blade longevity

alanh · December 16, 2019, 12:30:37 PM

Has anybody ever noticed more life out of one batch of new blades over another? I realize all the variables in dulling a blade but previously I was frustrated at how little bd ft I was getting out of a woodmizer 4 degree blade cutting pine, especially reading what some of the pros on here get. they would either be dull quick or start to rise/dive.
I recently recieved a new box of 4 degree blades. I`m cutting from the same pile of logs, all the same age, bark is off, from the same stand of trees and I seem to be getting 3 times the footage than the previous batch. I then used the same blade to cant up a very dirty oak log and was still getting a decent cut. It seems like they might be harder steel or something, not complaining, just wondering.

Beavertooth · December 16, 2019, 12:49:30 PM

The first box of blades I ever bought in 2005 every blade out of the box would immediately dive instead of cutting straight. I checked them with my setter and every blade in the box had nearly twice as much set on one side of teeth as the other side. Woodmizer sent me a new box. So at the time it was possible to get a bad box of blades with whatever the problem may be. But I know that after that at sometime they stopped putting all the blades from same run when making blades in the same new boxes in case there was a problem of some sort the customer would not have a whole box that was bad and not be able to saw at all before getting more. In other words a new box of blades would be made up of blades from different runs of blades. Anthing is possible. Nothing perfect in this world. But again another example how Woodmizer is always willing to make right any thing that goes wrong if it is there mistake.

Bruno of NH · December 16, 2019, 01:46:29 PM

I got a box from Cooks once couldn't get them to cut for me.

tylerltr450 · December 16, 2019, 03:22:45 PM

Blade can remain sharp for a number of reasons, however biggest issue most people have is when they receive their sharpened blades from the UPS man. Shipping is rough on blades and that can take the set right out of new and sharpened blades or even dull them if rubbing together, that is why it is critical to package blades properly.

But then there is other issues like blade batches and sometimes steel hardness varies from batch to batch. If you are noticing one blade is lasting longer than another check to see how sharp they are when you get them back first.

Banjo picker · December 18, 2019, 01:45:52 PM

I am not getting the longevity out of the thicker blades (.050) as I did running the thinner blades (.042). I can cut faster, but when you work by yourself longevity is more important than speed, at least to me. Not just one box either. I am into the second box an it seems about the same as the first. Going back to the thinner blades. Banjo

Woodpecker52 · December 18, 2019, 04:57:35 PM

Banjo I tried the 1.5 thick 4 degrees and they are a mess. I went back to 1.25 and thin and no problems. I did increase the set by a bunch, makes a world of difference.

Bruno of NH · December 18, 2019, 06:14:20 PM

I can only use .42 in small logs on my mill.
They don't stay flat in the wide cuts my Mill can make.
I will still buy some Ripper 37's in 7° as they cost $12 less per band as the WM 747 that I like.
I will just use them for logs under 16". They cut nice and save money.