Bought me a HF bandsaw but need good blades now

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Well Harbor Freight had their 200 dollar bandsaw on sale for 159 so I went ahead and picked one up. I have read alot about the main thing it needs is a good bimetal blade. I have a couple questions now.1: What TPI should I use for mainly cutting 1/8 to 1/4 steel angle and square tubing. With some light cutting of 3/8 plate.2: Were is a good place to order blades that has good prices with quality blades. I read a few days ago about some guy on ebay that will weld any size blade you need for about 8 bucks with 8 bucks shipping but now I cant find him.
Reply:Lenox blades are good.Rule of thumb = 3 teeth in the work.  So for 1 inch thick work, use 3 TPI.  For 1/8 inch thick work, use 24 TPI.  For 3/8 inch plate, that's roughly 8 TPI.And the same blade is probably not going to work (well) for 1/8 angle and for 3/8 plate.  Sorry.
Reply:You would be well advised to replace the lube in the gear box as well.  When I opened mine up there was a lot of grit or sand mixed in with the lube.Lots of threads on what is the proper lube just do a search.
Reply:I cut a lot of 1/16 and 1/8 inch steel.  I like straight 18tpi.  It works well for those thicknesses and is not as slow as 24tpi.    I have mine made locally for about 18 bucks each for those 64.5" blades.  Well worth the price for the number of cuts and consistency.  They warranty them if they break on the weld.  Home Depot sell blades for those saws.  The warranty them too and replace them if they brake at the weld.  You might only need to buy once blade and keep replacing it.  It is not worth my time to do that, however.oh yeah make sure your teeth are going in the correct direction.  A good way to ruin a new blade is running it with the teeth dragging over the metal.  If they are going in the wrong direction the flip it inside out.
Reply:I pay about 8 bucks each for mine...Bobhttp://www.countrysaw.com/Bob WrightSalem, Ohio  Birthplace of the Silver & Deming Drillhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/southbend10k/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sawking/1999 Miller MM185 w/ Miller 185 Spoolmate spoolgun
Reply:Thanks Bob.I'll have to check them out.
Reply:hi, here is the Morse blade that I bought that were recommend awhile ago. They are awesome and have held up really well. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg...mId=1613548618
Reply:The Ridged ones at Home Depot are also good.Me!
Reply:I agree with (ME!) I have the HF band saw and Used the blade that came in the saw until I got the cut straight, and the pulleys from the drive motor and gear box inline (to stop the loping) of the cutting arm. Then I cut everything that needed cut (scrap) bad ends and the like. Then went to Home Depot and got the Rigid replacement blade.Honestly not a lot of difference in the cutting though. But it will outlast the original I'm sure.Miller Thunderbolt 225Millermatic 130 XPLincoln HD 100 Forney C-5bt Arc welderPlasma Cutter Gianteach Cut40ACent Machinery Bandsaw Cent Machinery 16Speed Drill PressChicago Electric 130amp tig/90 ArcHobart 190 Mig spoolgun ready
Reply:Originally Posted by MoonRiseLenox blades are good.Rule of thumb = 3 teeth in the work.  So for 1 inch thick work, use 3 TPI.  For 1/8 inch thick work, use 24 TPI.  For 3/8 inch plate, that's roughly 8 TPI.And the same blade is probably not going to work (well) for 1/8 angle and for 3/8 plate.  Sorry.
Reply:Lennox are VERY good, long life and better than most if its ever overheated.  I wont use anything but Lennox.  If you have variable speed, you can make a 18-20-24 TPI work for most anything. Past .5" you have to reduce TPI or be very careful.  Sometimes those machines wont handle large stock with less tpi and or the larger teeth that come with low tpi blades.  Works great on a 1000.00 plus machine........500 AMP AIRCO TIG LINCOLN PT185 100% DC @ 128 AMP-WTFSPEED GLASS 9002X MILLER THUNDERBOLT 225HOBBIEST TURNED WELDING JUNKIE8 2ND FIRECAT - SNOWMOBILE RACE CHASSIS FABRICATORPRIDE IS WHAT MAKES YOUR WORK SO GOOD
Reply:What size is the blade (not to step on the thread) Mine is 64" most are 64.5"? Seems odd.I get mine for 7-8 bimetal from and amish man. He has an amish machine shop(like steping back in time) The whole place runs on a d. engine out back.reber
Reply:I just got the same saw for fathers day. I ordered a blade from enco and changed the sludge inside the gear box; I noticed little gold flakes (the gears are gold also) in the sludge and found a piece of broken casting in the bottom shaped like a bullet. Child labor just isn't what used to be. LOL