My 513 arrived today. I need to get some blades for it. What's the smallest blade you've run on your 513? And what blade do you find the most useful? Thanks Lewis
My 513 arrived today. I need to get some blades for it. What's the smallest blade you've run on your 513? And what blade do you find the most useful? Thanks Lewis
I have the 513X2. I hope that doesn't make much of a difference as far as your question is concerned. I have run a 1/4" blade on mine...and I'm sure I could have gone smaller. I just don't think I would ever want or need to.
However, now I just keep a 3/4" blade on it...since I also own a 14" BS that I run a 1/4" blade on for more curvy cuts. I'm pretty happy with that set-up (especially since I am too lazy to continually change blades).
Seriously, the 3/4" blade does well with most curved cuts...even the tighter ones. You just have to learn to do a series of relief cuts first.
I am never wrong.
Well...I thought I was wrong once...but I was mistaken.
I've run 1/8" bands on my GO513 when cutting out bandsaw boxes. It worked well.
I usually keep either a 1/4" or 3/8" band on the saw, depending on what I have going. The 1/4" works well for craft items where there are tight radii on the pieces. While I normally use a 3/4" band for re-sawing, I re-sawed some 6" wide Cherry with a 1/4" band yesterday and it sawed square and straight with no compensation for drift (don't need to compensate if the saw is set up right). On furniture builds, I will keep a 3/8" on there.
Except for the 3/4" Woodslicer from Highland, I've also started using the Grizzly bands. I've tried lots of different mfg's bands, including bi-metal, but the Grizzly bands cut just as well and stay sharp as long as any other I've tried for a lot less money. I haven't found a single mis-aligned weld, either, unlike one popular brand with a formerly endangered predator for it's name/logo.
I also am not averse to changing out bands for specific cuts. That's why there are different sizes. It takes me about 10 minutes to change a band and re-adjust the saw guides, etc.
Cody
Logmaster LM-1 sawmill, 30 hp Kioti tractor w/ FEL, Stihl 290 chainsaw, 300 bf cap. Solar Kiln
I know it calls for a funky size, but you can do 1/2 to 1" either way. Easy solution though, call Laguna, tell them you are a creaker, and you will get a great discount and give you that great carbide blade at one heck of a discount, and you can order to your liking. My 17" is going on 11 years old and i use it exclusively for resaw. Love that resaw king! Remember great discount for being a member here.
I run a 1/2" carbide blade almost exclusively these days - i get my blades from bandsawbladesdirect-dot-com and have been real happy with their price and service