Bandsaw blade problems!

[Burt25]

Im having real issues with keeping my bandsaw supplied with blades - Im generally having to buy a new blade every month or so and Im not sure what is going wrong. The last blade I got from Tuffsaw started to wander when ripping some iroko and the more cuts I did the worse it got until I contacted Ian at Tuffsawas and he kindly sent me a replacement. So I had this blade for about 2 weeks until I was cutting an acrylic blank yesterday which shattered and a piece got pulled through subsequently kinking the blade, the result is that the blade is now useless (cutting rough) and the bandsaw is vibrating like mad.

So a couple of questions-

- Does anyone else find that bandsaw blades are easily damaged?
- What blade should I be using for cutting small stock for pens hardwoods and acrylic?

I now urgently need a replacement blade, but Tuffsaws are now closed so looks like Axminster- what is the best blade to buy from them?

All advice much appreciated.

 

[21William]

Ian’s the best guy to ask but I’m not sure you’d ideally use the same blade for both wood and acrylic?

 

[Burt25]

Yeah, Im wondering if I should be using something different for acrylic. Couldnt have happended at a worse time as I have a number of orders and no spare blade - I was just surprised that a small piece of acrylic could effectively destroy the blade!

 

[Penpal]

I choose to use the hardened teeth bands. Keep the gap in the bed minimum to eliminate carry through.

Peter.

 

[Terry Q]

I know that you should have at least 3 teeth in the cut. More is ok but less is not in your best interest. It won't clear saw dust efficiently and you actually get a thump, thump as the teeth engage the material you are cutting. This is hard on the blades. I have 2 saws. One has a blade with 3 tpi and the other is 12 tpi. I hate changing blades.

 

[wm460]

Just wondering Ian is your B/Saw tensioned properly??

 

[hawkeyefxr]

I broke two bandsaw blades in a row only to discover i had over tensioned them. Running at a lower tension and touch wood all ok. My bandsaw is a small bench type not a floor standing type, i would love one of those.

 

[silver]

I now urgently need a replacement blade, but Tuffsaws are now closed so looks like Axminster- what is the best blade to buy from them?

All advice much appreciated.

My father and I have always used Dakin Flather blades and usually unless ripping big pieces I use the same blade for all cutting and never had a problem.

I use a 10tpi as standard, I do change the blade but not that often as I find just adapting the rate of feed that I give it works best and is quicker than forever changing blades.

Link below of who I use, always find them very helpful. (they do some good Carbide tips as well:wink:)

Appleby Woodturnings - Homepage

Just one point, they do some "double sided" band saw blades as well, apparently very good if you are doing a lot of shape work. ever tried them myself.

 

[Burt25]

Thanks Eammon, I will check them out. Ive ordered a 6TPI Excalibur blade from Axminster (hoping it comes in next couple of days!), but will give the 10TPI from Appleby a try as well.

My father and I have always used Dakin Flather blades and usually unless ripping big pieces I use the same blade for all cutting and never had a problem.

I use a 10tpi as standard, I do change the blade but not that often as I find just adapting the rate of feed that I give it works best and is quicker than forever changing blades.

Link below of who I use, always find them very helpful. (they do some good Carbide tips as well:wink:)

Appleby Woodturnings - Homepage

Just one point, they do some "double sided" band saw blades as well, apparently very good if you are doing a lot of shape work. ever tried them myself.

 

[21William]

It’s just a thought but many bandsaws have two speeds. Under normal circumstances the higher speed is used for the majority of woods. Perhaps it would be better to run the saw on the lower speed when cutting Acrylic?

I’m currently using one of the Axcaliber blades and it’s working well.

Axcaliber GT Bandsaw Blades from 1,854mm (73") - Bandsaw Blades - Sawing - Machinery Accessories - Accessories | Axminster Tools & Machinery

 

[Dalboy]

I have had the same blade on my machine for a good 6 months which is from Ian it is now wanting to cut to one side but then it has done a lot of work of which some is curved. He is always easy to talk to about the correct blade to use for different jobs, but as you say he is away at the moment.
Try not to buy the cheapest blade as they can turn out as false economy.
Not had any problems but as Terry stated about the number of teeth in the cut. I do not cut acrylics on the bandsaw but have a tenon saw kept just for that purpose but then I don't make a lot of pens.