Freud Avanti blades

[Prashun Patel]

Why are they so cheap? I haven't heard too many bad reviews of them. Are there any other combo blades that are a better value (even at a higher price?)



http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000223O1

[glenn bradley]

Haven't used the combo (not much on combos) but I have their 80T TK on my CMS and it does great for about $55.

[Chris Kennedy]

I either have this blade or its close relative, and I think I paid about the same amount (maybe a tad more) at the orange borg. It is a good blade. My only complaint is one of my own making -- I failed to notice it was thin kerf when I bought it.

Cheers,

Chris

[Larry James]

I either have this blade or its close relative, and I think I paid about the same amount (maybe a tad more) at the orange borg. It is a good blade. My only complaint is one of my own making -- I failed to notice it was thin kerf when I bought it.

Cheers,

Chris

Look on this page (http://www.amazon.com/D1080X-Diablo-10-Inch-PermaShield-Coating/dp/B00008WQ32/ref=pd_bxgy_hi_img_b) -
at "Both Together" and you can buy the 50 and 80 tooth-thin kerf for $84.96 with free shipping. That is hard to resist. Are Freud made in the EU?

Larry

[Charles McCracken]

Are Freud made in the EU?

Larry

Yes, Freud blades are made in Italy.

[Harley Reasons]

Why are they so cheap? I haven't heard too many bad reviews of them. Are there any other combo blades that are a better value (even at a higher price?)



http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000223O1

One difference of note; Blue BORG sells the Avanti & HD BORG sells the Diablo. The Diablo blades are not even referenced on Freud's website, so I don't know who is building those for them.
The Avanti are thin kerf per Freud's info, Avanti TK (http://www.freudtools.com/c-9-avanti-blades.aspx)
(link added for info only)
For a standard kerf blade, you need their LU industrial blades (http://www.freudtools.com/c-8-industrial-blades.aspx)
(link added for info only)

[Randal Stevenson]

One difference of note; Blue BORG sells the Avanti & HD BORG sells the Diablo. The Diablo blades are not even referenced on Freud's website, so I don't know who is building those for them.
The Avanti are thin kerf per Freud's info, Avanti TK (http://www.freudtools.com/c-9-avanti-blades.aspx)
(link added for info only)
For a standard kerf blade, you need their LU industrial blades (http://www.freudtools.com/c-8-industrial-blades.aspx)
(link added for info only)


The Avanti, was/is supposed to have a little bit bigger carbide then the Diablo (meant to be sharpened). The LU series, also carries at least some thin kerf (example, LU83R010).

What I was always told, the Diablo is a good, fairly long lasting, throw away blade. The Avanti/TK series, is one you would resharpen and use again. The LU is one worth keeping/reteething/sharpening as needed.
I use Diablo's (circular saw) and several LU's that I got on deals.

[glenn bradley]

The Diablo blades are not even referenced on Freud's website, so I don't know who is building those for them.

I had asked about this in the past. Charles (our Freud member) responded that the Diablo and Avanti are made on the same line IIRC. Maybe he will chime in and confirm.

[Scott Whiting]

From a sharpeners stand point I consider Avanti and Diablo to be equal quality blades. I think the reason for the Avanti brand was tied to the two competing stores not to have to price match. I sharpen more Diablo's than Avanti's just because around here more folks buy tools at HD than Lowes.

[Chris Kennedy]

I found the packaging for my HD Freud blade -- says Made in Italy. Oddly enough, it says neither Diablo nor Avanti. I am pretty certain, I bought it in a HD, but its part number (TK906) is an Avanti number.

Methinks many of the same blades are packaged differently.

Anyway -- it's a good blade.

Cheers,

Chris

[Scott Whiting]

I found the packaging for my HD Freud blade -- says Made in Italy. Oddly enough, it says neither Diablo nor Avanti. I am pretty certain, I bought it in a HD, but its part number (TK906) is an Avanti number.

Methinks many of the same blades are packaged differently.

Anyway -- it's a good blade.

Cheers,

Chris

You did not say how old your blade is. Freud sold TKxxx blades under the Freud label at both places. Most likely your blade does not have the more modern epoxy filled slots in it.

[Rich Engelhardt]

Hello,

I had asked about this in the past. Charles (our Freud member) responded that the Diablo and Avanti are made on the same line IIRC
Recently - as in the last couple of weeks - Charles mentioned in a thread I'd started that the Avanti and the Diablo are the same, except for the coating.

I notice the Avanti is marked "made in Italy", but can't discern any markings on the Diablo.

I own and use both and slightly prefer the coating on the Diablo. It seems a bit more "slick" after use than does the bright coating on my Avanti.
I know several Creekers think highly of the 7 1/2" Diablo. based on my experience with my 10" 50 tooth, I'd agree. It's a lot of blade for not a lot of money.

[Chuck Tringo]

I have some of the Freud Avanti Router bits, does anyone know what the difference in these are to regular Freud bits other than color ? (Im pretty sure theyre no thin kerf :p)

[scott spencer]

From a sharpeners stand point I consider Avanti and Diablo to be equal quality blades. I think the reason for the Avanti brand was tied to the two competing stores not to have to price match. I sharpen more Diablo's than Avanti's just because around here more folks buy tools at HD than Lowes.

I've read where Charles refers to them as comparable too Scott. It's the Industrial series (LU83 50T TK combo) that is likely to have larger carbide, and definitely has a much larger selection of blade types.

Which is best is always subjective, but the Avanti blade should prove to be a really good value at $35 shipped. The top shelf premium blades from Forrest, Ridge Carbide, Tenryu, Infinity, and even Freud's Premier Fusion blade should prove to be better overall longterm performers, but as combo blades go I think you'll get satisfactory results from an Avanti, Diablo, or Ridgid Titanium (which appears to me to also by Freud).

[Bruce Wrenn]

An Avanti blade shipped for $35, makes those LU84-R's that I bought for $29 shipped look REAL good. And they cut real good too.

[Prashun Patel]

Bruce, where'd you see that deal?

[Charles McCracken]

All,

Avanti (previously unnamed and referred to by the TK model numbers only) and Diablo blades are similar in materials and construction with the primary differences being the coating used (PermaSHIELD on the Diablo and Silver I.C.E. on the Avanti) and the intended markets and their applications. They are made on the same production line as our Industrial and Premier Fusion blades.

[Bruce Wrenn]

Bruce, where'd you see that deal?Amazon, about a year ago. With Amazon, you have to keep checking, and just plain hit it lucky. I kept one in my cart, until the price became right.

[glenn bradley]

You can use Frozen Warrior (http://www.frozenwarrior.com/~pricewatch/)to watch Amazon items and email you when the prices change.

[scott spencer]

Bruce, where'd you see that deal?

Shawn - Note that the LU84 (http://www.epinions.com/review/Freud_10_in_Combination_Blade_Series_LU84R/content_147387551364) is a full kerf combo blade...the TK version is the LU83. The Avanti, Diablo, and Ridgid are also TKs.

comparison (http://woodworkerszone.com/wiki/index.php?title=Table_Saw_Blade_Comparisons)