Bandsaws

[batavia]

Will a 10 inch benchtop band saw ( with a decent blade) work for trimming briar? Thanks..

[caskwith]

Any small bandsaw will be fine for trimming briar.

[andrew]

That will be fine. That band saw will probably be the most dangerous tool in your shop. Use it safely.

[sandahlpipe]

It will do the job. But I love my old craftsman one. Got it used on Craigslist for $100 and it cuts much straighter than the table top ones I've used. Keep a sharp blade on it and don't use too much pressure.

[mightysmurf8201]

I recently finally decided not to cheap out and spent the extra dollar or two on a wolf blade for my bandsaw. Makes a world of difference. Get good blades. Literally only a few bucks more than the cheap ones.

[Massis]

Doesn't have to cost more. In the UK there's a brand called "tuff saws". Ian, the owner, is great guy to deal with. They make your band saw to custom order, and they're by far the best bandsaw blades I've ever used.
Most guys over at woodworking.nl forums use them as well. I paid €30 ($35) for 2 blades including shipping from UK to Belgium. A single Metabo blade (original for my bandsaw) costs €24...

[caskwith]

Don't buy expensive blades if you intend to work with tough materials like Morta though, it's a false economy.

[batavia]

Thanks everyone.

[andrew]

Don't buy expensive blades if you intend to work with tough materials like Morta though, it's a false economy.

That is not something I would have guessed. Glad you said something.

[sandahlpipe]

My cheap blades tend to last about a year. That's good enough for me. I also get 1/4" ones instead of 1/8". They don't do as well with tight radius cuts, but they cut straight lines better.

[caskwith]

Don't buy expensive blades if you intend to work with tough materials like Morta though, it's a false economy.

That is not something I would have guessed. Glad you said something.

Unless you have TCT teeth then they will wear out quickly on morta, good blades or bad blades will fare pretty much the same in this case.