Advice on a compound saw blade that is less flexible

[Fozzy Bear]

I have an early Evolution R255SMS-DB 255mm compound saw. It is not as rigid or accurate as a Dewalt or Makita or Festool but after making a few amendments it is fine for the type of projects I make. However the universal blade that comes with it is very thin and has a kerf of only 1.7 mm. When I try and take 1mm or less off the endgrain of a piece of timber that is slightly too long, I find the blade distorts and only cuts the first 10mm or so before running down the original cut face.
I was thinking of getting a another blade such as this from Saxton Blades which has a kerf of 2.6mm which is thicker. I assume the kerf is dictated by the TCT teeth width rather than the thickness of the blade but is the blade thickness also likely to be thicker and more rigid? I have seen a few mentions of Saxton blades on this forum and they appear to be goof quality for the price.

 

[Bingy man]

Hi and welcome, the multi material blades are thin for a reason, a thicker blade would not be very safe cutting metal for eg . If you fit the wider blade you might experience kickbacks as the tooth geometry will be different again to the multi material blade . It could be fine but you will need to wait for a member who has the same or similar machine and has done what you intend to do . As far as I’m aware your machine runs slower than a standard miter saw so again a potential kickback risk ..

 

[Fozzy Bear]

Hi and welcome, the multi material blades are thin for a reason, a thicker blade would not be very safe cutting metal for eg . If you fit the wider blade you might experience kickbacks as the tooth geometry will be different again to the multi material blade . It could be fine but you will need to wait for a member who has the same or similar machine and has done what you intend to do . As far as I’m aware your machine runs slower than a standard miter saw so again a potential kickback risk ..

Many thanks for your reply @Bingy man . I will await other members to respond. I would only be using the thicker blade for joinery that requires more accurate cuts rather than as the default blade.

 

[Yojevol]

I have just carried out the same operation on my saw, ie skimming off ends with cuts less than the blade width. With you in mind I checked for squareness - perfect. Now my saw and blade are almost brand new, but I have experienced the problem on my Felder table saw where the blade had seen years of use since new.
I suspect that, like many of us around here, your blade is not as young and sharp as it was in its youth.
Brian

 

[ChaiLatte]

I assume the kerf is dictated by the TCT teeth width rather than the thickness of the blade but is the blade thickness also likely to be thicker and more rigid?

I believe saw blades are described by the tip width and the plate width.

A wider tip will use a thicker plate. The plate supports the tip, so having the tip relatively wide compared to the plate (i.e. more side overhang) is not a good idea from a strength point of view.

If you look on some of the high end blade maker's sites, they may publish this information as part of the product specs. It is safe to assume that the more economic blade makers like Saxton will not deviate greatly from the best in class.

 

[Fozzy Bear]

I have just carried out the same operation on my saw, ie skimming off ends with cuts less than the blade width. With you in mind I checked for squareness - perfect. Now my saw and blade are almost brand new, but I have experienced the problem on my Felder table saw where the blade had seen years of use since new.
I suspect that, like many of us around here, your blade is not as young and sharp as it was in its youth.
Brian

Many thanks @Yojevol I think you have hit the nail on the head if youll excuse the pun. I dont cut steel or alloy with this blade but I have hit the occasional; nail. I think its probably time to replace the blade. Ill keep the old one for rough work and use the new "sharper" one for more delicate joinery.
Thanks again for your reply

 

[Fozzy Bear]

I believe saw blades are described by the tip width and the plate width.

A wider tip will use a thicker plate. The plate supports the tip, so having the tip relatively wide compared to the plate (i.e. more side overhang) is not a good idea from a strength point of view.

If you look on some of the high end blade maker's sites, they may publish this information as part of the product specs. It is safe to assume that the more economic blade makers like Saxton will not deviate greatly from the best in class.

Many thanks @ChaiLatte . As I replied to Yojevol I am going to invest in a new blade probably from Saxton. Thanks for the additional information.