165mm or 6.5" saw blades for track saw- need advice and suppliers

[Malcolm Schweizer]

I'm about to rip some 21' long boards with my track saw and I want the best possible blade. I am really having a hard time finding this size blade. Shipping from the US works better for me. I have found a few Freuds in the UK. I'm sure someone out there can make some recommendations. I am ripping these to make a birdsmouth mast for a sailboat. I want clean edges, but one edge gets routed to a V and the other mates into that V. I have one shot at this in a very expensive piece of wood and I am willing to pay top $$$ for a good saw blade. By the way, mine does take 165mm, which is 6.5 inches. Apparently there is a wealth of 160mm, and I may just go with that, but the problem is I frequently rip 2" thick material, and I really would use that extra 5mm.

So- what blade and who sells it?

Thanks in advance.

[Malcolm Schweizer]

*** These need to be 20mm bore for the arbor.

[Mike Walsh]

I bought the 28T (160mm) Freud blade for my Festool saw from Amazon awhile back and like it so far. First use was cross cutting the ends of of a dining room table - very nice cut in the 6/4 cherry

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002IPH968/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Van Huskey]

Infinity sells 165mm blades and so does Makita and Dewalt.

[Gary Ragatz]

No first-hand experience, but I have a friend who swears by the Infinity Track Master.

[Nick Decker]

I can tell you that the 6.5" blade that came with my Makita track saw is excellent. I was expecting the usual ho-hum stock blade, quite surprised.

[Earl McLain]

Carbide Processors in Washington State can make almost anything, and Tom is a friend of the Creek. He knows carbide, and they'll take a phone call to discuss what you're doing. Wouldn't be cheap, but you're asking for quality and seem realistic in your expectations.
earl

[Van Huskey]

Carbide Processors in Washington State can make almost anything, and Tom is a friend of the Creek. He knows carbide, and they'll take a phone call to discuss what you're doing. Wouldn't be cheap, but you're asking for quality and seem realistic in your expectations.
earl

If I am not mistaken Jerrimy Snook at Snook's Saw Services in Salem Or does Tom's custom work including his Worlds Best saws with the Cermet II tips.

[Bryan Lisowski]

I believe CMT and Oshlun make what you need. I did buy a few Oshlun blades for my Festool, it worked good.

[Van Huskey]

I believe CMT and Oshlun make what you need. I did buy a few Oshlun blades for my Festool, it worked good.

I think both CMT and Oshlun only make 160mm blades. I assume Malcolm has either a Makita or Dewalt tracksaw which use a 165mm blade (full 6.5"). While the 160mm blades work on both I think he wants the extra 5mm to maintain the saws depth of cut.

[Earl McLain]

If I am not mistaken Jerrimy Snook at Snook's Saw Services in Salem Or does Tom's custom work including his Worlds Best saws with the Cermet II tips.

I can't speak to that, but i use a World's Best 7 1/4" in my 10" table saw for cutting kerfs and inserts to segment pen blanks--and it was worth it to me. CP also sells a line from Popular Tools at a lower price point that is excellent for general work.
earl

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Thanks for all the replies. Yesterday I found the Freud Diablo in 165mm on Amazon. It didn't say if the arbor was 20mm, but in the reviews everyone was saying they used it on their track saw, so I'm hoping that it is. (Sometimes reviews get put in the wrong place.) If not, well- I got a good price and I'll use them on another saw.

I checked out Carbide Processors' website, and I will peruse it some more, but I did not see anything in my size with the 20mm arbor hole.

So here is a question: Why don't they make a plunge cut track saw with a standard 7 1/4" blade? I knew finding blades for my saw (Makita) would be difficult, but I didn't expect even going online to find one to be such a task.

[Jamie Buxton]

..Why don't they make a plunge cut track saw with a standard 7 1/4" blade? ...

Festool does make a plunge track saw which uses a 8 1/4" blade. That's not 7 1/4, which is what you asked. But if you want a deeper cut, that's a way to go.

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Festool does make a plunge track saw which uses a 8 1/4" blade. That's not 7 1/4, which is what you asked. But if you want a deeper cut, that's a way to go.

Wow, that's huge. Wasn't aware.

Edit: I just looked it up. I didn't know the TS75 used an 8 1/4" blade. I came very close to getting that saw, but went with the Makita instead. It still gave me just over 2" depth of cut at much less cost.

[Van Huskey]

I didn't know the TS75 took a 8 1/4" blade either and I own one... I did know it took a 210mm blade but I had never clicked the conversion button in my head, which I have to do otherwise it stays in its native format in my brain.

Actually, Festool did make a 7 1/4" tracksaw or specifically a 190mm one, the TS65. While I don't "know" the reasoning I assume they split the line into a two in order to have a lighter more maneuverable 160mm saw and a heavier more powerful and deeper cutting 210mm saw which I guess sells more saws, in the end, it worked on me...

[Jeff Bartley]

Malcolm,
I would try and find a low tooth count rip blade even if it means it's only 160mm. I haven't looked hard for one but have thought about it from time to time.
Whatever blade you find please report back! And I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd be interested in seeing pics of that birdsmouth mast.....

[Mike Cutler]

I checked out Carbide Processors' website, and I will peruse it some more, but I did not see anything in my size with the 20mm arbor hole.

So here is a question: Why don't they make a plunge cut track saw with a standard 7 1/4" blade? I knew finding blades for my saw (Makita) would be difficult, but I didn't expect even going online to find one to be such a task.


I've never dealt with CP, but I have to assume that if you have the ability to custom make a blade, boring a hole in the center of any diameter isn't going to be a problem. I could be wrong though.

I would suspect that the reason you don't find plunge saws that accept standard 7-1/4" blades, is "market share". You can buy 10 packs of Freud Diablo's on amazon for less than a 1/3rd the cost of a Festool blade, I have the TS75 also, and throw them away when they get dull.. No way in my lifetime I'll ever burn through 30 circular saw blades. They make good $$$$ on the OEM replacement blades.

[Earl McLain]

I've never dealt with CP, but I have to assume that if you have the ability to custom make a blade, boring a hole in the center of any diameter isn't going to be a problem. I could be wrong though.


i've not had to do it, but yes they will custom build to spec. That's why i'd suggest a phone call (or e-mail may be easier in Malcolm's case) Ridge probably would custom make as well. Once i get to the rebuild on my Dad's 1946 Red Star RAS (turret design, Delta bought them in 1947 or 1948 for that saw)--i'll learn more since that saw has a 3/4" arbor.
earl

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Malcolm,
I would try and find a low tooth count rip blade even if it means it's only 160mm. I haven't looked hard for one but have thought about it from time to time.
Whatever blade you find please report back! And I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd be interested in seeing pics of that birdsmouth mast.....


I may just go 160mm for now. The spruce is a little less than 2". I agree a low tooth rip blade for this is better. I still need a 165mm for the mahogany which is frequently slightly more than 2" thick rough cut.

Follow my build in the boat forum- the mast will be in two weeks if I can get the platform built next weekend. I need the platform to rip it and then build it straight. The boat also is built on the platform.

By the way, the Freuds came and turns out they were 5/8" arbor. I may see if a machine shop can drill them to 20mm perfectly centered, but the Freuds have that diamond knockout, so I'm not sure that will work.

[David Ruhland]

Recently had the same problem.. bought the Freud 14 Tooth 160 mm blade for my dewalt track saw. did not have any probs ripping 2 inch oak. I believe Acme tools ships to you...


https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/freud-lu87r006m20

[Van Huskey]

Recently had the same problem.. bought the Freud 14 Tooth 160 mm blade for my dewalt track saw. did not have any probs ripping 2 inch oak. I believe Acme tools ships to you...


https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/freud-lu87r006m20

I have used this blade and it is an excellent ripping blade if you decide to go 160mm.

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Recently had the same problem.. bought the Freud 14 Tooth 160 mm blade for my dewalt track saw. did not have any probs ripping 2 inch oak. I believe Acme tools ships to you...


https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/freud-lu87r006m20

Thanks- they didn't ship to me, but I found it at Tool Barn. I just hope it gets here soon. I'm moving along with this build quicker than expected!

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Update: It was Tool Nut, not Tool Barn that I had ordered from- my mistake- so many companies I've tried now, I got confused. I got an email from them yesterday- sorry, we don't want your business... haha no, actually it said they don't ship outside the US. Ugh.

I finally found the Makita 48 tooth, so I bought it, although that's not the one I need- I need something for ripping- which I would think 24 teeth or less, which Makita makes, but not online that ships to me.

I called Carbide Processors.. They ship to me, but they don't have any 165mm blades- only 160.. Okay, so I said what's the best ripping blade you have in 160mm? She took my number and said she'd ask a tech and call me back. Haven't heard back yet.

Infinity Track Master- sold out... because they were smart and made a good blade for 165mm and people flocked to them- only guessing. :-)

Dear sawblade manufacturers: Dewalt, Makita, and Triton at minimum make saws that take 165mm blades. Please can you make some decent options for these saws? What's the deal? You don't think people rip with these things? It's the whole reason I bought the saw. They aren't just for plywood! Come on, guys- help a brother out. Make a good rip cut blade and by the way, please ship it outside the US. Thanks!

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Update- right after posting the above, I found the Freud 160mm 14 tooth on eBay that ships to me. Bought- waiting. Still not 165mm, but it's a rip cut thin kerf, and for this project the wood is just under 2" so it should work.

[Van Huskey]

Update- right after posting the above, I found the Freud 160mm 14 tooth on eBay that ships to me. Bought- waiting. Still not 165mm, but it's a rip cut thin kerf, and for this project the wood is just under 2" so it should work.

Fingers crossed for you. I think a lot more companies would ship to you if they understood you have a US zip code and the USPS costs to ship are the same as it is to ship a package to an address down the street from them. It is like people that only ship "CONUS" on for sale areas of forums when they are going to use USPS. To them Hawaii is "furrun".

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Fingers crossed for you. I think a lot more companies would ship to you if they understood you have a US zip code and the USPS costs to ship are the same as it is to ship a package to an address down the street from them. It is like people that only ship "CONUS" on for sale areas of forums when they are going to use USPS. To them Hawaii is "furrun".


Yup. I love “Continental US.” Okay, so Alaska is on the same continent, why doesn’t it count? Thanks for the advice on the Freud 14 tooth. It shipped today from the eBay seller.

[Edwin Santos]

Yup. I love “Continental US.” Okay, so Alaska is on the same continent, why doesn’t it count? Thanks for the advice on the Freud 14 tooth. It shipped today from the eBay seller.

The Freud you ordered is very good. IMO a full arsenal comprises the 14 tooth you bought, a 28 tooth and 48 tooth finishing blade. With those three you should have all cutting situations covered. I'll be surprised if you ever run into a situation where the depth difference between the 160mm and 6.5" blade is an issue. Good luck with the project,

[Malcolm Schweizer]

The Freud you ordered is very good. IMO a full arsenal comprises the 14 tooth you bought, a 28 tooth and 48 tooth finishing blade. With those three you should have all cutting situations covered. I'll be surprised if you ever run into a situation where the depth difference between the 160mm and 6.5" blade is an issue. Good luck with the project,

I buy rough cut mahogany and the track saw with 165mm blade just barely makes it through. The spruce is thinner and won’t be an issue.

[Dave Sabo]

Malcom, these guys have a good selection and ship all over the world:

https://www.axminster.co.uk/search/?q=165mm%20blade&hFR%5Bcategories.level0%5D%5B0%5D=Accessories&nR%5Bvisibility_search%5D%5B=%5D%5B0%5D=1&