Band Saw Blade. TPI???

[TedBull]

Hey Guys. I just picked up a realy nice pre owned band saw from my buddy. All he ever cut was metal. So the blades I have are 20, and 24 tpi. No good for wood.

I figure some of you guys have cut enough wood blocks to have a preference on what works best. So before I order some blades I figured I would ask. What is your preference of TPI (teeth per inch) for cutting pine and sugar pine? I dont think there are a ton of choices out there, but doesnt hurt to ask. Thinking about 10 or 6 tpi. Blade width doesnt matter, I have a scroll saw for cutting radius.

Ted.

 

[IAE Racing]

I use a 1/8" width 14tpi with a regular set for fine cutting. makes nice smooth cut. I use a 1/4 4tpi with a skip tooth also. Could be more sanding with the 1/4 If you were going to resaw some 2x6s to make practice blanks out of a 1/2 3 or 4 tpi skip tooth works real well.try to keep between 3 and 6 teeth in you work. There's a nice thread somewhere about setting up a band saw can't seem to find it now.

 

[TedBull]

Thanks. I went to lowes but they did not have any 64 1/2" length blades with the TPI I wanted. Going to try the other local shops. I figured 15 TPI wouldnt cut wood very well but I will give it a try.

Ted.

 

[Dixie Derby Dude]

If you have an Ace Hardware near-by they usually have 64 1/2" blades.

 

[IAE Racing]

If you have time, woodcraft online. there is one brand, it may be olsen, that can build to length what you want.

 

[GravityX]

I do believe this is the thread you are referring to:

http://www.pinewoodderbyonline.com/post/Setting-up-a-Bandsaw-6228066

...There's a nice thread somewhere about setting up a band saw can't seem to find it now.

 

[TedBull]

I do believe this is the thread you are referring to:

http://www.pinewoodderbyonline.com/post/Setting-up-a-Bandsaw-6228066

...There's a nice thread somewhere about setting up a band saw can't seem to find it now.

I found two blades at Stellar industrial supply.

1/2" 15 tpi & 1/4" 10 tpi.

I tried the 1/2" 15 tpi blade and it did not cut worth a damn. I just watched that full video you posted. Thank you, thats a great video. I am going to adjust my guids and speed and see If I can get it cutting better. All six rollers turn with the blade right now so its setup out of wack.

 

[IAE Racing]

Are those for metal? I'm not familiar with metal cutting. Search Olson custom welded bandsaw blades. You can find them at the Woodcraft.com site. Timber wolf blades are good also. woodcraft did not list any 64 1/2 blades.

 

[TedBull]

Well neither one of the blades I got will cut thru the width of a block worth a damn. Since my saw is meant to be used as a vertical and horizontal cutting saw the guides are meant to touch the blade. Nothing less than 1/2" is going to work. Not sure what type of teeth the blades I got have?

I will check out the blades you mentioned. Try for something that is specific for cutting wood. My Scroll saw cuts thru them easier, just not straight.

 

[bracketracer]

I wonder if the blade speed might be too slow if the saw is one of the horizontal/verticle combos. I thought those were more for metal cutting? Is the blade speed adjustable?

 

[TedBull]

I wonder if the blade speed might be too slow if the saw is one of the horizontal/verticle combos. I thought those were more for metal cutting? Is the blade speed adjustable?

The saw is surely meant for cutting metal. Figured I could cit wood on it though. I tried the fastest speed. 200, think its feet per minute? Might not be fast enough huh?

 

[bracketracer]

Well, a typical 14" band saw for wood adjusts between about 550 to as much as 3300 fpm, so it's a little slow. Might try a coarser blade if you're working with a full block? The 10-14 tpi blades should be good for 1/4-1/2" thick material. I'm thinking I would want a 3-4 tpi for a full block.

 

[IAE Racing]

+1 on too slow, +1 on try a 3 or 4 tpi. may try to swap saws before you invest in blades???

 

[Dixie Derby Dude]

I have what sounds like the same type horizontal/vertical bandsaw w/641/2" blade.
I use the fastest pulley speed and have no problem cutting wood,plastic etc.
It's definitely not as good as a higher speed vertical bandsaw,but it does get the job done.