What blade is on your bandsaw right now?

[Tom Miller]

I recently read a tip in a FWW bandsaw article that someone here pointed out. The author says he keeps a 1/2" 3tpi blade on the saw as the default (he doesn't put much stock in the "3 teeth in the wood" rule of thumb). I don't know how many times I've resawed with a 1/4" 6tpi just because that was my default blade. Since the results were usually just passable, the experience was never very satisfying.

But a 1/2" blade makes so much more sense, that I've made the switch. The resulting surface doesn't really need any more work than a 6tpi blade would give, and now the saw is always ready to resaw like a champ.

That, and the new tensioner crank that I posted here have really made a difference in how readily I turn to my bandsaw.

What do you think?

Regards,
Tom

[BrazosJake]

That sounds like the Michael Fortune article, which helped me tremendously.

I currently have a 1/2" 3TPI hook lennox carbon on my Ridigd (105").

Since I don't have a TS, I also keep some 4TPI skips around (also Lennox).

BTW, the blades Fortune recommended as his all-arounds are Starrett 3TPI skip-tooth from BCSAW. I missed that the first time I read it and ordered bought a couple of 3tpi hook-tooth blades from them. The Starretts performed very well, but the shipping from Canada just got to be too much.

[drumpriest]

I have a 1/2" 3 tpi blade on right now. I've been cutting 1/16" veneers for use in marquetry, so that's why.

It is the blade that is usually on the saw, unless I'm cutting curves.

[foneman]

1/2" 3hook tpi

I have a Lennox 1/2" 3 hook bimetal on mine. There are some times it will not cut the size curves and I have to change to a 1/4 or 3/8, then that will stay on the saw until I need to do some more resawing. I always change to the 1/2" for resawing because it is so much easier on the saw and makes impressive cuts.

[Knottscott]

Timberwolf, 3/8"...I think it's 3 or 4TPI.

[pmf2000]

Timberwolf, 1/2" 3TPI

It seemed like it took forever to get everything going on my bandsaw but everything is working like a champ.

[John Hunter]

I keep a Timberwolf 1/2" 3 TPI in it.

[linear]

Timberwolf, 1/2" 3tpi.

There's a consensus forming...

[dkhoward]

1/2" 3TPI Timberwolf. . . . . are we sheep here or what

[wardprobst]

1/2" 3TPI Timberwolf. . . . . are we sheep here or what

This old goat keeps a 5/8" 3TPI Timberwolf on mostly
DP

[hermit]

I did have a 1/2" timberwolf 3tpi, but found I prefer the 1/4" 4tpi timberwolf for all around use. I think it cuts easier than the 1/2 believe it or not.

Todd

[NJFrank]

1/4 timberwolf forget the # of teeth, on a ridgid.

[Greg.B]

1/2" 3-4vtpi Iturra.

[SARGE..g-47]

3/4" 3 TPI variable pitch Woodslicer for re-saw.. used the 1/2" 3 TPI Woodslicer for years before going to an 18" BS..

1/2" 3 TPI hook Lennox bi-metal for ripping...

1/4" 6 TPI hook for curves on the smaller 12" Jet..

Regards...

[ChrisD]

1/2" 3 tpi BC Saw & Tool Co per blade recommendation by Michael Fortune and brand recommendation by John White.