I am going to be building a laminated (wood/Glass) longbow and would like some advice on a band saw blade for cutting out the limbs. Any input would be appreciated.
Glass really chews up band saw blades. I suggest using a belt or edge sander for shaping the limbs, if you have one.
X3 what Roy said. By the way, when have YOU been cutting 'glass Roy?
X 4 on old Roy. I do use the band saw once in a while, but I switch to a blade that's already destined for the garbage.
X 2 on Critman too. Are you coming over to the dark side, Roy?
I READ A LOT. And you two girls are being added to the thumpin list, right now.. :)
Yeah, I use an old blade (I keep a couple thick ones for cutting fiberglass or g10), then have one or two nice ones for wood only (though they are seeing less and less use as I use more glass products).
For straight tapers like on a longbow I rough cut on the table saw and then use the belt sander.
QuoteOriginally posted by Roy from Pa:
I READ A LOT. And you two girls are being added to the thumpin list, right now.. :)
Roy can read?!?! Here I always thought you just looked at the pictures! :knothead:
I found a used tabletop bandsaw for cheap. put a bi-metal blade on it and only use it to cut out the limbs. Finish them up on edge sander.
I use a Lenox Tri-Master carbide tipped bandsaw blade (3TPI) and can cut out 75-100 bows per blade. They are expensive, about $140, but well worth the money. Make sure to use the 1/2" blade because they are thinner stock than the 3/8" blade and better suited forsmaller bandsaws like my 14".
If you're going to make a bunch of bows, like we all do once we got started... X2 what Horsey just said. Check out Bandsaw Blades Direct for the Lenox Tri-Master.