Band saw blades?

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  • Scarsman
    Senior Member
    • Feb 2009
    • 98

    Band saw blades?

    I am currently in the process of rebuilding a horizontal/vertical metal band saw. I got it for free several years ago, and am just finaly getting around to cleaning it up. I just put all new bearings on it, and made the first cut. It was cutting great and then it sort of jumped and started cutting very slow and crooked. When I shut it off and looked at it, there are a coouple very large stretches where the teeth are broke off. It is sort of odd, they are not worn off, they are clearly broken off.

    So, I need to get a new blade. What would be the best type/tooth count to get? It will mostly be cutting tubing and flat stock, up to 1/2". I will be using it for aluminum down the road, but that is a ways off still.

    Thanks for any suggestions.
    "When life gets tough and it looks like the gators are going to get you, step back, take a deep breath, and start killing them one at a time, usually the closest one first."
    -- PAUL HOWE --
  • Chuck U&R
    Senior Member
    • Nov 2005
    • 130

    #2
    I'm thinking that I have a 10/14 on my saw that I use for everything thicker than 16g.

    If you were doing production runs you would probably want to take the time to change to the optimum blade for whatever you were cutting.

    Others will chime in.

    Comment

    • aametalmaster
      Chairman Of The Board
      • Sep 2005
      • 5760

      #3
      http://www.countrysaw.com/ has any blade you could ever need...Bob
      Bob Wright

      Comment

      • davedarragh
        Senior Member
        • Oct 2007
        • 2949

        #4
        Band Saw Blades

        That's what I'd suggest, 10/14 tooth blade. If you have a 64 1/2" (common) you can get standard blades at Home Depot for around $10. A higher quality "bi-metal" blade goes for around $25 each. I've had the teeth break off of new blades too. I bought my old "PowerCraft" 64 1/2" saw from my neighbor for $25 last year! You can get a belt for the motor at NAPA, check the lube in the gear box, use a good hypoid lube, not grease. Mine doesn't cut perfect, but it suffices until I get a new one. When we all get our "stimulus package" I'll buy a new JET. (LOL)

        Dave
        "Bonne journe'e mes amis"

        Comment

        • BC Iron works
          Senior Member
          • Apr 2008
          • 170

          #5
          grizzly and enco have a lot

          Comment

          • Scarsman
            Senior Member
            • Feb 2009
            • 98

            #6
            Thanks. I think I will run down to Harbor freight and see what they have.
            "When life gets tough and it looks like the gators are going to get you, step back, take a deep breath, and start killing them one at a time, usually the closest one first."
            -- PAUL HOWE --

            Comment

            • WyoRoy
              Senior Member
              • Sep 2005
              • 635

              #7
              Originally posted by Scarsman View Post
              Thanks. I think I will run down to Harbor freight and see what they have.
              Do yourself a favor and source your blades from some other dealer. If you go with Harbor Freight don't expect much and you won't be too disappointed.
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              Comment

              • FusionKing
                Senior Member
                • Nov 2006
                • 4293

                #8
                I vote bi-metal. I use Lennox from my LWS

                www.facebook.com/outbackaluminumwelding
                Miller Dynasty 700...OH YEA BABY!!
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                Comment

                • Chuck U&R
                  Senior Member
                  • Nov 2005
                  • 130

                  #9
                  Take it for what it's worth -

                  I have a belt drive Enco (same as HF) 7x12.

                  If I want to cut say a 10"x1/4" piece and stand it up in the saw I know it won't be square, just the nature of the machine, cheap.

                  If I lay it down I know that the cut will load with chips and wreck the blade.

                  I keep my belt a little loose so that if the blade locks up the motor pulley
                  will spin inside the belt. It makes a horrible screeching sound but at least I
                  haven't ruined a $25. blade.

                  Also pays to keep an eye on a long cut like this and lift the blade occasionally
                  and clear the chips.

                  Comment

                  • dudical26
                    Junior Member
                    • Oct 2008
                    • 25

                    #10
                    Originally posted by Chuck U&R View Post
                    Take it for what it's worth -

                    I have a belt drive Enco (same as HF) 7x12.

                    If I want to cut say a 10"x1/4" piece and stand it up in the saw I know it won't be square, just the nature of the machine, cheap.

                    If I lay it down I know that the cut will load with chips and wreck the blade.

                    I keep my belt a little loose so that if the blade locks up the motor pulley
                    will spin inside the belt. It makes a horrible screeching sound but at least I
                    haven't ruined a $25. blade.

                    Also pays to keep an eye on a long cut like this and lift the blade occasionally
                    and clear the chips.
                    The blade loads with chips even with cutting fluid?

                    Do you have any other comments about this saw. I was planning on purchasing it as I thought it would be a better choice than the 4x6 that HF sells but if the quality is the same maybe I am better off just getting a small but high quality machine.

                    Thanks
                    Last edited by dudical26; 02-12-2009, 12:41 PM.

                    Comment

                    • Chuck U&R
                      Senior Member
                      • Nov 2005
                      • 130

                      #11
                      I'm just a hobby guy that likes to fabricate.

                      I've never run coolant, the saw came with it but I don't need that mess.

                      I run the second fastest pulley and control the cut with the down feed.

                      I think I'm on my 3rd blade. The first 2 taught me to loosen the belt.

                      I bought the saw at least 5 years ago (Enco $450. free shipping) and have cut tons of steel with it.

                      This saw is fine for my needs, I don't need anything fancier.

                      Comment

                      • Shep
                        Senior Member
                        • Sep 2008
                        • 111

                        #12
                        Here is a small tip for you for cutting wider pieces of flat bar etc. Put a bit of a spacer under the trailing edge of the material so the blade never cuts across the whole surface at the same time. The blade will only contact a small portion of the material thus keeping the teeth from loading up and breaking off.

                        Comment

                        • Chuck U&R
                          Senior Member
                          • Nov 2005
                          • 130

                          #13
                          Thanx Shep-

                          I never thought of that - good idea.

                          Comment

                          • vin-man welding
                            Senior Member
                            • Oct 2008
                            • 416

                            #14
                            Originally posted by Scarsman View Post
                            Thanks. I think I will run down to Harbor freight and see what they have.
                            i run a HF 64 1/2 blade and it works great i push it in the vertical position as hard as i dare wail I'm sitting on the bed and i haven't broke it yet. (witch amazes me as i thought the blade was a piece of crap) (bi-metal 10 tooth on sale $8 )
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