07-10-2012, 11:43 AM
Bob,
That bandsaw is almost identical to my B&Decker one, which must be around 25 years old now.
I see yours already has the ball raced blade guides on it, I had to design and make my own. If they are correctly adjusted, the machine can take up to 1/2" wide blades, they run a lot truer than the normal 1/4" blades that you can buy. Normal 1/2" carbon blades, I used to get from Axminster, for well less than 10 pounds each.
As far as I know, yours (and mine) take the same length of blade, which is 59.5" long. If you are just going to use it for non ferrous, then the 24TPI carbon blades do last fairly well, but as soon as it comes into contact with anything ferrous, say goodbye to your blade.
I have only recently started to cut ferrous on mine, so I had some 1/2" wide bi metal HSS blades made, as they are not a standard length, and they cut absolutely great.
Whether using carbon or bi metal, you must slow the blade speed down as much as you can (use the turny horizontal handle bit on the back of the bandsaw).
John
That bandsaw is almost identical to my B&Decker one, which must be around 25 years old now.
I see yours already has the ball raced blade guides on it, I had to design and make my own. If they are correctly adjusted, the machine can take up to 1/2" wide blades, they run a lot truer than the normal 1/4" blades that you can buy. Normal 1/2" carbon blades, I used to get from Axminster, for well less than 10 pounds each.
As far as I know, yours (and mine) take the same length of blade, which is 59.5" long. If you are just going to use it for non ferrous, then the 24TPI carbon blades do last fairly well, but as soon as it comes into contact with anything ferrous, say goodbye to your blade.
I have only recently started to cut ferrous on mine, so I had some 1/2" wide bi metal HSS blades made, as they are not a standard length, and they cut absolutely great.
Whether using carbon or bi metal, you must slow the blade speed down as much as you can (use the turny horizontal handle bit on the back of the bandsaw).
John