Avanti/Diablo/Ridgid blades

[Chris Kennedy]

I was at Home Depot yesterday and noticed that are now carrying the Avanti and Avanti Pro saw blades. I looked at the back of the Avanti package, and it gave the following ranking:

Good: Avanti
Better: Avanti Pro
Best: Diablo
Superior: Ridgid

Well, despite best not being best, I was pretty surprised to see the Ridgid listed. I looked at a Ridgid, and sure enough, it's made in Italy.

Anyone have any experience with Ridgid blades?

Cheers,

Chris

[Chris Tsutsui]

Wow thanks for that heads up. I never hear any talk about Ridgid blades being good so I guess I will have to give them a try next.

Hopefully they will at least show some improvement over my Irwin Marthons and won't cost as much as the boutique blades. heh

[Chris Kennedy]

Wow thanks for that heads up. I never hear any talk about Ridgid blades being good so I guess I will have to give them a try next.

That was pretty much my reaction as well. I found it a little hard to believe that Freud was marketing a superior blade under the Ridgid name, for precisely this reason. Freud has brand recognition, and while Ridgid makes perfectly fine tools, I don't really think of them for saw blades.

Cheers,

Chris

[John McClanahan]

I saw the same thing. I was surprised to see Freud use the Rigid name for their top of the line blade. :confused:

John

[Mike Cruz]

I bought the combo blade recently for my Uni. Cuts very smoothly for rips and crosscuts. No tearout when cutting crosscuts on plywood. Smooth enough rips for straight to glue up? Eeeeeeeehh....I guess you could, but certainly not as smooth as a jointer.

[Randal Stevenson]

I am beginning to wonder, if Freud, sold off some of its names, since it was bought by Bosch.

[Jason White]

I have the RIDGID "Titanium" 50-tooth blade on my saw and it's very good. I bought it on sale a few months ago for $35. Not sure how many sharpenings it'll take, though.

Jason


I was at Home Depot yesterday and noticed that are now carrying the Avanti and Avanti Pro saw blades. I looked at the back of the Avanti package, and it gave the following ranking:

Good: Avanti
Better: Avanti Pro
Best: Diablo
Superior: Ridgid

Well, despite best not being best, I was pretty surprised to see the Ridgid listed. I looked at a Ridgid, and sure enough, it's made in Italy.

Anyone have any experience with Ridgid blades?

Cheers,

Chris

[scott spencer]

AFAIK, Freud does make the Ridgid Titanium series, though it's tough to get corporate confirmation. They always appeared to be roughly on par with the Diablo and TK/Avanti series, but I suppose it's possible that they're more on par with the Freud Industrial line, or have recently undergone some upgrades. The Freud Industrial, Diablo, and TK/Avanti series have always been made on the same equipment using the same materials, and were all made in Italy... the Industrial line has larger carbide and a wider selection. The carbide on the Titanium series doesn't appear to be as large as that on the Industrial line to me, but I suppose it's possible that they're including some additional features in order to justify the "Superior" label vs Diablo's "Best". I did note that some of the Titanium series blades feature the double side grind that's found on the Freud P410 Fusion, and I think at least one other blade....possibly the LU85.

Any possible upgrades or marketing ploys to the Ridgid line are pretty small potatoes compared to what else is going on. It now appears that the "Avanti" and "Avanti Pro" lines are made elsewhere, namely China and they bear no resemblance to the Freud Avanti blades we've come to respect as good value blades...it appears to me that they're made by B&D because they're nearly identical to the Oldham contractor and DeWalt contruction blades, have cheap stamped steel bodies, sloppy brazing, and tiny pieces of carbide. Neither the Oldham contractor series or DW series 20 construction blades are suitable for fine woodworking IMHO. I'm not convinced that these blades even involve Freud at all other than possibly rights to the "Avanti" name, but I'm just speculating... Not a good trend for unsuspecting consumers either way.

[Jay Jeffery]

I did a double take when I saw the new "Avanti" blades that look just like the Oldham blades, package an all. They are even in the same spot on the shelf. Sure enough, made in China.

[scott spencer]

I did a double take when I saw the new "Avanti" blades that look just like the Oldham blades, package an all. They are even in the same spot on the shelf. Sure enough, made in China.

You and me both....and they're pretty much junk blades no matter where they were made. They're just not in the same league as the former Avanti stuff. I have no issue with HD offering a cheap construction grade blade, but I am concerned that people will confuse them with the good "Avanti" blades. It's also likely to tarnish the reputation of the Avanti name in time when more people figure it out.

[Chris Kennedy]

Maybe it has been a while, but Oldham was made in New Zealand or someplace like that.

When Avanti started appearing in HD, they were made in China, but the last Avanti Pro I looked at was still made in Italy, as were the Diablos. I don't think the whole line is going to China.

Chris

[Russ Boyd]

For what it's worth, I had an Avanti blade (the chrome one) and it lasted a Looooong time in my TS. You know Freud has to be making or marketing the Ridgid now or they would never list it as better than theirs.

[Bruce Wrenn]

Recently, HD had "two-packs" of Avanti Pro blades on "special." Looked at the back, and Avanti Pro is headquartered in Atlanta, same as HD. Freud is located in Italy, with North American headquarters in High Point NC. Bosch probaly sold HD the name. Another one bites the dust!

[James White]

Since this has become a brand associated with HD. I smell clearance prices for the "good" Avanti blades coming to a Lowe's near you.

James

[glenn bradley]

It now appears that the "Avanti" and "Avanti Pro" lines are made elsewhere, namely China and they bear no resemblance to the Freud Avanti blades we've come to respect as good value blades...

As usual, Scott is all over this (always appreciate your input Scott). I had seen this post and so took notice last time I was in HD. The current Avanti and Avanti Pro are the merest shadow of the Avanti blades I have from several years ago. The current Avanti badged blades look like they might take one very cautious sharpening.

I'm a bit disillusioned but, it will pass. I will have to refocus a bit and use care when I make my next blade purchase as opposed expecting "the usual" based on the name or model. No big deal, just something to be aware of.

[Kent A Bathurst]

I saw the same thing. I was surprised to see Freud use the Rigid name for their top of the line blade. :confused:

John

Isn't Rigid a Home Depot house brand? Maybe they contracted to have a blade made for their product line. Hmmm - if so, and this is their top-rated blade.......

Right after I got my first table saw, I got a Forrest blade. Kinda like buying a LN plane or a BMW - don't even start, unless you are willing to be hooked for life. Am sure there are other great blades-planes-cars out there, but no interest in experimenting.

[Rod Sheridan]

Isn't Rigid a Home Depot house brand? Maybe they contracted to have a blade made for their product line. Hmmm - if so, and this is their top-rated blade.......

Right after I got my first table saw, I got a Forrest blade. Kinda like buying a LN plane or a BMW - don't even start, unless you are willing to be hooked for life. Am sure there are other great blades-planes-cars out there, but no interest in experimenting.

I'm the odd person out on sawblades, I've never bought a "brand" name blade available at the retail level.

I always purchase blades from tool suppliers, and have Dimar and FS Tool blades for my saw.

That said however I just picked up a Freud lock mitre cutter part # UP034, so I guess I do now own a retail branded cutter.

Regards, Rod.

[glenn bradley]

Isn't Rigid a Home Depot house brand?

No. (http://www.ridgid.com/) But they do sell a small line of items exclusively at Home Depot.

[Bruce Wrenn]

Since this has become a brand associated with HD. I smell clearance prices for the "good" Avanti blades coming to a Lowe's near you.

JamesPersonally, I would rather have the "better" Freuds. When I can get several more sharpenings out of a blade, it's purchase price becomes less. Most blades cut better when you get rid of the "factory dull."

[Kent A Bathurst]

No. (http://www.ridgid.com/) But they do sell a small line of items exclusively at Home Depot.

Thanks - did not know that - I stand corrected.

[thomas prusak]

Just thought I'd make a comment on Rigid blades. We have two nationwide millwork installation companies and buy more 12" and 10" blades than I care to add up in a years time. When I began seeing alot of our saws come back with Rigid brand blades I asked my guys why they started using them and they all said they were very good. Some jobs they're cutting thousands of LF of hardwood miter and table saw and they won't make cuts with a cheap or dull blade. Long story even longer I was very surprised to hear from them how well they liked the Rigid blades and that was without knowing they were made by Freud.

[John McClanahan]

Interesting. Thanks for the feedback, Thomas.

John

[Rich Engelhardt]

Well - we'll see....

I bought a 50T Ridgid combo blade last week for $29.99.

[glenn bradley]

This gets missed a lot so just an FYI; the Avanti name is no longer produced by Freud. I am really bothered by the fact that the name, logo and packaging are so similar. This happened quite awhile back but, people still seem to post about the "great deal" on Avanti blades at Home Depot they just saw.

[Darius Ferlas]

I have both Ridgid and Freud combo blades (50T). I use Freud only then the Ridgid is either sent for sharpening or taking a bath in a blade cleaner solution.

In the two years that I've owned it I sent about 500 bf through it, and I used it for ripping a lot, including heights of 3". Most of the time I it leaves glue ready surface, albeit not at the max cutting height.

In my experience the Freud 50T combo is not bad, but not as good as the Ridgid.

[Matthew Sherman]

I just bought the Diablo 50T combo last night off Amazon. They are running a $35 sale with free shipping. I might have to look into Ridgid blades down the road.

[Van Huskey]

I have both Ridgid and Freud combo blades (50T). I use Freud only then the Ridgid is either sent for sharpening or taking a bath in a blade cleaner solution.

In the two years that I've owned it I sent about 500 bf through it, and I used it for ripping a lot, including heights of 3". Most of the time I it leaves glue ready surface, albeit not at the max cutting height.

In my experience the Freud 50T combo is not bad, but not as good as the Ridgid.


Which level of Freud is this, model number too if you have it. I am curious if you are compaing it to the Industrial line.

[Jaromir Svoboda]

I bought one about 2 years ago for MS. Like it a lot.

[Darius Ferlas]

Which level of Freud is this, model number too if you have it. I am curious if you are compaing it to the Industrial line.
This is the one I bought (http://www.elitetools.ca/product/freud-lu83r010-10-inch-50-tooth-atb-thin-kerf-combination-saw-blade).

[Ben Rivenbark]

Wood magazine had a comparison looking for the best blade under $50, and the rigid won. For those of you who own one, check something for me. My 50 tooth combo from Rigid doesn't actually have a raker tooth. It has the large gullet, but the carbide is ground just like all the other teeth, i.e. not flat, but ATB. Are yours the same?

[Brandon Weiss]

I've had the ridgid combo blade 50T for a few months now. I like it a lot and will be purchasing it again. In fact, when my miter saw blade is ready for replacement....I would bet money it gets a Ridgid 100T blade.

[Aaron Berk]

I run a Ridgid Titanium combo blade on mt BT3K portable saw. I love it, cuts like a champ and gives clean results. I use it for mostly pine poplar and various plywoods.

My Cabinet saw still uses Woodworker and Amana blades though.

[scott spencer]

AFAIK, the Ridgid Titanium line is made by Freud in Italy. The Freud LU83, Freud Diablo D1050, Ridgid R1050C, former Freud Avanti TK906 (no longer made by Freud...I'd avoid the HD "Avanti" blades), and Craftsman Pro 32809 (also appears to be made by Freud) are very similar blades, with the LU83 having thicker carbide. They should all cut pretty comparably.

http://makitatablesawsales.com/images/Freud%20LU83R010.jpg http://www.nexternal.com/cbtool/images/D1050X.jpg http://www.homedepot.ca/wcsstore/HomeDepotCanada/images/catalog/R1050C_3.jpg http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000223O1.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg

For an alternative to a comparable bargain, check out the DeWalt Precision Trim DW7150PT or the CMT ITK Plus P10050 (both go on sale in the $35 range):

http://images.bizrate.com/resize?sq=140&uid=843318829 http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/664252/664252032198lg.jpg

[Bill White]

I thought the Avanti was made by Studebaker. Man, that was one fine lookin' car in its day.
Bill :D

[Dave Sabo]

No. (http://www.ridgid.com/) But they do sell a small line of items exclusively at Home Depot.



Well - it sort of is. Where else can you buy a ridgid battery drill or router or a mitre saw ???

It's my understanding that the entire line of electric, air powered, and battery tools is a ipso facto HomeDepot house brand produced by Emerson's Ridgid division "exclusively at (for) the Home Depot".

Only the old line heavy duty plumbing tools are available at supply shops and retailers that are not affiliated with home depot.

FWIW - Depot has this arrangement with Milwaukee now too for the battery powered line.

[Kevin W Johnson]

I just picked up 2 of the Rigid 50T combo blades and one 90T blade at HD today. They still had a sign up for $29.88ea. They rang up normal price, but i got them for the price on the sign. I got the same price on the 90T, because they had them all on the same hanger with the sign.