New bandsaw and blade questions...

[TIM CARBAUGH]

I managed to do without a bandsaw for a long time. But I came across a great deal on a Jet 16" and pulled the trigger. But having little to do in the past with a bandsaw I need a little advice on blades. I am not really doing resawing at this point, but it would be mainly used for oak and pine, but also for cutting Kydex. My other hobby besides wood is molding knife sheaths and tool holders from Kydex, which is a PVC/Acrylic thermoplastic. I really got the saw as the easier way to trim excess after the molding process, by cutting the rough outlines of the finished product before finishing the edges. The plastic is between .06 to .093 thick. Is there blade that will do all? Or am I looking at a separate blade for the Kydex?

[Van Huskey]

Try this thread for general WOOD band info:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=149862&highlight=bandsaw

As for the plastic given it is very thin you will need a high TPI blade. Best thing it to call Lenox Tech support 1-800-642-0010. They are very accomodating. Be prepared with all your info such as type of plastic, thicknesses, what the tightest radius you need to cut etc and they will recommend the best bands. My guess it will be simply be a high TPI cabon blade like their Flexback. You can get double duty out of it with wood as well, but you will probably want more than one blade for the full range of wood cuts, more info about that in the thread I referenced above.

[Jim Rimmer]

Try this thread for general WOOD band info:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=149862&highlight=bandsaw

As for the plastic given it is very thin you will need a high TPI blade. Best thing it to call Lenox Tech support 1-800-642-0010. They are very accomodating. Be prepared with all your info such as type of plastic, thicknesses, what the tightest radius you need to cut etc and they will recommend the best bands. My guess it will be simply be a high TPI cabon blade like their Flexback. You can get double duty out of it with wood as well, but you will probably want more than one blade for the full range of wood cuts, more info about that in the thread I referenced above.
+1 on Van's link. And get Duginske's book http://www.amazon.com/New-Complete-Guide-Band-Saw/dp/1565233182/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1290478073&sr=8-1

[Curt Harms]

For cutting the Kydex, you might also benefit from a replacement blade insert. Some saws have quite a wide blade slot to accommodate tilting the table. This might result in poor support & vibration at the cut on thin material. The common "Delta clones" and Jet have aftermarket inserts available where you cut your own slot. I have a Rikon which does not have aftermarket inserts available but was able to make my own out of 5.5mm plywood.