Official Luthiers Forum!

Owned and operated by Lance Kragenbrink
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:36 pm


All times are UTC - 5 hours


Forum rules


Be nice, no cussin and enjoy!




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: 10" Band saw blades
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 6:01 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Sat Sep 14, 2013 9:46 pm
Posts: 755
Location: Napa Valley
First name: David
Last Name: Foster
City: Napa
State: CA
Zip/Postal Code: 94558
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I need to purchase some bandsaw blades for a 10" Craftsman Unibody saw. 70-1/2" in length . What do people prefer? I would prefer quality over cheap. Is there a good blade that fits the bill for most things or do I need to purchase two different blades?

_________________
https://www.instagram.com/fostinoguitars/
https://www.facebook.com/PuraVidaUkuleles/


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: 10" Band saw blades
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 6:20 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 2:35 pm
Posts: 2951
Location: United States
First name: Joe
Last Name: Beaver
City: Lake Forest
State: California
Focus: Build
It really depends on what you plan to cut, I use a 1" carbide blade for resaw, down to a 1/4" for sharp turns. Carbide is always best but it is not available in the narrower blades

_________________
Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: 10" Band saw blades
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 6:53 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 3:31 pm
Posts: 1682
First name: Kevin
Last Name: Looker
City: Worthington
State: OH
Zip/Postal Code: 43085
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Like Joe said, “...depends...”

I’d suggest looking at Olson or what Woodcraft has to offer.

Personally I like a skip tooth blade. They typically don’t come very fine but for me, they are much more manageable when trying to saw smooth curves. The surface may not be glass smooth but the curve is, if that makes sense.

Of course YMMV.

Kevin Looker

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: 10" Band saw blades
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 6:55 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 2:35 pm
Posts: 2951
Location: United States
First name: Joe
Last Name: Beaver
City: Lake Forest
State: California
Focus: Build
++ on skip tooth blades, they cut much smoother, less chip buildup and heat

_________________
Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: 10" Band saw blades
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 7:17 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Sat Sep 14, 2013 9:46 pm
Posts: 755
Location: Napa Valley
First name: David
Last Name: Foster
City: Napa
State: CA
Zip/Postal Code: 94558
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Thanks for the info. I won't be trying to do any resawing on a 10" Band saw with a tiny blade. Just an all purpose blade kind of. I do a lot of rough cuts on Elec body blanks and misc neck details.

_________________
https://www.instagram.com/fostinoguitars/
https://www.facebook.com/PuraVidaUkuleles/


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: 10" Band saw blades
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2019 12:32 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 2:35 pm
Posts: 2951
Location: United States
First name: Joe
Last Name: Beaver
City: Lake Forest
State: California
Focus: Build
Yeah, a 10" craftsman is pretty small. I use to have one been when I found it necessary to do re-saw I finally gave up and bought a 16" with a 1-1/2HP motor. I did like the saw, if I had room in my shop I would have kept it with a 1/4" 4-TPI Skip tooth blade. It sure would have come in handy.

_________________
Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: 10" Band saw blades
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2019 6:26 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2010 9:06 pm
Posts: 2739
Location: Magnolia DE
First name: Brian
Last Name: Howard
City: Magnolia
State: Delaware
Zip/Postal Code: 19962
Country: United States
Focus: Repair
Status: Professional
I have a little 10 incher for basic shop chores. Use two different blades mainly. 1/8" & 3/8". I find the Olsen ones to be about the best as far as holding an edge and not breaking. Starrett aren't bad but it depends on the quality of the braze that holds them together. IME the braze is where these blades fail, due to the small wheels i believe.

_________________
Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: 10" Band saw blades
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2019 2:56 pm 
Offline
Mahogany
Mahogany

Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2018 2:51 pm
Posts: 77
I had the same saw, it’s actually a Rikon 10-305 with craftsman’s name on it. 1/3 hp motor is too undersized for resawing but it was a good saw for most other things. I used Timberwolf 1/4 inch 3-4 tooth per inch blades for general use. It cut through most anything with it. Prob about 20 dollars a blade in the 70.5 inch length. I’ve since moved on to a Jet steel frame 14 inch with a 1-3/4 hp motor and 13 inch resaw capacity. It’s really absolutely no comparison. If you can in anyway swing the $$ for at least a 14 inch saw, it’s well worth the investment.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: 10" Band saw blades
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2019 4:01 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 12:12 pm
Posts: 3290
First name: Bryan
Last Name: Bear
City: St. Louis
State: Mo
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I have that saw too. It was my first bandsaw and is surprising good for its size. I was able to use a 1/2" 3-4 hook tooth blade to resaw to its full capacity (4 5/8" IIRC) in African mahogany. But just barely. In fact my first few instruments were designed around it's resaw capacity and have 9" lower bout width.

For making quick cuts around the shop, slicing up binding logs and cutting out curves in thinnish stock, it is pretty darned good. I keep a 1/4" blade on it. I used to just buy the craftsman blades at Sears but they don't seem to have them on the shelves anymore. I'm on my last one so I'm following closely here.

_________________
Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: 10" Band saw blades
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2019 10:39 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2012 8:49 pm
Posts: 951
First name: peter
Last Name: havriluk
City: granby
State: ct
Zip/Postal Code: 06035
Country: usa
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Seems lots of folks have this Craftsman saw. I agree with the posts above, it's a very useful tool for me, and it was, at the time I bought mine, the cheapest usable bandsaw I could find. I am lucky to live five miles away from a custom saw shop, and any blade i think of I can have made up and the prices are competitive with mailorder vendors.

_________________
Peter Havriluk


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: 10" Band saw blades
PostPosted: Tue May 21, 2019 10:40 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:05 am
Posts: 9191
Location: United States
First name: Waddy
Last Name: Thomson
City: Charlotte
State: NC
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
That's my saw too, and I generally use a 1/4", 6 tpi to 1//4" 18tpi blades depending on what I'm doing. If I'm cutting purflings, I use the higher tooth count. Less tearout. I have tried a lot of different brands of blades, and haven't really found a favorite. Don't like Timberwolf much. Bought some Powertec blades off Amazon recently that were thinner and cut really nice. They even had a 24 tooth that is great for purflings and thin parts.

My best attachment purchase for that saw was a Carter guide bearing attachment that has one slotted guide bearing that the blade rides in. I never take it off. It does reduce the height capacity a little, but it makes blade changing a snap with no adjustments needed other than tracking since all the other guide bearings are off or moved out of range. It allows for much tighter curve cutting capabilities.

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: 10" Band saw blades
PostPosted: Tue May 21, 2019 1:34 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2012 8:49 pm
Posts: 951
First name: peter
Last Name: havriluk
City: granby
State: ct
Zip/Postal Code: 06035
Country: usa
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Waddy, I'm all ears about the blade guide conversion you mentioned. Do you know where I could look for one? Thanks!

_________________
Peter Havriluk


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Duct Tape, wbergman and 55 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
phpBB customization services by 2by2host.com