Replies

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Aug 26, 2003 07:27am | #1

   Did the band just break at the weld?  If that's all that's wrong with it, you should be able to get it re-welded for $20 or so -- lots less than the price of a new blade.   Laguna can do it for you, or there should be shops in your area which can do it.

1. 
   macker | Aug 26, 2003 04:01pm | #3

   No it was strange. It broke about two inches above the weld. I noticed that it wasn't running true. Seemed to have a front to back wobble in one spot, so I'd shut the tool off and was cleaning off the wheels when it snapped. The break is clean as a whistle, I can't explain why it happened. I put on another regular blade and checked all alignments and guides etc. and everything is true. I guess the band must have had a defect and it just failed. I doubt I would trust it even if I could get it welded.

1. 
   Woodcrazy | Aug 26, 2003 11:40pm | #4

   you could try Honig Industrial Supply 416 255  8143 in Toronto on Kippling - i just ordered a Lenox carbide blade from them, for my 14" BS.  i don't know what other brands besides Lenox they carry. There was a fellow on Weston rd in Toronto that carrys another brand but he has not replied to my emails.

2. 
   JohnWW | Aug 27, 2003 05:45pm | #5

   No bandsaw blade lasts forever, they eventually develop fatigue cracks.  This is one of the big complaints about carbide tipped blades, they break from fatigue before they wear out.  In general the steel bands of carbide tipped blades are thicker to give adequate support for the teeth, unfortunately the thicker steel fatigues faster. 

   You can reduce the chance of cracking by treating the blade as gently as possible: running it at the lowest tension that gives a good cut, backing off the tension when the saw isn't being used.  Don't fold up the blade to store it and don't twist it or force it when making cuts.

   You can try to salvage the blade by having the break welded, but other, still invisible, cracks may already exist.

   John W.

1. 
   macker | Aug 27, 2003 06:57pm | #6

   Thanx. Thats about what I'd figured had happened. Never realized that folding them could hurt them. Is this just for the wide ones or for all bands. You ever try timber wolf bands?

1. 
   JohnWW | Aug 27, 2003 07:24pm | #7

   GMack,

   I'm not positive that folding a carbide blade hurts them, but the folding process does put additional stresses on the blade and the folded blade ,in some cases, is bent to a tighter radius than when it is on the saw's wheels which isn't good. 

   I regularly fold ordinary blades, but at over a hundred dollars apiece, I give carbide blades extra care to try to get the maximum life out of them.

   I use Timberwolf blades for resawing, they cut very nicely and have good cutting life.  They're sold in the US by Suffolk Machinery and their staff is very knowledgeable.  There are several different types of Timberwolf blades, I'd call them directly to get their recommendation for the correct blade for the type of cutting you plan to do.  You can reach them at (800) 234-7297.

   John W. 

    

2. 
   mwinkle | Aug 28, 2003 04:45am | #8

   have haad good success with TW blades. They are great people and will make any blade y ou need.

2. 
   adair | Aug 26, 2003 12:54pm | #2

   I also live in Ontario....the jewel of the north, "Haliburton"

   R&D Bandsaws, 42 Regan Road, Unit 17 & 18, Brampton, L7A 1B4.

   1-800-461-3895, http://www.tufftooth.com.......speak to BoB. If all companys operated like this one, wood workers would spend more time in the shop rather than spending time looking for tools. They have shipped me my orders within 48 hrs. and if there is any fault in their products, they want to know about them, and replacements are sent. I will never have to worry about band saw blades again.

   Good Luck and enjoy......P.S. Bob does not suffer fools well

3. 
   AlanTurner | Aug 28, 2003 10:43pm | #9

   I have the Agazzani 20, with a 1" carbide.  When shopping for this saw, I learned that Iturra and Eagle Tools both recommended a 3/4" for the Agazzani 18", and a 1" for the 20".  I wonder if the 1.25" blade you had on your 18" was just too wide for the curve of the 18" wheel?

   Alan

1. 
   macker | Aug 29, 2003 03:09pm | #10

   The manual I have says it will take up to an 1 3/4". I got the blade from Laguna originally and you would think they would only supply a product condusive to their machines. I've contacted Timber wolf to see if they can recommend one of their blades. However when I visited their site, I didn't see anything 158", which is what my saw takes. God, I really miss using it. I prefer to rip on it rather than my X-31, but I have to make some bathroom cabinets and stuff from my honey do list and can't wait much longer.

1. 
   JohnWW | Aug 29, 2003 03:47pm | #11

   GMack,

   Somewhere in the fine print you'll find a note that all of the blades are custom welded from continuous rolls of blade stock, Suffolk can make a blade to whatever length you need.

   John W.

2. 
   AlanTurner | Aug 29, 2003 06:09pm | #12

   If I might suggest, try a call to Louis Iturra, and then follow his advice.  I would also buy from him without question.  His pricing is fair, and the advice is superb.

   Alan

1. 
   macker | Aug 29, 2003 06:36pm | #13

   Is he at TW?

1. 
   AlanTurner | Aug 29, 2003 06:53pm | #14

   No, he is at Iturra Design, in Jacksonville, Fl. Use 1-800 directory assistance, or search here for the #.