In The Bandsaw Book you recommend against using 0.025 thick blades on bandsaws with wheel diameters less than 12". I have the Ryobi 10" bandsaw
(BS1001SV) and the manual says it can handle up to 1/2" wide blades but no mention on thickness is made. Can I use 0.025 thick blades or am I stuck to the four made by Olson specifically for 10" bandsaws, where the thickness is less than 0.0250". Thanks!
-Joe
El Segundo, CA
Our Expert
As a bandsaw is running the blade is flexed around the wheels hundreds of time each minute. A blade that is too thick for the wheel diameter will break prematurely as it is repeatedly flexed around a very small radius. In order to prevent continual blade breakage, I recommend that you stick to using the thinner blades. As you've probably noticed, the thin blades flex in the cut, but that is one of the limitations of a small bandsaw. You may want to consider purchasing a larger bandsaw, such as a 14" model.
