What's the difference?

[Hale87]

Just got off the phone with Woodmizer. Ordered a box of new blades.
Per their recommendation, I ordered .042 versus Hudson's recommended .035 blade thickness for my Hudson 28 with 16 inch drive wheels. I think I ordered,,,,,,,,,,  156" X .042 X 1.25 X 10s.

Cut some dead ash, white oak and cherry yesterday. Things are starting to go better. Also managed to knock a brand new blade off, damaging it in the process.

I hate learning curves..........

[James P.]

the difference is the heavier blade will possibly suffer from blade fatigue from the smaller diameter wheels before the thinner blade. That learning curve with a band blade is a little less expensive than the one with a large circular.  Good luck.

[fstedy]

That learning curve is something we all are still going thru. Each mistake you make forges it into your memory. You won't make the same mistake easily the next time. Get yourself in the habit of establishing good operating proceedures and that learning curve is easier to navigate.

[Brad_S.]

All things being equal and assuming you saw is in proper working order, the thicker blade will track truer and cut straighter. That's the plus.
The negatives are, as stated, the flex from the small wheels you have will lead to shorter band life and the thicker blade body will take more power to pull through the cut, so you may find your saw struggling a bit more to make cuts.

[Hale87]

I was also concerened with metal fatigue, but he thinks it's worth the trade off. Right now that 13 hp Vanguard seems to be more than adequate. There's plenty of room for a bigger engine, so maybe I'll do that in the future? Power was one of the reason he recommended the 10 versus the 9.

Thanks for your opinions.........

[Magicman]

You are making a wonderful start to being a very good sawyer...... 8)

[woodmills1]

when I went from .035 to .042 on my lt40 it was like day and night, later I went to .045..................then.... well thats not what you asked. :