Best Carbide Tipped Band Saw Blade For Stainless?

[coolidge]

Can anyone recommend a carbide tipped band saw blade for stainless? From a quick interweb search it looks like if the blade is rated for stainless it won't have any difficulty cutting any other metal I work with. My blade length is 93 inches x 3/4. I'm a bit concerned about the TPI I'm only seeing 3 TPI which seems rather extreme.

I went to cut some 3x3 3/16 stainless tubing tonight and the factory HSS blade lasted long enough to scratch the surface before giving up.



I had a Irwin bimetal cobalt tipped blade on hand and it slices through the stainless without issue, quite a smooth cut. I'm just not sure how long it will last cutting stainless. Also its welded poorly and goes ka-THUMP every time the weld comes around.

 

[Tony Wells]

3 TPI is a bad idea on tubing that thin. I see you're cutting dry. A good bimetal blade run with coolant would last quite a while.

Carbide tipped bands are great for controlled feed saws where the speed can be high and also flooded. But if/when they lose a tooth, you must stop before shucking off more. Bigger blades are worth repairing, but not so sure about a 3/4". I'd try several things before investing in a carbide blade if it were me.

 

[JimDawson]

I would go with a good bi-metal blade with a proper tooth count for the material you are cutting.

I get mine from New Tech Industrial Tool Supply Inc in Portland, they make them to order. I think all of their stock is M42 Colbalt bi-metal, should work well in SS.
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