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Seeking Bandsaw Blade Recommendations and Insight
I would appreciate any recommendations and insight in regard to bandsaw blades.
My shop presently consists of a 10" table saw, a 10" radial arm saw, scroll saw, router & table, as well as a selection of handheld power tools and other items. I am purchasing a bandsaw to increase my capabilities and am now down to finalizing my blade selection. After much research and consideration I have chosen the Laguna 18BX. (Sidenote: At some point in the future I may possibly purchase a 10" Rikon (or perhaps a used 14" saw) for smaller / detail work and to fill the gap between my scroll saw and the 18BX, but until then the 18BX will be my only bandsaw and I have other equipment needs before an additional bandsaw.)
Specifications:
18" bandsaw
Motor - 3hp, 230v
Blade length - 145"
Blade width - 1/8" to 1-1/4"
Resaw capacity - 16"
Throat - 18-7/32"
Guides - Laguna Ceramic
Weight - 410 lbs
My most frequent tasks will be:
General woodworking with a variety of wood ranging in thickness from 3/8" to 3/4", as well as 2" thick stock. Projects will include a multitude of decorative and craft-type projects, furniture making (primitive & simple designs and not so much fine furniture), and similar projects.
Resaw work will include a multitude of full 2" thick boards ranging in width from 5-1/4" - 8". I have a one-room schoolhouse (unfortunately beyond affordable restroation) that has an addition that was used for farm-type purposes, and I will be dismantling the building and repurposing the wood into useful products, requiring some of this wood will be resawn into thinner stock.
I may also do some limited tinkering around with a smaller log sections to create cookies or similar cuts, or to possibly create an occasional small project board. This will be conducted within the capabilities of the saw and my other equipment (chain saw, etc.) will be used where appropriate.
Also, my eventual plans are to obtain a portable sawmill to make use of the many hardwoods on my 103 acre tree farm. This wood will be cut to size, air or solar-kiln dried and used for a variety of projects, occasionally requiring further cutting and resawing on the bandsaw or other equipment.
Bandsaw blade collection I am considering:
Laguna Resaw King (carbide), 1", 3-4 Variable TPI
Lenox Diemaster 2 (bi-metal), 1/2", 4 TPI, Skip Tooth
Lenox Diemaster 2 (bi-metal), 3/8", 10-14 Variable TPI
Lenox Diemaster 2 (bi-metal), 1/4", 6 TPI, Skip Tooth
My intent is to be able to perform a multitude of functions with the saw, and additionally to learn of and refine my personal bandsaw abilities & needs. I have a preference toward quality and longevity, and thus my choice of brand-name carbide and bi-metal blades.
Any thoughts or opinions are welcome and it can be most helpful to hear of real world experience. I have done several hours of research but want to be sure I am on the right path before making a purchase.
Attached are pictures of the school and some of the type of products the saw will be used for. (Note: The school picture is mine, the others were obtained elsewhere.)
Thank you in advance!
My shop presently consists of a 10" table saw, a 10" radial arm saw, scroll saw, router & table, as well as a selection of handheld power tools and other items. I am purchasing a bandsaw to increase my capabilities and am now down to finalizing my blade selection. After much research and consideration I have chosen the Laguna 18BX. (Sidenote: At some point in the future I may possibly purchase a 10" Rikon (or perhaps a used 14" saw) for smaller / detail work and to fill the gap between my scroll saw and the 18BX, but until then the 18BX will be my only bandsaw and I have other equipment needs before an additional bandsaw.)
Specifications:
18" bandsaw
Motor - 3hp, 230v
Blade length - 145"
Blade width - 1/8" to 1-1/4"
Resaw capacity - 16"
Throat - 18-7/32"
Guides - Laguna Ceramic
Weight - 410 lbs
My most frequent tasks will be:
General woodworking with a variety of wood ranging in thickness from 3/8" to 3/4", as well as 2" thick stock. Projects will include a multitude of decorative and craft-type projects, furniture making (primitive & simple designs and not so much fine furniture), and similar projects.
Resaw work will include a multitude of full 2" thick boards ranging in width from 5-1/4" - 8". I have a one-room schoolhouse (unfortunately beyond affordable restroation) that has an addition that was used for farm-type purposes, and I will be dismantling the building and repurposing the wood into useful products, requiring some of this wood will be resawn into thinner stock.
I may also do some limited tinkering around with a smaller log sections to create cookies or similar cuts, or to possibly create an occasional small project board. This will be conducted within the capabilities of the saw and my other equipment (chain saw, etc.) will be used where appropriate.
Also, my eventual plans are to obtain a portable sawmill to make use of the many hardwoods on my 103 acre tree farm. This wood will be cut to size, air or solar-kiln dried and used for a variety of projects, occasionally requiring further cutting and resawing on the bandsaw or other equipment.
Bandsaw blade collection I am considering:
Laguna Resaw King (carbide), 1", 3-4 Variable TPI
Lenox Diemaster 2 (bi-metal), 1/2", 4 TPI, Skip Tooth
Lenox Diemaster 2 (bi-metal), 3/8", 10-14 Variable TPI
Lenox Diemaster 2 (bi-metal), 1/4", 6 TPI, Skip Tooth
My intent is to be able to perform a multitude of functions with the saw, and additionally to learn of and refine my personal bandsaw abilities & needs. I have a preference toward quality and longevity, and thus my choice of brand-name carbide and bi-metal blades.
Any thoughts or opinions are welcome and it can be most helpful to hear of real world experience. I have done several hours of research but want to be sure I am on the right path before making a purchase.
Attached are pictures of the school and some of the type of products the saw will be used for. (Note: The school picture is mine, the others were obtained elsewhere.)
Thank you in advance!
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1 - 17 of 17 Posts
Forgot to mention I have the 3/4 Resaw King. It is a sweet blade indeed. Make sure your table is 90 to the blade! Produces a slightly rough finish so you'll want to joint and plane it after sawing.
I would also get a scanning wand just to make sure there's no metal in the material you're resawing, particularly anything that still has bark on it, or especially on any repurposed wood. See pix.
I would also get a scanning wand just to make sure there's no metal in the material you're resawing, particularly anything that still has bark on it, or especially on any repurposed wood. See pix.
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I think you're wise to use a cheaper blade for rough material, as you described it. Nice deal on the saw. I'm recalling the posts about using the 3/4 resaw blade rather than 1 inch. Seems to me someone mentioned that the extra quarter inch adds stiffness that results in extra stress on the blade and earlier failure. On my 14 inch, I was able to do a pretty good resaw with a half inch blade. I imagine you could find a 3/4 skip tooth, 3TPI blade suitable for resawing rough stock. Probably have to special order it.
Congratulations on your choice. That is one sweet saw. I went down to Laguna with an engineer friend who bought the 18 inch Laguna. He was struck by the quality of the engineering and manufacturing, in particular the heavy duty bearings and the finish machining and polish of the wheels.
I know that Laguna has an automatic sharpening machine (saw it working) and they can repair their blades as well.
Thought you might also like to see the light I put on my 14 inch saw. Used the existing mounting holes so I didn't have to drill a new saw. The little LED bulb is extremely bright, and the lamp cost about $10.
One last item, I use the gadget in the picture to slightly round over the back edges of the blades. Makes them run smoother, and makes it just a bit earier to make a turning cut. Takes about 30-45 seconds, particularly with a really long blade--don't over do it. Costs a couple of bucks.
Congratulations on your choice. That is one sweet saw. I went down to Laguna with an engineer friend who bought the 18 inch Laguna. He was struck by the quality of the engineering and manufacturing, in particular the heavy duty bearings and the finish machining and polish of the wheels.
I know that Laguna has an automatic sharpening machine (saw it working) and they can repair their blades as well.
Thought you might also like to see the light I put on my 14 inch saw. Used the existing mounting holes so I didn't have to drill a new saw. The little LED bulb is extremely bright, and the lamp cost about $10.
One last item, I use the gadget in the picture to slightly round over the back edges of the blades. Makes them run smoother, and makes it just a bit earier to make a turning cut. Takes about 30-45 seconds, particularly with a really long blade--don't over do it. Costs a couple of bucks.
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1 - 17 of 17 Posts
