Bandsaw blade sharpening?

I have an Owens horizontal bandsaw that uses an odd sized expensive blade. I saved the old one thinking that there is SOMEONE out there that sharpens them for less than the $40-60 price of a new blade? I like to keep a spare on hand and that is a ton of money to just have tied up on a hook on the wall!

 

How long and what size is the blade ? example 102 inches long by 1/2 inch tall, etc? I might can make you one...

 

Just buy a roll of blade and a blade welder and start making your own.

You will always have it in stock and will be able to make them up in minutes.

 

Mine is an 8'10" by 3/4. Saw was originally a 5/8ths" but my pal I bought it from had to go to 3/4" from our welding supply and they work fine.

 

Crazy, didnt think of that!?

 

Good idea, might have to burn some brain cells on a coolant system!

I bought an Ellis blade but my machine tool guy sells Starett. Talked to him yesterday and learned a TON!

 

We buy all starrett rolls of blade.Have them from 1/4 to 1/2 and make them up as we need them.

I know that HF sells a blade welder for like 95.00.I have heard people haveing good luck with them.

 

I think all I have is 1/2 inch blade stock. I will check Monday.....

 

Another neat thing about having your own blade welder is being able to save a blade that has a bad spot but is otherwise good. Just cut out the bad and weld in a replacement piece. Anyone who has operated a cut off saw has had the experience where a snagged tooth or two appears and before you know it a whole section of blade is missing it's teeth, only to just keep getting worse resulting in a useless blade. Save two or more of these blades and weld the good sections together and PRESTO a "free" blade.

Frank

 

Wow! Such an odd question and a ton of replies already! Thanks so much!

 

Milford blades are what I use at work. I also use Bahco/sandvik triple-set carbide blades that with proper speeds, feeds and coolant will cut through anything and last a long time. Cost more, though.

even a box with a trash pump, and a section of hose is better than nothing for coolant....provided there's a way to capture the coolant underneath.

 

Try M.K. Morse Company for a new blade. The 115 in. x 1/2 in. on my HO CHE Min vert. band saw was only about $40.00 and its 4/6 varable pitch and bi-metal. That 4/6 pitch is a cuttin mammyjammie!!. Their in Canton, Ohio, but the blade weighs nothing so shipping wouldn't be alot.

 

You want a Bi-metal blade with a welded Hi-speed cutting edge. They are not cheap but if you run it at correct rpm will last a long time.



Ago

 

If your saw doesn't have a welder with it, anyone that has a decent saw like a DoAll can weld it up for you. MSC Direct also makes up custom blades at a reasonable price.

I have a Kalamazoo saw without the welder, I go to my buddy's machine shop and borrow the welder on his saw and make up 4 or 5 at a time. I use the Starret stock as well.

Bob

 

AMAZING info so far but is there anyone that can sharpen an old blade???? Otherwise this thing will become a Damascus knife in my forge!

 

only place I know of is Menominee Saw Co. in Wisconsin http://www.menomineesaw.com/

 

we use that for drilling, but squeezing the trigger gets tiring after a while, lol. Works though.

 

No info about sharpening...but
I buy mine custom built from a shop in phoenix and they are less than $35 a piece.

My verticle uses a 12' 6" blade and my horizontal uses a 3/4" 8 ft. blade.

I phone in the order and he ships to me the same day. I dont even drive across town to pick them up.

Search "The Saw Man" in phoenix for his phone number if you need it.

 

my bandsaw takes a special length too , so have to get them made...if was still talking to my brother i could get him to do it

or check out Supercuts , they will make any bandsaw blade and ship it to you

http://www.supercutbandsaw.com/index.html

 

you could just make up a drip system for the coolant.

 

The Amada I use also has 12'6" blades, though probably a heavier thickness....they come from Total Tool, whether they stock them or order them I dunno.

Dang, it's blizzarding out.

 

They use nothing but Lenox blades where I work. We order them by the roll and weld them to length. They've tested just about every blade on the market and Lenox has out lasted them all. I've heard they are expensive but the blade life more than makes up for it. They also have great support if you have any questions.

Jeeze, I sound like an advertisement.

 

I'm doing well with my HF 4" x 6" metal band saw.

Been buying Ridgid blades at Home Depot.
They seem the best so far.
Delta and Craftsman blades work ok too.
Run dry fwiw.

I think Home Depot carries the 102" blade.
May want to check.
Price may not be too bad, the 64 1/2" x 1/2" run about $10. per.

If Home Depot doesn't have them, it may work well for you to buy two of the 64 1/2" blades and weld them into one 120" blade.


I've heard of guys grinding a scarf joint on the blade and using silver solder to tie them together.
Seems brazing may work as well.

There are spot welder devices you can add to stick welders.
That may work ok as a blade welder once you got the amps figured out.

 

I work in a sharping shop and we don't sharpen bandsaw blades. It is cheaper and better to buy new. You should be able to find a sharping shop in your area that can make some up for u

 

Thanks, we have NO industry here so I will have to order em. Lots of ideas, thanks for all the input!

 

Trent- Machine tool in Eagan MN can build you a blade... I have a Lennox blade in my saw that is over a year old. I use it every day I would guess it would cost about $60-75 for a blade that size... I strongly recommend a Lennox blade..

http://www.machtool.com/

 

Be up there in a month for World of Wheels, we can catch up.

 

I get my blades from msc. I have a old rockwell verticle bandsaw and a import horizontal. I use lenox bimetal blades without coolant and have had good luck. The people at msc were helpful at picking the right blade for the saw. Do a search and find the nearest msc industrial supply to you.