Thread: So many blades - which one? - Family Woodworking

...I did contact them & was told that even if I wanted to replace only one worn out blade with another, there would still be a $50 minimum order. At this time I don't know what my needs will be & how many blades I'll need, so I was thinking of 2-3 to get me started & decide what would work best for me...

Buying several different configurations of blades at first is a good way to get a feel for they types of blades you're most likely to use. So you're on the right track there, in my opinion. (And your needs will quite possibly be different than those of other guys here.) An assortment with something like a 1/4" with 14 tpi, a 3/8" with 6 to 8 tpi, and a 1/2" with 3 tpi would be a well-rounded set. That said, you can buy two of each from Ellis for less than the three blades would cost most other places. That gives you a spare for each configuration. Having a spare blade is a good thing, since Murphy's Law dictates that the likelihood of a blade breaking is directly proportional to the importance of the project (with a multiplier added if the project is on a deadline).

Once you find the one or two blade configurations you use the most, you can stock several of each. And you still will have one or two blades that you don't use much, but have available for the rare project where they are handy. Case in point: When I first got my bandsaw, I bought a pairs of several different configurations. In time, I realized that I very seldom used the 1/4" blade and almost never used the 3/8" blade, but the 1/2" blade got lots use for the things I was doing. (Your mileage may vary, of course.) When that 1/2" blade was ready to be replaced, I put my spare one on the saw and ordered 6 or 7 more of that size. Those are my primary, day-to-day blades for cutting turning blanks. I still have at least one of those original 1/4" blades, and still use it once in a blue moon when I'm doing a project that can use it. I eventually bought another one to have as a spare, so I added it to my next 1/2" blade order. (I never felt the need to buy any more of the 3/8" ones, but I'll bet I still have one or two in the cabinet...next to the one or two 3/4" blades I've tried and decided I didn't like.)

Source: http://familywoodworking.org/forums/showthread.php?29160-So-many-blades-which-one

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