In need of a "TOP" tier crosscut blade ....

[Elliott Cameron]

Hello folks....

I recently ordered a Forrest WW2 from amazon but unfortunately they let me know today it is on backorder & they have no idea when it will be in stock again.
Any suggestions ? Tenryu ?? Amana ???

I was thinking of the CMT ORANGE "General" or the Freud LU80R010

I already have the Freud Glue-line rip blade....


Elliott

[Kristian Wild]

I haven't tried the others you mention, but we use the Freud one at work and I'm quite pleased with it. We cut miles of veneer ply with it and it's really clean with a good zero clearance insert.

Kris

[Jim Becker]

Are you asking about a dedicated cross-cut blade or something as an alternative to the WW-II, which is a general purpose cc/rip blade? The Freud equivalent to the WW-II would be (or was last I looked) the F410 or something like that. Any of the major brands have nice cross-cut blades, however.

[glenn bradley]

Second vote for Freud. I haven't used thier general purpose blades but their 80T and 60T cut very clean in ply. I use the WWII for general oversize cuts but switch to the Freud when I'm cutting to dimension.

[Dave Falkenstein]

Get the WWII from 3D, the company that represents Forrest at The Woodworking Shows. Call them at 800-269-3225 and tell them you want the "Show" price.

[Tom Jones III]

I've used Freud's 80T ultimate cross cut and it is great. I've also got their 80T blade for veneered ply and it is fantastic.

[scott spencer]

The LU80R010 (formerly the F810) is the cleanest cutting blade I've used. It's an 80T Hi-ATB blade. I'm sure the Forrest's Duraline equivalent, Infinity, or Ridge Carbide would also be outstanding.

http://www.epinions.com/content_226805780100

[Gary Whitt]

Another vote for the Freud 80t.

On a side note, I picked up an Irwin 80t for around $40 for my mitersaw.

It works well, though not as good as the Freud.

[Mike Spanbauer]

Elliot,

As others have mentioned, do you want a CC or a general purpose blade? That is really a critical question before you decide.

The WWII is a fine blade, as is the Tenryu, Ridge Carbide 2000, Infinity, Freud, Amanna... I own and use 2 WWII's and a Ridge 2000 blade GP. I also have a Chopmaster in my MS, an Infinity 80 tooth plywood / veneer blade (which performs VERY well), a CMT 24T dedicated ripper which is also a top notch performer, and a Jesada (old company) dado set.

As many have said before, dedicated blades are always going to give you the absolute best results, but it requires more work on your part. If you're looking for a great all purpose blade, then the WWII, Ridge 2000, Freud 410, and Amanna all receive very high marks repeatedly.

Mike