Thoughts on MK Morse Bandsaw Blades for Resawing?

[onocoffee]

Finally got that used 2004 ZMM Stomana B35SE (what I believe is also the Laguna LT14SE) bandsaw up and running. Did a test cut with 4/4 white oak and that old Resaw King blade is DEAD. Slow cuts, burning, I think it's toast. And since I have been unsuccessful locating a resharpening service that will resharpen bandsaw blades, I thought I would consider new blades.

A woodworker I know likes Lennox 1.6TPI blades but I don't have a dealer around me for those. Of course, the local Woodcraft has Laguna Resaw Kings (on sale this week at 20% Off). But the local sharpening company will cut custom length bandsaw blades and they stock MK Morse. Anyone familiar with their blades? I did a Google search and perhaps the replacement might be the MK Morse QuickSilver HEF Flex Back 1" width, .035" thick with 1.3 TPI.

Any thoughts? The dealer is closed until the morning and I probably wouldn't get it until next week because of the holiday. But I guess I'm in no rush - unless, it's better to go with the Laguna since it's on sale.

Thanks!

 

[Duckler]

I usually consider the price before most other factors.
If prices are within 10% then I might ask around on websites like the one called FOG.

 

[Cheese]

Some questions & observations:
The Resaw King has carbide teeth, the MK Morse has carbon steel teeth. Will you be resawing enough lumber or sawing harder species to need the carbide teeth? The carbide toothed blade will give you a 5x-10x longer life than the carbon steel blade.
Can the Laguna properly tension a 1" wide blade? I have an older Delta and it's rated to use a 3/4" wide blade but it struggles to tension a 1/2" blade...that's a typical condition for the smaller bandsaws. I had to change the tension spring to an aftermarket spring just to tension the 1/2" wide blade.
I'd think a blade with 1.3 TPI would produce a pretty rough surface. Your Resaw King blade is nominally a 3 TPI blade.
I presently resaw with a Doall TIN coated blade that's 1/2" wide with 3 TPI.
MK Morse makes fine saw blades I think you just need to think about what your needs are.

Over the years I've used Starrett, Lenox, MK Morse and Timber Wolf blades, they all work well. The larger/tougher issue is properly matching the saw blade to the application.

 

[onocoffee]

Some questions & observations:
The Resaw King has carbide teeth, the MK Morse has carbon steel teeth. Will you be resawing enough lumber or sawing harder species to need the carbide teeth? The carbide toothed blade will give you a 5x-10x longer life than the carbon steel blade.
Can the Laguna properly tension a 1" wide blade? I have an older Delta and it's rated to use a 3/4" wide blade but it struggles to tension a 1/2" blade...that's a typical condition for the smaller bandsaws. I had to change the tension spring to an aftermarket spring just to tension the 1/2" wide blade.
I'd think a blade with 1.3 TPI would produce a pretty rough surface. Your Resaw King blade is nominally a 3 TPI blade.
I presently resaw with a Doall TIN coated blade that's 1/2" wide with 3 TPI.
MK Morse makes fine saw blades I think you just need to think about what your needs are.

Over the years I've used Starrett, Lenox, MK Morse and Timber Wolf blades, they all work well. The larger/tougher issue is properly matching the saw blade to the application.

How much will I be resawing? This is a good question and since I will only be starting to do resawing, I don't have an accurate answer for that. My interest is to resaw 1/16" laminates from hardwoods such as walnut, maple, cherry - and then thicker cuts. I do have a Delta 14" to set up for curve cuts, so I can leave the LT14 with just the resaw blade.

As far as whether or not it can tension a 1" wide blade, I believe so. However, I don't know whether you include the teeth in width measurement or not? The old Resaw King that is tensioned on the blade now is 1" wide including the teeth.

One of the main reasons I'm thinking about the 1.3TPI is because when I was hanging out with Tim Coleman a few months ago, he told me he liked the 1.2TPI Lennox blade for laminate resawing.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

The thing about tooth-count is really concerning depth of cut. The thickness of the resulting parts is not relevant.
Since you seem to be wanting to cut "veneer", I assume as wide as possible. Lower tooth-count removes swarf faster and takes less power to do it. It also reduces heat, by clearing the kerf. Surface finish may not be the best, but it will need smoothing either way. Planer/sled, drum sander, etc.

 

[leakyroof]

Don't forget to research Highland Woodworking, and the band saw blades that they offer. I think they're the Wood Slicer. Anyway, I tried one for my 14" Rikon, the hype was real for my Resawing needs. really did a nice job. Anyway, talk to them, give a ring or email. They know their stuff with the Blades.

https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/woodslicer-resaw-bandsaw-blades.aspx