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Thread: If not BC Tool & Saw, then who?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Shrewsbury, VT
    Posts
    142

    If not BC Tool & Saw, then who?

    A search on the underlying question here gave me equivocal results, so here's another band saw blade question.......

    I am a proponent of Michael Fortune's band saw philosophy: K-I-S-S. I last ordered bands in 2010 - 1/2" 3 TPI skip (Starrett Woodpecker), from BC, his favorite supplier, and just trashed my next to last re-purposing an old (very!) birch slab (hidden nails, and no, I don't have a metal detector.....). I went on line to order more (weekend - no phone contact) and it appears that BC was acquired by someone else and I can find no link on the website for band purchase. I need a custom length - 131.5": Grizzly GO513X2B - Looking on line, lots of links to Timberwolf, Wood Slicer, Lennox, etc, a few for custom length welders whose name I don't recognize......

    Anyways, who do you all patronize for custom length bands? Preferably Starrett. Looking for good welds, fast and courteous service and possibly sharpening service. And is there any good reason to move on from simple, inexpensive 1/2" 3 TPI skip? In other words, has technology passed me by in the last 8 years?

    I don't resaw a whole lot, but may do more in the future.......

    Thanks,

    Bruce

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Modesto, CA, USA
    Posts
    9,889
    I would expect Starrett to sell factory direct.
    Bil lD.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    LA & SC neither one is Cali
    Posts
    9,447
    I use predominantly Lenox but I do occasionally use (narrow) Starrett blades which I get from Iturra Design. If I were you I would get Lenox (just as good or better then Starrett) from CT Saw and Tool which should keep the shipping time low.
    Of all the laws Brandolini's may be the most universally true.

    Deep thought for the day:

    Your bandsaw weighs more when you leave the spring compressed instead of relieving the tension.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Bellingham, Washington
    Posts
    1,149
    I always buy from my local saw shop. Prices are better, custom lengths no problem and I can usually get them either the same day or within no more than a couple of days.
    Bracken's Pond Woodworks[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

  5. #5
    My local saw shop used to keep rolls of bandsaw blade material, and weld them up, but they always had a noise when the weld went through the guides. They now order the blades in, and you can't hear any difference with the weld. Still reasonably priced.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    East Virginia
    Posts
    830

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Lake Gaston, Henrico, NC
    Posts
    8,973
    I've never received anything but perfect blades from Bandsawbladesdirect but I don't know if they do the blade you want.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Harrisburg, NC
    Posts
    2,255
    Suffolk Machinery always served me well. http://www.suffolkmachinery.com/index.html
    Richard

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    SF Bay Area
    Posts
    330
    I bought Starrett bi-metal blades from Iturra Design, Louis Iturra. You have to call him (no on-line presence) 1(904) 642-2802. He is fast and very helpful and perfect welds. The blades are great. -Howard

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    N. Idaho
    Posts
    1,621
    I’ve ordered Lenox bimetallic blades from woodcraft bands in NC...if they are still around. Small shop, had to call last time. Good service and prices.
    "You can observe a lot just by watching."
    --Yogi Berra

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Shrewsbury, VT
    Posts
    142
    Hey, thanks guys. Some areas to explore.

  12. #12
    Louis Iturra. I've been doing business with him for over 20 years with nothing but expert advise and great service. His print catalog alone is priceless. He carries both Starrett and Lenox, and ships the same day via 2 Day Priority Mail.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Toronto Ontario
    Posts
    11,248
    Hi, I order from R&D Bandsaw in Brampton.................Rod.

  14. #14
    I order from Woodcraft Bands, in North Carolina. Family shop, phone orders only, great selection, excellent welds. They have an online catalog with pricing.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Burlington, Washington
    Posts
    72
    Bandsawbladesdirect for my Grizzly G0513X2BF.

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