So, I just broke another blade. What's the best one for the money for 14" Rockwell saw? Not interested in bi-metal ones. Anybody used a HF one? If so, would you do it again? Thanks!

oldwoodie, I am going to throw a concept out that not many band saw owners consider (including myself until lately). A long lasting blade. I used to purchase band-saw blades knowing, or expecting they'd be good for just awhile, they'll either break or dull relatively soon in relation to other cutting blades for woodworking.

But I have learned that investing in a band-saw blade that is higher notch, is well worth the money. They last a long time, they hold their edge a very long time, and like Laguna's band saw blades, they are backed by a one year warranty. I know, I am plugging our sponsor Laguna Tools for their band-saw blades, but they really are that good. Especially if you invest in the carbide toothed blades for resawing, they are like table saw blades but for a band-saw. 

 

 

The Laguna Pro-Force or Shear Force 1/4" 4tpi for a 14" band-saw blade can be had for around 30 bucks. Not only are they high quality, but you'll notice they track much better, with a well tuned bandsaw, often times I read about how users are not getting their blades to track well even after they tune their band-saw, there is a reason for that, it's the blade. 

 

I think if we band saw users started shifting our minds more towards longevity in a band-saw blade (purchase a blade like you're purchasing a table saw blade) we'd be better off at the band saw, and in the long run our pocket books.

 

I am a huge advocate of purchasing what you can afford, to keep you working the wood, if you can go a tad higher and invest a little more, it's well worth it. If it's just out of budget, then by all means, get what you can to keep working wood.

 

Lastly, Laguna Tools supports our community here at The Patriot Woodworker, it's nice when we can to send it back. Ok, plug over. 

Oh ya, if you contact Laguna Tools by phone, ask for tech support and they'll walk you through to the exact blade that would give you the best performance. Also, here is a nice bladed education page by Laguna Tools at https://lagunatools.com/education/bandsaw-blade-education/

I have a Laguna blade for my "Bridgewood" 14" bandsaw.Laguna is one of the few places that stocks the odd length- 92.5"- I need for my saw. It works great! I use mine for resawing. It is NOT the carbide tipped blade.

20 minutes ago, lew said:

I have a Laguna blade for my "Bridgewood" 14" bandsaw.Laguna is one of the few places that stocks the odd length- 92.5"- I need for my saw. It works great! I use mine for resawing. It is NOT the carbide tipped blade.

Also Lew, not only do they stock the odd ones, they'll cut them to whatever length you need.

I've been using Timber Wolf  band saw blades for years. Go to  www.suffolkmachinery.com .  They make blades to fit any band saw. Over several years, I've only broken one blade, and my band saw is one of the most used tools in my shop.Good sharp blades, and reasonably priced

Edited July 6, 20178 yr by It Was Al B

33 minutes ago, It Was Al B said:

I've been using Timber Wolf  band saw blades for year

same here...

Another Timber Wolf user here

Timberwolf here, too. Just for resawing, though. 

I remember a thread back on the Wood forum about carbide tipped band saw blades, and the user said the carbide tips would pop off the blade during use.  Has anyone had that experience?

Another Timber Wolf user here.  I will investigate the Laguna's next time I need to order though.

Cal

5 hours ago, PostalTom said:

I remember a thread back on the Wood forum about carbide tipped band saw blades, and the user said the carbide tips would pop off the blade during use.  Has anyone had that experience?

Tom, I think the carbide teeth problem is with smaller bandsaws. Common advice is to not use them on saws smaller than 20". the extreme flexing those blades have cause the teeth to break off. I bought a used 16" saw a little over a year ago, and the fellow had a NIB carbide toothed blade that came with it. After doing some reading, it seems that to some extant the blade manufacturers have overcome some of the problem....at least on saws down to 16"; or at least that is another opinion floating around. I haven't tried my carbide out yet, but it's a Lenoss. But for the new blades, I found the Timberwolf from Suffolk to be top notch and reasonably priced.

Edited July 7, 20178 yr by Fred W. Hargis Jr

I used Timberwolf for years and then  found a local supplier where I can get 3 blades for less than one timberwolf so have switched as most of the cuts I do are on  green wood for turning.

https://www.ferscosaws.com/

I use Super Cut Carbide Impregnated 3T

 

https://www.amazon.com/supercut-bandsaw-blades-Tools-Home-Improvement/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A228013%2Ck%3Asupercut bandsaw blades

 

I order 3X to save on shipping.

Herb

I buy blade bands in rolls and make my own. At first I silver soldered them then 

I bought a blade welder. Now I take small cut off wheels and sharpen my blades

right on the saw. I use a dremel on larger bands. I also made a saw set for bands.

Kevin , You may not have noticed the date of the last post on this topic, July  2017. A bit more information on what you use and how to sharpen the blades using the dremel would be appreciated. 

3 hours ago, Kevin Beitz said:

I buy blade bands in rolls and make my own. At first I silver soldered them then 

I bought a blade welder. Now I take small cut off wheels and sharpen my blades

right on the saw. I use a dremel on larger bands. I also made a saw set for bands.

If you would not mind make a post about it.  My Dad told me he had a blade welder in High School Shop, but I have never seen or used one.

Tomorrow I'll get some pictures of the blade welder...

The widest blade I can use is 5/8" . And, thats pushing it.  They're only 72" , too. At around $16-$20 per blade, is it worth it to re sharpen? 

14 hours ago, Al B said:

Kevin , You may not have noticed the date of the last post on this topic, July  2017. A bit more information on what you use and how to sharpen the blades using the dremel would be appreciated. 

A lot of videos out there Al but here is a short one that gives the idea of how it is done.  Doing it on the saw is easier in my opinion.  Works surprisingly well too.