Lenox Die Master Bi Metal Blades

[Reed Gray]

Well, another topic here. Bandsaw blade choice comes up on all the forums a lot. As near as I can tell, I am one of the very few in the woodturning world who use this blade for cutting on my bandsaws. I read with interest, Brian Kent's problems with the Eucalyptus. So, being the curious type, I offered a trade. I sent him one of the Lenox blades, and he is sending me some eucalyptus blanks. He commented that there was a big difference in it cutting much faster than the Timberwolf blades he was using, and they cut straight.

Is there any one else out there besides me who used these blades? I did call Lenox, and they seem to think that they are well known every where. When I pointed out to them that the woodturning forums are world wide, and their name almost never comes up, they were surprised. I really think these are the best value blades out there.

robo hippy

[John Beaver]

I cut blanks with a Lenox #32 Wood blade. Don't know if it's a Die Master, but it works great.

[Brian Kent]

Reed, thank you for starting this thread.

I have been using Timberwolf blades since I got the bandsaw years ago. In general, they have served me well. I had a 3/4" Timberwolf 2-3 tpi variable tooth blade, which worked well on most wood. A recent cut on some dry avocado was straight, smooth, and a nice steady feed. My problem comes with Eucalyptus, which I have posted about several times before. The first 4 pictures show the best I could do. I also added a picture of what happend when you try to split a Eucalyptus trunk. Very reactive, twisty, impossible wood.

[Brian Kent]

Then I changed over to the Lenox blade that Reed so kindly sent to me. It is a Lenox Diemaster bi-metal blade, 1/2 inch, 3 tpi, .035 thick.

I sawed the same log straight, even, no binding, no pressure. I didn't even have to hold my tongue at an angle. Very soon I had a box full of straight blanks to send to Reed.

On this strange Eucalyptus, the Lenox made a world of difference. Same saw set-up. G0513X2.

[Richard Jones]

I've used the Diemaster for several years, won't ever go back to TW or WS.........mostly a 1/2" .035 3tpi..........(on my big saw)

[Greg McClurg]

Reed, Where do you buy your lenox blades?

[Dan Forman]

Reed --- What's a good source for these, Nobody carries the 3 tooth around here, only the higher tooth count ones for cutting metal. I'm assuming it's the 3 tpi hook you are using? Is this the Diemaster 2?

Best price I've found so far is about $36 each from Toolcenter.com for a 111" (14" bandsaw). I haven't ordered yet, but have been wanting to try

Dan

[Reed Gray]

I am lucky to have a guy here in town who makes them, Oregon Industrial Supply. A contractor friend, who also turns, sent me to him when I got my first bandsaw. Lenox does have a home web page, and I found it difficult to navigate, but they do have an 800 phone number. I would think they would be available in any larger metropolitan area, especially if there are band saw mills around. I think my 96 inch blades are about $28. I can't really say that I have seen a tool test on bandsaw blades. Kind of difficult to do, same piece of wood, constant feed rate, etc.

http://www.gooregonindustrial.com/

http://www.lenoxtools.com/pages/Cate...AND+SAW+BLADES

robo hippy

[Dan Forman]

I am lucky to have a guy here in town who makes them, Oregon Industrial Supply. A contractor friend, who also turns, sent me to him when I got my first bandsaw. Lenox does have a home web page, and I found it difficult to navigate, but they do have an 800 phone number. I would think they would be available in any larger metropolitan area, especially if there are band saw mills around. I think my 96 inch blades are about $28. I can't really say that I have seen a tool test on bandsaw blades. Kind of difficult to do, same piece of wood, constant feed rate, etc.

http://www.gooregonindustrial.com/

http://www.lenoxtools.com/pages/Cate...AND+SAW+BLADES

robo hippy

Current online price for 96" blade is $39.40 according to their website. http://www.gooregonindustrial.com/ Maybe they are cheaper in their store.

Looking at their site again, I see an address here in Spokane for Performance Saw and Supply - must be connected. Will give them a call tomorrow. The less expensive sources have a lead time of 6-7 business days prior to shipping, and that's from the east coast, so add another week for me. There is something to be said for instant gratification.

Do you have these blades resharpened when they get dull?

Dan

[Faust M. Ruggiero]

Thanks Robo, Pal,
You just cost me 56 bucks when I swore I wouldn't buy any more turning tools (this week).
faust

[Dennis Ford]

I use Lenox blades and like them a lot. The diemaster blades are bimetal (high speed steel steel tips on carbon steel bands) and are very durable. Lenox also makes execellent carbon steel blades. Small saws will do better with thinner carbon steel blades (they are easier to tension). I have used Timberwolf blades and they cut well when new but did not last as long.

[Brian Kent]

I would like to add a surprise I got when comparing the previous blade and the Lenox. Just using a fingernail-catch sharpness test, the Timberwolf still felt a bit sharper, even though the Lenox was cutting better. It looks like the Timberwolf is a thinner blade (.025" vs .035") and not bi-metal.

It would be interesting to know the difference in the amount of set also.

[Pinwu Xu]

Reed --- What's a good source for these, Nobody carries the 3 tooth around here, only the higher tooth count ones for cutting metal. I'm assuming it's the 3 tpi hook you are using? Is this the Diemaster 2?

Best price I've found so far is about $36 each from Toolcenter.com for a 111" (14" bandsaw). I haven't ordered yet, but have been wanting to try

Dan

Try http://www.woodcraftbands.com/Pricing%20page.htm ?

That said, there's also the Olsen MVP blade, which is bi-metal, but thinner, might be better suited for the 14" saws?

[Curt Harms]

Try http://www.woodcraftbands.com/Pricing%20page.htm ?

That said, there's also the Olsen MVP blade, which is bi-metal, but thinner, might be better suited for the 14" saws?

Spectrum Supply shows a Diemaster 2 1/2"-.025 4 t.p.i. One would cost me $53.90 delivered if I chose to order. I'd think a 4 t.p.i. blade would work, you'd just have to feed a little slower, give the sawdust time to clear.

[Dan Hintz]

Spectrum Supply shows a Diemaster 2 1/2"-.025 4 t.p.i. One would cost me $53.90 delivered if I chose to order. I'd think a 4 t.p.i. blade would work, you'd just have to feed a little slower, give the sawdust time to clear.

I think this is where I order from... I get 3 at a time at a cost of around $100.