Beechwood Chip Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 I just got my first bandsaw, a Grizzly G0555LANV - 14". Specs say that it takes a 93.5" blade from 3/4" to 1/8". From the little reading I've done, I get the feeling that a "combo" blade won't do a great job of resawing, and also won't cut tight curves easily. And, every time I change blades I'll have to re-tune a bit (not like a table saw). People seem to respect Timberwolf, but there are several other decent brands. And, the stock blade is barely worth using. So, I'm thinking of getting a 3423VPC 93.5" by 3/4" by 2/3 TPI Timber Wolf Bandsaw Silicone Steel Low Tension Resaw Blade for $32, and a Timber Wolf Bandsaw Blade 93.5'' x 1/4" x 4 TPI for $24. I looked at 1/8" 14 TPI blades, but 1/8" just seemed too delicate to me. Does this seem like a reasonable approach? Also, can anyone explain the difference in price between this blade and this one? They seem to be identical. Any other advice? I'm a total bandsaw newbie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 We have the same saw and I will tell you that it will not properly tension a 3/4" blade. 1/2" is the thickest I have been able to get proper tension on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinF Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 Stay away from 3/4" blades with a 14" bandsaw, it won't tension properly, and you can resaw just fine with a 1/2" blade. I'd recommend the woodslicer, it is a great resawing blade, while your on the highland website check out their general purpose blades, I use the 1/4" and it's been a good blade as well. While your at it today check out this video, you'll be doing a lot less adjusting after blade changes if you follow his advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 For a 14" (and under) saw, get the 1/2" Woodslicer -- trust me... For bigger saws, look at Timberwolf, ResawKing, etc... But at 14", the Woodslicer is the way to go... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted July 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 For a 14" (and under) saw, get the 1/2" Woodslicer -- trust me... Do I also need a narrower blade to start, or can I just use the 1/2" Woodslicer as a general purpose blade to begin with? Thanks, everyone, for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 Thanks Colin... That helped me out, I have a minor problem with my band saw and the video you posted, solved my problem, I think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim0625 Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 I'll tell you what I did....I called Timberwolf and spoke to a girl one time and a guy another time. BOTH were soooo helpful asking me all sorts of questions about what I wanted to saw - green, dried, planed, etc and how much HP my saw had and the types of wood I'd primarily be sawing.....they seemed to know all the pertinent questions to ask. I would not speculate....they make the blades...they know the blades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 We have the same saw and I will tell you that it will not properly tension a 3/4" blade. 1/2" is the thickest I have been able to get proper tension on. Stay away from 3/4" blades with a 14" bandsaw, it won't tension properly, and you can resaw just fine with a 1/2" blade. Timberwolf blades are low tension blades...you don't need that much spine to run them. In fact, you feel all weird and dirty setting the blade per manufacturer instructions because it seems like it'll just fly off the wheels and cut your face off...but it doesn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteJr Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 I use an Olson 3/4" on a 14" Powermatic and the resaw quality and control are excellent. The Powermatic has the riser kit installed so the blade length is 105". The Olsen specs are 3/4" width .032 gage 3 TPI Hook style Raker set model# FB27305DB Flex Back I see others are not recommending 3/4" blade on a 14" saw and their advice is sound however I have had very good results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinF Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 Thanks Colin... That helped me out, I have a minor problem with my band saw and the video you posted, solved my problem, I think! glad it helped, I know it helped me out when I was initially setting up my saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barron Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 I'd suggest saving the Wood Slicer for resaw work, and use 1/4 or 3/8 for everything else. The Wood Slicer will work on more than resaw, but if you use it for your day to day work, it's certain that it will be dull when it comes time for resawing. At least that was my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted July 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 Is Wood Slicer available from anywhere besides Highland? I started to check out but they only accept credit cards, no Paypal. I try to avoid giving my credit cards to individual merchants. I like how they have a drop down menu for payment type, that only has one choice: credit card. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Highlands is great to work with and you will probably receive your blades before the cc clears! I've seen the video Colin posted several times so didn't bother to watch it again. So I don't know if it's where I saw it, but there are recommendations that you hone the back side of the blade and it really helps when cutting curves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinF Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Is Wood Slicer available from anywhere besides Highland? I started to check out but they only accept credit cards, no Paypal. I try to avoid giving my credit cards to individual merchants. I like how they have a drop down menu for payment type, that only has one choice: credit card.not that I have seen beechwood, the only other place I would think might be Amazon, but I seriously doubt it. The woodslicer is a highland product. For what it's worth, I've bought from them several times with no issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 I have known the owners of Highland for over 35 years. But I understand your reluctance w credit cards. I've never seen the phone / internet staff but plenty of the staff knows me on sight. Woodslicer on my 14" heavy duty Delta bandsaw has cut 8" thick dogwood and 11" poplar. Dogwood is brutally tough stuff ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted July 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 I checked Amazon first. Oh well, I'm sure it'll be OK. Working in computer security makes me overly jumpy. Thanks for all the great advice, everyone! --- Chip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 ==>1/2" Woodslicer as a general purpose blade to begin with Not good for curves... But 'general purpose' and no-to-very-gentile curves would be ok... It's a 'thin kerf' band, so you've got to be careful with turning radius... For general purpose, I use a TimberWolf or Lenox (which very nice, but more expensive)... I used to use high-end carbide blades that would last a long time and/or could be resharpened, now I get cheaper disposable bands... When a blade even starts to get dull, I toss it... My father-in-law purchases bulk Starrett and Lenox band stock and makes his own -- if you've got any metal working skills at all, it's the way to go... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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