Carbide blade for Bandsaw

[Rick Fisher]

I ran a Lenox Tri-Master for almost 3 years. Some of you will remember that Laguna had a $75.00 sale a few years back. I bought one of those for a spare..

The Tri-Master became dull .. So I turfed it and put the Laguna blade on the saw.. About 3 weeks later.. I trashed the Laguna blade.. Destroyed it. My fault..

So I've been looking for another Carbide blade.. I'm running my spare " 3/4" bi-metal blade which has been hanging on the wall for years.. Its not as good..

A new Tri-Master is $300 shipped.. Then I noticed a Woodmaster CT .. Its about $175.00 ( I think my blade is 178" ) .. I want a 1" x 1.5 - 3 Teeth per inch ..


What are ya'll using ? Anyone used the Woodmaster CT ? What else is there ? I checked laguna .. $1.73 an inch ? I would go Tri-Master first..

[Andrew Hughes]

I have one Rick its a good blade when I bought my B 20/20 from Jesse I got a deal on the woodmaster blade.I like regular Olsen blades for both my bandsaws.I really think they come back from the sharpening service better than new and if I tweak one its not so bad on my wallet.
I keep the woodmaster coiled up ready for the next red cedar build.I think mine is 177 long close to yours.

[Mike Wilkins]

I have used the Woodslicer from Highland Hardware before. Really good blade for the money. I also found a couple of Starrett blades that just happened to be the correct length for my saw at a used tool store that were new in box. Suprisingly very sharp and clean cutting. You can purchase Starrett blade stock if you make your own, or find a sharpening service that makes bandsaw blades and ask for Starrett.

[Mikail Khan]

I use a trimaster most of the time. It works well is spite of losing some teeth when a tire come loose. I also have a $75 laguna as a backup.

MK

[Chris Padilla]

Have you considered having the Trimaster resharpened? Is it even possible? I have a MM20 bandsaw--takes a 14' blade. I loved my Trimaster until I bent it. I had it fixed but it has never been the same since. I also have a WoodmasterCT from Lenox. I didn't care for it...I thought the Trimaster cut better even after it was fixed. I also have a Lenox Diemaster2 bimetal that I also love (1/2", hook style, 6 tpi) and it cut better than the WoodmasterCT, too. If my WoodmasterCT was longer, I'd sell it to you. I dunno...some like the CT...I did not. I thought it left a very rough surface for resawing. The Trimaster and Diemaster2 left much cleaner surfaces.

[Larry Edgerton]

I just bought a Woodmaster 1"X150 carbide for $134. Cut great resawing 8" white oak till I hit a buried 1/2" bolt. Stuff happens..........

Larry

[Erik Loza]

They are both great blades. I feel like the Tri-Master maybe gives a little better surface finish on certain types of woods (and that is very subjective...) but you cannot go wrong with the Woodmaster CT.

Erik Loza
Minimax USA

[James White]

I just bought a Woodmaster 1"X150 carbide for $134. Cut great resawing 8" white oak till I hit a buried 1/2" bolt. Stuff happens..........

Larry

Larry,

Where did you get the blade for that price? I think I would give one a shot at that price.

James

[John Nesmith]

Other than longevity, what is the advantage of a carbide BS blade over other less expensive options? I'm reading $150-$300 for one, while a very good all steel blade can be had for $40-50. or less. What am I missing?

[Erik Loza]

Other than longevity, what is the advantage of a carbide BS blade over other less expensive options? I'm reading $150-$300 for one, while a very good all steel blade can be had for $40-50. or less. What am I missing?

Finish quality at a much faster feed rate, particularly on hardwoods.

Erik Loza
Minimax USA

[Charlie Kocourek]

Have you considered having the Trimaster resharpened? Is it even possible?

I would love to find someone who could sharpen carbide bandsaw blades. I tried to get a tri-master shapened at a local saw shop, but they wouldn't do it. Has anyone had one sharpened?

Thanks,
Charlie

[Jim Finn]

I only use my bandsaw for resawing and have used 1/2" Woodslicers that cut well but did not last long. I now have a carbide blade from Grizzly and it is lasting and cutting fine. Less than $100 for a 1/2" X 105" blade.

[Rick Fisher]

Wow .. just checked Grizzly .. A 180" Lenox Tri-Master 2-3 TPI .. x 1" .035.. $219.00

I got a price from Fastenal .. $269.00
Saw Shop was $ 290.00

I really wasn't aware that Grizzly was selling Lenox ..

[Robert LaPlaca]

I would love to find someone who could sharpen carbide bandsaw blades. I tried to get a tri-master shapened at a local saw shop, but they wouldn't do it. Has anyone had one sharpened?

Thanks,
Charlie

Assuming you have a 1 inch wide, 2/3 variable pitch Trimaster, Suffolk Machinery (of Timberwolf bandsaw blades fame) will sharpen your band. I had a 143" Trimaster from my MM16 sharpened, I believe it cost all in $90 between me shipping the band to them and the cost of sharping and return shipping. The blade cuts pretty good, maybe not as aggressively as a new Trimaster, but pretty good, I am happy with the results.

FWIW, I understand Suffolk Machinery's own carbide tipped bandsaw blade was modeled after the 1" variable pitch 2/3 Trimaster, so their sharping machinery can accommodate the those blades...

[Erik Loza]

Wow .. just checked Grizzly .. A 180" Lenox Tri-Master 2-3 TPI .. x 1" .035.. $219.00

I got a price from Fastenal .. $269.00
Saw Shop was $ 290.00

I really wasn't aware that Grizzly was selling Lenox ..

Rick, you should just buy a Woodmaster CT instead. 90% the blade for like 2/3rds the price.

Erik Loza
Minimax USA