TS Blade Question

[Mike Burns]

I'm looking for a good all-purpose blade for my Jet Contractor Saw. I noticed the Ridge Carbide TS2000 on the Holmgren site, but it said that it is ideal for larger 3HP saws and SOME 1 1/2 HP contrator saws. Does anyone know what they are referring to? Any suggestions for other options would be appreciated. I'm considering the aforementioned blade, the 40T WWII, and the Dewalt DW7657. Am I missing any? By the way, I seldom have to deal with any thick hardwoods.

Also, what the heck does BORG mean?

Thanks,

Mike

[Craig Stueve]

I just got the Forrest WWII 40T thin kerf installed in my Jet contractor saw. I am impressed at how good of a job it does on everything I have thrown its way so far. You might pick up the latest Woodworkers Journal they have a big test on 10" blades.

Craig

[Mike Burns]

I just got the Forrest WWII 40T thin kerf installed in my Jet contractor saw. I am impressed at how good of a job it does on everything I have thrown its way so far. You might pick up the latest Woodworkers Journal they have a big test on 10" blades.

Craig

Thanks Craig. Did you buy the stiffener as well? And are you related to any Stueves down here around Topeka?

Mike

[Frank Hagan]

I've used the WWII and the Freud LU- series blades, and they are both top notch. I actually like the Freud better than the regular WWII blade, but I like the WWII thin kerf the best of all.

[glenn bradley]

I've had better luck with thin kerf blades on my 1hp saw. Full kerf is OK but can bog down the saw on thick hardwood. Stiffeners I use as well. Big Orange Retail Giant.

[Mike Cutler]

Mike.

As I understand it. The profile and pitch of the teeth on a blade. The width of the kerf, and the number of teeth. all dictate how much energy a saw has to generate to effectively utilize the blade. Contractor saws, like your Jet, and my Jet are of lesser power. Convention, and magazine articles advise that we should be using thin kerf blades, to decrease the power requirement.

That said. I use a full kerf CMT combination blade ,40 teeth for cross cuts, and a thin kerf CMT rip blade. I've pushed 2 1/2" hard maple, and 8/4 brazillian cherry through my 1 1/2 hp Jet contractor saw, and never had a problem. I've used Freuds, and Amanas, and they were fine also. The Oldham blades at the 'Borg(Big Orange Retail Giant. Home Depot) I've found are not so good.

Here is a link to a page that defines the different tooth combinations. It's also a little primer on saw blades. I'm pretty sure it's an internet sales page, but I've never done business with them. Good basic info though.

http://www.thewoodshop.20m.com/sawblades.htm

[Mike Burns]

Thanks for the link. Lots of good information there. And thanks to all for the help with the BORG. I don't think I'd have figured that out on my own.

[scott spencer]

Hi Mike - AFAIK Ridge Carbide offers both full and TK, as does Forrest....Holbren has good pricing on the TS2000 with free delivery. The TS2000 and the WWII are very similar in design and function, but the RC has thicker carbide. The DW7657 is an awesome deal but is only available in full kerf. They're all excellent choices.

I'd go with a TK for your saw....it'll just make it easier on the motor and will offer better feedrate. With blades of this caliber you shouldn't have any issues with deflection, especially if you don't do alot of thick hardwoods.

Another excellent consideration is the Freud LU88R010 (< $50 @ Amazon). It's a 60T TK crosscut blade with a steep enough hook (15*) that it'll actually perform quite nicely as a general purpose blade, with the ability to rip to ~ 6/4" without struggle. It has the benefit of a slightly cleaner cut than any of those three 40T blades.

For your occasional ripping, you can always grab a very nice German made Leitz ripper from Mike Jackson for $11 plus s/h...unbeatable deal IMHO. http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB4&Number=2572591&Forum=f4&Words=&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Main=2572591&Search=true&where=bodysub&Name=33376&daterange=1&newerval=1&newertype=m&olderval=&oldertype=&bodyprev=#Post2572591

http://www.epinions.com/content_145552674436
http://www.epinions.com/content_220309917316
http://www.epinions.com/content_226312687236