Bandsaw blade length

[Bill Antonacchio]

I have a specific question about the length of the bandsaw blade I will need for a bandsaw on order but this might be applicable to others new to bandsaws as well as myself.

The Delta BS150LS (I know, its not a very big or very good bandsaw but all I can carry and store) says that it uses a 72 1/2" bandsaw blade. Can I use a 72" or a 73" or do I need to special order a 72 1/2"? I will probably order a 1/4" and maybe 3/8" after I do a little more reading.

I thought I had read somewhere about a test to determine the extremes of the bandsaw tensioner that would give a range of blade that could be used on that bandsaw.

Anybody know about this or is the special order woodslicer the way to go?

Also, I found a Canadian outfit Spence Distributors
http://www.spencedistributors.com/index.cfm
that state:
Carbon Steel Hardback
Teeth hardened to 64-67Rc, Backing hardened to 42-48Rc
and can custom weld to any blade length and ship same day free using FedEx ground!

What say you that know about such things? Seriously, any suggestions would be appreciated.

Regards,
Bill Antonacchio

[Pete Simmons]

I have a Delta that uses 72 1/2 blades. I have a Delta 10" saw Model #28-195 right now. I use 72 inch blades all the time with no problems.

[Jim Becker]

Call the folks at Suffolk Machinery (http://www.suffolkmachinery.com) and they will set you up with what you need and not at retail prices, either.

[Bill Antonacchio]

Thanks Pete and Jim,

I am looking forward to having the saw and trying out resawing so getting the right blade is important to me to eliminate some variables. Now when it doesn't work well I know who to blame... the operator!

By the way, I found the article about testing for length I mentioned in my original post. It is from Highland Hardware here (http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/library/bandsawbladelength.pdf)

[Mike Swindell]

Check or call I think John at www.woodcraftbands.com he sells bimetal lenox blades in I think North Carolina. Great service and prices and perfect welds.
No affililation with Woodcraft.

Mike