Craftsman 21400 bandsaw observations

[cgallery]

I recently acquired a new-to-me Craftsman 10" bandsaw (21400) that was fitted with a very dull (quite used) 3/8" blade.

My initial cuts were not impressive. I picked up a couple of new 1/4" blades at Sears (the only size they had in stock), and noticed when I opened one that it was thicker than the blade that came w/ the saw. Measuring seemed to indicate a thickness of .025" (new blade) and .014" (old blade). I think I have those measurements right.

ANYWAY, installing the new blade was a substantial improvement. I actually did a little resawing with it and it did a nice job.

But having used thinner blades on my old Inca bandsaw, I realized that the finer kerf meant more power. I did a little research online and read a few comments from heavy-duty bandsaw users that initial (factory new) sharpening on bandsaw blades isn't that great. That, these users routinely sharpen their blades and they are sharper than new, and last longer than the initial sharpening, too.

A 6-TPI 70.5-inch blade has 423 teeth, and takes about 20-minutes to sharpen with a diamond file. Yeah, I tried it. And man, it gets sharp. I'm a convert. The hand-sharpened 3/8" blade is substantially sharper than the new 1/4" blades.

I don't mind spending $8 to $15 for a new blade. But sharpening the blade by hand makes a used blade outperform a new one.

So if you ever have 20-minutes to kill and want to create an ultra-sharp blade, give it a try.

And now a question: Anyone know where I can get 70.5-inch .014" thick blades? The Sears blades are fine, but I wouldn't mind having a few more of the thinner ones. I can find .014" blades but not in the right length.

[dbhost]

Not sure about the thickness, but don't timberwolf blades come in custom sizes?

[cgallery]

Not sure about the thickness, but don't timberwolf blades come in custom sizes?

Yeah, but I was hoping to find the thinner blade stock. I think Timberwolf blades only get down to .025".

I think bcsaw.com can make 'em. I'll call them tomorrow. I was hoping to find one more supplier. I know MK Morse makes portable bandsaw blades at .014" thick, but they don't offer custom sizes.

[LCHIEN]

With thinner blades Sure the kerf is smaller and the sawing effort less.

I'm not an expert on this but there are some negative tradeoffs to thinner blades for BS.
At the same tension on the blade (in pounds) the stress is much higher (in pounds per square inch) so the thinner blade is more likely to break sooner from use, especially when bent over wheels for many cycles of bending. Aslo the weld is thinner and has higher stresses, the weld will also break down sooner.

maybe to make them last longer under the stresses, they make them of softer material which makes them wear out (dulling) sooner.

Probably the guys at Timberwolf (www.suffolkmachinery.com) can help you choose a best compromise of kerf. Can't hurt to call, and I hear they have first class technical advice.

[cgallery]

All good points, Loring. I guess I'll try a few thin ones (if I can find them) and keep some of the thicker ones until I get a feeling for blade longevity. With the very premise of my message being that I'd be using the blades longer because I'll be sharpening them, I think the blade/weld longevity is probably going to be pretty important.

[LCHIEN]

rudy, did the thickness measurements include just the body of the blade or the tooth set as well? Some thinner blades I think have a wider tooth set so as to be able to turn curves more easily.

[poolhound]

Did you try calling Lou Iturra yet. I know his "blade runner" is thinner than most but if I recall its still more in the .020 range. If you are going for only 1/4" he may have options with thinner stock and he can custom make any length.
I am cetain he will have opinions to impart on wether to even use stock that thin.

[cgallery]

Did you try calling Lou Iturra yet. I know his "blade runner" is thinner than most but if I recall its still more in the .020 range. If you are going for only 1/4" he may have options with thinner stock and he can custom make any length.
I am cetain he will have opinions to impart on wether to even use stock that thin.

Yeah, he is pretty hard to get ahold of.

[pecker]

Peachtree carries the Olson Pro blades for that saw.
http://www.ptreeusa.com/olson_allPro.htm

OOPS, I see you want the thinner ones.

[Red88chevy]

I recently ordered some thin blades for the same Craftsman bandsaw from Iturra, not sure who I spoke with, but they said on smaller saws the thinner the better. Seems like they were from one of his other lines, not the one everyone uses for resawing, perhaps Lennox or Sterret. Prices had gone up a little since my old catelog, still around $7.35 per blade ($1.25 a ft), and they said shipping had also increased. Received them in a few days but haven't put one on yet.

[cgallery]

Thansk Red88Chevy. That price is very reasonable. Do you happen to know the thickness of the bands? Or can you measure w/ calipers?

I was hoping to find thin bimetal blades but having a tough time finding anything thinner than .025".

Let me know how the Itura blades cut, will ya?

[sweensdv]

Iturra does offer a Starrett narrow kerf carbon steel blade. The kerf is .014" and is offered on ¼" x 6TPI(PN SN14T6) and 3/8" x 6TPI(PN SN38T6) styles. Both types are SKIP tooth design. Iturra does not have a website but they do have a toll free number, 866-883-8064.

[Red88chevy]

Sorry it took me so long to respond. Yes Sween was right, it is Starrett narrow kerf at 0.14". That was the narrowest blade I saw and is 3/16 wide. They do have a 1/8 blade that should be better for tight curves, but it is 0.25" wide.