Band on the run: we shop-tested seven new band saws for accuracy, power, and ease of adjustment

Tools of the Trade, May-June, 2005 by Bill Thomas

BLADES

My blade advice for band saws is short and sweet: Spend money on nice blades. They cut cleaner and last longer. More teeth yield a finer finished surface, fewer teeth cut faster and with less effort.

Scrolling. I seldom need a blade smaller than 1/4 inch, but if you cut small radii (3/8 inch or less] gel; a 1/8- or 3/1 16-inch blade.

Re-Sawing. You can re-saw with a 1/2-inch blade, but 3/4-inch blades work better. If your saw accepts 1-inch blades and you have thin veneers to slice, this wider blade might be the best choice. Then again, wider blades