Which Bandsaw Blade?

[roughsawn]

I'm wondering if there are other options, other than the 3/4" Laguna Resaw King blades that keep breaking on me.

Can you guys recommend a blade or two for me to try out, to see how they will work for me? I do mostly straight cuts, and the majority this winter will be resawing (up to 12"). What width, tpi, and material the blade is made of do you like for these jobs? Brand and model?

My bandsaw is a Laguna 14BX. 

[wtnhighlander]

A key to good 'resawing' is the ability to tension the blade enough to remain rigid against cutting forces. The saw frame must not flex. IIRC, the Resaw King is a fairly thick band. Also, running a thick band around wheels of smaller diameter can cause premature stress fractures, perhaps the cause of the breakages.

Maybe look at www.sawblade.com. For thick cuts / resawing, I favor a low tooth count. Wide gullets are needed to carry out the waste.

[Chestnut]

How do you mount the RK blade on your saw? You have to make sure are aren't putting the gullets on the crown of the wheel. It's a recipe for disaster. Mount the blade with the crown a bit behind the center of the band measuring from the bottom of the gullet to the back of the band. The teeth are going to hang off the front of the blade.

I have a 14bx and RK mounted. I've dulled 2 of them now sharpened the 1 and have been working on dulling it again.

Also when they break get replacements from Laguna. They have replaced every break that wasn't my fault.

[Chestnut]

Only reason i mention that is because i've looked at other resawing blades and the cost is just more. The Highland wood slicer is a good blade for resaw but at $45 a pop it gets expensive to run non-stop. I have to switch out for regular use and then switch in for resawing and that got old fast. Longevity wise it didn't seem to hold up super longer compared to carbide where i could easily run 4-5 in the same life span of 1 carbide RK. Using that math if i toss the RK when it gets dull it's still cheaper to run.

PS Ick the woodslicer is $49 now it used to be $30. It was not a bad deal at $30 but I can't swing $50. That's 3 per RK even with them snapping after 9 months i'd be ahead.

I used to snap a RK every 9 months before I figured out what the problem is. Again i reiterate DO NOT USE THE SNODGRASS METHOD crown needs to be just a hair behind the center line of the band from the gullet to the back.

I should note, that my bandsaw is the powerhouse of my shop. I do all my rip cuts there. My table saw is for cross cutting only really.

[pkinneb]

I use the Highland woodslicer blades on my 16" bandsaw and have for years with no issues. I have a Resaw king blade hanging next to the saw but it has never provided anywhere near the cut quality in my opinion. I watch for sales when they typically offer $5 off then I pick up a couple 2 or 3. I probably go through two a year or so in my work.

[Chet]

On 10/19/2023 at 7:09 AM, pkinneb said:

I use the Highland woodslicer blades on my 16" bandsaw and have for years with no issues. I have a Resaw king blade hanging next to the saw but it has never provided anywhere near the cut quality in my opinion. I watch for sales when they typically offer $5 off then I pick up a couple 2 or 3. I probably go through two a year or so in my work.

I have also used the woodslicer for years and never had an issue.

[roughsawn]

I ordered 3 Timberwolf blades last night, before I looked to see if there was any input here. I will look at the Wood Slicer, and grab one.

What size, and tpi are you guys running with the 'Slicer?

[pkinneb]

I use the half inch blades

[Chet]

On 10/19/2023 at 7:25 PM, pkinneb said:

I use the half inch blades

Same

[roughsawn]

I ordered a couple 1/2" Timberwolf blades, as well. I'm in the process of ordering a couple 1/2" Woodslicer blades right now.

Thanks for the input, guys.

[roughsawn]

Quick update, on an old thread. Laguna was a turd with helping me out with the 3rd broken blade. The guy I was working with asked me for pics, which I sent. After a month,and no word from him, I sent another email. Still nothing. Oh well...now I have an opinion formed of Laguna, and their customer service. It was the same run around when I tried to get ahold of them regarding the 8" Laguna jointer I was going to buy. No help.

The good news is...I bought both some Timberwolf blades, and a 1/2" Woodslicer...and have been using the Woodslicer  since then. All I can say is, "WOW"! What a huge difference. This is one he!! of a cutting bandsaw blade! I have a pretty big project going now, and am using a bunch of my rough sawn slabs. Both 1-1/2" and 2-1/2" slabs. 'Slicer is slicing thru this stuff like nobody's business. 1/3 of the price as a Resaw King, and for me...in MY machine...a way better blade!

Thanks again guys, for the suggestions!

[roughsawn]

Took a couple pics today, of resawing a 6' 3" oak plank, 2-1/2" thick. I planed it first, and got one side square to a face so I could reference the bottom and side of the plank on the table and fence of the bandsaw, and be square to each other. Worked like a charm, and the 'Slicer made fast work of it. No hesitation, steady feed rate, and the only marks were where I had to slow down to reposition myself on the cut.

Did I say I'm impressed with the WoodSlicer blade?...lol

[Mark J]

That's a big job, especially single handed.  Glad that blade is working out for you.

[roughsawn]

The slab was originally cut 10". It's (they are all) 9-1/2" now. So, in almost 2 years, they shrunk 1/4" on each side, for a total of 1/2". About 1/8" in thickness...give or take 1/16". Inside is 2% [moisture] more than the outside after resaw...and that has been acclimating in 2-3 days since I've been working with them.

[JustAnotherGuy]

I usually get resawing blades off of Sawblade.com. Not sure if you guys heard of them but they are actually great.