Having an experienced team that’s very knowledgeable about the types of problems their customers typically have with band saw blades is important at Menominee Saw & Supply in Menominee, Michigan.
Whether they’re not getting an accurate cut, a smooth finish, or poor run times, a problem with blade performance often indicates there’s something wrong in the blade construction, such as poor tooth design. Unfortunately, not only does this give less than optimal cutting results, but it can also affect the life of the saw.
Menominee Saw works with the customer to learn more about the problem, whether it’s on the phone or in person. “It’s the people and the support we give to our customers – the experience to really work with the customer and give them the right blade” that sets Menominee apart from their competition, said service manager John Brock, who’s been with the company for 35 years.
The company, started in 1890, has been making band saw blades since 1990, and the average number of years of service in its band saw shop is about 15 years, he said. Menominee’s own Wolverine brand of band saw blades, ranging in width from 3-8", are custom-designed on site from 600-700’ coils of Uddeholm steel manufactured in Austria and Sweden. Teeth are cut into the blades on site and then plasma welded. CNC grinders are used to produce the finished blade to the customer’s specifications.
The typical blade length they cut is 20-30’, but their “Wolverine blades can be manufactured to any length to fit any machine,” said Brock. Menominee specializes in both swage toothed and Stellite tipped band saw blades. Supplying saws for such manufacturers as West Plains Resaw and McDonough, Menominee Saw can manufacture blades for any machine.
Many of their customers are located in the Midwest – in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa – and they also ship orders all over the country. Menominee’s customers include a mix of pallet companies, grade saw mills, molding manufacturers and furniture plants.
In addition to new saw blades, the company does saw blade repair, sharpening and regrinding, providing a weekly pickup and delivery service to businesses in Wisconsin and Michigan. They make over 150 service calls per week to service blades.
“The company also manufacturers carbide tipped saw blades for the pallet and sawmill industry, plus anything else a sawmill needs,” said Brock. In addition they supply thin kerf band saw blades for portable sawmills and resaws.
Other services offered by Menominee include mill troubleshooting and alignment, band wheel grinding, filer training (in-house or on-site), filing room layouts, knife grinding, sawmill design and layout, and circular saw hammering, tensioning, and complete rebuilding.
