Makita plunge saw blades.

[skipdiver]

Had my original blade sharpened a couple of times now and think it's time for a new one. Is it a case of just buying a new Makita blade or are there any decent cheaper alternatives?

Use mine mainly for kitchen fitting, cutting worktops and end panels. Sharpening is about £15 a go, so would i be better off just buying a cheaper blade and replacing when blunt. Saw a link to Saxton blades on here which seem to fit the bill but not sure of quality and they only do 160mm and not the 165mm, which Makita is.

Are Plunge saw blades different because of the nature of their use. Different rake or tooth angle/patterns? Don't want a blade binding and jumping the track. That happened to me when i first bought it before i got used to it and it was scary. My own stupid fault though and not done it since.

Any info as i need one for a kitchen fit next week.

Ta!

 

[Lord Kitchener]

Why do you think you need a new one? Good blades can be resharpened many times if the saw doctors know what they are doing (and they usually do). I use Festool blades and they get resharpened a lot. If one goes outside spec then the saw doctors tell me.

 

[Mark A]

New Makita blades are about £30 from D&M Tools

 

[skipdiver]

Why do you think you need a new one? Good blades can be resharpened many times if the saw doctors know what they are doing (and they usually do). I use Festool blades and they get resharpened a lot. If one goes outside spec then the saw doctors tell me.

Haven't got time to send it off to the doctor and need one for Monday, so thought i would get a spare so this situation wouldn't arise again. Just wondered if it would be better to buy disposables instead of re-sharpening.


Thanks Mark, will have a look at D&M.

 

[Eric The Viking]

Bear in mind that the Festool ones are 160mm diameter, the Makita (as-fitted) is 165mm. Both have 2.2mm kerf, officially, although that will change slightly with resharpening.

I'm not sure what practical difference it makes, apart from making the depth gauge even more confusing. I think both measure zero at the bottom of the sole plate, with 160mm fitted. I've got a Makita 160mm general purpose blade fitted at present on my SP6000 (even more confusing - why do they make 165 and 160mm ones?).

E.

 

[LBCarpentry]

A few months ago I went to buy a 2nd blade for my festool and asked if i could use a cheap blade in it instead of buying another festool blade. The point he made was pretty clear. You have spent all that money on a plunge saw, as so you get a quality prescision cut. Buying a cheap blade defeats the object as the cut will not be as clean, and the blade may not last as long. By all means you don't have to go for the most expensive. I thought your absolutely bloody right mate.I went for a feud blade which was priced in the middle. Very happy with it. I only use cheap blades in my circular saw which is more construction orientated.

 

[skipdiver]

Anglia Tool Centre have the Makita blades for £24.99 plus £5.00 next day delivery with a one hour delivery time slot.

Best i could find in the time i had but don't think you could get them much cheaper. Also found that Trend make a cheaper version if anyone wants to go that route. Code No CSB 16548B.

Thanks for the replies all.

 

[Eric The Viking]

Watch out for the kerf thickness - I suspect it needs to be 2.2mm in order for the system to work properly. Any thinner, assuming the same thickness of the actual saw plate (onto which the TCT are brazed), will leave a gap between the teeth and the rubber strip, which defeats the object somewhat. You could cut a new rubber strip, but that adds to the cost.