Discover the precision and reliability of Olson band saw blades—essential tools for woodworkers, hobbyists, and professionals alike. Known for their durability and versatility, Olson blades make clean, accurate cuts easy, no matter the project. This shopping guide will help you choose the perfect Olson band saw blade for your needs, ensuring efficient performance and impressive results every time you power up your saw.
Olson Band Saw Blades: Types and Applications Comparison Table
| Blade Type | Tooth Designs | Material Cut | Suitable For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-Pro® PGT Premium | Hook, Regular | Wood, Plastic | Heavy-duty/Professional | Precision Ground Tooth, Long Life |
| Bi-Metal | Variable | Ferrous, Non-Ferrous | Metal Cutting | High Durability, Heat-Resistant |
| Hard Edge Flex Back | Hook, Regular, Skip | Wood, Mild Steel, Plastic | Woodworking, DIY, Commercial | Flexible Back, Hardened Teeth |
| Hard Edge Hard Back | Regular, Hook | Wood, Plastics | Precision Straight Cuts | Hardened Back and Teeth |
| Thin Kerf | Regular | Wood, Soft Materials | Smooth, Fine Cuts | Narrow Cut, Minimal Waste |
| Wood Band (WB) | Skip, Hook | Wood (Hard/Soft) | Hobby, Occasional Use | Economical, Pre-Tempered Steel |
Everyday Usage of Olson Band Saw Blades
Wide Range of Applications
Olson band saw blades are designed for versatility, meeting the demands of woodworkers, metalworkers, hobbyists, and professionals. Here’s how you might use them daily:
- Woodworking: Cutting bowl blanks, veneer, resawing, or shaping complex curves.
- Metalworking: Cutting mild steel, non-ferrous metals, or trimming stock (with appropriate blades and saw speeds).
- DIY Projects & Crafting: Shaping plastics, composites, or softer materials for home and artistic projects.
- General Workshop Use: Making straight, curved, or intricate cuts on materials suited to the blade design.
Reliability Across Materials
From hardwoods and plywood to plastics and mild metals, Olson blades cover a range of materials thanks to specialized varieties. The right blade lets you switch between detailed craftwork and rugged lumber processing.
Benefits of Choosing Olson Band Saw Blades
1. Superior Material Quality
Olson blades are crafted in the USA using carbon-rich steel, bi-metal alloys, or pre-tempered high carbon steel (depending on type). These choices provide:
- Outstanding edge retention and sharpness
- A durable, resilient body to handle tough jobs
- Flexibility or rigidity as the task demands
2. Engineered Precision & Consistency
- Hardened Teeth: Tooth hardness (62-63 Rc) ensures longer life and precision carving through dense materials.
- Computer-Controlled Raker Tooth Set: Guarantees uniform tooth alignment for straight, accurate cuts.
- Factory Welded Joints: Every blade is welded and finished to exacting standards, reducing breakage and boosting accuracy.
3. Wide Fit and Application Scope
Olson manufactures blades to fit nearly all major band saw brands, in bench-top and stationary ranges, with lengths and widths suitable for small, medium, and industrial machines. This broad compatibility makes finding the correct blade for your saw straightforward.
4. Award-Winning Performance
Recognized by professionals and readers’ choice awards, Olson blades are engineered for those who value quality, reliability, and a smooth finish in their work.
How to Choose the Right Olson Band Saw Blade
Step 1: Know Your Saw’s Specifications
Before purchasing, check your band saw’s manual or the old blade for:
- Blade Length (inches): Must match your machine’s wheel configuration.
- Blade Width: Dictates cut precision and curve radius. Wider blades track straighter, narrower blades turn tighter.
Step 2: Match the Blade Type to Material and Cut
- Wood Bands (WB): For bench-top and casual woodworking (softer woods, occasional projects).
- Flex Back Blades: For heavy-duty wood cutting, resawing, and hard/softwood work. Their flexibility absorbs shocks, prolonging life.
- Bi-Metal Blades: Ideal for metal cutting, especially in commercial or frequent-use settings due to exceptional toughness and heat resistance.
- Thin Kerf Blades: For fine, clean wood cuts with reduced material waste.
- All-Pro® PGT: For premium, professional woodworking with maximum sharpness and longevity.
Step 3: Choose Tooth Design and Teeth per Inch (TPI)
- Hook Tooth: Aggressive, fast cuts in thick wood or resawing, e.g., 3–4 TPI.
- Skip Tooth: Chips clear quickly; helpful in green woods or plastics.
- Regular Tooth: For general-purpose cutting of thinner sections or smoother finishes.
- TPI Selection: Lower TPI (3-4) for fast cuts in thick material; higher TPI (10-14) for fine, smooth cuts in thin stock.
Step 4: Balance Blade Thickness & Width
- Wider Blades (½”, ¾”, 1″): Re-sawing, straight cuts, or thick material.
- Narrow Blades (⅛”, ¼”, ⅜”): Tight curves, delicate work, small radius cuts.
- Blade Thickness: Thicker blades for heavy stock or re-sawing; thinner blades for intricate, light-duty work.
Expert Tips and Best Practices for Olson Band Saw Blades
- Blade Tracking: Always install and tension blades properly—refer to your saw’s manual for correct settings. This ensures straight, safe cuts and prolongs blade life.
- Use Correct Saw Speed: For metal cutting (with bi-metal blades), reduce the saw speed as per manufacturer guidelines to avoid overheating.
- Blade Cleaning: Resin and sawdust can degrade blade quality. Periodically clean blades to maintain sharpness and prevent material burn.
- Tooth Direction: Ensure teeth point toward the cutting table (downward), so the cut is stable and efficient.
- Don’t Force the Cut: Let the blade do the work; forcing may cause overheating, dulling, or even breaking the blade.
- Regular Inspection: Check for missing teeth, blade cracks, or weld separation. Replace any blade showing significant wear.
- Use the Correct Tooth Set: Raker sets are great for clearing chips and keeping cuts straight.
- Keep Spares: Have extra blades on hand in the sizes you use most—interruptions slow down work.
- Adjust Guides Properly: Side and rear blade guides should be set as close to the blade as possible without contact.
- Match Tension to Blade: Over-tensioning can snap blades; under-tensioning causes wandering or poor tracking. Most saws have tension guides—use them.
Comparison Table of Olson Band Saw Blade Technical Features
| Blade Type | Tooth Style(s) | Width Options | Thickness | TPI Range | Typical Uses | Unique Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-Pro® PGT Premium | Hook, Regular | 1/4″–1″ | .025–.035″ | 3–14 | Wood, Plywood, Plastics | Precision ground, superior longevity |
| Bi-Metal | Variable | 1/4″–1″ | .025–.035″ | 4–18 | Ferrous/non-ferrous metals | High-temp, wear resistant, long life |
| Hard Edge Flex Back | Hook, Regular, Skip | 1/4″–1″ | .025–.035″ | 3–14 | Wood, Mild steel, Plastics | Flex back, hardened teeth |
| Hard Edge Hard Back | Regular, Hook | 1/4″–1″ | .025–.035″ | 3–18 | Precision straight wood cuts | Maximum rigidity for accuracy |
| Thin Kerf | Regular | 1/8″–1/4″ | .014–.018″ | 10–14 | Fine woodcutting, Soft materials | Minimal waste, fine finish |
| Wood Band (WB) | Hook, Skip | 1/4″–1/2″ | .014–.020″ | 6–14 | Soft/hard woods (bench-top, hobby) | Economical, pre-tempered, ETS tooth set |
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Conclusion
Olson band saw blades represent a legacy of American manufacturing excellence dating back over a century. With options tailored for every need—from hobbyist woodworking to heavy-duty commercial metalworking—Olson blades deliver on precision, reliability, and durability. Whether you’re aiming for clean, smooth wood finishes or need a workhorse for metal stock, choosing the right Olson blade streamlines every cut.
To get the best results, always select a blade matched to your saw, material, and intended usage. With an array of widths, thicknesses, and tooth designs, there’s an Olson blade ready to elevate your craftsmanship.
FAQ
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What blade size do I need for my band saw?
Check your band saw’s user manual or the old blade for required length and width. Olson provides blades in a wide variety of common lengths and widths to fit most 2-wheel band saws. -
What is the difference between Flex Back and Hard Back blades?
Flex Back blades have a softer back and hardened teeth, offering shock absorption and flexibility—ideal for wood and varied materials. Hard Back blades are hardened throughout, suited for straight, precision cuts in dense materials. -
Which tooth design should I use: hook, skip, or regular?
- Hook teeth are best for fast, aggressive cuts in thick wood or for resawing.
- Skip teeth clear chips easily, good for softer materials.
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Regular teeth are ideal for general-purpose use and smoother cutting.
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What is TPI and how does it affect my cut?
TPI means Teeth Per Inch. Lower TPI (3–4) offers faster cuts in thicker materials; higher TPI (10–14) gives smoother, slower cuts in thin materials. -
Can Olson band saw blades cut metal?
Yes—with the appropriate blade, such as the Bi-Metal series, and adjusting your saw to a slower speed to prevent overheating.
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Are Olson blades suitable for all band saw brands?
Olson manufactures blades in common sizes compatible with major band saw brands. Always match blade length and width with your specific saw’s requirements. -
How often should I replace my band saw blade?
Replace blades when you notice dullness, burning, rough cuts, missing teeth, or cracks. Frequent users may change blades more often; hobbyists may get longer service. -
What are the advantages of “Every Tooth Set” (ETS) in Wood Band blades?
ETS provides a uniform tooth set for efficient chip removal, improved tracking, and reduces heat buildup-increasing blade life, especially on bench-top saws. -
How can I get the best performance and blade lifespan?
Don’t force materials, properly tension and track the blade, regularly clean and inspect it, and use the correct blade for the material and cut. -
Where are Olson band saw blades made?
Olson band saw blades are proudly manufactured in the United States, upholding rigorous quality standards.
By choosing Olson, you are investing in time-tested quality and innovation that support both your everyday needs and your most ambitious projects.