Blades,boards and big logs

[EmannVB]

Ahh, so I'm officially into "retirement" (although still flying for pay...), and really getting into my sawing.  When I bought my mill (used '06 B-20, with 70hrs) it came with about 20 blades in various stages of useage.  Some obviously beyond use, others looked pretty new.  Well, I used up the "pretty new" pile, and started into the "not so pretty" pile.  After a couple ugly passes, I decided I need some shiny new blades...
Hmmmm.... so off to the forum to harvest info on the best blades and deals... Well, I guess it's kinda like the "What mill to buy" qustion.  I'm sawing mostly Poplar right now, but will probably jump into Hickory and White Oak when I'm ready for my beams.  I'm not a production operation, just sawing from my land for my personal consumption.  I've had pretty good cuts with the TK Ultra blades that came with the mill, but being a Novice, I'd like some seasoned opinions.  Best blade for the buck? Anyone know of any secret forum pricing?

~Mark

[sgschwend]

Sounds like it would be helpful to know of a good saw service so you could get your used blades straighten out.

The one I use is in Idaho so that might be too far for you.  The saws make the job go, you need them to be good as a new person that can be challenging.

[Bibbyman]

We started out with Wood-Mizer blades and then found other brands at a lower price.  After going around with a couple of brands, we came back to Wood-Mizer.  Not to say there are not other good blades out there and maybe a few that are a better value from time to time but consistently,  the Wood-Mizer blades have performed well.  And buying in some larger volume helps.

We've been a real fan of the Double-Hards by Wood-Mizer and settled on their .045 by 9° blades.  Then a year or more back they came out with their new 7° degree blades and they perform significantly better than the other profiles.  We are trying to phase into using 7° blades but have some of everything else left to use up.

I may note that we saw mostly oak along with some other hardwoods – hickory, ash, maple, cheery, walnut.  Sometimes our logs get pretty dry before we get to them.  The 7° Double-Hard has performed well in all these woods.

Sounds like you are going to be dependant on a sharpening service.  There are plenty around.  Wood-Mizer will re-sharpen their own blades and I think they'll resharpen blades by other manufactures that have the same gullet shape, angle, and tooth spacing.

Another way to go (if you're not sawing that much) is with a disposable type blade.  Wood-Mizer makes a line of these blades too.  Their intended for commercial resaws and such.  I suspect most other blade sources have a line of blades like these also.

[EmannVB]

Thanks Bibby.  I was looking at WM blades, as I like their resharp program and there's a place not far from me that performs the service. 

[bandmiller2]

Mark,woodmizers are good,but different mills and different millers seem to have their favorites.Most band dealers will give/sell you a sample try several you will find you like one above the outhers.Myself if given a choice would pick timberwolf.Frank C.

[trapper]

sometimes woodmizer will have price cuts at the logging shows they attend

[Chuck White]

sometimes woodmizer will have price cuts at the logging shows they attend

This is true!
If you call Wood-Mizer and place order to be picked up at the show, you'll usually get a good discount!

[BRP]

Well since I have a B-20 also,here is my 2 cents worth.
First of all do ya have v belts on ur band wheels? Makes all the difference, I put them on mine before TK even thought about it. I have tried WM(excellent products), TK(very good), Timber Wolf(never again), Simonds(very good,long lasting), etc. Overall I have 2 say Simonds Red Streak Hard Carbon for our B-20s but they have gone up in price, used 2 b cheap. I sharpen n set my own also. PM me if ya want 2 know anythig else about our B-20s.

O yeah hello again Jeff, Tom, everyone.....good 2 b back. We need a fish fry or something huh.....

[fat olde elf]

lennox

[sigidi]

"Blades, boards and big logs..." I got all excited excpeting to see me a Lucas or something sending out piles of sawdust ;D

...regardless it's good to see any pics of lumber coming off any of our mills 8)