Bandsaw Blades

[bruegf]

Until now I've only had a 50 yr old Craftsman 12" bandsaw that I rarely used and have never bought a blade for it, but I just bit the bullet and bought a new Powermatic 14" with the riser block option, so I'm curious what recommendations you have for bandsaw blades, both general use and resawing?  One of the things I see using it for is resawing some of the burmese teak I have, which is very hard on blades, as well as lumber I had milled from the 42" diameter oak tree that fell down in my yard last summer. 

Thx.

Fred

 

[jacko9]

Fred,

Highland Woodworker has a wood slicer bandsaw blade that I used for a bunch of resawing with very nice results.  I've sliced, Honduras Mahogany, Indonesian Rosewood, Oak and black Walnut.  I do understand your concern with the teak and I would save that project until last.  I'm using a 20" Powermatic Bandsaw which is over 30 years old.

Jack

 

[live4ever]

+1 on the Woodslicer from Highland.  Cuts are very smooth (still need sanding attention of course) and the blade cuts quietly.  Hardest wood I've resawn with it is Indian Rosewood and it didn't have a problem at all (1hp 14" saw). 

 

[bruegf]

Thanks, for the replies.  I'll have to get a Woodslicer ordered now that I have the saw set up.

Fred

 

[bruegf]

Another blade question, I see I can order the woodslicer in 1/2 and 3/4 and my Powermatic 14" saw will accept up to 3/4 blades.  For resawing, would I be better off with the 1/2 or 3/4?

Haven't ever done any resawing until now, so would be grateful for any advice.

Thx

Fred

 

[Daddy-o]

I have been lead to believe that the cast 14" bandsaws (particularly with risers installed) can not tension a 3/4" blade for resawing without deflection.
   
I bought the 1/2" Wood Slicer for my 14" Powermatic and have not had any problems in common oak and holly. Drop a line or give Highland Woodworking a call and see what they recommend.
   
Mike

 

[jacko9]

Fred,

I have the 1/2" blade for my 20" Powermatic and it re-saws very nicely.  If you are ordering blades you might want to get a 3/8" blade for general purpose bandsaw cutting.

Good Luck

 

[PaulMarcel]

I have been lead to believe that the cast 14" bandsaws (particularly with risers installed) can not tension a 3/4" blade for resawing without deflection.
     
I bought the 1/2" Wood Slicer for my 14" Powermatic and have not had any problems in common oak and holly. Drop a line or give Highland Woodworking a call and see what they recommend.
     
Mike

+1 for sure.  No experience with a 14" PM or riser-block bandsaw, but my old 14" Rikon would groan when tensioning a 3/4" Resaw King blade.  It worked great, but I could tell I was approaching the elastic limit of the spine

 

[bruegf]

Thanks guys, I'll go with the 1/2 blade and a 3/8.

Fred