good source for bandsaw blades

So where are you guys getting yours?

 

I've had good luck with bandsaw blades from The Tractor Store (TCS). The ones from Harbor Freight however, suck.

 

I use Lennox diemasters made to the length I need from MSC supply, expensive but worth it.

 

I don't have one my self, but at work we buy from MSC and Grainger. I think MSC had the best price for the brand that we like. Our band saws are cutting steel parts for weld evaluation about 18 hours a day 5 days a week so we use alot of them!

 

I usually hit the local Wholesale tool & get the blades in the discount bin , and re-weld them to required length....the most I have payed is 9.95 for a 180" blade....Other than that , if I was to order blades for each saw, I would not get the carbon flexback..I would upgrade to a Matrix style (bi-metal) blade in as fine a pitch as possible ( I cut allot of thin 4130 & Sheetmetal parts). I still have one such blade I purchased 15+ years ago , and I would hate to think about how many lineal feet of material it has cut....But they are not cheap...I think that one blade was 1/2 of what a 100" roll of carbon flexback was....but as Mr Mike said...well worth it.Shawn

 

If you need the 64" blades then Olsens is the better and i get them from Tractor Supply. I've tried lots of different brands incl lennox & morse but Olsens is better. I get the 18tooth.

 

Detroit Band Saw
Livonia, MI

 

I get mine from Tractor Supply,,they seem to last longer and don't snap like the cheap blades,,but they do cost more. HRP

 

Get to know some woodworking guys. 3 of my wodwrking friends have blade welders, come in handy

 

We get ours from MSC. Usually have them the next day.

 

Do you have a local saw supply company? In Houston, Tx. I use Circle Saw and I like the personal service I get when I walk into the store.

 

Turn on the band saw and coat the cutting teeth with parafin(sp) or candle wax....

 

McMaster Carr has a good selection of very high quality bandsaw blades.

 

Same here, they carry Starrett blades. If a Starrett blade breaks in the weld, they will replace it free.

 

DoAll invented them, they are the best made

 

+1 on the Harbor Fright blades, but the local store carries a a USA made blade that I've found to be pretty good quality.

Bob

 

All of ours from work come from our local Fastenal, seem to hold up well.

 

I have a wood cutting vertical saw I converted to cut steel. The welding supply store I get my gases from welds blades and I get them there.

Blue

 

x2 on Detroit bandsaw blades

 

I use these 2 company's also... satisfied with both. I use Grainger when what I need is in stock locally (Stockton, ca) and MSC for my special length blades... Harbor Freight baddd, reel bad.. In my Opinion...

 

MK Morse, OHIO made saw blades....Carbon, to Carbide, they make it all in the USA....Menards sell some, but RAM Sales in Cleveland sells them.....

www.mkmorse.com

 

Where is irrelivant , due to being on another continent ...
But I have mine made up by a local toolsharpener from a roll of stock , for $ 11 each , Best ever ! Dud blades can make using a bandsaw a chore instead of being the best timesaver in your workshop ...

 

Mine too. A 12" power king from the 40s repowered with a treadmill motor.
Its a really great tool. But takes a custom steel blade.

Thanks everyone !

 

If you don't already have one of these, its a very good tool to have. Checking the actual blade tension is sometimes overlooked. Just slip over a loose blade and tension. The dial indicator tells you how many thousands of psi the blade is tensioned. Then check the specs on your saw and that's it. If a blade is too loose, it cuts crooked and binds in the material. If the blade is too tight, then kiss your bearings goodbye. I just happen to have an extra one on ebay this week.

 

My buddy is semi-retired but still sells new & used racing parts for stock cars and does fabrication work out of his garage. I hooked him up with a computer a few years ago and taught him how to surf the net. When work is slow he researches a lot of stuff including tools. He spent a lot of time reading about bandsaw blades and trying different ones. The off-the-shelf blade he now uses is Vermont American from Home Depot. 1/2" X 64-1/2" with 24 TPI, VA part number 31149. He says they last the longest and cut great but he is also a stickler for running the correct tension, speed and pressure when he cuts steel.

He did the same research for a 4-1/2" grinding disc and now uses Black & Decker A24R # 33674. This guy is as cheap as they come but does buy good tools. He makes sure he is always getting the best bang for his buck.

 

In my shop Starrett, Lennox, and DoAll have all done well. What generally matters morr than the maker is the type of blade. Premiun bi-metal blades are more expensibe but more than make up for it in utility and life.

 

I buy the bulk Starrett blade packs from MSC and weld them at another shop as my saw has no welder. They hold up well if not abused.

My buddy with a big machine shop buys the Lennox, already made up. Those last a real long time.

Bob

 

Lennox from MSC