I just got a call from Forrest and my blade had 4 broken or missing teeth. The total for for the repair, sharpening and shipping will be $32.  Any other blade and I wouldn't have taken so much effort with, but this is the best blade I ever used and it is worth that to me.

That sounds like a great deal Ron. I was going to buy one at the last woodworking show I went to and they were out. I guess I am going to order one.

Did they give you any thoughts as to what may of happened to the carbide?

 

-Ace-

 No, I was changing clothes when he called and was trying to get dressed while answering his questions. I wanted to ask that, so I'll email him.

Ace HoleInOne said:

Did they give you any thoughts as to what may of happened to the carbide?

 

-Ace-

Got an update on this Ron?

Ron Altier said:

No, I was changing clothes when he called and was trying to get dressed while answering his questions. I wanted to ask that, so I'll email him.

Ace HoleInOne said:

Did they give you any thoughts as to what may of happened to the carbide?

 

-Ace-

Not yet, I figured it would be the  first of the week, if not I may call.

John Morris said:

Got an update on this Ron?

Ron Altier said:

No, I was changing clothes when he called and was trying to get dressed while answering his questions. I wanted to ask that, so I'll email him.

Ace HoleInOne said:

Did they give you any thoughts as to what may of happened to the carbide?

 

-Ace-

I got my sharpened/repaired blade back yesterday and am very disappointed. The invoice said that it was extremely dull and required an additional top grinding. There were 4 teeth replaced. My total cost for everyting, including freight, was a little over $60. When I cut with it, rip or crosscut, it shows teeth marks, both on the front and back of the saw blade. I can see two distinct different angles where the blade cut. Even when it was dull, it did a better job. I wanted and should have gotten a finished cut. I emailed them and explained my complaints. I told them that if they couldn't  sharpen it up to their high standards, they should have told me. I would have told them to toss it and I'd buy a new one.

To be continued.

Man Rob, I am sorry to hear this story. If I were Forest, I'd be mailing you a brand new blade and a something else to make you happy, this is a raw deal. Please keep us informed. Might have to start an email campaign on your behalf!

Ron Altier said:

I got my sharpened/repaired blade back yesterday and am very disappointed. The invoice said that it was extremely dull and required an additional top grinding. There were 4 teeth replaced. My total cost for everyting, including freight, was a little over $60. When I cut with it, rip or crosscut, it shows teeth marks, both on the front and back of the saw blade. I can see two distinct different angles where the blade cut. Even when it was dull, it did a better job. I wanted and should have gotten a finished cut. I emailed them and explained my complaints. I told them that if they couldn't  sharpen it up to their high standards, they should have told me. I would have told them to toss it and I'd buy a new one.

To be continued.

Ron, I have also had a not-so-good experience with Forrest sharpening, on a Freud dado set. They replaced one tooth and the brazing was of such poor quality I could have done better with my stick welder...and I can't weld! Also the sharpening wasn't bad, but they didn't grind down the anti-kickback fingers. When I made a cut with the set it would be a real bumpy ride. I wound up sending it to bullsharp for proper service. I though my experience was unique, I've never (until now) read a complaint about Forrest so I don't bring it up. Really sad....

Ron Altier said:

I got my sharpened/repaired blade back yesterday and am very disappointed. The invoice said that it was extremely dull and required an additional top grinding. There were 4 teeth replaced. My total cost for everyting, including freight, was a little over $60. When I cut with it, rip or crosscut, it shows teeth marks, both on the front and back of the saw blade. I can see two distinct different angles where the blade cut. Even when it was dull, it did a better job. I wanted and should have gotten a finished cut. I emailed them and explained my complaints. I told them that if they couldn't  sharpen it up to their high standards, they should have told me. I would have told them to toss it and I'd buy a new one.

To be continued.

Ron, sorry to hear about the problem with Forrest. All I had ever heard was they were top of the line and took care of their product. As I said earlier I don't have one, but was ready to pull the trigger and put one on my new saw. I may hold off until I see what they do for you.  Please keep us informed. That is a lot of money to pay for a blade, send it back to be resharpened and then be so unhappy with it.

I'm a hobby woodworker and a blade changer. I used the 24 and 40 tooth Freud diablo blades. They cut very nice and smooth. Pick them up at the box-store for around 30.00 each.

 

That is just me.

 

-Ace-

The 10" woodworker ll costs about $125 and is worth it. Great saw blade. Their sharpening service is my problem.

Ace HoleInOne said:

I'm a hobby woodworker and a blade changer. I used the 24 and 40 tooth Freud diablo blades. They cut very nice and smooth. Pick them up at the box-store for around 30.00 each.

 

That is just me.

 

-Ace-

I have used those also Ace and probably still will keep one of them on the saw a lot. I have two boys who like to come in the shop and saw most anything and they don't change blades all the time. So I don't want to put an expensive blade on there an leave it if you know what I mean.

 

I would like to have one to used for me though.

 

Ace HoleInOne said:

I'm a hobby woodworker and a blade changer. I used the 24 and 40 tooth Freud diablo blades. They cut very nice and smooth. Pick them up at the box-store for around 30.00 each.

 

That is just me.

 

-Ace-

Another update. I sent the saw back, postage paid. A week or so later I got the blade back, with an invoice that said no charge. They reground the soldered places and resharpened the blade, or so they said. It saws much nicer, but still not as good as a new blade. Now the kicker, even though the invoice was zero, my credit card was charged another $30. Knowing that they don't answer email, I wrote a letter to Jim Forrest and explained the whole mess. I worte personal on the envelope and sent it out about 10 days ago. I have not had any response yet. I am concerned that they may misuse my credit card again if I go further with it.

 

What do you think I should do?

I would follow up with phone call's to Mr. Forrest office. Document the date and time of each phone call. If he doesn't respond to your phone call's. Then send a "certified" letter to Mr. Forrest, explaining your situation and date and times you have called.

 

I'm sure its just some crossed wires and you weren't to be charged the additional amount. I guess you could contact your credit card company and contest the 30.00 charge( that is if you didn't pay your balance off ). Let them work it out with Mr. Forrest????

 

Kill them with kindness. Be persistent, call once or twice a day, then more frequently, until you get things resolved.  

 

-Ace-

 

 

The squeaky wheel gets the oil.

 

 I placed another call, the guy was cooperative. They are taking off the $30 that they charged me. They won't replace the blade, but want it back again to find out why it won't cut as good as it should. HERE WE GO AGAIN.  He told me that they can't guarentee that it will cut as good as a new one, because the technology is a complex thing. If my blade was misused, overheated, or hit some steel, it can effect the cut, even if it is sharpened. OK, wish I'd know that before I sent it in. I would never knowingly do harm to a blade that cost that much or even to a cheaper one.

 

None of the emails or the regular mail was answered and I asked him why. The answer was that they are behind and with the economy the way it is, they have cut back.   Behind??  My first email was over 2 months ago. 

 

To be continued............again

 

 

Ace HoleInOne said:

I would follow up with phone call's to Mr. Forrest office. Document the date and time of each phone call. If he doesn't respond to your phone call's. Then send a "certified" letter to Mr. Forrest, explaining your situation and date and times you have called.

 

I'm sure its just some crossed wires and you weren't to be charged the additional amount. I guess you could contact your credit card company and contest the 30.00 charge( that is if you didn't pay your balance off ). Let them work it out with Mr. Forrest????

 

Kill them with kindness. Be persistent, call once or twice a day, then more frequently, until you get things resolved.  

 

-Ace-

 

 

The squeaky wheel gets the oil.

 

Jim Forrest is dead.  The next time you call, ask for Tony.

I have 3 WW IIs.

Larry

I run a business and am a 1 man shop. No excuses are good like that. Cut back? Just stupid. If you have a web presence, answer your email or don't have it. Sorry, I can't stand companies that have technology and then drop service to it. Just stupid. Thats like saying , "well, we have a phone, but just nobody to answer it" How can you sell something if you can't talk to someone.? If they can do woodworking shows and have ads in magazines, they sure as heck can answer an email. Sorry, I'll kick the soapbox back into the corner.

Larry, do you have yours sharpened locally or do you send them back?

Larry Jenkins said:

Jim Forrest is dead.  The next time you call, ask for Tony.

I have 3 WW IIs.

Larry

Ron..

In all the years Iv'e had them, only one went back for sharpening and replacement of a broken tooth.  (My fault.)

Came back fixed and resharpened and still works well.  I dealt with a man named "Tony" over the phone.

I think what happened was that after Jim Forrest died, so did some of his quality philosophy.  Perhaps a call to Tony, (if he's still there,)  and question the apparent change in quality and Company policies now.

Larry