Bandsaw Blades

[R A Pelz]

I have just purchased a metal cutting bandsaw. Can anyone recommend a good blade to use for cutting out knife blanks with? I'm cutting stainless steel. I purchased one of them bi-metal blades with 24tpi. It cuts but very slow.
Thanks
Rob

[B.Finnigan]

I have good luck with the bi-metal blades on my JET horz/vert bandsaw. I get the blades from Southern Tool and Grizzly. When cutting metal slow is good. Your blades will last longer and you will not work harden your stainless. You can kick up the speed a little bit if you spray rubbing alchohol on the blade just in front of your cutting stock. That will insure the temp will only go up to around 160 deg. since that is the boiling point for alchohol. The alchohol will also help to clear the cutting chips out where oil tends to clog the teeth.

There are always others that may have different techniques and that is what these forums are for. You will get alot of input and will be able to figure out what is best for you.

[Ray Rogers]

24 teeth is probably too fine for blade stock, that would be more appropraite for sheet metal. It works, but its slow - slow is good when cutting metal but a little bit faster is nice too.

Try a 14 - 18 tpi blade and the cutting will speed up a little. These blades still work for most of the sheet metals knife makers use but would be too coarse for really paper thin sheets. I like the Lennox bi-metal blades that I get from MSC.

A cutting lubricant is also highly recommended but I'm not so sure about alchohol. Get some Cool Tool or a similar product and avoid the nasty fumes.....

[R A Pelz]

Thanks for the suggestions I'll give them a try.
Thanks
Rob