12" table saw blade: 30 or 40 tooth?

[Jim Knishka]

I'm getting ready to order a 12" Forrest blade for my table saw, and am leaning to the 40 tooth. I figure that the increased circumference will mean about the same number of teeth in the cut as a 10" when ripping. This will be used for 8/4+ hardwoods. Any thoughts?

(I'm going with Forrest as I have a 5/8" arbor - the other vendors charge for boring if not 1" on a 12 inch blade.)

Thanks for your input - Jim

[scott spencer]

Forrest blades are extremely good, but I wouldn't restrict myself just because of the bore diameter...it's pretty easy to bush a 1" bore down to 5/8", which opens up alot more choices.

For 8/4"+, I"d be inclined to go with the 30T. On the other hand, if you're up to bit of an experiment, I'd get both! The 40T Forrest Surface Planer (http://www.amazon.com/Forrest-CP12408145-Solid-Surface-Material/dp/B000OMK5ZE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1197684876&sr=1-2)blade with 1" bore is on sale thru Amazon for ~ $38 shipped w/"BLDPROMO" code. It's got a steep positive hook and has a similar geometry as the WWII. It's possible the side clearance is a bit different, but I've heard favorable reports from others that it cuts wood extremely well. It's such a good deal, that I'd be willing to give it a shot in addition to getting a 24T or 30T ripper.

Food for thought... ;)

[Justin Bukoski]

Jim, just curious but what kind of table saw do you have? I'm sure you know this but not all saws can handle a 12" blade and I haven't heard of too many 12" table saws with 5/8 arbors....

[Jim Knishka]

I have a Rojek 315. It has a scoring arbor too but that's a future blade purchase, though only a maybe. I don't do much with plywood.

[Brian Gumpper]

Jim, just curious but what kind of table saw do you have? I'm sure you know this but not all saws can handle a 12" blade and I haven't heard of too many 12" table saws with 5/8 arbors....

My Mini-Max 12" saw has a 5/8" arbor too. I don't know whey they go to 5/8" when a 1" arbor is closer to the 30mm European standard they probably started at.

For 12" blades, I use a bushing as Scott mentioned. Right now I have a 10" blade in there but it barely and I mean barely cut 8/4 hard maple the other week. I guess the arbor is set lower than the usual cabinet saws.

[Jim Knishka]

Thank you all for your advice. Today I ordered a Ridge Carbide 40 tooth blade with a 1" arbor - they are going to afix a 5/8 bushing at no charge. Brian, if you carried the 12 inch blades I would have gone with Holbren, but when I take the dado plunge you'll get my order.

[Brian Gumpper]

No problem Jim, I don't have the 5/8" bushings. I do have the 12" blade though just never got around to putting it on the web.

[Jim Becker]

Interesting Brian...I run a 10" Forrest on my S315WS and often cut 8/4 material with no problem. Since I had the WW-II blades (including a brand new one that was my spare), I couldn't see replacing them with the larger 12" cutters until they are no longer servicable.

[Brian Gumpper]

I thought it was odd too Jim. I should probably take a look and see if there is anything funny going on.