Metal saws - pro's - con's - compromises

[rwhite692]

I would not be concerned with having a blade tension gauge. We used to have a Wells 10 inch bandsaw back in NY and the most important thing by far was simply having good bi-metal blades...and running the coolant/cutting lubricant...You can get killer pricing from McMaster Carr believe it or not on blades, they list them simply as "bi-metal blades" but when they show up they are Starrett brand blades. At my work we have a large Dake saw and that is where our guys buy the blades.