Craftsman bandsaw blades

[headhunter636]

I am looking at buying a new blade or two for my Craftsman 14 inch bandsaw. Being that it is a Craftsman, nobody locally carries the 99 3/4 inch blade that it uses. Are the Craftsman blades a decent blade or should I think about ordering something better online. I've seen Olson has the right size available but I would like to get something local.

Thanks.

[sweensdv]

Pretty much any place that sells bandsaw blades will make them to the length you want. I would never buy bandsaw blades at Sears but that's just me. I prefer quality over mass merchandising. Here is one source for bandsaw blades, http://www.woodcraftbands.com/Pricing%20page.htm

[cgallery]

I like the resaw bands from Iturra. Specifically, the Blade Runner, which is made from the same Atlanta Sharptech stock as the pricey WoodSlicer. Louis (Iturra) can also make non-resaw blades from Lennox and other stock.

I have a catalog (older one) at my site that you can download:

http://www.cgallery.com/iturra.zip

It is full of worthwhile information for bandsaw users.

FWIW, I believe the Craftsman blades for their 99" saws are made by Olson. You can get a better price going direct to Olson. Consider one of their thin-kerf bimetal .025" 1/2" x 3-TPI blades if you like to resaw. While it won't leave the same finish as the Blade Runner from Iturra, it will outlast it (due to being bimetal).

If you do order something from Louis, remind him to send me his latest catalog so I can get a friend to scan it to a PDF and I'll make that available, too.

[justaguy]

I have a new set of the Craftsman 3 pack blades left over from when I had that saw. I'll send you a PM

[Knottscott]

I don't typically buy my BS blades from Sears either. Instead, look to Timberwolf from Suffolk Machinery, Lennox, Olsen, Woodslicer, etc., and have them cut to length. Better blades in general, and reasonably priced too.

Suffolk offers a "443" deal to new customers...4 blades for the price of 3...they were around $50 to my door for all 4 blades.

[vaking]

Not all Craftsman blades are born equal. I have a 12" Craftsman saw (80" blades). The blades from the professional series come in yellow packaging and they are good. Regular craftsman blades I don't use. I also have a Olson resaw blade - also good quality blade. I do believe that Olson blade and craftsman pro blades are comparable in price.