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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on April 17, 2014 at 4:06am

the best thing you can do is find an old school saw blade shop who buy the bandsaw blades in huge spools and cut and join up a band to order for you, this is much cheaper generally than the ones which are pre made in standard sizes in the hardware super mall, and you can order a thicker 3/4 inch blade or whatever if ripping straight is a higher priority for you than tight corners.  They can generally make up a blade while you wait

I have a little 'toy' bandsaw too, (in addition to my big cast iron one, which i got around a year later)  it wasn't until i did this that the little one became really useful, the factory ryobi blades that they sell for it are shite.  Now its indispensable for little jobs, alum tailpieces, little bits of bone etc..

ask for one that can do sheet metal as well...

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Permalink Reply by jawbone on April 17, 2014 at 4:22am

I got myself a 14" bandsaw and cut my own logs. I whittle them down with the chainsaw until they will fit the band saw but I am still disappointed with how quickly they get too dull to be able to use the fence. I can still follow a line fairly well but it sure would be nice to use that fence more. I am still searching for the solution - resharpening is a tedious procedure.

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Permalink Reply by Skeesix on April 17, 2014 at 5:32am

I have a benchtop Delta bandsaw. The wood blades from the hardware store are too flexible and they wander a lot when cutting. I also cut metal fairly often, so the wood blades can get dull fast.

Now I get bimetal blades from McMaster Carr. They're stiffer, so that solves the wandering problem, and they seem to last a long time whether I'm cutting metal or wood. They also have more teeth, so they make a smoother cut.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on April 17, 2014 at 7:37am

Thanks for the suggestions. I had seen someone who had also suggested Lenox for blades. I don't mind paying extra, it probably pays off in the long run.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Walker on April 17, 2014 at 9:07am

Dan, I have a Ryobi 9 inch bandsaw too.  Are you sure it takes a 59 1/2 blade?  Mine is fairly new and I haven't replaced the blade yet but the documentation says 62 inch blade.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on April 17, 2014 at 12:46pm

This is a Ryobi BS903 saw with the 59 1/2 inch blade.

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Permalink Reply by darryl kernaghan on April 17, 2014 at 12:58pm

dan,th ph kids advice is sound,get 1 made,bi-metal or carbide,if you wish,carbide can be expensive,most good saw doctors will be able to fix you up,forget the off the shelf stuff,because with your purpose made blade will come a heap of good advice

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Permalink Reply by Titch the Clown on April 17, 2014 at 4:32pm

The number one thing you can do to improve the usefulness and tracking of your band saw is to set it up properly. My band saw works 10 times better after I set it up after watching this video by Alex Snodgrass.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGbZqWac0jU

TLDR version

Let the band saw do the work. Don't go too fast it pushes the blade too hard back against the guide and it twists, ruining everything.

Adjust the guides so they just almost barely touch the free blade.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on April 18, 2014 at 12:51am

Thanks. I am pretty sure I have it set up properly, but I am going to watch the video and double check to be sure. I am leaning towards the bi-metal blades. Most folks seem to think they are the way to go.

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Permalink Reply by jawbone on April 18, 2014 at 2:26am

Hey Titch - Thanx for that video - I'm gonna recheck mine - I'm pretty sure I've gotten a little lax on some of that stuff.

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