October 4, 2023
Resawing wood pieces using the bandsaw into thinner and more manageable wood slices isn’t pleasurable if you don’t have the appropriate bandsaw blade for resawing. Even if you have the most powerful bandsaw but don’t equip it with the right resaw blade, you might find yourself enervated after resawing a few pieces of large lumber. So, you need to carefully choose the resaw blade you would use to ensure you’ll get excellent results afterward.
Bandsaw blades come in different varieties. Some bandsaw blades are perfect for cutting metals, while others are perfect for making curves. But when it comes to resawing using the bandsaw, you need to select the saw blade carefully, especially if you intend to engage in heavy resawing with your bandsaw.
What is Special About Resaw Bandsaw Blade?
A resaw bandsaw blade is a type of blade that lets you make cuts along the wood grain. It enables you to make extra veneers or boards out of a larger plank of wood. The resaw blade is wider than the ordinary bandsaw blade. It is around two to three inches in size and features a smaller kerf. Besides, it can minimize wastage with its smaller kerf.
The bandsaw resaw blade can cut straighter. It also features less flexibility. Hence, it got reduced bowing capacity as it slices through the stock. You need to tension the resaw blade correctly to ensure minimal deflection of the saw blade. When it is pressed in the middle, the deflection should be less than a quarter of an inch to get the right blade tensioning.
What made An Ideal Resaw Bandsaw Blades?
The ideal resaw blade should have at least 3 TPI. It should also have large gullets to accommodate much waste generated during the sawing process. The resaw blade should also have a thinner kerf to prevent much wastage. Moreover, the thickness of the blade should not be higher than 0.025 inches. Otherwise, you will have issues with metal fatigue and tension. Besides, if you want smoother cuts, you should go for narrower kerfs.
The width of most woodcutting bandsaw blades in the U.S. is over one-half inch wide. You will also find most 3/4″ saw blades coarser. You should also only consider having a 3/4″ saw blade if your bandsaw is an 18-inch one.
Best Bandsaw Blades for Resawing
There are many resaw bandsaw blade options today, which makes the choosing process a bit confusing. To reduce your options, you can check out the following most recommended resaw bandsaw blades in the market today:
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1) Timber Wolf Bandsaw Blade
Another durable bandsaw blade is the Timber Wolf Bandsaw Blade. You can expect this bandsaw blade to weather time and last long. This blade is easy to set up and cuts with fewer vibrations and wobbling. Moreover, you can use this bandsaw blade for cutting plastic and softwood.
This bandsaw blade is an 80-inch resaw bandsaw blade. You can also use this bandsaw blade for crosscutting, but it is best for ripping. It features a .042″ kerf with an excellent tooth angle of 6.5 degrees. It also features a two and a half inches cut radius. Moreover, this bandsaw blade uses less energy and doesn’t heat that much.
Pros:
- Offers good tension
- Does not heat much
- Features sharp teeth
- Durable
Cons:
- Cut can be of less quality
2) POWERTEC 13117
If you’re looking for the best resaw blade for your 14″ bandsaw, you should check out the POWERTEC 13117. You can utilize this bandsaw blade when making delicate cuts that require utmost precision. It comes with 10 TPI, offering consistent performance when slicing wood.
The most sterling feature of this saw blade is its really sharp teeth with Rc 64-66 hardness. Since it got a higher TPI, it provides very delicate cuts and features a high-precision resawing capacity.
This one is a unique bandsaw blade because it is made of fine material. Thus, when using it, you can get surprised by its excellent performance. Even at a higher speed, you can get remarkable smoothness from this saw blade. Besides, it has a narrow width and narrow kerf at 0.025″ for an excellent cutting finish.
Pros:
- Offers lower blade tension
- More TPI for finer cuts
- Comes with Sharp teeth perfect for resawing
Cons:
- Not perfect for all types of resawing projects
3) JET WBSB-116124
Another excellent resawing bandsaw blade is the JET WBSB-116124. This one is a multi-use bandsaw blade made of high carbon steel. It can handle tough resawing tasks compared to other saw blades. It also features fine sharp teeth that can make aggressive cuts. Moreover, it offers high resaw capacity, allowing it to fulfill your resawing needs.
Its teeth are precision-milled, which allows for aggressive cutting.
Moreover, it features a flex-back build or construction that can withstand continuous usage with excellent durability and high capability to absorb stress. Since it is made of high carbon steel, it is long-lasting.
Pros:
- A multipurpose saw blade
- Fast cutting
- Perfect for making cross-section cuts on thicker material
- Ideal for cutting PVC, EMT, IMC, etc.
Cons:
- You can only use it with portable saws
- Doesn’t work well with Makita bandsaw
4) DEWALT DW3986C
One of the best bandsaw blades for portable bandsaws is the DEWALT DW3986C. The DEWALT DW3986C is made of eight percent cobalt for remarkable durability. As a bi-metal cordless saw blade, it is perfect for cutting thick metal, thin-gauge metal, and medium metal. It is also heat resistant, and its teeth feature a hardness that offers increased durability. It is also fatigue resistant with its alloy backer.
When buying a bandsaw blade, it will be best to know the bandsaw type and size before you buy one. The saw blade should also fit the bandsaw you intend to use. So, if your bandsaw is a small and portable one, you should choose a saw blade that fits that bandsaw. It will help to select something like the Dewalt DW3986C.
The Dewalt DW3986C is not expensive. You can buy this saw blade in a pack of three. Professionals and DIYers prefer the use of this saw blade, and you would surely like it likewise.
Pros:
- Offers high performance and quality
- Heat resistant and wear-resistant
- Durable and long-lasting
- A multipurpose saw blade
Cons:
- Fits only small bandsaws
5) Olson Saw FB23193DB
If you’re looking for a low-budget saw blade, you can check out the Olson Saw FB23193DB. This bandsaw blade is perfect for professional or DIY usage. It features a 3-TPI blade that is perfect for resawing. Despite its low price, it can perform beyond expectations. It is an ideal option if you are looking for a vertical bandsaw blade.
Even if you are a beginner, you will find this bandsaw blade easy to use. You can use this saw blade for slicing larger trunks of wood. It is also compatible with vertical, stationary, and floor-standing vertical bandsaws. Moreover, you can use this bandsaw blade for cutting hardwood and softwood, mild steel, plastic, and non-ferrous metal.
Pros:
- Offers durability
- A multi-purpose saw blade
- Easy to install and handle
- Perfect for heavy-duty resawing
Cons:
- Tends to vibrate when dealing with welded joint
- Not ideal for cutting large and heavy metal.
Key Factors to Consider Before Purchasing a Resaw Bandsaw Blade
A bandsaw is useless for resawing if you would not equip it with the best bandsaw blades for resawing. Yet, to zero in on the best bandsaw blade for resawing, you should be cognizant of the following key factors to consider:
Blade Width
You can use a narrow or wide saw blade when resawing, depending on the requirement of your projects. Thinner saw blades, of course, feature higher TPI. Hence, they can provide you with a polished cut and better and tighter curves.
On the other hand, wider saw blades would be perfect for making straight cuts, thinning boards, and cutting veneers. They offer remarkable stiffness and resist bending. Moreover, they are heat-resistant and last longer. Your choice, however, would depend on your requirements.
Blade Thickness
When using RIKON, Laguna, or WEN bandsaws with a size of 14 inches, you should choose a saw blade with the highest thickness. It should have a maximum thickness of 0.025 inches. Otherwise, you might encounter issues with metal fatigue and tensioning of a saw blade.
Narrow saw blade thickness comes with thinner kerfs. If the saw blade has a narrower kerf, it can cut down on wastage of wood. So, you should carefully choose a saw blade based on thickness as well.
Tooth Material
The price you pay for the saw blade usually hinges on the materials out of which your saw blade is made. If you want to cut plastic or wood, you can go for carbon steel blades. These saw blades are less expensive. Yet, they dull quickly, and you will find yourself replacing them more often.
Cobalt-alloy saw blades, on the other hand, feature eight-percent cobalt mixed with steel. Thus, they are more durable and resist heat more. They also run faster and work longer.
You can also find saw blades with carbide tips. Their tips are either coated with titanium or tungsten for better protection against heat damage and dulling.
Tooth Pitch
The pitch of the teeth depends on the TPI or teeth per inch. The higher the TPI of the saw blade, the more refined it will cut. But with higher TPI, the saw blade becomes slower to cut. Meanwhile, the saw blades with lower pitch will be very aggressive in cutting and is swifter. The edges of the cuts, however, will be rougher. Hence, it will be best to choose a saw blade with the right pitch or TPI. The best TPI for resawing blades is 3 TPI.
Conclusion
You will surely resaw using your bandsaw, and you will find your bandsaw very useful in this task. Yet, given the myriads of bandsaw blades in the market, you will find the choosing of resaw bandsaw blades more complicated than you would have expected. Yet, if you’re equipped with the knowledge about the most recommended saw blades and the key factors to consider, you can quickly choose the best saw blade for resawing.
You need to know other factors when resawing to get the optimum results from your bandsaw blades. For example, you need to set the bandsaw blade at the correct tension, adjust the blade guides appropriately, and many other factors, without which, even if you have the right saw blade, you will never get the optimum resawing results from your resawing saw blade.
Jason is a 40-year-old woodworker, carpenter and author who have been involved in the woodworking and woodcraft industry with 17 years of experience. He is expertise in technical aspects, woodcraft and furniture building projects.