Porta Band Saw blades. Lenox vs. Milwaukie

Pirate

unread,

Mar 16, 2010, 11:50:03 AM3/16/10

to

I lucked into a PorterCable Porta Band Saw for $10 at a yard sale :-)
Locally I can get Milwaukie or Lenox blades for it. They are from
Lowes and HD, and I don't know the model #'s of the Lenox blades.
Any experience out there on either blades?
Also tooth count? I will mostly be cutting 1/8" to 1/4" steel.
Thanks

Cydrome Leader

unread,

Mar 16, 2010, 4:52:30 PM3/16/10

to

The lennox variable pitch blades are pretty exciting.

spaco

unread,

Mar 16, 2010, 5:07:31 PM3/16/10

to

I don't know. I got a Milwaukee PortaBand as a gift 3 or 4 years ago
and I am still on the first Milwaukee blade. I have used Lennox hole
saws, though and they cut pretty well. I really push them in my
application. Starret has worked the best for me there.

Pete Stanaitis

Pirate

unread,

Mar 16, 2010, 6:21:22 PM3/16/10

to

Thanks for the replys.
I was at HD and bought a 2 pack of the Milwaukie 24 tpi blades. Test
cut in 1/8 angle was impressive.
Thanks again

Don Foreman

unread,

Mar 17, 2010, 1:01:19 AM3/17/10

to

I've been very satisfied with the Milwaukee blades. They recommend a
14/18 blade for 5/32" to 5/16". It doesn't take much of an angle to
make the cut 5/32" when cutting 1/8" stock. The recommended blade for
up to 5/32 (which includes 1/8) is 24 tpi. The downside of using that
in 1/4" stock is just that it cuts more slowly than a 14/18.

The Lenox blades may be just as good, I've not tried them.

Don Foreman

unread,

Mar 17, 2010, 2:13:27 AM3/17/10

to

I forgot to note that most of my work is also 1/8" to 1/4" steel, and
the blade I have in my saw most days is a Milwaukee 14/18. I've worn
out several considerably more expensive blades on my vertical bandsaw
but haven't yet worn out a Milwaukee blade.

Harold & Susan Vordos

unread,

Mar 17, 2010, 3:10:21 AM3/17/10

to

"Pirate" <over40pira...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:ea4d0f3c-2a84-4ab7...@g19g2000yqe.googlegroups.com...

Tooth count.

Rule of thumb when sawing is to have no less than two teeth in the cut at
all times.. That prevents shucking teeth, which ruins a blade instantly.
By sharp contrast, too many teeth in contact results in the gullet being
filled with chips, preventing the blade from cutting properly. A small
variety of blades is a good investment, although if you will be restricted
to no larger than 1/4" steel, you will be well served with a 24 pitch blade.

Harold

Karl Townsend

unread,

Mar 17, 2010, 8:37:51 AM3/17/10

to

"Harold & Susan Vordos" <vor...@tds.net> wrote in message
news:xf%nn.176$Sp1...@newsreading01.news.tds.net...

You're right about tooth count but its a PITA to change blades on my saw. As
I normally cut thick stuff, I have a 8 pitch blade in it. When doing thin
stock I turn up the speed and slow down on the restrictor for feed. Seems to
work. Not saying I've never caught a tooth, but it is rare and saves a bunch
of time.

Karl

>

Don Foreman

unread,

Mar 17, 2010, 12:25:16 PM3/17/10

to

Blade change on a Milwaukee saw takes about 15 seconds.

Snag

unread,

Mar 17, 2010, 6:52:16 PM3/17/10

to

Unless said saw is set up in a fixture that turns it into a vert saw with a
small table . Then changing blades becomes a PITA . Mine usually wears a
10/14 <bimetallic ?> from HF - Morse brand and about 20 bucks for 3 blades
.
--
Snag
"90 FLHTCU "Strider"
'39 WLDD "PopCycle"
BS 132/SENS/DOF

Don Foreman

unread,

Mar 18, 2010, 2:15:40 AM3/18/10

to

On Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:52:16 -0500, "Snag" <snag...@comcast.net>
wrote:

I think a 3-pack of Milwaukee blades is less than 20 bux at Depot.

Snag

unread,

Mar 18, 2010, 8:08:56 AM3/18/10

to

Don Foreman wrote:

> I think a 3-pack of Milwaukee blades is less than 20 bux at Depot.

I'll be checkong that out ! I've been happy overall with the Morse blades
from HF, but the selection of TPI is limited - they only carry that one type
. My son the autoparts man got me some (DeWalt) from his store , they were
only available in 18 TPI . Be nice to have more of a selection .

Snag

unread,

Mar 18, 2010, 4:57:55 PM3/18/10

to

So I went by the local Home Depot , picked up a package of the Milwaukee
blades . Turns out it's fifteen bucks for two blades , which is a bit higher
initial cost then the Morse ($7.50 vs $6.67). The write-up on their website
makes it sound like these blades can do everything but wash the dishes ...
we'll see .
The biggest problem I have is catching/binding the blade while cutting an
irregular shape (like cutting sprues off castings) , putting a kink in it .
To be fair in my comparison , I bought the same pitch blades I've been using
. I'll see if these last longer , they claim 3X the life of a standard blade

Gunner Asch

unread,

Mar 19, 2010, 3:43:03 PM3/19/10

to

YOU SUCK!!!!

Gunner

"First Law of Leftist Debate
The more you present a leftist with factual evidence
that is counter to his preconceived world view and the
more difficult it becomes for him to refute it without
losing face the chance of him calling you a racist, bigot,
homophobe approaches infinity.

This is despite the thread you are in having not mentioned
race or sexual preference in any way that is relevant to
the subject." Grey Ghost