Source for good band saw blades

[Rod Nikkel]

It seems that over the last 2-3 years the quality of the band saw blades I have been able to buy has decreased dramatically. I can't get more than a month out of a new blade and I used to get several months out of them. I haven't changed what I do, so it has to be the blades that are different. Is anyone else having this problem? Where are you getting good quality blades that work for hardwood, softwood and some baltic birch. Thanks

[Bruce Wrenn]

Woodcraftbands. Just give them a call and tell them what you want to do, and they will steer you to correct blade. For me it's simple, 1/4" bi-metal. 6TPI, hook pattern. Cut THOUSANDS of TFT car bodies on just one blade. Blade lasted TWELVE years, before it finally broke (not at weld.)

[Jim Finn]

90% of my band saw work is re-sawing eight inch maple and cedar so I use a Grizzly 5/8" carbide blade and it cuts straight and fast. Lasts me about six months and I cut over 500 lineal feet this way every six months.

[Myk Rian]

For a 14" saw, I've found the SuperCut at HF are great blades.

[scott spencer]

Suffolk Machinery. They'll ask about your saw and what you cut, then make some recommendations for Timberwolf blades. They used to offer a "443" deal to new customers, meaning you get 4 blades for the price of 3.

[Jon McElwain]

+1 on the Suffolk Machinery/Timberwolf blades.

[Jim Rimmer]

Highland Woodworking - Woodslicer

[Montgomery Scott]

http://www.bandsawbladesdirect.com/

I asked woodcraft bands if they had a blade to cut 9" thick Gabon ebony; Nope.

Bought a Lenox Woodmaster CT from them for a reasonable price. I've bought lesser bands from Iturra and Suffolk for jobs other than serious resawing, but the woodmaster is an awesome band for big pieces.

[glenn bradley]

I wish I had some 9" Gabon Ebony to cut. Its available, I just don't want to pay for it :).

I have tried Timberwolf, Woodslicer, Ellis and another I don't recall. Timberwolfs cut faster. Woodslicers cut cleaner and thinner. Didn't care for Ellis and didn't even bother to remember the other one ;). I may have to give a carbide blade a shot one of these days but, I change blades for the task at hand and get good service out of the Suffolk and Highland WWing products.

[Erik Christensen]

bandsawbladesdirect.com - they totally rock. I have a 19" BS and the manufacturer saved maybe a dime/saw by printing one manual for both 17" & 19" saws with the only difference being the specs pages - cheap sob's. In my hurry & ignorance I read the blade length for the 17" when I placed my order. All their blades are made to order and I got some expensive ones - bi-metal & carbide. Was most bummed when I tried to put one on my saw. Called them up & explained the problem including the admission that it was 100% my fault. They said they would use the returns for a smaller blade order - took my screwups back and only charged me for the difference in blade length between 17" & 19" size plus a small weld fee. I was sure I was going to have to toss $300+ worth of blades.

prices are great, service is fast & customer service that can't be beat. I'll never buy blades anywhere else.

oh yah and the 1/2" carbide blade is so dang good I have left it on for months

[Lee Reep]

I've had good luck with Timberwolf and Viking. And I've seen several recommendations on Woodslicer, but not tried one.

No offense to Myk, because I've never bought a blade at Harbor Freight, but I usually do not think of "great" when it comes to Harbor Freight blades, or tools, other than in reference to price. :)

I could be wrong about their bandsaw blades, but I gave up on them years ago, other than for generic items like nitrile gloves and occasional-use tools like angle grinders.

[Myk Rian]

I also like Timberwolf, but I bought several 105" blades on closeout at HF for a couple bucks each.
HF does have it's gems. SuperCut is in Idaho.
http://www.supercutbandsaw.com/aboutus.html

[Yonak Hawkins]

I also like Timberwolf, but I bought several 105" blades on closeout at HF for a couple bucks each.
HF does have it's gems. SuperCut is in Idaho.
http://www.supercutbandsaw.com/aboutus.html

I could not recommend SuperCut. I've had real trouble with their blades as well as their customer service.

[Michael Mahan]

I use http://www.industrialblade.net/
best prices , shipped same day of order , fast shipping , great customer service

[Phil Thien]

bandsawbladesdirect.com - they totally rock. I have a 19" BS and the manufacturer saved maybe a dime/saw by printing one manual for both 17" & 19" saws with the only difference being the specs pages - cheap sob's. In my hurry & ignorance I read the blade length for the 17" when I placed my order. All their blades are made to order and I got some expensive ones - bi-metal & carbide. Was most bummed when I tried to put one on my saw. Called them up & explained the problem including the admission that it was 100% my fault. They said they would use the returns for a smaller blade order - took my screwups back and only charged me for the difference in blade length between 17" & 19" size plus a small weld fee. I was sure I was going to have to toss $300+ worth of blades.

prices are great, service is fast & customer service that can't be beat. I'll never buy blades anywhere else.

oh yah and the 1/2" carbide blade is so dang good I have left it on for months

That is amazing service, kudos to that outfit.

[Phil Thien]

I've read too many complaints about Timberwolf blades.

I like Iturra, and hear only good things about Woodcraftbands.com.

[Myk Rian]

I could not recommend SuperCut. I've had real trouble with their blades as well as their customer service.
Trouble, such as?
A statement like that is useless without more info.

[Yonak Hawkins]

Trouble, such as?
A statement like that is useless without more info.

Myk, I bought 5 blades. Within a couple of months they all had broken at the weld. I figured it was a bad batch of welds and, since they have a re-weld policy, I'd just send them back to be re-done. I also figured that since it was a bad batch, it would be in their best interest to pay for return shipping. They saw it differently. They would not pay shipping and it cost me over $12.00 to ship defective blades back to them.

When I got the repaired blades back, they all broke at the weld within 2 hours of use.

It's fair to ask if it was somehow my bandsaw or the material I was cutting or my method of cutting that caused the blades to break. I scrutinized the condition of my saw and found everything lined up, tightened up and functioning properly. Also, none of the other blades I use on that saw had similar problems and, really, I can't remember when was the last time I had a blade break except those 10.

The clincher for me was when I sent back the second batch, I was returned blades that were clearly not the blades had I sent. The blades I got back were rough-looking, rusty and dull. They were definitely not the blades I sent to them with only a few hours of use on them.

[Dave Lewis]

I've been happy with blades from http://www.bcsaw.com/

[Gus Dundon]

Used Haltbar 201 band saw blade for rough cutting. I don't recommend this for resawing though.

[Neal Daughtry]

I use http://buyfromawoodworker.com/Diamond-Bandsaw-Blades_c10.htm very good blades, prices and customer service.

[Erik Loza]

I've been working with a customer who has had chronic performance issues with his MM16. Swore up and down it was not the blades because he (IIRC...) was trying blades from several different vendors and still getting problems. Tension and tracking were good. He finally sent me a video of the machine. Lo and behold, all blades with bad welds. And these were from several unrelated vendors.

Point being that even the best blade stock in the world can be welded incorrectly, no matter who you buy it from.

These are the mfrs. I have personally used and whose stock I can recommend:

-Lenox
-Timberwolf
-Olsen
-Industrial Blade Supply

Again, the best stock in the world can be welded improperly so I would never discount a brand just because I got a (or a batch of...) lemons. I'd call the vendor and ask them to send me some replacement ones.

My 2-cents as always,

Erik Loza
Minimax USA

[Jim Matthews]

I buy my blades from Iturra.

If I have a problem, he even covers the shipping cost.
A little extra cost, an actual expert providing the service.

Money well spent, I say.

[Rod Sheridan]

Rod, look up saw suppliers in your area and go to one.

They make up the blades to order, they'll have a beeter selection of tooth profiles and blade material, at a much lower cost that store bought blades.........Rod.

[Curt Harms]

For a 14" saw, I've found the SuperCut at HF are great blades.

I've only bought 3 or 4 but yes, they seem like good blades & good value. I bought mine direct from SuperCut as HF only stocked 105". I was curious about the Grizzly 'carbide' blades and checked them. They kinda look like Supercut with their "embedded carbide". If I'm correct, Griz seems kinda expensive.

[Dick Latshaw]

Another vote for these guys: http://www.industrialblade.net/

Friendly, efficient, usually ship the same day, and the best prices I have found for Lenox blades.

[Jay Park]

Hmm, no love fore Spectrum Supply. They have the cheapest price on Lenox Trimaster and great service to boot.

http://www.spectrumsupply.com/trimaster.aspx

[Rod Nikkel]

Thanks for the info, everyone. I have some on order now and a list of other places to try if they don't work out well.
Rod, local guys haven't worked out for me. Closest I can get is 1 1/2 hours from he, and he would order in pre-made. Plus, he just shut down. 4 hour drive gets me to a place whose welds break in the first few minutes of use...

[Rod Sheridan]

Hi Rod, sorry to hear about that, I'm lucky, there are a few excellent companies in the town I live in.

I just order the blades and they mail them to me...............Regards, Rod.