I’ve posted this message to several websites and have received no responses. Maybe someone here can answer my question.
Everyone knows that Starrett is known for their excellent precision measuring tools. They also are known for their saw blades. They have wood resaw blades, 4 tooth, skip and hook variety. They are sold under the name “Woodpecker”. Has anyone had any experience with these blades in comparison with Timberwolf and other premium blades? My impression being, anything with the Starrett name on it must be the best.
Replies
Bandsaw blades
At the risk of boring readers, in my opinion the best results come from using metalworking blades to cut wood. It may be the welds are more consistent, or the tension may be increased, but if the saw is sturdy then give a blade a try.
How do you use this forum?
Starrett Blades
I never knew that Starrett made band saw blades. They make a nice hacksaw and the blades seem on par with other brands, but I'm more of a woodworker than a metalworker.
Starrett Band Saw blades
Try a search for same on SMC - there seems to be a number of folks who feel the Starrett blades, especially the bi-metal outlast the Timberwolf or Woodslicer. Initial results also seem to be quite satisfactory.
I too find it interesting that some folks are using blades designed for metal to saw wood. I'm close to pulling the trigger on a bandsaw, and have been looking into this recently.
Then again, the most practical thing I've read on the bandsaw has been the FWW article by Michael Fortune in issue 173. He recommends inexpensive blades from BC Saw and Tool.
my understanding
My Understanding is that Starrett only sells bulk blade stock (both metal and wood working) to distributors or outlets that do the welding. That is, Starrett doesn't weld blades to size themselves, but will give you a list of vendors who will. Everything I've heard about the Starrett blade stock has been very positive, in keeping with their precision-tool reputation.
Starrett used to have a well deserved reputation for being the "best". I own thousands of dollars worth of their measuring tools, many of them vintage, but my experience with new tools ordered from them over the past few years is that their quality control and attention to detail has slipped badly. They may have since solved their problems but I wouldn't automatically assume that they are currently as good as their reputation.
That said, their saw blades in my experience are well designed and are of good quality.
Starrett used to have a well deserved reputation for being the "best". I own thousands of dollars worth of their measuring tools, many of them vintage, but my experience with new tools ordered from them over the past few years is that their quality control and attention to detail has slipped badly. They may have since solved their problems but I wouldn't automatically assume that they are currently as good as their reputation.
That said, their saw blades in my experience are well designed and are of good quality.
Starrett bandsaw blades
Thanks to all for your responses to my question. I will have to try a Starrett resaw blade the next blade I get.
I use Lennox saw blades.. I can find a local supplier that makes custom sized blades of any type.. Wood or metal.. I just tell the guy what I want the blade for and I'm off back to my shop with something that will work!
bandsaw blades
Try setting your saw up as M. Fortune explains in FFW#173 and order a 1/2" wood slicer re-saw blade from Highland.
You will be amazed by the performance on re-sawing. A few stokes with a smooth plane is all that is needed prior to finishing.
As to smaller blades I cannot offer much help as I use several different manufacturers and find little difference.
Generally I will use the cheapest and when dull change out the blade.
But setting the saw up as Mr. Fortune suggests will be a huge help.
Good luck,
Bill
Starrett Advanz bandsaw blade
I'm late to the party, but ... I got tired of blades dulling quickly on resawing hard woods (probably a lack of technique, and failure to properly break-in the blade), so I bought a Starrett Advanz carbide-tip blade (I called Starrett and they pointed me to EF Bailey in Seattle, who had Starrett drop-ship the welded blade to me). I bought a 1" 2-3 skip. I am extremely pleased with the performance and quality of cut (and the fact it hasn't dulled). The first photo shows the cut surfaces after sawing through a glued-up block of hard maple and Purpleheart. The second is a close-up of the teeth. The weld on the blade took me a bit to find as Starrett finished it nicely. The third shot is a raking-light shot of the resaw cut on an 7" wide maple board. I have trimmed 12/4 ends leaving a waste cut-off of 1/32 with no tearing.
I can't compare to other carbide tipped bandsaw blades, nor do I expect to have to in the future. But for me, the cost was well worth it (about $1.30 per inch, if I recall correctly).
My blades are from http://www.sawblade.com. My online experience with them was very pleasant. I was even surprised to learn that their blades are 30% lower compared to other brands. I got quality blades for a fairly reasonable price. Worth the try.
Starrett blades discontinued
I love starrett blades too.
I used there woodpecker 1.1tpi blade with the .023 backing helps me save a little woodwast and cuts wicked fast
but they no longer make this blade so i found a 1.25 tpi on a site called http://www.abetterblade.com and it for some reason is way better lasts longer and only has a .025" backing still helping me save on wood waste.
Full disclosure needed
The poster "morganhelshoj", is at best disingenuous and at worst deceptive when he said he "found a 1.25 tpi on a site called http://www.abetterblade.com and it for some reason is way better lasts longer..." because he is an employee of this business. He is described on the site as "blade department manager". He is also related to Torben Helshoj, the founder of this company as well as Laguna Tools. So when he says he "found" something that is "for some reason...way better", that reason is he's a company shill.
Try http://www.abetterblade.com
I love to use abetterblade they have all the sizes i need plus free shipping and same day shipping.
check them out
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