Metal Bandsaw Blades

Rally

NC Minnesota
Just looking for recommendations for a good brand of bandsaw blades from those using them. Just bought a 7"x 12" from Harbor freight. It takes a 93" x 3/4" blade. Tried cutting a piece of spring steel, by mistake, out of my scrap pile (tine off a hay rake) and that took care of the blade that came with it. And of course , Harbor Freight doesn't even stock a blade for the saw they sell, even in the catalog! But they will order one from the manufacturer, with only a 6-10 week wait.
 

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
I have essentially the same saw as was sold by TSC (Tractor Supply) years back, probably they still do. I've used Lennox blades as they were locally available. Like SW says, Starrett is always a good bet too. There are several on line photo essays on how to fix these up so they do a much better than factory job. Main problem is out of square cuts in the vertical plane. Cutting 6" angle, mine will wander close to half an inch if I let it. You can tighten some of that up quite a lot.

You should be able to order brand name blades off any number of online sources including Ebay. Might also check you local Lowes/Home Depot.
 

Wasalmonslayer

Well-Known Member
My local welding supply shop sources mine.
You may check with a local one if you have one.
To fall in line with what Brett is saying about wander on the blade keep it tight and try to get a deeper band.
I was able to over double the depth of the blade and it has helped immensely in blade wander.
The width stays the same and the extra depth gives it a lot more back bone.
 

KeithB

Resident Half Fast Machinist
That is the same size cutoff saw I use. I buy blades from Imperial Fastener, they bought out a local shop called Crown Tool which had been making my blades for years. I use a 6 - 10 tooth variable pitch blade, it has a hard strip with the teeth welded onto a flexible spring steel back. I think it’s a Starrett product. I have used some of those blades for 6 months or more of regular use, just don’t cut hardened steel.

I could check on price for you. They usually keep some made up in stock and ship worldwide.

If your blade is wandering its either misaligned guides or a blade with dull teeth on one side. Both can be corrected.
 

Rick H

Well-Known Member
Most industrial supply hardware outfits have large coils of saw blade. They will cut and weld a blade to fit for most any purpose.
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
Lennox has done fine for me.
I prefer Milwaukee on the porta-band.
the cheap blades just tend to bend a little or hang up then snap. [or make that annoying little wide spot bruuump, baruump like your riding the rumble strips and it makes your cuts wander]
the teeth are also noticeably straighter and more inline on the good blades it makes a big difference.
 

smokeywolf

Well-Known Member
93" x 3/4" is a standard size. They're readily available at MSC and certainly many other sources.
Like Keith, I've always favored the bi-metal blades. In a home shop they can last for months to years. Down side is, carbon steel blades are $30 g/t and bi-metals are $80 g/t.
Have used Lennox blades and found them pretty good.
 

Intheshop

Banned
Lennox and Morse here. Not saying the teeth wouldn't have been trashed anyway but.....

You should break in BS blades on a few inches,maybe a foot,depending on length.... with aluminum before going after steel. The blade's teeth when new have little burs on them that need a run in. Even high $$ blades will get ruined if they go straight to cutting stainless or tool steels. Also,take a oilstone and hit the back two corners of the blade to smooth it up.... more for vert BS's(contour machines) but we do it on the horizontals as well.
 

Rally

NC Minnesota
Ordered Four off Amazon all variable pitch (imachinist $26.00) and a Lennox for $40.00. Says they will be here in a couple days. Had to go to the big City today (Duluth) to get a part I ordered for my wifes Sienna van. Bought a Super Cut brand at Northern tool to use until they show up. This has been a two week project getting this machine, and I have 500 cuts to make. First machine I got in Duluth had the tine of a forklift go through the shipping crate and destroy the electrical box. Of course couldn't see it by just taking the top off the shipping crate, so got it home before I discovered the damage. No problem returning it to Harbor freight, except it was the last one in Duluth, and would be 3 weeks before another arrived. Located one in St. Cloud, a newer version, and went there and got it. Manager got me another year free replacement warranty added to my one year warranty, so not all a loss except time chasing it around. Cut 80 pieces with the installed blade on the saw before ruining it. The 6TPI blade that came with it didn"t like spring steel.:embarrassed: Only damn piece in my junk bucket too! How's that saying go: Haste makes waste.

Got it going yesterday and cut 16 pieces for a project I wanted to get done. Put one of the Imachinist (China) blades on. It is a 10-14 bimetal and cuts real nice and smooth. Five back ups just in case.
 
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