[Marci MN]

I tried to find a post back that I had read back when I was lurking, about the prefered blade to have in a band saw to cut thick blocks. I cannot find it back.

Hubby and I cut our first pattern out of a basswood block 3 x 3 x 9 inches last night. We had to open windows down in the barn because it got soo smokey in there. The blade left everything a dark brown. Ugh.

This is a brand new bandsaw since last fall. Its a 16 inch Sears. We had the half inch general blade in there. To cut that pattern out took almost an hour because we had to move so slow.

Hubby says no more until theres something better done to cut faster and cleaner and less mini cuts ( I'd like to salvage as much as possible for scrap santas).

What do you suggest we use for a blade to get cleaner / faster cuts? I've got the ok to order one.. LOL

And a request to bookwriters. For total beginners like us, please dont just say " cut out with a bandsaw". Please show us how you hold pieces together to do the second side. We ended up using two sided carpet tape to hold things in place. And an outline along with the original pattern helps us beginners to know we dont have to have all the detail on when cutting out the rough out. *gets carved off anyway as I found out*

Thanks. Marci.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

I use an eigth inch skip tooth ... either timberwolf or olson all pro ... both are milled low tension blades.

[Marci MN]

Ok..thank you. I wrote those two names down and will do a search to order a blade or two.

[rick-in-seattle]

The problem is the number of teeth per inch.
Try a 1/4 inch 4 or 6 skip tooth, I agree with the blade brands Ed suggested.

The smoke is created when the sawdust is not removed quickly enough and there just isn't enough room for the blade and all that sawdust.

That creates heat, which in turn creates smoke, which in turn requires you to open the windows. (Cause and Effect)

[Mark N. Akers]

Marci:
I have tried alot of blades,and I agree with Rick I have had my best results on
cutting out a blank using a 1/4" 4 teeth per inch blade.It really cuts through the wood and you can turn it sharply very easy.Hope this helps you.

[arbarnhart]

The 1/2" part is an issue also. If you try to do more than a gentle curve some of the burning will come from the back corners of the band rubbing the sides of the kerf. I would go with 1/4" or less and if you go with 1/4" gently round the back corners (just kiss it with a stone while running, working it around the back to ease the corners).

[decoycarve]

A 1/2" blade is way too wide for pattern cutting. I uasally dont go that big unless I am resawing lumber. It also sounds like a dull cheap quality blade in your saw. I was at a woodworking show today and one of the reasons I went was to buy some new bandsaw blades and router bits. I have used olson blades for years but never tried the pro series. There was I guy there doing demos on these blades he cut the deer out with a 3/16" blade. Got a show special of 4 blades for $50.00 and he gave me the deer cause I look like Santa!
Don't let one bad experience discourage you! Get a good blade in that saw and you won't beleive the difference.
Goody

[Hugh]

After reading the posts about band saw blades, I decided to order from a different company. I had a few older blades left, but when the last one started to get dull, I ordered the skip tooth blades recommended. R&D Saw Blades. Boy was I in for a surprise. After using this saw for 18 yrs, replacing guides, etc, and doing just about everything possible, I had given up to making do. Thinking well that is justthe way a band saw works. The new blades run straight, even in thick blocks. Yesterday using a 3/8 skip tooth, I was cutting a 6 in thick block, and it went willing around all the corners without me backing it up, and it cut them straight. Just had to tell this story, and thank all of you for steering me to band saw heaven.

[wchips]

Hi
The thicker the wood you ase cutting, the less teeth you will want per inch.Ie 4tpi 6tpi ect. The reason is the less teeth you have per inch the more gullet space you have th carrey sawdust out of the cut. Too few teeth will not have the capacitey in the gullets to carrey out the saw dust. causing the blade to heet up and ruin the cutting edge.
Also on band saws the blade has to be sharp and adaqute set in the teeth
Have a nice day Lee

[wood-whittler]

this past weekend i purchased 2 timberwolf 3/16 x 4 tooth blades and man do they make a huge difference.i have used the timberwolf blades before and they sure are worth the extra money. i think i paid 38.oo for the two but it is money well spent.

happy cutting

bart