Bandsaw Blade TPI

JeremyBartlett

JeremyBartlett

Well-Known Member
Hey guys, so I recently got a cheap 4x6 horizontal bandsaw from harbor freight. First time using it I was cutting some 1.5 inch thick steel to make a squaring die for my press. Walked away for a bit and came back to the blade stuck and the motor fried. Not a big deal as I had an old grizzly 4x6 that was so wore out it wouldn't cut straight, so I pulled the motor off of it and put it on my new saw and finished the job. I want to order some new blades, mostly ill be cutting 1084 and 15n20 for damascus stacks and cutting damascus to restack and to make mosaics. I know I want a good bi-metal blade but I'm unsure of what tpi to get. The blade is 64.5". Also what brands do you suggest, I was looking at the Lennox diemaster 2.
 
For cutting 1/4" or less thick stock/material, I always use straight 18 tooth, or if it gets real thin, 24 tooth. I've never had any luck with the dual toothed blades such as 10-14, etc. Doesn't matter the tooth size combo, the larger teeth always seem to break off quickly, and once a single tooth gets broken, more follow quickly..... it's just a fast train wreck. I'd rather take a bit of extra time cutting, then have to buy/replace blades every other day (literally).

What you have to remember is that when saw blade makers recommend a specific tooth or combo toothed blade, it is in reference to cutting MILD STEEL....and the stuff we cut is a far bit tougher on tools/blades. Now, that being said, I do use large combo toothed blades on the 7x12 saw...... usually 4-6 or 5-8 tooth. But that saw NEVER cuts material less then 1/2", and if I try to make it cut stuff less then 1/2", it lets me know by quickly spitting teeth out at me. :)

Check out the folks at LA Cutting products. I buy my 7x12 blades there in M42 cobalt. Roughly $95 for three 7'9" blades, but I only go through about 6 in a normal year's time.
 
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EdCaffreyMS said:
Check out the folks at LA Cutting products. I buy my 7x12 blades there in M42 cobalt. Roughly $95 for three 7'9" blades, but I only go through about 6 in a normal year's time.
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That's the blades I purchase for my bandsaw. I've got a Rikon (111" blade) and a 4X6" (64-1/2") bandsaws and also use LA Cutting Products in the M42 Production blade. I placed an order last night for 1 each 111" and a 64-1/2" blade for a total of $51.90 shipped.

I sure do dislike the SLOW website they've got with all the "eye candy" each selection you make.
 
Owl said:
Any idea how the M42 blades last compared to the Lenox Diemaster 2?
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I've used both, and for what/how I saw, I can't tell much difference. Unless you can catch a sale on the Demaster blades, the M42 blades from LA cutting products are generally less expensive.

Ken: I agree..... LA has way too many graphics/animations on their website. I rarely use the website, and unless I have a discount code to use, purchase through their Ebay store. :)
 
From what I've read the general rule is that you want the tpi to be enough to where at least 2 teeth are in whatever material you are cutting (mainly applicable to thin blades). Personally I use Morse bi-metal blades on my portaband
 
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