Bandsaw Blades

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So what do you guys use for a blade? my new bandsaw is 64.5" (5'-4.5") and i can't seem to find a lenox carbide blade in that size. go figure. anyway, i want a blade that will gut thru my MS, as well as 304/316 SS and stay sharp for a while. i don't mind paying for quality, but it's kind of hard to pay for it when no one offers it in the form you need (size). anyone got any suggestions? i know a few guys have told me that the $10 blades at Ace and HD work fine, but i was really hoping to get a carbide toothed blade if possible. i also thought about getting a HF bandsaw blade welder and some carbide-toothed coil stock, but that gets expensive quick.Thanks!Later,Andy
Reply:You don't need no stinking carbide blade. Just keep the speed down to 60rpm while cutting SS and have it clamped good so it doesn't move. Once it moves, teeth will break...even if it's carbide.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:I cut a lot of 2" 316 SS on my band saw. I do not use carbide blades. I use Sarret M-42 balde I get from MSC. MSC lists those blades for your saw at around-$31 in my 06' catalouge sitting on my desk. They will also custom make carbide blades to your spec, 2 blade minimum order, 3/4" min blade size @$13/ft. The smallest blade I see listed is an 11'6" blade. Your wheels may be too tight a radius for this type of blade.Heres a few useful page to look at.http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNPDFF...1701&PMCTLG=00I sat here trying to read their online catalouge but its taking me too long. I'll swing by and see if I can grab a hard copy to fip thru and send some info later.
Reply:You won't find carbide blades that small.I have never seen a carbide blade smaller than 1" wide, which requires a pretty good sized saw. Lenox Bi-Metal is what you want. The actual product name is DieMaster II. I use them for stainless constantly (header fab). They work well, just go slow.  I tried Starrett M-42 to cut 1.5" diameter sched 10 stainless and it was hopeless. it was 14tpi though which might have been too coarse. Anyways lots of people really like them so if it is what's available then give it a go- but I am a Lenox guy after my experience with them.
Reply:Ok I just grabbed the MSC book.Here's the page for the blades you want, that I couldn't find before.http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNPDFF...1720&PMCTLG=00They list both the Sarret and the Lennox blades as doing what you want. I was just looking at the lenox blades and was going to recomend them also.The biggest thing will be getting the correct number of TPI for the material you plan to cut. You haven't said but the link I gave before should give you an idea what to look for.Good luck.
Reply:Originally Posted by CapnbondoYou won't find carbide blades that small.I have never seen a carbide blade smaller than 1" wide, which requires a pretty good sized saw. Lenox Bi-Metal is what you want. The actual product name is DieMaster II. I use them for stainless constantly (header fab). They work well, just go slow.  I tried Starrett M-42 to cut 1.5" diameter sched 10 stainless and it was hopeless. it was 14tpi though which might have been too coarse. Anyways lots of people really like them so if it is what's available then give it a go- but I am a Lenox guy after my experience with them.
Reply:Originally Posted by dave powelson6-Careful installation of the blade, then breaking it in, is strongly suggested by mfg's.
Reply:Here's a link for breaking in the balde.http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNPDFF...1719&PMCTLG=00Its at the bottom of the page.Heres another page you might find some useful info on http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNPDFF...1719&PMCTLG=00
Reply:Originally Posted by aczellerI have heard about breaking blades in before, but have no clue how... can you explain further? i'd really appreciate it.Thanks!Later,Andy
Reply:I agree with those who suggest keeping cutting speed low. I have a vintage 7 X 12 Enco Horizontal Bandsaw that takes a 105" blade. I run 5/8" width with liberal amounts of coolant from the built-in tank and pump below. The blades will last quite a long time on mild steel or aluminum. I generally turn the machine on and start my cut while I go and do other things. The machine shuts off when it's done. I have two 100' rolls of bandsaw blade stock. I made a jig on my milling machine so that I can silver-braze blades together. I just bevel them, match the ends and do a nice silver-braze job on the joint. A little grinding and you have a nice new blade. I've yet to break one where they have been brazed. Happy cutting!
Reply:thanks guys. i really do appreciate the responses. i hope to have a little review written up of this little baby in a few days. it's supposed to be cold and wet all weekend, so it sounds like a good time to go clean the shop, reorganize, and run a few tests with my new saw.Thanks again for all of the help!!!Later,Andy