:::RHMT::: Real Home Made Turbo

General Category => Fabrication => Topic started by: malichite on February 09, 2010, 03:17:44 PM

Title: Bandsaw blades
Post by: malichite on February 09, 2010, 03:17:44 PM
I have been ordering blades from grizzly and they have been ok.  What do you guys use?  Is there something better out there?  I have been running 64 1/2 14-18 raker for stainless and mild steel.  Just ordered up a raker 14 tpi and a raker 18 tpi non variable to see if they are any different but just grizzly blades.  The last one I had just didn't seem to last that long.
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: patsmx5 on February 09, 2010, 03:21:39 PM
Cutting stainless is a bitch on blades. I would make sure you're not running the blade too fast. Too much heat will anneal the blade and then it goes to shit.
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: weirtech on February 09, 2010, 04:12:47 PM
cut with some coolant.  also break your blade in on something softer like mild or aluminum for a couple laps.

i get my blades made locally.
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: malichite on February 09, 2010, 04:29:07 PM
I will have to try breaking them in.  I run the saw on the slowest setting I can for stainless.  Blade doesnt get hot or really even warm while cutting.  I have played with shooting a little wd on the blade but have not done a full cooling setup yet.  I really need to mock something up.
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: CSaddict on February 09, 2010, 04:54:54 PM
I use just about any brand Grainger is carrying at the time. Morse, Starret, whatever. I always use the 14-18 variable raker and I have had good luck with them. Run them medium speed and keep the saw tensioned on the spring to not over heat them.
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: malichite on February 09, 2010, 05:07:58 PM
what are the grainger blades running you price wise?  they are about $25 from grizzly.
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: CSaddict on February 09, 2010, 05:16:22 PM
About the same. The last I bought was $23 I believe.
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: CSaddict on February 09, 2010, 05:18:24 PM
Just got an updated price of $28.xx  Matrix II bi metal with cobalt.
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: malichite on February 09, 2010, 05:18:26 PM
cool.  I am getting tired of these grizzly blades.  The last one I bought was bent at the weld and would lift up everytime that part came across the cut.  Blade didn't last long.  I should have complained before I broke it but I procrastinated. 
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: CSaddict on February 09, 2010, 05:25:33 PM
We have all had our share of those. Corey had a bunch of defective blades.
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: turbob16hatch on February 09, 2010, 06:29:15 PM
I buy blades from acme tool crib in my town, there resonable on price around 25-30 and last a long time. there made in house so you can get them in any length ya need.
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: 7808 on February 09, 2010, 06:37:01 PM
i buy mine at menards  (morse) or any other local place. there always like $8  for a 64 1/4" 14tpi  but my 1950 ?menards bandsaw which looks just like the one they sell at HF fucks blades up like nothin cause its so sloppy
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: Corey on February 10, 2010, 01:15:50 AM
you guys might not believe me but ive been using the harbor frieght brand (central machinery i think?) bimetals that are 16.99 in store for the last year.

i shit you not they are the best blades i have used thus far. they last longer then starrett or lenox and cut just as well.

dont believe me? try it.

ive had 1 blade break on me right away, and harbor frieght asked no questions just told me to grab another one. the last blade i just changed was on for so long it was missing half the teeth and it was still cutting like a champ.
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: Toysrme on February 10, 2010, 03:14:33 PM
Buy a spool, weld them together. grind the weld down & hit it with a torch so itll be flexible
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: PhilStubbs on February 10, 2010, 07:23:30 PM
HF blades go to shit quick for me, home depot blades for $16 last me quite a while though. at least 3x as long as the HF
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: Corey on February 10, 2010, 11:07:44 PM
HF blades go to shit quick for me, home depot blades for $16 last me quite a while though. at least 3x as long as the HF

are you using the bimetal ones in the blue and yellow package?

the homodepot ones are fuckin trash they are not bimetal.
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: PhilStubbs on February 10, 2010, 11:10:39 PM
I always buy bi-metal no matter where I get it even home depot.
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: Corey on February 10, 2010, 11:12:10 PM
I always buy bi-metal no matter where I get it even home depot.

ive never seen a bimetal blade at HD. would be nice if they had them so i could grab one in a pinch cause theres a HD down the street from my shop.
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: PhilStubbs on February 11, 2010, 07:52:30 AM
i am about due for a new blade. i will post a pic of the packaging. maybe its a regional thing, im in FL.

i am really considering getting one of those blade welders at HF and making my own from now on. seems like it would be a lot cheaper
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: Passenger on February 12, 2010, 08:36:26 PM
Wikus bandsaw blades are top notch. Lennox has gone down with the quality big time in the last year, we used to use a lot of them.
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: PhilStubbs on February 12, 2010, 10:12:30 PM
Here is what I get from homedepot. I usually use 18tpi not 14, but that was a quick search
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: jay on February 13, 2010, 01:58:11 AM
what band saw do you guys own?
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: PhilStubbs on February 13, 2010, 08:19:46 AM
HF
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: jay on February 13, 2010, 12:21:16 PM
HF

have you had anything break on it or had to replace any parts?

is it true they have a 90 day no hassle replacement warranty
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: PhilStubbs on February 13, 2010, 01:52:20 PM
i dont know about the warranty. i have have mine for 6-7 years without a single issue. thinking about buying another to make a stand up bandsaw. i hate converting mine back and forth and real stand up units cost too much
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: turbob16hatch on February 14, 2010, 12:46:41 AM
I use mine more as a vertical bandsaw lately, and it is annoying to raise it up. I wish they made a mid sized vertical. All i see are small wood bandsaws then the large metal saws, nothing in between.
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: jay on February 14, 2010, 02:03:02 AM
sorry stupid question

when do you cut with it in the vertical position and when do you cut in the horizontal position?

vertical = slide what your cutting through the blade?

horizontal = drop down the blade onto what your cutting like a chop saw?

i feel stupid...
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: PhilStubbs on February 14, 2010, 02:04:55 AM
Home depot sells a nice upright wood saw for $100 or so I am considering getting and changing the gearing for wood. I had one for a short time and considered doing it, but I returned it cause I needed something else at the time.

Yea Buk, that's pretty much it.
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: jay on February 17, 2010, 06:16:16 PM
k so im off to harbor freight to pick up a band saw and the blue flame welding helmet lol
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: CSaddict on February 17, 2010, 06:20:19 PM
Buk buy a bi-metal for that saw while you are there. The one it comes with is a piece of shit.
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: jay on February 17, 2010, 06:22:46 PM
Buk buy a bi-metal for that saw while you are there. The one it comes with is a piece of shit.

how many tpi?


bench or angle grinder for now?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43533 (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43533)
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: CSaddict on February 18, 2010, 07:21:35 AM
Buk buy a bi-metal for that saw while you are there. The one it comes with is a piece of shit.

how many tpi?


bench or angle grinder for now?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43533 (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43533)

I use variable teeth blades 10-14 or 14-18.  If you can only get one it would be a tough choice but you can grind tungsten easier on a bench grinder.
Title: Re: Bandsaw blades
Post by: PhilStubbs on February 18, 2010, 07:57:38 AM
if i was only going to have one, it would be an angle grinder. it has way more uses than a bench grinder and if you lay it down and secure it, you could grind tungsten with it. i actually use the small 4" HF bench grinder just for grinding tungsten. thats the only thing i ever grind on it so the tungsten stays clean.