Portaband Blade w/Low Tooth Count?

[paulsomlo]

I'm cutting some 1" thick aluminum plate on my Milwaukee 6230 bandsaw and it's going very slow. I'm using a 10tpi blade - is there a source for something like 6tpi or less in a 1/2" wide 0.020 thick blade? I can have one made up in 0.025" thick material, but 0.020 is spec'd for the saw and there is a noticeable difference in flexibility. I've looked at several sites online, but coming up empty; I'm not sure if blade stock in 1/2"x0.020 exists in that low of a tooth count.

 

[slowtwitch73]

I weld up my own portaband blades fwiw... so if you can find the stock you want, you could go that route.

 

[paulsomlo]

I weld up my own portaband blades fwiw... so if you can find the stock you want, you could go that route.

That's the issue - I'm not sure that 1/2"x0.020 stock exists in less than 10 tpi. It appears that Morse made 6tpi at one time, but no longer available.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Try Ebay.. there's lots of partial rolls of old stock on there.

Get a grinder and lop off some teeth?

 

[Muckin_Slusher]

I weld up my own portaband blades fwiw... so if you can find the stock you want, you could go that route.

Details on how to do this please!

 

[paulsomlo]

Try Ebay.. there's lots of partial rolls of old stock on there.

Get a grinder and lop off some teeth?

That would be painful

 

[slowtwitch73]

Details on how to do this please!

Somewhere on this site I posted the jig I made. Nothing to it really.... cut to length, insert ends in jig, tig weld, grind smooth, anneal weld area with propane torch, lighter, whatever.

 

[senlow]

Contact Al Peterson at Rocky Mountain Saw Blades. He should be able to help you. He has been in the bandsaw business for over 45 years. www.rmsawblades.com

 

[paulsomlo]

Contact Al Peterson at Rocky Mountain Saw Blades. He should be able to help you. He has been in the bandsaw business for over 45 years. www.rmsawblades.com

Didn't know about this place - only 11 miles from the GF's house; I'll give them a call on Monday, thanks!

 

[MJD1]

Mk Morse 8-11 pitch is the coarsest I found.

 

[GeoBruin]

Yeah, looks like milwaukee makes an 8-10. Any coarser than that and you'll have to go custom.

Milwaukee 44-7/8 in. 8/10 TPI Metal Deep Cut Extreme High Speed Steel Band Saw Blade (3-Pack) For M18 FUEL/Corded 48-39-0601 - The Home Depot

Add richness and value to your cabinetry work with the selection of this affordably priced Milwaukee Metal Deep Cut Extreme Band Saw Blade.

www.homedepot.com

 

[Beerhippie]

Y'know, a carbide circular saw blade eats aluminum for breakfast? I use a Skilsaw and a miter saw on aluminum all the time.

Wear PPE--the blade will throw some nasty chips. It doesn't seem to do any damage to the blade at all.

 

[paulsomlo]

Contact Al Peterson at Rocky Mountain Saw Blades. He should be able to help you. He has been in the bandsaw business for over 45 years. www.rmsawblades.com

Just called them - they said it doesn't exist; the lowest I can find is 10 tpi, unless I want to go up to 0.025" in thickness.

 

[sqznby]

Give these guys a call, they have a large selection and make custom blades to customer specs. Quick shipping too, I've had great luck with them.

Shop All Band Saw Blades

Shop for custom, welded-to-length carbide tipped band saw blades , bi-metal band saw blades , and carbon steel band saw blades from Lenox.

www.bandsawbladesdirect.com

 

[Beerhippie]

Since I'm out of edits for today (WTF?), I should mention that a carbide-tooth circular saw blade leaves a MUCH smoother, straighter cut than you'll ever see from a Portaband. Quicker, too. I have and use both, and I know which to reach for for a particular use.

 

[exmaxima1]

Having recently thrown away my old Porta-Band due to the gears wearing out, I would seriously think about the load you would be putting on the gearbox with that combination. A chop saw with a non-ferrous carbide blade is the proper tool.

 

[sqznby]

I have to agree with @Beerhippie, I have worked in a few custom boat building shops. They had wood shops and metal shops but all the tools in the metal shop was exactly the same as the wood shop. Band saws, Mitering chop saws, 7-1/4 circular saws and routers.
I have cut from 1/4" to 1" with everything listed and never had any issues, clean quick cuts.

 

[paulsomlo]

Give these guys a call, they have a large selection and make custom blades to customer specs. Quick shipping too, I've had great luck with them.

Shop All Band Saw Blades

Shop for custom, welded-to-length carbide tipped band saw blades , bi-metal band saw blades , and carbon steel band saw blades from Lenox.

www.bandsawbladesdirect.com

No gots - the blade stock doesn't exist in 0.020x1/2".

I may try my sliding miter saw, but I sorta cringe at the prospect of breaking a tooth on a somewhat expensive blade. I've used it to cut thin aluminum extrusions, but nothing this thick.

 

[Firebrick43]

https://www.mkmorse.com/product/811/

The variable pitch will speed up the cut some and give a smoother cut to boot.

 

[sqznby]

No gots - the blade stock doesn't exist in 0.020x1/2".

I may try my sliding miter saw, but I sorta cringe at the prospect of breaking a tooth on a somewhat expensive blade. I've used it to cut thin aluminum extrusions, but nothing this thick.

That's a bummer

Just go easy, clamp it down and let the tool do the work. Easy money.

 

[paulsomlo]

https://www.mkmorse.com/product/811/

The variable pitch will speed up the cut some and give a smoother cut to boot.

Not sure that would be much faster than the 10 tpi that I'm using.

 

[RegeSullivan]

I cut 1/2" aluminum on my table saw with a carbide combination blade. It cuts easily and I wouldn't hesitate to try 1" but it is a little "grabby". I think your miter saw would work great but I would make sure the blade as a negative rake angle.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I bought blades for my horizontal bandsaw from a place called LA Saw blades or something like that.

I'm pretty sure they build their own blades.

I'm at work right now but I might be able to find the name of the place in my Garage Refurb thread.


Edit: here's the link

Bandsaw Blades | Metal and Wood Cutting | Welded To Length

Lenox | DeWalt | Roentgen | Wespa | Wood Mizer | High Quality | Custom Welded Bandsaw Blades | Guarantee Welds | Small Business | Family Owned and Operated

lacuttingproducts.com

 

[paulsomlo]

I bought blades for my horizontal bandsaw from a place called LA Saw blades or something like that.

I'm pretty sure they build their own blades.

I'm at work right now but I might be able to find the name of the place in my Garage Refurb thread.


Edit: here's the link

Bandsaw Blades | Metal and Wood Cutting | Welded To Length

Lenox | DeWalt | Roentgen | Wespa | Wood Mizer | High Quality | Custom Welded Bandsaw Blades | Guarantee Welds | Small Business | Family Owned and Operated

lacuttingproducts.com

That's where I've been buying blades for my horizontal and my Portaband. I checked and they don't have any blade stock that's 0.020x1/2 less than 10tpi. The problem appears to be that nobody makes the blade stock. If I want less than 10tpi for my Portaband, I'll have to go with 0.025" thick blade stock.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Are you cutting dry ? Would a lube help on the blade ?

 

[paulsomlo]

Are you cutting dry? Would a lube help on the blade ?

Yep, dry - I don't know that lube would help, the blade didn't seem to be getting hot. I just think there's too many teeth to be able to take a big enough bite to remove material fast enough.

 

[NUTTSGT]

This is what I started using on recommendation from Mike @zmotorsports .

Relton STICK-KUT​

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LG8Q22?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[sqznby]

This is what I started using on recommendation from Mike @zmotorsports .

Relton STICK-KUT​

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LG8Q22?tag=atomicindus08-20

Been using a similar brand for years, it works wonders.

 

[Beerhippie]

This is what I started using on recommendation from Mike @zmotorsports .

Relton STICK-KUT​

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LG8Q22?tag=atomicindus08-20

Just ordered a stick. Damn after-work beer, GJ and Amazon....

 

[NUTTSGT]

Just ordered a stick. Damn after-work beer, GJ and Amazon....

I bought mine sober and a bunch of stuff this past week and a half sober. I might be in trouble surfing Amazon after a few Bacardi & Pepsi's.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Rig up a brush somewhere to clear the blade.. old tooth brush head, or whatever. I just made one out of a busted windshield scraper brush and glued magnets on the back so I can put wherever.

WD40 for Al.