Blade selection comes down to intended use. Try to use as few teeth as possible for fast cutting (few teeth = large gullet = excellent swarf removal) but try to use as many teeth as possible for the smoothest cut (more teeth = smaller cuts = slower cutting).
So it's a compromise.
Try to have at least 3 teeth in the workpiece at all times. Cutting thin stuff with a coarse blade will give you a hard ride as each tooth will bang into the workpiece.
So, for ripping, I use 1/2" 3 TPI. This will also do for turning blanks provided they are 200mm or so in diameter, or larger. For smaller blanks 3/8 or even 1/4" would be better. Skip tooth will give a more aggressive cut.
For thinner stock, or smoother finish, I use a 1/4" 6TPI or 8TPI standard tooth.
I do 95% of my BS work with these two blades.
If your BS has smallish wheels, consider the Woodpecker blades from Starrett. They have a flexible back with hardened teeth, so they can bent round a small wheel more readily than a carbon steel blade or an M42.
They can be also be sharpened and set, unlike carbon steel blades (well, you might get one or at most two sharpenings out of one, but essentially they are disposable.) An alloy blade (trad) can be sharpened and set as many times as you like, but does not hold its edge as well.
HTH
Steve
