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Bandsaw blade woes
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=29355		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Darrel Friesen [ Tue Oct 05, 2010 6:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw blade woes
I gave up on the Olsens a few years ago as well Filippo. They just didn't last. I've been using the Viking (Timberwolf) ones ever since and couldn't be happier. I do want to try the Suffolk and/or Lenox products at some point but still have a dozen or so Vikings to go through before that happens. At my build rate, I could be too old by then.
Author:  Stuart Gort [ Tue Oct 05, 2010 7:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw blade woes
I bought a couple of Lennox Woodmaster CT - 1" - 1.3 tpi blades a while back....for resawing. I have a big Rikon.

I'm pretty sure I'll never consider any other kind of blade again.

They are expensive....and wonderful.
Author:  Chris aka Sniggly [ Tue Oct 05, 2010 7:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw blade woes
Zlurgh wrote:
I bought a couple of Lennox Woodmaster CT - 1" - 1.3 tpi blades a while back....for resawing. I have a big Rikon.

I'm pretty sure I'll never consider any other kind of blade again.

They are expensive....and wonderful.



Agreed - when the frame of reference is resawing. Some of the more day to day tasks require smaller blades though......hence the use of the bi-metals such as the timberwolf etc. My experience with the smaller blades runs parallel to what Filippo addresses....but I have yet to find a smaller blade I am truly in love with. In my mind the perfect blade for the day to day luthier tasks would be a 1/4 inch or 3/6th's with a 4 / 6 variable tooth pattern. It's probably out there somewhere but I haven't looked in earnest. It's too easy for me to snag what I need at Woodcraft on the way home from work.
Author:  Darrel Friesen [ Tue Oct 05, 2010 9:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw blade woes
Doh! I recall that now.

Filippo Morelli wrote:
Suffolk is Timber Wolf ...

Filippo

Quote:
Author:  Mark Fogleman [ Tue Oct 05, 2010 11:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw blade woes
Zlurgh wrote:
I bought a couple of Lennox Woodmaster CT - 1" - 1.3 tpi blades a while back....for resawing. I have a big Rikon.

I'm pretty sure I'll never consider any other kind of blade again.

They are expensive....and wonderful.


Same here on my 18" Rikon although I got mine when Laguna was switching over to their house brand for their cost. I use 1/4" BiMetal Lennox Bimaster blades on a 12" bandsaw for scrolling. Changing blades is such a giant PIA to me that it's worth having 2 bandsaws.
www.woodcraftbands.com is my favorite place to get blades. John is a straight up fellow.
Author:  Mark Fogleman [ Tue Oct 05, 2010 11:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw blade woes
Chris aka Sniggly wrote:
Agreed - when the frame of reference is resawing. Some of the more day to day tasks require smaller blades though......hence the use of the bi-metals such as the timberwolf etc. My experience with the smaller blades runs parallel to what Filippo addresses....but I have yet to find a smaller blade I am truly in love with. In my mind the perfect blade for the day to day luthier tasks would be a 1/4 inch or 3/6th's with a 4 / 6 variable tooth pattern. It's probably out there somewhere but I haven't looked in earnest. It's too easy for me to snag what I need at Woodcraft on the way home from work.


If I lived in JAX i'd be visiting Iturra Design. He is THE king of the bandsaw and publishes a catalog that is a work of art. Old school...no website. Have to call, write or email for it.
Iturra Design
1-866-883-8064
(904) 642-2802
KALLL@comcast.net
Author:  Darrin D Oilar [ Tue Oct 05, 2010 11:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw blade woes
I've never tried the Olson. I have generally ordered from Suffolk Machinery. Have never had a problem with their blades. Well the only problem I ever had with their blade was when I incorrectly "remembered" something from their website about blade lubrication. My new 1" blade, ate right through the top of the lower door of my new band saw on its way off. So even my bandsaw can vouch for the bite in the blade. [xx(] Was definitely not a high point in my woodworking days.

Sorry to hear about losing your good blade and all the difficulties you had with Olson.

Darrin
Author:  jayluthier [ Wed Oct 06, 2010 12:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw blade woes
For those of you who don't know...Iturra sells the same blades that Highland Hardware in Atlanta sells. Highland's proprietary brand name is Woodslicer. Iturra sources them from the same place but brands them with another name. I've bought 2 so far at a very attractive price. And of course there's always Timberwolf.
Author:  Chris aka Sniggly [ Wed Oct 06, 2010 5:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw blade woes
Tarhead wrote:
Chris aka Sniggly wrote:
Agreed - when the frame of reference is resawing. Some of the more day to day tasks require smaller blades though......hence the use of the bi-metals such as the timberwolf etc. My experience with the smaller blades runs parallel to what Filippo addresses....but I have yet to find a smaller blade I am truly in love with. In my mind the perfect blade for the day to day luthier tasks would be a 1/4 inch or 3/6th's with a 4 / 6 variable tooth pattern. It's probably out there somewhere but I haven't looked in earnest. It's too easy for me to snag what I need at Woodcraft on the way home from work.


If I lived in JAX i'd be visiting Iturra Design. He is THE king of the bandsaw and publishes a catalog that is a work of art. Old school...no website. Have to call, write or email for it.
Iturra Design
1-866-883-8064
(904) 642-2802
KALLL@comcast.net



I've tried several times to talk my way into his shop. He does not take visitors....period. Kinda odd....but okay. Last we spoke he was working on a website so within some short rather than long time frame we should see something pop up. I've purchased all my carbide blades from him. Good guy...willing to spend some time on the phone with you...and fair prices. BTW - I THINK that 866 number is disconnected.
Author:  Bobc [ Wed Oct 06, 2010 6:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw blade woes
Filippo the Lenox Bi-Metal blades are very good too. Last a long time and length has never been an issue.
Do you really think the tension gauge on any saw is accurate? I disregard them on any saw I've ever used.
Maybe good for ball bark tension.
Author:  matt jacobs [ Wed Oct 06, 2010 7:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw blade woes
Another vote for the Lennox Woodmaster! They are a bit pricey but worth every penny. The cuts are very smooth, and usually require very little sanding.
Author:  John A [ Wed Oct 06, 2010 8:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw blade woes
I just put a Timber Wolf - PS Woods - 3/4" blade 3 tpi on my 14" - it tensions great - tracks great and very little drift - I just cut a slice of 6" granadillo - the problem is the cut did not come out as smooth as I like - but the bigger problem is that it took forever !! maybe 10-15 minutes for one slice ! Any suggestions ?
Author:  Bobc [ Thu Oct 07, 2010 2:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw blade woes
Filippo Morelli wrote:
Bobc wrote:
Do you really think the tension gauge on any saw is accurate? I disregard them on any saw I've ever used.
Maybe good for ball bark tension.


Hi Bob,
Well I'm sure for what you do, it's not accurate enough. For my smaller blades it seems to work reasonably well? Having said that ... what would you suggest?

Thanks,

Filippo

When I used the Timberwolf blades I used their blade wobble??? setup where you fine tune the tension as the saw is running.
Now I just apply sideways pressure on the blade with my thumb and tension till it feels right. Real accurate. laughing6-hehe
Author:  letseatpaste [ Thu Oct 07, 2010 7:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw blade woes
Aren't the Timberwolf blades designed to use less tension than standard?
Author:  Chris aka Sniggly [ Thu Oct 07, 2010 7:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw blade woes
letseatpaste wrote:
Aren't the Timberwolf blades designed to use less tension than standard?


Yes...they are....and the method Bob refers to works.
Author:  Bobc [ Thu Oct 07, 2010 8:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw blade woes
Bobc wrote:
Filippo Morelli wrote:
Bobc wrote:
Do you really think the tension gauge on any saw is accurate? I disregard them on any saw I've ever used.
Maybe good for ball bark tension.


Hi Bob,
Well I'm sure for what you do, it's not accurate enough. For my smaller blades it seems to work reasonably well? Having said that ... what would you suggest?

Thanks,

Filippo

When I used the Timberwolf blades I used their blade wobble??? setup where you fine tune the tension as the saw is running.
Now I just apply sideways pressure on the blade with my thumb and tension till it feels right. Real accurate. laughing6-hehe


Filippo if we lived closer I would be only too happy to let you borrow my thumb. :lol: By the way I have my re-saw woes too.
Doesn't always go the way I would like it to. I just installed that misting coolant unit that Grizzly sells on our Laguna horizontal bandsaw. Nice unit and keeps the blade very clean,cuts better but the machine very dirty. :D
Author:  Bobc [ Thu Oct 07, 2010 8:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw blade woes
Actually in my way younger days I machined aluminum parts & castings on a lathe when i worked for American Optical. Filthy stuff.
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