Bandsaw blade TPI Poll!

Patrice Lemée

Patrice Lemée

Joined
Aug 13, 2002
Messages
5,703
I need to buy some bandsaw blades for my Dewalt Portable bandsaw.
Although probably not at the local hardware store. They ask 40$ for a 3 pack. :eek:
I am sure I can do better on fleabay, just have to figure out a way to ship to Canada, anywho...

What do you prefer as far as TPI goes? I know they say 3 teeth on the material at all time but I've used different ones from time to time and did not see that big of a difference. I mainly saw thinner stuff, 0.250" and under.

Patrice

PS: CRAP! where did my pole go?
 
Thinner the material, finer the teeth, the cut is better and the teeth last longer. Also be sure to break in your blades, run a new blade at 1/2 speed and 1/2 pressure/feed for a few cuts then go back to normal settings.
 
I use Bi-metal 14- 10 tpi for the majority of my cutting, and 18-22 (i think) tpi for stainless. Buy only "bi-metal" blades.
 
10/14 varitooth lenox diemaster 2 for 1/8" thickness and up.

no good for the 1/16" stuff ! Breaks off teeth and causes all

kinds of headache !
 
I use 18 TPI Lenox bimetal for most of my cuts. 14 TPI for wood, 24 for blade profiles on my Makita portaband...
Emre

(You need at least 2, or better 3 teeth has to be at your thickness, for example if you use 10 TPI you can cut 1/8 thick or thicker stock. If you use it for thinner stock you'll probably break some teeth)
 
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Starret 24 TPI. The 24s cut a little slower, but they last forever.
 
I usually use 10-14 TPI for cutting thicker stuff like G10 or micarta and an 18TPI for cutting flat stock.

If you have a Fastenal store nearby, be sure to check there too. The store near me had potaband blades on clearance for 50% off!
 
Hi Patrice and everyone, I am a Lenox dealer and would be happy to send you what you need where ever you are, The blades are $10.20 each, I stock both 10/14 and 24 TPI and will only charge you the actual shipping charges. I use flat rate US mail. Many of you will have closer dealers than me but I am happy to help any way I can.
 
Mark Knapp said:
Hi Patrice and everyone, I am a Lenox dealer and would be happy to send you what you need where ever you are, The blades are $10.20 each, I stock both 10/14 and 24 TPI and will only charge you the actual shipping charges. I use flat rate US mail. Many of you will have closer dealers than me but I am happy to help any way I can.
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What type of blades are these? I was looking @ (93-1/2 in.) x 1/4 in. x .025 x 14/18 V, Metal Cutting, Diemaster2 blades if you have them. I'll order today if you can help. Thanks
 
Ive found if you want your blades to last.., 10-14 TPI for 3/16 material or thicker. 18 TPI for anything under 3/16. lennox diemaster 2 are the best!!
 
muleskinner222 said:
What type of blades are these? I was looking @ (93-1/2 in.) x 1/4 in. x .025 x 14/18 V, Metal Cutting, Diemaster2 blades if you have them. I'll order today if you can help. Thanks
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They are Lenox Diemaster II For that blade it is $39.95 each plus shipping. Now I guess I will need to up-grade my membership to "dealer"
 
I am fortunate to have Mark Knapp as my neighbor and friend. He has been able to custom make any band saw I have needed at a very good price. I do not think I have ever had any of his welds brake.
You should also check out his scales.
 
I use 10tpi Morse bimetal blades, but 99% of what I cut is 1/2"-2" thick. You want 3 to 12 teeth in contact with the steel. If you have too few you will tear the teeth right off the blade.
 
Mark Knapp said:
They are Lenox Diemaster II For that blade it is $39.95 each plus shipping. Now I guess I will need to up-grade my membership to "dealer"
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I should add that 14/18 pitch is also available, it is the best down to 1/8 inch thick. I stock them all and can cut and weld for any saw. I will up-grade my membership so I don't feel like I am sneaking stuff in.
 
Thanks Mark. You'll be getting my next order for a blade for my current 4x6 (but that may be some time from now).
 
Mark, I dealt with Lenox when I worked for Fastenal, GREAT BLADES the very best I ever saw and used and a great company to deal with. i only use Diemaster blades in all my saws.
 
Thanks guys, that gives a good idea of what to look for.
I cut up some what I believe is wrought iron that has been sitting at the bottom of the ocean forever the other day and I don't know if it was the shell like coating but it just destroyed my last blade.

Patrice
 
The silica in it is what destroyed your blade. I only cut wrought iron with a abrasive cut off saw, never the bandsaw.
 
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