Of the all woodcutting techniques available, resawing one of the very best in every aspect. From just some small logs, you can easily create lumber, book-matched panels, and thin sheets of veneer to decorate cabinets. All it takes is your creativity and the best band saw blade for resawing wood.
Of course, a table saw blade can also complete this kind of task, but a band saw always stand out in the final results. The power tool, without doubt, is good in a variety of applications, not limited to ripping and making intricate curves. But resawing is like its strongest point and what most woodworkers use it for, especially with the high cutting efficiency.
Assuming you already have a band saw at your small shop or home workshop, this article will be all about the cutting blade. We hope you can find it informative and helpful for your current situation.
Signs Your Band Saw Requires a Blade Change
With all the sewing tools, the blade usually defines the kind of cut you end up with. It’s amongst the components that decide how fast you can cut through a material and the kind of finish you end up with.
Unlike the jigsaw that has an exposed blade, however, a band saw uses a belt-like blade which can be quite boring to replace. Hence, you might even continue using a worn-out blade, which can lead to undesirable cuts or even damage the motor.
With that being said, here are some signs that could mean it’s time to change the blade of your band saw.
- Degraded cutting: this is visible when the tool starts struggling to cut through wood it has worked on before. You can also notice it when you saw it taking longer timer to cut or that you have to push the stock with a significant force.
- Ragged and Burn cuts: These two not only make your workpiece look ugly, but also unprofessional. It can happen when the blade is too blunt that it cuts with a lot of difficulties, which then results in increased friction and overheating.
- Smoking blade: this can happen if the friction between the points of contact with the blunt blade teeth become excess. Thereby, resulting in visible white smoke.
- Missing Teeth: usually, this is common in tipped blade teeth, whereby they start breaking after long use on hard surfaces.
- The blade has turned noisy and squeaky: basically, most powered tools do make some sounds during the cutting process. For a band saw, though, they are quieter than most tools. With louder or squeaking sounds when cutting, it would then mean the blade is [somehow] struggling and it needs to be changed.
- Saw binding: this can happen if the saw that you received with the machine has a very high TPI. Hence you need to lower the teeth count a little for high efficient resawing.
- Visible Hairline cracks: this is common in poor quality blades, but it can also get the standard makes that we use. In most cases, the cracking happens when the guides are defective or too tight and they subject the blade to too much stress.
Top Band Saw Blade for Resawing In 2020 (Best Picks)
In a hurry? Check the bestseller top Band Saw Blade for Resawing from Amazon. Just check the product link, the details and price.
The 7 Best a Band Saw Blade for Resawing
As with the majority of cutting tools, the blade of a band saw can be ground to restores its sharpness. Nonetheless, the tool uses a long blade [even 116 inches], which can be quite tiring and time-consuming to sharpen. As such, you might need to have an extra set of teeth that you can use with your tool before you can sharpen the other.
The following is a list that can guide you to choosing the best band saw blade for resawing purposes. We have selected the products depending on their high rating and recommendation by other craftsmen. So, you need not worry while choosing either of them.
1.Timber Wolf 3 TPI ¾” x 93-1/2” Bandsaw Blade
Overall, Timber Wolf is the number #1 provider of high-grade bandsaw blades that you can use for smooth and faster resawing. As one of their best, this particular piece comprises silicon-low carbide steel and a width of ¾ inches.
The blade is 93.5 inches long, which means you can use it with most14-inch band saws without any challenges. It has a thin kerf that allows you to slice your wood stocks cleanly and with minimal wastage.
The system has three teeth per inch, which provides the advantage of faster cutting also on the most suborn logs.
Summary Features:
- It consists of silicon carbide steel, which is strong and durable
- Best for slicing through thick hardwood stock
- It cuts through materials faster and with less wastage
- Can endure larger feed pressures without flexing [larger width]
- Has a thin kerf for faster cutting with minimal force
- Comes with sharp teeth and you can sharpen
- The blade runs on low tension [of even 1/8”]. Hence, it can use less horsepower
Weaknesses:
The blade is not a great choice if you need a perfectly smooth finish due to the low TPI.
2.Timber Wolf 10 TPI ½” x 93-1/2” Band Saw Blade
This piece is one of the better options when you want to achieve a smoother and cleaner finish on your wood stock. It has a medium 10 TPI setting and the cutting tips are sharp for immediate use.
The band blade consists of high silicon-low carbide steel construction. Hence, it’s surely sturdy and long-lasting. It has a lovely ½-inch width that allows it to withstand even greater feed stress without breaking or flexing. Moreover, it has a thin 0.042 kerf that enables use with even lesser horsepower without getting bogged down or pressuring the motor.
Summary Features:
- It features sturdy construction to cope with tougher applications and enhance longevity
- Can work with most 14-inch band saw tools
- Produces a smoother finish
- Cuts through most materials, including softwood, hardwood, non-ferrous metals and plastics
- You can use with both low and higher horsepower motors
- The blade can curve with up to 2.5” radius
Weaknesses:
You might notice it’s cutting at a slower speed due to its TPI setting.
3.POWERTEC 13210 BI-metal Band Saw Blade
As versatile as a band saw, this blade is surely a masterpiece. It comprises a triple-tempered high-speed cobalt steel construction. Thus, durable and tough enough to cut through hard materials, including hardwood and soft metals like aluminum, copper, and lead.
The blade has a length of 59.5 inches that you can fit to compact bandsaw models like the SKIL 3386-01 and WEN 3959. It’s available in various buying options, which include different widths and TPI settings. Hence, you get to pick the piece that will serve your desires and needs optimally.
Summary Features:
- The saw blade has a sturdy design to enable high performance and extended durability
- It’s available in 7 different buying options
- Cuts through hardwood and non-ferrous metals with ease
- Compatible with most 9-inch band saws
- Features raker teeth to reduce clogging when cutting softwoods.
- Has smooth welding for an optimal cutting experience and perfect alignment on the drive wheels
- It’s very affordable and you can resharpen
Weaknesses:
None we can say for now.
4.Timber Wolf 3 TPI ½” x 80” Band Saw Blade
With three teeth per inch setup, this piece allows you to resaw thick hard wood and fast. The cutting tips come sharp, allowing you to use them directly from the box. It has a sturdy silicon carbide steel construction, with a smooth welding joint to ensure maximum productivity.
The blade measures 80 inches long, which means you can use on any 12” band saw model from a recognized brand. It has a ½-inch width and a thin kerf. Hence, it’s strong enough to withstand greater feed pressures, while at the same time it can run on less horsepower.
Summary Features:
- It’s compatible with all 12” band saws that use 80-inch blades
- Has a sturdy construction, with smooth welding joints for maximum productivity
- Requires less horsepower to run
- Rips through most thick materials without bogging down
- Has a lower TPI for faster cutting, even in hard materials
- Can cut curves of minimum 2.5” radius
- It’s affordable and long-lasting.
Weaknesses:
Despite its faster cutting, the blade doesn’t provide a very smooth finish. So, you might need to do some sanding if you need a perfectly finer edge.
5.POWERTEC 13154 High Carbon Band saw Blade
Yet spectacular and productive, this blade can saw through hard and softwoods, as well as plastic and non-ferrous metals. It features a high-grade carbon steel material that is super strong and resistant to high temperatures that might come from friction. Hence, durable and fast in cutting.
The piece is compatible with all 9” band saws that can use 59 inches blade and it has a superb tooth design for high precision cutting. It’s very affordable and you can get it in various widths, including
,
inches. That’s not all.
The band blade is available in different teeth TPI count, ranging from 6-24 teeth per inch. So, you can always choose the one you need- finer finish or faster cutting.
Summary Features:
- It consists of a premium sturdy design for the best performance and longevity
- designed for 9” band saws that use 59- ¼ inch blade
- features multiple buying options
- Has a fantastic geometric tooth setup to allow straight and accurate cutting
- It’s very affordable and flexible in application
- The blade
Weaknesses:
Some users have had an issue with the material buildup in the teeth. Thus, you might need to brush them often.
6. Imachinist S523414 Bi-metal Band Saw Blade
This is a great alternative bi-metal blade that you put in your band saw if you tend to cut a variety of materials. It features a fixed teeth profile, with a Raker set and a 14 TPI count. Hence, cutting your material finely and cleanly.
Thanks to its ½ inch width, the blade can endure greater feed stress without bending or cracking. And it has an excellent, even welding joint to make possible perfect cutting without any compromises on the teeth or pulley wheels.
The tool blade has a length of 52- inches that you can use with your vintage 7-
” table band saw or a 3-
portable band saw.
Summary Features:
- It is for the small vintage band saw models
- Slice through stock with a finer, clean finish
- You can make curves of 2.5” minimum radius
- Features smooth and invisible welding joint
- Can cut through wood and soft-metal
- The blade has a bi-metal design, which is convenient and durable
Weaknesses:
It might cut slow due to the high TPI count
7. Timber Wolf 2-3 TPI ¾” x 131.5” Band saw blade
If you love working the heavy way, this piece from the Wolf can help you big. It’s made of premium silicon steel that guarantees you high precision cutting and long-lasting service.
The blade has a variable pitch tooth style, with a mix of two and three teeth per inch. Hence, an excellent choice for your large band saw which has the issue of too much vibrations. It has a inch width for a higher cutting radius and a thin 0.049 kerf to ensure easier cutting without requiring more power.
The blade is 131.5 inches long, which means you can efficiently install to your Grizzly Industrial G0513ANV 2HP or any other 17-inch band saw.
Summary Features:
- For use with all 17-inch band saw models
- It offers accurate and straight cuts
- Has a variable pitch tooth-style for maximum productivity with fewer vibrations and noise
- You can use on thick soft and hardwoods
- Features a thin kerf to allow easier cutting without your tool bogging down
- Allows you to cut curves with a larger radius
- The saw blade
Weaknesses:
The blade has a large width which might be tricky for it to auto-align when it veers off the drive system. Hence, requiring you to do it manually.
Buying Guide: Points to Consider When Ordering a Band Saw
Similar to most tools and accessories, cutting blades come in a variety of designs and settings. As such, you shouldn’t just load your cart with a product because it’s affordable or has the highest rating on Amazon. You should pick a system because it has the attributes that are in match with your needs and desires.
Some of these essential points include:
Length
Of all, this should be your first point of interest as every band saw has a size limit of its own. The number you choose has to conform to the industry specifications, plus the size and spacing of the band wheels. So, it’s of best you consult if you can’t find a spec label on your machine.
Thickness
Your blade has to have the ideal thickness if it’s to pass between the side guides and roller bearings freely. If the thickness is to larger, the blade will grind with the guides, causing slower cutting speeds and fast wearing out of the two. When the blade becomes narrower, on the other hand, the guide rollers won’t be able to hold it securely. Thereby impairing cut quality and also causing vibrations/ noise when in use.
Width
For this one, the size you pick defines the kind of cutting experience you are to enjoy. By the rule of thumb, the wider the blade, the merrier the results. For instance, the widest has the largest curves radius and it can withstand greater feed stress without bending or flexing. Thereby, allowing a high precision straight cut.
Tooth Geometry
The teeth of a saw blade come in several shapes and styles, with each featuring unique cutting efficiency. If we can start with the obvious, a high TPI equates to an increasingly smoother but slower cut. This happens as the more teeth have a smaller size and gullet, thereby leaving less room for the chip. But as more chips accumulate in the tiny space, the cutting resistance increases and reduces the generated power.
With the low tooth count, however, the gullet is spacious enough to hold the accumulated chip. Thus, resulting in faster cutting since there is less resistance in the point of contact.
Still, on the tooth, you can have a variable or constant pitch design. For the former, the alternating tooth space and gullet capacity help interrupt the sawing rhythms, leading to reduce vibrations and less noise. The varying pattern also contributes to improving the blade performance, especially when cutting harder materials.
Material
On its end, the material used often determines the overall capabilities of the blade, starting with what it cuts and for how long. For a model, bi-metal blades are highly resistant to wear and fracture due to the superior blend with high-speed steel. The tool is even able to resist high temperatures, thereby allowing its use on hard materials without binding or breaking the teeth.
Even so, carbide-tipped blades are far much superior to bimetal and it can slice through materials faster without overheating. Hence, taking you for a longer period before you can replace it.
The Band Saw Cutting Speed
That’s right. You should also know the surface feet per minute for your tool before you choose your blade. This will help you determine the kind of material or teeth to concentrate on. If it’s a high-speed motor, bimetals or carbide-tipped blades should be better due to their resistance to high temperatures [from friction.]
Commonly Asked Questions
Which Is the Best Band Saw Blade for Resawing
To say the truth, that would depend on the nature of your stock, the kind of finish you need, and how fast. Nonetheless, a 3-5 TPI blade with bimetal or carbide-tipped teeth could be sufficient with faster slicing without binding. Also, always consider a thin kerf blade.
Why Did My Blade Get Dull So Quickly?
There are several reasons that can make your blade to dull faster than expected. One is after hitting a hard steel object [like nails] with a blade meant for wood and soft metal. Secondly, you can have that issue if cutting speed and feed rate are too high. Moreover, cutting dirty wood and if the system is made of inferior material can make the blade to loose sharpness fast.
What Is A Raker Tooth?
Some variable blade tooth style has a setting with the teeth going to the left, one to the right, then followed by a straight, or unset. The straight or unset tooth is what is known as a raker tooth and it functions to help clean out the bottom of a cut. Thereby enhancing faster cutting.
What Should Be The Blade Size Of A 14-Inch Band Saw?
The size of a blade that a band saw should use usually depends on the size and spacing between the band wheels, and also the factory specs. As for most 14-inch band saw, the factory specs state that you should use a 93- ½ inch long blade.
How Long Should A Good Band Saw Blade Last?
Technically, that one depends as some blades can last years, others several months, and several only for weeks. With a quality diamond grit or carbide tipped make that you use occasionally, you can have it for years. However, with a bimetal blade that you use almost every day, it should serve you for several months with proper maintenance.
Band saw blade folding tutorial
Final Recap
Basically, most power saws come with an original blade that you can use for quite a period but in limited situations. So, for one way or another, you will still need to purchase a blade to switch with for particular applications or replace the old one.
If lucky and you get the best band saw blade for resawing wood stock, chances are that you’ll never need to buy veneers again. At the comfort of your home, you can easily convert small logs into these fine decorative covering. Hence, heightening your home décor without having to withdrawal from your wallet. And if you make furniture for your clients, then, you have an added advantage of reduced production costs.
Last update on 2023-03-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
