Band mill blade size

[qbilder]

I'm somewhat new to bandsaw milling. What's the difference between .042" blades & .045" blades besides .003" thickness? Is there an advantage one over the other? Rigidity? Durability? Thanks much in advance.

 

[deeker]

I'm somewhat new to bandsaw milling. What's the difference between .042" blades & .045" blades besides .003" thickness? Is there an advantage one over the other? Rigidity? Durability? Thanks much in advance.

Yes and no. The thicker blades are best used on large wheeled mills.

The thinner blades on the smaller wheeled mills.
The thinner one flexes more, and usually lasts longer on the smaller mills for that reason.

On the Norwood LM2000 that I own, when I first bought it I ordered the 1.5" blades and guides. As it turns out I now run the .042 and 1.25" blades from Cooks.

Hope that helps.

Kevin

 

[qbilder]

Thanks a bunch. What would be a better option for 19" wheels? Will the .042" be good with it or should I maybe try something thicker? I will do some experimenting with different thicknesses & such to see what works out best. I just thought i'd get some knowledgeable clarification first before wasting a few hundred bucks. I do appreciate the help.

 

[deeker]

Thanks a bunch. What would be a better option for 19" wheels? Will the .042" be good with it or should I maybe try something thicker? I will do some experimenting with different thicknesses & such to see what works out best. I just thought i'd get some knowledgeable clarification first before wasting a few hundred bucks. I do appreciate the help.

The Norwood used a 19" wheel.

If your looking for the blades, contact Cook's Saw Mill manufacturing.

A huge source of information there.

 

[redprospector]

Horse power also play's a role in blade size. My mill has 20" wheels (one of my design flaw's), but I'm pulling the band with about 56 horses.
You can drive a heavier band a little faster in the log if you've got the ponies to do it. I'm running 1 1/2" x 0.055 bands.
Deeker's steering you right. Cooks is a good place.

Andy

 

[qbilder]

Horse power also play's a role in blade size. My mill has 20" wheels (one of my design flaw's), but I'm pulling the band with about 56 horses.
You can drive a heavier band a little faster in the log if you've got the ponies to do it. I'm running 1 1/2" x 0.055 bands.
Deeker's steering you right. Cooks is a good place.

Andy

I see you are in Cloudcroft!!! You're a neighbor. This brings up another question. Have you cut any of the maples in the mountains here? I see them scattered here & there, most small & bushy but a few larger, straight logs. I'd sure be interested in acquiring some of the larger ones. Is there anybody cutting them and are there available logs? Thanks

 

[deeker]

I see you are in Cloudcroft!!! You're a neighbor. This brings up another question. Have you cut any of the maples in the mountains here? I see them scattered here & there, most small & bushy but a few larger, straight logs. I'd sure be interested in acquiring some of the larger ones. Is there anybody cutting them and are there available logs? Thanks

Sent you some nova rep....for what that is worth...

Watch out for the saw dust bug....it is one that does not let go.

 

[qbilder]

Sent you some nova rep....for what that is worth...

Watch out for the saw dust bug....it is one that does not let go.

Thanks.

 

[redprospector]

I see you are in Cloudcroft!!! You're a neighbor. This brings up another question. Have you cut any of the maples in the mountains here? I see them scattered here & there, most small & bushy but a few larger, straight logs. I'd sure be interested in acquiring some of the larger ones. Is there anybody cutting them and are there available logs? Thanks

Well, howdy neighbor!
I don't know of anyone cutting the maple's for anything but firewood. I haven't come across anything over about 10" dbh. I tried milling a few 9 - 10" logs several years ago, but the lumber looked like cork screws when it was dry enough to use. Must be some trick to it. Juniper is the money wood.

Andy

 

[qbilder]

Well, howdy neighbor!
I don't know of anyone cutting the maple's for anything but firewood. I haven't come across anything over about 10" dbh. I tried milling a few 9 - 10" logs several years ago, but the lumber looked like cork screws when it was dry enough to use. Must be some trick to it. Juniper is the money wood.

Andy

Yeah, juniper is nice. I was able to score a nice juniper burl from a fellow in Ruidoso. Boy is it beautiful stuff.

I'd be interested in some maple. If you ever come across some & feel inclined, let me know. I'm down here in town having a ball with mesquite stumps and mulberry logs. I'm hoping to score one of these walnuts, too. Not sure what kind they are exactly but it's certainly walnut & lots of them in town here.

 

[redprospector]

Yeah, juniper is nice. I was able to score a nice juniper burl from a fellow in Ruidoso. Boy is it beautiful stuff.

I'd be interested in some maple. If you ever come across some & feel inclined, let me know. I'm down here in town having a ball with mesquite stumps and mulberry logs. I'm hoping to score one of these walnuts, too. Not sure what kind they are exactly but it's certainly walnut & lots of them in town here.

Yeah, the Walnut's nice stuff. I've milled some of it and it turns out real nice. They're just few & far between. Pecan is another hardwood available locally if you can find someone getting rid of a few.

Andy

 

[qbilder]

Yeah, the Walnut's nice stuff. I've milled some of it and it turns out real nice. They're just few & far between. Pecan is another hardwood available locally if you can find someone getting rid of a few.

Andy

Yeah. Pecan is kinda bland, though. I'm not too fond of it.