Why I stopped using steel band saw blades

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★SOME OF MY FAVORITE CHEAP TOOLS★

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE HAND TOOLS★

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE POWER TOOLS★

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE OTHER TOOLS★

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[StumpyNubs]

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★SOME OF MY FAVORITE CHEAP TOOLS★

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE HAND TOOLS★

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE POWER TOOLS★

★SOME OF MY FAVORITE OTHER TOOLS★

(If you use one of the affiliate links above, we may receive a small commission)

[Denver]

The inventor of carbide tipped tools, Fred Clas, passed away 12/11/21 at the age of 99. I know this because he was my Grandfather and this was just one of his inventions -or in this case perfections from failed attempts just before he figured it out as a machinist apprentice just before WWII. I've been watching your for years but I still come across material I've missed like this one today. Anyway... just a neat thing to share. He was quite the guy as you may imagine.

[Carpythesharky]

I know others have mentioned this before, but it's very refreshing hearing someone who is well spoken and clearly puts some preparation into their presentation/what they are going to say. It's crazy how much more useful information can be squeezed in when superfluous language like "um" is not utilized. It's also much smoother and more flowing making it easier to understand. Seems like a small difference, but I think it's key especially in an educational setting.

[edholtgraver]

I thought my expensive band saw was junk. Then I watched this video and purchased a carbide tip saw blade. Suddenly my band saw became a great asset. Thank you

[mikeebrady]

Now this is the video I was expecting!

[keithbetscher]

I have a Laguna 14" SUV and purchased a 125" Carbide Resaw King blade for it. I cut several samples to test the blade and quality of cuts. My best cut was 2" x 12" by .015" thick. My woodworking friends would not believe I cut the veneer with a bandsaw blade. What you need to know is, a carbide blade is ground on 3 surfaces and the kerf is created by the thickness of the carbide brazed to the steel blade. Because of the side grinds on the carbide teeth, the blade cuts very smooth with no teeth marks in my samples. Because the Laguna blade guides touch 8 lines of contact on the blade, the blade is held very straight. The saw and blade cost a lot, but you get what you pay for.
As a side note, James has two Harvey bandsaws in his shop and speaks highly of them. Harvey is the maker of my Laguna 14" SUV bandsaw equipped with the Laguna ceramic 8 line contact blade guides.
I agree with everything James points out about carbide tipped resawing bandsaw blades.

[greatnortherntroll]

I was attempting to resaw a piece of Gorgeous mystery hardwood I'd purchased from my exotic hardwood dealer (he couldn't identify it, and neither could any other hardwood dealers in my area). All we knew is that it was ungodly heavy for the dimensions, and it "rang" like a frigging bell when we rapped on it with a big wrench. I had just purchased a new bandsaw, and the new blade it came with might have gotten about 10" of cut in a board no more than 5" tall on edge, before it was hopelessly smoked. That's no big deal... nobody ships a new unit with a Good blade on it, so I spent a lot of money for a good, steel, 3/4" wide resaw blade from a very reputable company that sells these things via catalog and online (I may have seen one of their catalogs in hand, on this video...). That blade lasted about another 15" worth of cutting before it too was dulled beyond belief! So far, I've accomplished just a smidgen over 2' of cut, and my board is 8' long X 3" thick X 5" wide, and I had planned on getting at least 4 planks out of it... Long story short, I bit the bullet and ordered a carbide tipped resaw blade. It cut all 4 planks, with no discernible wear, and I've been using it for 6 years now without any need for a resharpening! I too, will never Waste my money on a steel blade!!!

[coreygrua]

Straight, carbide-tipped, talk. I expect that in this channel (even when it IS sponsored). Over several years now, I have NEVER been disappointed. There is no channel that is more valuable to me and the activities in my little shop.

[EdwardSchneider-kn]

Bavo! Your explanations are so clear and complete. They are a pleasure to hear.

[Webendowed]

Another point on safety to consider is that as they dull people tend to apply more pressure into the cut. This increases the chance of an uncontrolled jump at the end of a cut and your hand could lunge toward the blade. It only takes a split second for an amputation. There is an old saying that you are more likely to cut yourself with a dull knife than a sharp one. Thumbs up for safety! :) Love your videos, keep em coming! :)

[CarlosRodriguez-ddsb]

I’m not a woodworker, but I like watching knowledgeable craftsmen ply their trade.

[jeffreyhill]

I taught my daughters to resaw when they were 14 as part of fabrication and woodworking for something to do in between modeling and dance and softball and school. They have scratch built go karts mini bikes and lots of shop tools. They really liked resawing and when '19 hit they were resawing veneers and stuff for projects at home from reclaimed wood. Then 2020 lumber prices happened and they started volunteering to do demo work and being paid in old lumber. Started selling wood to grey hairs at reasonable prices and selling old growth stuff and exotic veneers (they now have a "lumber guy" I'm so proud) at OUTLANDISH prices to hipster makers and woodworkers for tables and beard holders or whatever they make. Now they are around 17 and both own 2019 model year very nice cars and they have a 2020 pick they split the cost of for work. They have I think 6 bandsaws now they use daily and they switched to carbide and they haven't had to replace or sharpen one yet. Having a really good metal detector helps here I would hate to see what a nail would do to a carbide blade but that's why they keep HSS blades on hand as well I guess (their knowledge of resaw is so far past me now it's beautiful).
Anyway short story long they swear by carbide and they resaw literally for a living. I'm so proud of my girls, who have 0 reason to work and were basically spoiled rotten their whole life material goods wise at least, decided to take up a hobby and make a damn fine living from it all before they graduated high school. I always made them do chores around the property, hell it's 6, 000acres if you want to play on it kids ya gotta help it's too much for me, and taught them "work has value" but always just bought them what they wanted game consoles clothing all that and was going to do the same with a car and they were aware but took it upon themselves to change their trajectory in life.
I guess they didn't want to travel the world running construction jobs like dad and with mom not in the picture wanted to "help out". But hell they keep my household lol when I'm gone they feed the animals or pay help to have it done out of their pocket. Sorry I'm just rambling away, the holidays are rough when I think about their mother and how grown these girls have gotten

[edholtgraver]

I thought my expensive band saw was junk until I took your advice and purchased a carbide tipped blade. The band saw is now a great asset. Thanks.

[gdreclaimed]

I use a carbide Re-saw King on my Laguna 14/12 mainly for cutting bowl blanks. I was slicing a 12" thick Cherry log in half and only after I finished the cut and opened the piece up did I realize that I hit 3 old 16d nails. I inspected the blade and found 1 tooth missing. I'm still using that same blade 9 months later, and it is still doing great!

[jkdad]

Perfect timing for this video, I am looking at upgrading my bandsaw as I have gotten into making flag cases and only use rough cut lumber. The extra cost of a carbide blade will actually save me money in the increased yield from the wood saved.

[MrStrizver]

Two years later after I attempted my first 13" resaw on a 40" long piece of sapelle on my Harvey C14, I remembered this video. Luckily, I'll be able to salvage the two mangled pieces after a design change, but a Resaw King is on order. Thanks again for the great advice, James!

[glencrandall]

Agreed. Several years ago I got one for my 14" Delta bandsaw. The first cut I made looked like it came from a sander. It was expensive though. A bit over $200 as I recall. But for the smooth surface and dead straight cut it was worth it to me. James, thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.

[kryptonite]

Here I thought maybe I was doing something wrong. I had just bought a used Delta 16" band saw a few weeks ago and been busy playing with resawing a whole slew of different woods. The used blade that came with it broke after just a few slices, the second one I ordered new cut like butter for maybe 7 or 8 cuts before I found myself really trying to steer my board straight and snapped the blade. I'm on my third now and already it wanders all over. Thanks for all the great info and giving me something to look into. Take care and stay warm.

[basilalmy]

Today my new 160” Laguna blade arrived and immediately got put into service. My concerns were allayed in the first cut!
My bandsaw is now back to “favorite power tool”, a place it had been forced to yield to my
Robland combination a year ago.
Some thirty years ago an article in
Fine Woodworking convinced me that the bandsaw was all I really needed and until the
Robland showed up a year ago, I got along fine. I hate the loss of floor space necessary to use a table saw properly!
So, even though I had made peace with a more crowded shop with a nice table saw, I’m very pleased with the increased utility of my bandsaw with the carbide tipped blade. Thanks James for your logical discussion. I owe you, buddy.

[chadwick-yp]

I picked up one of these king blades when I bought my Laguna bandsaw and haven’t looked back. I general get a smooth face after resawing. Dude knows what he’s talking about.