Ron Altier Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 I have been using a Woodworker II for quite a few years and it has served me well. Well almost. I returned it to the factory for sharpening and they blew it. I sent it back and they did it again. Each time they left silver solder bubbles on the teeth they replaced. The saw blade has never been the same. Any way my subject is; If you was going to buy a good 10" combination table saw blade, what would it be? Would it be thin or thick cerf? I'd like to get it for a reasonable price too. I paid $120 for the old one and I would like to get a nice one for a lot less. Since sharpening is costly and may not come back sharpened properly I'd rather just buy a new on Your thoughts are appreciated Artie and FlGatorwood 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Worsham Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Thin or standard kerf would depend on what type of table saw you have. If you are running a cabinet saw with 2+ HP motor, then go with a standard kerf. If you are running a contractor or hybrid saw with a motor that is less than 2 HP then go with the thin kerf. I have a Jet Contractor saw with a 1.5 HP motor and going from a full kerf blade down to a thin kerf blade made a really big different in the quality of cut, ease of cut, less burning and having to sharpen the blade less often. Artie and FlGatorwood 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Altier Posted June 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 I am using a contractor saw (wish I had my old big one) Thanks for the info. What brand saw blade do you recommend for standard use and smooth cut? FlGatorwood 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Howe Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 I use Tenryu thin kerf blades and have been very satisfied. I use a computerized sharpening service in Phoenix. Here's a link for contact info. I highly recommend him. Artie and FlGatorwood 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Worsham Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 I haved used the Tenryu blade before and it works great. I also have a WW2 blade in thin ker. Freud makes some nice higher grade thin kerf blades which are very good as well as being cheaper than the Tenryu and WW2 blades. I love my Freud thin kerf ripping blade as it gives a great finish. Artie and FlGatorwood 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Moody Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 I use the Freud higher level blades. They work great and are cheaper than the WWII. FlGatorwood and Artie 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Don't buy Forrest products any more. Once not too long ago, the company was good, but since the old man passed the quality has gone to pieces. It's like there is no Quality Control the cat's away and the mice are playing My advice is DON"T buy a thin kerf blade. They damage so easily and once warped it's all over for them. The only use for them is for the shop where thin strips are routinely cut like a Maloof style Chairmaker's shop. But for general use thin kerfs will - of a certainty - suffer damage and your money is gone Send your blades to Ridge Carbide for sharpening. They also produce and sell some very good blades dado etc., better than Ghudo IMO. http://ridgecarbidetool.com/ Blades I like include Tenru Ridge Ghudo and Felder My favorite blades are Felder Silent Power but you probably can't use them on your machinery because the hole pattern is unique and for 30mm arbor. FlGatorwood and Artie 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 (edited) I or we dont use Forrest. Too many options out there. I basically stick to Amana. I don't like looking around guessing if this one is better than that one. I think Amana is best for me.... I won't buy Freud. I think there a joke.... Edited November 29, 2019 by BillyJack FlGatorwood 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunny Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 I have been using a CMT for past couple years. Happy with it so I bought a second one so I have a spare when I get the first one sharpened. FlGatorwood 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandyDan Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 I'm a Freud user. Same quality blades and cheaper. Last Forrest I bought was disappointing. Heard it explained the kids took over the business and are not sticking to their father's original standards. FlGatorwood 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al B Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 I have the Jet contractor saw and use Freud thin kerf blades. This has worked well for me. Gunny, Artie and FlGatorwood 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlGatorwood Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 I've been using the same Shopsmith combination thin kerf for about 15 years with absolutely with no problem. I have a few Craftsman blades and they are good too. Shopsmith using Amana for their blades. I have this one sharpened about 8+ years ago by a man in Texas, but I no longer have his contact information. And, this blade that I use most often is carbide tooth. It is very smooth finish. Gunny and Artie 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlGatorwood Posted November 30, 2019 Report Share Posted November 30, 2019 I'm sorry that I mis-spoke. It is not thin kerf, it is a thin blade with about 1/8" kerf. So, the only thing touching the wood is the carbide tips as they pass through. It really does reduce the friction. Also, I use the plastic tubing for auto electrical wiring bundles to keep the teeth covered while not in use. https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/holley-3913/accessories-16449/accessories---exterior-16767/exterior-lighting-16612/wire-conduit---looming-17509/8d6e1ffe96d1/holley-3-8-inch-black-convoluted-tubing/573107/5844038?q=wiring+harness+tubing&pos=47 It it something like this. Of course, I can't find it as I can't remember the name, but it is easy to slip on and easy to remove. And, it protects the tips when you are retrieving or storing the blade. Of course, I also wax my blades to protect from rust and keeps off sap. Cal, Gunny, Artie and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuckSoup Posted December 1, 2019 Report Share Posted December 1, 2019 I use Freud blades on the table saw and miter saw with no problems. Artie and FlGatorwood 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunny Posted December 1, 2019 Report Share Posted December 1, 2019 22 hours ago, FlGatorwood said: It it something like this. Of course, I can't find it as I can't remember the name, but it is easy to slip on and easy to remove. And, it protects the tips when you are retrieving or storing the blade. I use a 16 pack myself. Artie, FlGatorwood and Cal 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Howe Posted December 2, 2019 Report Share Posted December 2, 2019 The sharpening guy I use won't sharpen Freud blades anymore. He says their overall quality has gone downhill. Several years ago he recommended Tenryu. Great blades. Gunny, FlGatorwood, Artie and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted December 7, 2019 Report Share Posted December 7, 2019 Good blades cost money. I just found a brand I could trust and just shop there. Usually you don't have to ask for advice as the manufacturers state what blade does what. A little reading and understanding goes a long way... If they offer a catalog like Amana, it specifies what does what for what.. Gunny and FlGatorwood 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Beitz Posted March 1, 2020 Report Share Posted March 1, 2020 Why not just grind the bubbles off? FlGatorwood 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted March 3, 2020 Report Share Posted March 3, 2020 On 12/2/2019 at 12:22 AM, Gene Howe said: The sharpening guy I use won't sharpen Freud blades anymore. He says their overall quality has gone downhill. Several years ago he recommended Tenryu. Great blades. That doesnt make sense. There blades are fine for the hobby woodworker.. I'd check with another sharpener.... I bought piranha blades back in the day. That blade got me some funny looks from my sharpener.... FlGatorwood, p_toad, Gunny and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p_toad Posted March 4, 2020 Report Share Posted March 4, 2020 On 3/2/2020 at 7:10 PM, BillyJack said: I bought piranha blades back in the day. I still have a stash of a few brand new ones from when they were closed out by BD. Gunny and FlGatorwood 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.