I need HELP w/ blade info for My bandsaw.

[Darth_Pain]

I got a 10" Craftsman for my Bday and it comes with a 70 1/2" blade for wood. I need a blade to cut metal/plastic. Now, on the machine it says Blade size:70 1/2. Does that mean that I can only use a 70 1/2" blade? The only blades that Sears offers in 70 1/2" are made to cut wood. :cry I've tried to talk to the people at Sears hardware and those people don't know CRAP. It has alot of adjustment so, I figured I could put a smaller blade on but, I don't want to try without some advice.
Sean

 

[CaptCBoard]

You have two alternatives. See if Delta makes blades that size or to seek out a place that makes blades to order (you specify size and type of cut).

You can use wood-cutting blades to cut aluminum and acrylic, they just dull the blade faster. I do it all the time.

Scott

 

[replicaprops]

I cut metal (aluminum) all the time with wood blades. The problem is it wears out faster.

 

[Darth_Pain]

Thanks for the help. :thumbsup

 

[JunkSabers1138]

Since we're on this subject, I broke a family members OLD shopsmith bandsaw trying to cut some graflex "ears" out of wood for a saber I was building for a "friend". It still works very well, but the upper wheel rubber belt that held the blade was shredded when I went to cut the curve of the "ears" because it twisted the blade into the belt and it tore it up something bad :cry . While I'm still on this subject, Can I just buy another belt part instead of an entire bandsaw to replace it? Because the damage was my fault I'm responsible for replacing it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[jddurst]

I have used these guys for blades, they are cheap and fast.

Sunbelt

One wants to have from 3-5 teeth contacting the material during the cut, so if one is cutting a thin stock like plastic or non-ferrous metal, use a high TPI. The Wavy tooth pattern is great for metals, and with a Stick Wax lubricant, the blades will last a long time. I have re-pullied my Jet bandsaw with a step pully so that I can slow it down for cutting metal.

I just noticed this the other day:

McFeely's

Hope that helps.