Best Bandsaw Blade For Resawing ?

[4estgump]

I have a Craftsman 12" bandsaw sander. I have never done any resawing on it.
My question is what is the best blade for me to buy? I have a 1/4" by 80" with 4 or 5 teeth per in. on it now.

All Help Appreciated
4est

[LCHIEN]

Usually for resawing you use the widest blade you can.

A saw of that size probably will not take over a 1/2" blade. Due to wheels, frame strength, guides, tension springs, etc.

With a 1/2" blade you will want to have no more than 4 teeth per inch, probably 3 tpi is ideal. That allows the cuttings to have some room to be carried out of the cut. Too small a gullet (space beween teeth) will cause the cuttings to ball up and keep the teeth away from the wood.

So look for a 1/2" blade with 3 tpi. If you can't find one ready made in your length, most bandsaw blade specialty shops will make one to order, no extra charge. Like www.suffolkmachinery.com. They make timberwolf blades, a very fine product.

[John Hunter]

I would go with a Timberwolf 3TPI 1/2" blade

[linear]

I'm pretty sure I have the same saw you have, and I have had very satisfactory results with the 1/2" 3tpi timberwolf. I've also run the 1/2" 4tpi and would steer you toward the 3tpi.

[Ken Massingale]

Timberwolves are my favorite blades, except for resawing. Call Iturra and ask for their version of the Woodslicer is my suggestion. Woodslicers and the Iturra branded version are the best I have used.
I use a 1/2" 3 tpi on my HF 14" saw.
ken

[drumpriest]

+1 on the woodslicer, though I've done it successfully with Timberwolf.

[SARGE..g-47]

I'll join Ken and Keith on the Woodslicer or the equivalent design from Iturri. I have not tried Iturri's blade yet, but if it is what they say it is (copy of Woodslicer at a cheaper price) it would be the more economic purchase. I have run the 1/2" WS 3 tpi for years and now run a 3/4" WS (newly added to the line) after acquiring a 18" saw.

Regards...

[SARGE..g-47]

I'll join Ken and Keith on the Wooslicer or the equivalent design from Iturri. I have not tried Iturri's blade yet, but if it is what they say it is (copy of Woodslicer at a cheaper price) it would be the more economic purchase. I have run the 1/2" WS 3 tpi for years and now run a 3/4" WS (newly added to the line) after acquiring a 18" saw.

Regards...

[SARGE..g-47]

Don't ask me how the double post occured, "computer illiterate" says it all!

Ha.. ha...

[Tom Miller]

I'm pretty sure I have the same saw you have, and I have had very satisfactory results with the 1/2" 3tpi timberwolf. I've also run the 1/2" 4tpi and would steer you toward the 3tpi.

Rob comes closest to addressing the issue I was going to bring up...your saw's ability to tension the blade adequately. Sounds like it should be fine, but if you can't tension a 1/2" blade adequately, then you'd be better off with a 3/8".

If/when you call Iturra or Suffolk, tell them the exact model of saw you have, and what you want to do -- they'll steer you to the right blade.

Regards,
Tom