Bandsaw Blade Question

[Gene Michael]

My 92 1/2" BS blades are "triple folded" and hang above my drill press table. Yesterday, I bumped a brand new 3/16 blade off the hook and it fell about 20" onto the wooden DP table. The weld separated, trashing a $25 blade. Does this sound normal or was it a bad weld? I'm wondering how reliable the welds are on the rest of the blades. If they fail while in use, they could make one heck of a mess. Thanks for any comments and feedback. :eek:

[Jamie Buxton]

Breaking a weld with that little impact is not usual. Properly done, the weld is as strong as the steel around it.

[Jim Becker]

Bad weld IMHO. Probably good it broke in the fall instead of in the middle of a critical cut on your saw...

[Frank Drew]

I agree with Jamie and Jim -- "triple fold" shouldn't have overstressed the weld since that's how most bands are shipped (and how most are stored, I suspect), and no matter how high it fell there's wasn't enough weight behind it that the impact should have broken the weld.

The blade's not trash, though; just have it rewelded.

[glenn bradley]

Bad weld. Good timing.

[Jack Briggs]

+1 on the bad weld.

[John Keeton]

I remember a time when I "uncoiled" my BS blades by dropping them on the concrete floor and jumping out of the way!! Never broke a one.

By the way, I have refined my shop techniques somewhat over the years. I can now engage in combat with a blade without getting clawed up too badly, and don't have to resort to the "throw down" method.

[Eddie Darby]

Real Bad Weld!!!!!

I've bought a kit that lets me weld my own. Lee Valley sells it.

First time was a charm.

[Peter Quinn]

Da blade was bunk.

[Steve Clardy]

I agree with the bad weld