Bandsaw blade suggestion Metal AND Wood

[Foster]

Our VEX teams have access to a shop that has a little used 14" bandsaw. The owner is willing to install a donated blade on it, but he needs the ability to cut up to 3/4" plywood.

So I'm looking for a compromise blade that will cut the softer steel of VEX metal, aluminum, polycarb plastic AND cut 3/4" plywood. I know that it's not going to be the best in both worlds, but would like to hit the mid-point. Because of the small VEX pieces being able to cut a smaller radius would be a bonus.

I'm looking at carbon steel with a skip tooth pattern to help with clearing the wood chips, but I'm a little out of my depth.

Thanks!

Saw information

Jet JWBS-14DXPRO, 14" Deluxe Pro Bandsaw Kit

Band Saw Size/Wheel Diameter (In.) 14
Cutting Capacity Width (In.) 13-1/2
Cutting Capacity Height (In.) 12
Blade Length (In.) 105
Blade Speed (SFPM) 1500/3000

[MrForbes]

Use something else to cut steel, and us the finest blade he can get away with for the thicker plywood.

[Cory]

Use something else to cut steel, and us the finest blade he can get away with for the thicker plywood.

Yep, 1500 sfm is about 8-10x too fast to cut steel, regardless of blade choice.

[Foster]

Alrighty then, that was easy! Thanks!

[MrRoboSteve]

We don't run into a lot of scenarios for cutting steel that aren't amenable to the hacksaw or the Dremel. We switched to EZ Lock cutoff wheels (https://www.dremel.com/en-us/Accessories/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=EZ456) on the Dremel and really like them.

[Foster]

I watched a roboteer use one of them and then drop it. The bounce was pretty amazing. No injuries, but it ended my allowing them to use Dremel tools.

[MrForbes]

I have no use for a Dremel tool on anything I work on. Maybe I have too many 4.5" and 7" and 8" angle grinders!

but at school, we use a hacksaw and vise to cut steel. At home, I use an abrasive chop saw, or a cutting torch, or a 3" air powered cutoff wheel. When we made a steel frame at school, I brought in my chop saw. If I were serious about cutting steel, I'd get a good sized horizontal band saw for cutting stock, and a plasma cutter for cutting sheets. But I'm too cheap.

[Foster]

We cut VEX metal with a hack saw now, I was just entranced by the ability to get to a bandsaw to cut metal.

Angle grinders fall into the same category of Dremel. Drop them and it spins on the ground. :eek: Hard to drop a band saw.

plasma cutter for cutting sheets

Oh baby, I can just imagine a plasma cutter and the VEX metal plate!!!

[MrForbes]

There are small "convertible" horizontal bandsaws that run at the right speed to cut steel, and can be set in a vertical position.

http://www.harborfreight.com/horizontal-vertical-metal-cutting-bandsaw-93762.html

I have used one years ago, it would probably be OK for light metal like you are planning to use it with, but not so good for heavy stuff I work on at home.