Tips for Finding the Best Bandsaw Blades for Sawmills

If you want the best sawmill blades for your portable sawmill then here's a quick guide to know what to look for

You want the best sawmill blades for your portable sawmill because you want smooth cuts, consistent quality boards and the confidence knowing when you push that sawhead it will move cleanly through the log.

That's why a lot of sawyers are selective about which blades they use, the material of the blade tips, the angle of the teeth and how easily they can be sharpened.

So what bandsaw blades do you need and which ones are best for you? Let's find out. 

What type of blades do I need for my portable sawmill?

There are many types of bandsaw blades, but there may only be a few designed for your portable sawmill and your milling needs. First, you want one with the right blade length and width that matches your model of sawmill. Refer to the owner's manual, or check for the manual online, to see what size of bandsaw blades your sawmill uses.

Next, you'll want to consider the blade specifications based on the wood you'll be milling. For example, the pitch of the blade, and hook angle determine whether it's designed for hardwoods and dense or frozen logs or softwoods.

Woodland Mills portable sawmills use the following sizes of bandsaw blades:

Woodland Mills SE118 Portable Sawmill

• • Blade Length: 117”

  • Blade Width: 1 1/4"

  • Pitch: 7/8" (1.14 TPI) (General Purpose) / 3/4" (1.33 TPI) (Hardwood)

  • Hook Angle: 10°

Woodland Mills SE122 and HM122 Portable Sawmill

• • Blade Length: 125”

  • Blade Width: 1 1/4"

  • Pitch: 7/8" (1.14 TPI) (General Purpose) / 3/4" (1.33 TPI) (Hardwood)

  • Hook Angle: 10°

Woodland Mills SE126 Portable Sawmill

• • Blade Length: 135”

  • Blade Width: 1 1/4"

  • Pitch: 7/8" (1.14 TPI) (General Purpose) / 3/4" (1.33 TPI) (Hardwood)

  • Hook Angle: 10°

Woodland Mills HM126 Portable Sawmill

• • Blade Length: 144″

  • Blade Width: 1 1/4"

  • Pitch: 7/8" (1.14 TPI) (General Purpose) / 3/4" (1.33 TPI) (Hardwood)

  • Hook Angle: 10°

Woodland Mills HM130MAX Portable Sawmill

• • Blade Length: 157.5″

  • Blade Width: 1 1/4"

  • Pitch: 7/8" (1.14 TPI) (General Purpose) / 3/4" (1.33 TPI) (Hardwood)

  • Hook Angle: 10°

Woodland Mills HM136MAX Portable Sawmill

• • Blade Length: 173”

  • Blade Width: 1 1/4"

  • Pitch: 7/8" (1.14 TPI) (General Purpose) / 3/4" (1.33 TPI) (Hardwood)

  • Hook Angle: 10°

What happens if I buy cheap blades somewhere online?

You don't want to risk buying poor quality blades because it could affect the quality of cuts on your sawmill and result in unnecessary downtime.

A consequence of using blades manufactured from low-quality steel, or improper hardening technology, is that may lack the durability for long term use and affect the quality of your cuts. If so, avoid using these blades because they may also cause damage to your equipment if they become damaged or break.

Instead focus on getting quality blades that will create great lumber for you. Replace any blades with damaged or broken teeth and sharpen dull blades so they are easily cutting through your wood.

How does a sawmill's bandsaw blade work?

So how does a bandsaw blade work to mill up your lumber?

• • Pitch: This refers to the tooth spacing, and is measured often as teeth-per-inch. Wider spacing is common in blades for softwoods while tighter spacing is used for blades designed for hardwoods.

  • Hook Angle: This is the angle of the part of the tooth that cuts into the wood. Also known as the Rake, this may vary depending on the species of wood you are sawing or whether you're milling hardwoods or frozen logs. 

  • Gullet: The space that "dips" between teeth. This part of the blade carries the sawdust out of the cut. It's important to "clean" the gullet when you sharpen your teeth to remove stress marks

What are the benefits of having a sharp blade?

When you mill lumber with a dull blade you risk getting uneven or wavy cuts. Some sawyers like using a dull blade for certain projects where they want to achieve a rustic look, but for most people they'd prefer having flat, even boards and posts.

A standard carbon blade can be easily sharpened up to five times, letting you get five times the amount of use from a single blade. Get a quality blade sharpener like the RS15 or RS30 PRO that can put a fine, sharp edge on your bandsaw's sawmill blades.

Do this and you'll produce high quality lumber every time you mill, and prolong your blade's life span so you can save money.

In Summary: How do I find the best bandsaw blades for a sawmill?

In general for maximum performance of your portable bandsaw mill we recommend:

• • Get bandsaw blades that match the specifications of your portable sawmill and your milling needs

  • Sharpen or replace your bandsaw blades after approximately every two hours of use

  • If you're sawing harder wood species, get a blade designed for that

  • Avoid tooth breakage by following all the instructions when operating your portable sawmill and bandsaw blade sharpener