three wheeled bandsaw

[kwc]

I've heard that three wheeled bandsaw have a tendancy to break blades. is this true and is it more common than a two wheeled.I can get a 16 inch beaver for next to nothing but I don't know if it's worth the trouble I'd have to pay freight to get it home. KWC

[Lou_williams]

I have an Inca 710 20 inch three wheel. I have never broken a blade. I don't think it is the style as much as the setup, and the type and size of blade you use. But, if you don't use the right technique you will break blades no mater what type of saw you own.

[Burt]

I'm very surprised to hear Lou's Reply. My experience has been that the tighter and more frequent bends from a 3 wheel band saw makes the blades break far more frequently than a two wheel bandsaw. But by the same token, the Inca equipment is a first class piece of equipment and that must make a considerable difference.

[Lou_williams]

Couple of things. The Inca is a big band saw, and the wheels are large. Not tight bends. I also use low tension blades. They cut better stay sharper and provide less stress on the equipment. But, even before I went to the low tension silicon steel blades I never broke even a 1/16 inch blade. Maybe I am just more carful than others. Also as I look at the flow on my bandsaw the blade has less radical bends than with a two wheel bandsaw. On my saw the blade goes through a 120 degree translation at each wheel not 180 degrees. As a result I would think that there is less stress on the blade with this method.

But, It is the only bandsaw I have every had and can't comment on other three wheel or two wheel bandsaws.

Lou

[Jeremy (Guest)]

If the beaver 16" is similar to the Delta 16" I would get it. If the price is cheap, even better. Most people are talking about the $89 plastic 10 or 12" three wheel saws when they refer to breaking blades.
Jeremy