a little messier to use. You can definitely tell when you need to add more lube due the change in the sound. I believe a "slick" blade cuts down on friction and therefore "heat" buildup which is usually bad for most woodworking operations.

Re: How long do your bandsaw blades last?

Fog Tanner

>At $29.64 each a gross comes to 3692.16 less 30% for buying more than 30 brings the price down to 2584.51 plus shipping. Before I do that I think I would looking into a spot welder and but it by the roll.

I followed the tips in this group on sharpening and wound up buying the book on bandsaws and sharpened my blade on my Jet. That has extended the life of my blades by several times. I got tired of it not cutting real think blanks even with a sharp blade and bought a bigger bandsaw. I went from 105" blade to 149" and got four blades for cutting green wood. Hopefully the longer blades will last longer. We'll see.

Re: How long do your bandsaw blades last?

Jim Pugh, Ohio

>Well, it depends but even when cutting a logs worth of bowl blanks, say 50+, a fresh blade should cut a lot of wood. Then you get out your Dremel type tool and sharpen it. The blade I am presently using is well beyond my expectations for it and still going strong after at least 3 sharpenings. I have one of the tension levers that I installed a few years ago and am convinced that it helps quite a bit.

That being said, I fully expect this blade to fail at any time but will keep using it until it does. My blade of choice is the Timberwolf 3/8"AS, 3 tpi.

Re: How long do your bandsaw blades last?

Dick Hines

>Don't buy the Timber Wolf blades. Just use the ones from Wood Craft. One will last me for a couple of months and then it into the trash. When I have to put a lot of pressure to get them to cut is a good indicater it's trash time.

I have a good blade if I want to cut something besides wet wood.

Re: How long do your bandsaw blades last?

Barbara Gill, Remlik VA

>I get mine reshapened in Richmond at Automatic Saw Filing. I have been doing business with them for at least 16 years.

Re: How long do your bandsaw blades last?

Mark Kauder. Phenix City, AL

>Dick,

Why would you NOT buy Timberwolf blades. The Timberwolf blades packaged by PSI and sold at Woodcraft cost twice what buying the same blade directly from Suffolk Machinery. $29 for the blade at Woodcraft, $14 for the exact same one from Suffolk.

Mark

Less than 2 hrs...

Peter Teubel

>When I get on a bowl blank sawing jag, I go thru a blade in less than 2 hours. I don't even shut off the saw for 5 hours (except to change blades). Yes, I do buy them by the dozen...

Re: How long do your bandsaw blades last?

Jennifer@Indy.USA

>I hear you Mark. I just spent $32.00 for a Timberwolf blade from WC and about died! I'm ordering from Suffolk from now on. I bought a few from them a few years ago and don't know why I haven't since. They are great on the phone and will help you figure out exactly what you need if you're not sure.

Jennifer

Re: How long do your bandsaw blades last?

RonZ

>Never long enough. =0)

This is why I got a chainsaw for wet wood.

Roll your own... *LINK*

Peter Teubel

>...and its on sale, too.


Bandsaw Blade Welder

Re: How long do your bandsaw blades last?

ken chase

>Jerry:

I read your response with great interest. I just discarded a nearly new Timberwolf blade. I wrote it off to cutting some really aged hard wood from the Calif. desert. Now before I cut I try and remove the bark first. Is this necessary to add life to the blade. Since my supply comes from the desert there is a high sand content apparently. At least that is what the people at Timberwolf suggested as to the short life of my blade.

Thanks

Re: How long do your bandsaw blades last?

ken chase

>Mark:

What blade are you referring to. The two I purchased from Suffolk were over $25.00 each. If there is a blade for $14.00 that will do the job I'd like to know about it. Thanks

Ken

Question?

Barry Irby

>This is like how high is up. I wondered how long blades last and have asked here before. I see people say things that are measured in years or months. Mine don't last that long unless I leave them in the box.

Question: I was sawing bowl blanks and thought the blade was getting dull. I stopped for the day thinking that I would have to change the blade soon. A day or two later I started sawing again and the blade cut much better. What do you think? Was I tired? Does the blade cool down? Did the magic sharpening fairy pay me a visit?

Re: Question?

Fog Tanner

>If you were cutting a number of pieces the blade probably got hot and stretched. If the spring is weak (not uncommon in the 14" Delta/Jet bandsaws), you would have lost some tension on the blade causing it wander if you didn't retension it during your cutting. If you left the blade tensioned, when it cooled it returned to where you started and would cut like before. I always detension my blades when I am through and retenion the next time I use the saw. Saves on the bearnings, shaft, tires, and saw blades. So I always have to start with tensioning the blades, and if I do a lot, I check the tension periodicly to see if I need more and then back it down if I am going to stop for a while.

Re: How long do your bandsaw blades last? *LINK*

John K Jordan

>>$14 for the exact same one from Suffolk.

I'm going to look for these too. I like the Timberwolf.

BTW, their web site has some bandsaw tip including lubrication, a tensioning method, and reasons to detension.

JKJ in East TN


Six Rules of Sawing

Re: How long do your bandsaw blades last?  *LINK*

Mark Kauder. Phenix City, AL

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http://www.suffolkmachinery.com/silicon_steel_pricing.asp