Resaw blade

[Derek Cohen]

My 1" Lenox Woodmaster CT has finally bitten the dust (literally, in three pieces). So, before I get another, there is the opportunity to instead get a Laguna Resaw King. These two carbide resaw blades are the top of the pops in my understanding.

I have no direct experience of the Resaw King (or other carbide resaw blades). What are your experiences with this blade, and has anyone compared the Resaw King with the Woodmaster CT?

For reference, using a Hammer N4400.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[David Eisenhauer]

For re sawing your typical hard, hard Oz woods? Looking for ease/speed of sawing or fine/clean cut (minimal cleanup afterwords) as a preference?

[Derek Cohen]

Thanks David. I am looking for recommendations for carbide blades that do this.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Tom M King]

I had a 1/2" Resaw King on a 14" saw, and that same Woodmaster CT on the 24". Different worlds on those two saws, so not really a fair comparison. I've never heard of anyone running a 1" RK, or never checked to see if they even make one. I can't see wanting to run a thin blade on a saw that will run a WM.

I don't think I would be willing to give up any speed, and ease of cutting that the WM gives, and the surface is plenty good enough for resawing. The quality of cut on the 14" with the RK was about the same as the WM on the 24", but the big combo is 20 times as fast, and that's from timing cutting the same thing.

[Russ Webb]

Derek, I lack your level of expertise and experience but I found the Resaw King blade turned a very low-end Delta band saw into a useful tool for resawing a variety of hard and soft woods. I have no basis for speculating how they would do with Australian woods. But the blade has been fantastic on North American woods.

[Steve Kirincich]

I just started using the Resaw King on my Felder bandsaw. I have read on several occasions about Resaw Kings that have failed during use

[Dave Cav]

I had a Resaw King fail prematurely a number of years ago, but I believe they have changed the band stock since then; I was also running it on a 17" saw which probably worked the blade excessively. I have a Woodmaster CT on my MM 20 and if it ever fails or wears out, I'll most likely get another one.

[Derek Cohen]

I have just ordered another 1" Woodmaster CT. It is available at my local Felder agent right now, and at a decent price (about $100-150 less than a Resaw King). The CT is 1.3tpi, with the RK is 2-3tpi. This is all about speed of cutting, with the CT the faster cutter. If the finish is comparable, then speed and price tips the balance in favour of the Woodmaster CT.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Allan Speers]

I have the Resaw King on my 21" Grizzly.

I probably have less total experience than most guys here, but I am thrilled with this blade. The finish is VERY smooth.

Speed doesn't matter to me at all, since I'm a hobbyist.

Since the RK uses high quality carbide, (it can be re-sharpened up to 5X) and is a bit narrower than the CT, I see no reason to even consider the Woodslicer, when replacement time finally comes around.

Of course, the Laguna is a bit more expensive, but that difference is peanuts over the life of the blade.
Also, the price isn't terrible if you buy direct. For some reason all of the retailers tend to charge more than Laguna, for the same blades. Or at least they did when I bought mine.
IIRC, I only paid about $200 for my 166" 1.25" RK.

[Allan Speers]

I just started using the Resaw King on my Felder bandsaw. I have read on several occasions about Resaw Kings that have failed during use


I wonder if that's mostly with small saws, and due to the stress from the extra bend angles?

[Bill Adamsen]

Gut sense is that Tom's statement about the thickness (and tension) is correct. I believe the WCT is almost half again as thick (.035" compared to .024") as the RK and if the saw can tension that, the combination is superior. I get about a year's life out of the WCT and it is reasonably (imo) priced.

[Charles Grauer]

Just for the information, to reshape a115” laguna resaw king is 45 or $48which includes return shipping. So add the shipping to get it there and you are at Apx 1/3 price of new. The one I sent in had so many teeth out they wouldn’t resharpen it but did sell me a blade at discount, I think 15% off and shipping paid. I was cutting chunks for bowl blanks and had metal and rocks in it. If I wouldn’t have wrecked it by being stupid it would still be going. It does a really nice job resawing on a 14” lagunia saw.

[Jared Sankovich]

I have the Resaw King on my 21" Grizzly.

I probably have less total experience than most guys here, but I am thrilled with this blade. The finish is VERY smooth.

Speed doesn't matter to me at all, since I'm a hobbyist.

Since the RK uses high quality carbide, (it can be re-sharpened up to 5X) and is a bit narrower than the CT, I see no reason to even consider the Woodslicer, when replacement time finally comes around.

Of course, the Laguna is a bit more expensive, but that difference is peanuts over the life of the blade.
Also, the price isn't terrible if you buy direct. For some reason all of the retailers tend to charge more than Laguna, for the same blades. Or at least they did when I bought mine.
IIRC, I only paid about $200 for my 166" 1.25" RK.

The woodmaster ct i just bought for the same saw was $125 in a 1" width. The 1.25 would be a bit more than id feel comfortable with on that particular saw.

[Derek Cohen]

The Woodmaster CT can also be sharpened. I sharpen my own bandsaw blades, and probably sharpened the past CT about 5 times over its lifespan.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Patrick Walsh]

Had a 3/4 RK on a 14” Laguna. I was not impressed at all.

Got a 20” MM with a 1” woodmaster ct and it’s a dream by comparison. Not even by comparison it’s just a dream.

As said above maybe not a fair comparison but I’d never buy a RK again..

[Kevin Jenness]

Derek,

Do you mind explaining your procedure for sharpening your Lenox carbide blade?

[Derek Cohen]

Hi Kevin

There are a number of videos on Youtube demonstrating a method, where you touch the back of the tooth with a bench grinder.

https://i.postimg.cc/cHppC10K/Bandsaw-sharpening-zpshsfsnsi9.jpg

My variation is that I use a diamond disk in a Dremel. It must be diamond to sharpen carbide. The blade remains on the bandsaw, and you just touch up each tooth freehand.

This is similar, but with the blade off the bandsaw ..


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-vcDSPNxPW8

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Kevin Jenness]

Derek,

Thanks for that. I have sharpened steel blades that way with a Dremel and will touch up my Woodmaster CT with a diamond disc when the time comes. It's a bit tedious on a 222" blade but less expensive than buying a new one.

[Patrick Kane]

I have only run the resaw king on my 20" Laguna. I bought the saw used, and it came with a 1" RK on it. I used it for a bit, and sent it off to get sharpened. After about a year of excellent performance, my uncle wanted me to cut an ancient corbel from his 1890s home. I dont know what was on/in the wood, but it cooked my RK over about 8-10" of cutting. Sent it back out for sharpening. About ten mins after putting the fresh blade on my saw, a ceramic insert came loose and cooked the blade again. I asked Laguna if they would cover a resharpening given the circumstances and they sent me a new blade. I didnt expect it, because my saw is 12 years old, and im not even the original owner. Still, im tickled that i have a brand new RK. On my saw, the blade performs really well. Ive resawed a lot of 18-19.5" tall stuff without an issue or drift. That original blade is from 2006, i believe, and i know ive had it sharpened twice.

that was always my big knock against wanting to buy a CT--the lack of sharpening service. Doing it with a dremel doesnt seem too bad, as long as it actually works. No matter which direction you go, I will never run another non-carbide resaw blade.