Official Luthiers Forum!

I know the topic of bandsaw blades has been done to death, but I can't seem to figure out an ideal solution here. I have a pickup truck full of mostly dry mesquite (between 15% or so to upwards of 30% at the core). I have a 14" bandsaw with a riser block and a 1HP motor. Before you say my bandsaw's not big enough, I spent a few days last week testing, and as long as I go very slowly, I seem to do fine. But I quickly dulled an Olson All-Pro blade on what wasn't a very large amount of wood. I have a 1/2" 3TPI all-purpose blade from Highland Woodworking I could use, but I can't imagine it would last much longer than the Olson blade did.

I have a maximum of about $100 to invest here. So I guess I'm looking for an affordable carbide tipped blade or something like a bi-metal blade, or ??? Anyone have a blade they can recommend for this kind of work?

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David Morris

I use Timber Wolf blades. For resawing on my 16" resaw, I use the 3/4" X 3TPI Alternate Set Special, which is a thin veneer slicing blade. All their blades are made to order, and the 3/4" blade is less than $30 in the 105" length.
It's been a long, long time since I used an Olson blade, but I am sure the experience was less than satisfactory.

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John

I use the lennox standard positive hook tooth 1/2" wide on my rock 14".
It's perfectly fine, as you said go a little slower than the big saws.
MM

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Mike McNerney

bi-metal for under 100 , grizz might have a cheap carbide for under 100??

So you guys are saying a regular all-purpose blade is the way to go then? Ernie, Grizzly has something they call "carbide embedded." I can't decide if that means they've got some weird method of doing a carbide tipped blade, or if they're somehow infusing the steel with carbide. Anybody have a clue, or have experience with these?

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David Morris

I tried the carbide impregnated blade, about $75 ca. made by supercut, woodsaver at a .030 kerf.
On a powerful wadkin machine it lasted about 1.25 hrs continuous in 3" AB fretboard stock.
I called them & asked about resharpening. Nope, all the carbide will be ground away.
I guess it depends what you are resawing & how thick.
The Lennox CT blade will cost about $150.
MM

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Mike McNerney

Wudworker can get a 1/2" bimetal blade for you. I bought one but haven't yet used it. I think mine was also 105".

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

bi-metal is best compromise between reasonable $$$ and expensive carbide Mucho $$$

Mesquite is one of those wood that seem to suck silica from the ground. I tried to cut a tree at dusk one evening while I lived in Oklahoma and you could literally see sparks coming from the cut. No rocks and no wire....just good silica impregnated wood. BTW, I personally love mesquite and love the smell while working it.

Mike

That's what I needed to know. Thanks for the report, Mike. I'll send Wud a pm and see if he can help me.

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David Morris

Now David if you feel really obligated to not have to work that nasty silica impregnated wood, I will send a truck!!!

Actually I have a live edge piece about 8ft long 4 inches thick and kinda like a pointed oval with the widest area about 30 inches. I keep looking at it for resawing but also keep thinking what a neat coffee table that thing would make!

Mike

Technically I've got about 40 acres of it, though it is family land. I have permission to cut up anything that falls. There's more Mesquite than I'll ever want, lots and lots of Live Oak/Post Oak, a bunch of Sugarberry and Bald Cypress. Eventually I will cut a pristine Mesquite tree and kiln dry it, but I've got more than I can deal with already.

Soon I want to start playing around with Sugarberry. I have no reason to believe it has good tonal qualities, but I'm still tempted by the possibility of using it as soundboard material. It would certainly look right, and it won't cost me anything to saw some up and bang on it with a mallet.

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David Morris

This seems like a good place to ask...

I have a couple of large Mesquite boards (see the "recent wood scores" thread for pics).

I haven't decided what I'm going to do with it, but for starters I'm going to build a strat and tele clone with a 'Texas' theme (someday).

What are some other good uses for mesquite in guitar building?

Does it make good backs and sides? How does it bend? What about bridges and fretboards, or even as a neck?

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Jim Hansen

I can pass on what I've been told, and maybe others will chime in.

I can't tell you how it bends, but this is how it sounds, at least in two cases:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jcm5399/2747461035/

Fretboards - yes, bridges - yes. I've been told not to use it as a neck, but I'm tempted nonetheless.

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David Morris

The bimetal blades you have can be resharpened two or three times before they are useless. Google "bandsaw blade resharpening" and you will find more than you want to know. It really doesn't take very long at all to resharpen one on the saw. I used to resaw Osage Orange on a 14" 1 hp bandsaw. It would dull a Woodslicer blade in about 4 feet. I don't know if the 14" is powerful enough to run a carbide blade through such a hard wood. I have a carbide blade (Lenox Trimaster) on my newer, bigger bandsaw and it works pretty well. The Lenox Woodmaster has too much hook angle for extremely hard woods--it jams and jumps on my 2.5 hp saw.

Yeah, I have a Woodslicer, but I'm keeping it away from the Mesquite. I'll save it for Maple, Walnut, and the like. Wud is going to supply me with a bimetal blade. I'm anxious to try one out. I'm sure I'll eventually try a carbide tipped blade too, which I wouldn't expect to have a problem on a 14" saw. I have little interest in carbide blades right now.

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David Morris