Band saw blade?

[Timy]

I use a portaband with a swag table and seems like I go through blades a little too fast.

I use it mainly for cutting micarta and g10 (1/4-3/8) and blade stock(3/32-1/8)

How many tpi would you guys recommend for the above tasks?

Thank you in advance.

 

[TacticallySharp]

I use one also. Normally I have a 14 TPI blade on it. Micarta and G10 drives it wild and uses up blades pretty quick. I use a 20 TPI for my G10 liners.

 

[Drew Riley]

I believe I use somewhere around a 14-18 TPI blade.

 

[Sampson knifeworks]

For the blade stock that you are using I would use a 24 TPI Bi-metal M-42.
G-10 is just brutal on blades, period ! slow speed and Bi-metal, 14 to 18 TPI works.
Take care,
Clint

 

[PT Doc]

I think that Lennox makes an m42 bi tooth in 10/14 and 14/18.

http://www.lenoxtools.com/Pages/Product.aspx?productId=Masterband

I have used both bi tooth blades and have had no issues. There are material/blade sfpm/feed rates that I think are helpful to reference. Cutting dry reduces the blade speeds by 40%.

 

[Timy]

Much appreciated fellas!

I have found g10 isnt so bad, but canvas micarta is a bear to cut with a worn blade.

 

[Shawn Hatcher]

Are you breaking in your bandsaw blade?

 

[EdCaffreyMS]

Personally, after having tried various TPI blades on my portaband, the only blades I use now are 18TPI "cobalt" (4% cobalt) blades. As Shawn mentioned, break-in is very important to a blade's longevity.

 

[KenH]

Break in a portaband blade? Elaborate please. I've always just stuck a new blade on and started cutting.... Looking to learn something here.

 

[Timy]

Definitely not breaking it in...... Learn something, as far as breaking it in, I put her on and start using it ha.

Thanks guys!

 

[Shawn Hatcher]

Break in a portaband blade? Elaborate please. I've always just stuck a new blade on and started cutting.... Looking to learn something here.

http://www.starrett.com/docs/saw-resources/recommendations.pdf

 

[KenH]

Thanks for the link - I just read it, and since I'm doing a manual feed rate on a portaband, it's sorta hard to feed at 1/2 feed rate. I tend to use light feed pressure - depending on how it's cutting, so maybe I'm close to correct break in?

Ken H>