Need a good ripping + crosscut saw blade

[Joints]

Hi all,

As the title says I am looking to buy a blade that is primarily for ripping timber along the grain but that would also be fine to use crosscut.

I am not sure of the bore but the saw, a Wadkin 12" BGS Panel Saw, takes upto a 14" blade.

Do any of you knowledgeble people know of a good (+cheap) blade for the job?

TIA!

G.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Try Freud.
I've been using a Freud blade for years (rip) and it's on its last legs. I won't hesitate to buy another. They do a combination blade now, so that would probably suit you well.

S

 

[Anonymous]

Agree with steve 100%. But before you buy try Travis Perkins as I saved over £10 per blade on online prices a few months ago.

Koolwabbit

 

[beech1948]

I'm not really a fan of combination blades..there are too many compromises.

I use a rip blade (24Teeth) and a cross cut ( 48 teeth) both have diifering specs.

regards
Alans cut

 

[John. B]

I agree, I'm not a fan of compromise blades either.
One for crosscutting, one for ripping. That's what I have.

John. B

 

[Joints]

What are these compromises?

 

[OPJ]

George, think of the blade we've got on the panel saw at college - that's a combination blade.

It will leave an almost glass-like finish when cutting across the grain but, they can struggle when you try to rip solid timber thicker than 1" (particularly if it's damp and there's moisture and stress trapped inside).

If you were wanting to cut a lot of thicker timber (2" or 3"), I'd also recommend you get a separate ripping blade.

You see, it's not the cost of the machine it's all the blades, cutters and accessories you need buy afterwards!

Axminster's own range of blades aren't bad, I've got one in my Bosch mitre saw (they're branded "Axcalibur" but, may still be listed as "Perform" online and in the catalogue).

 

[Joints]

Ah cheers mate.

Typical olly, always using his brain at college . .

I don't really know how long it takes to change blades on those machines but it looks like I am going to find out when I buy two of them after your advice

thanks all

 

[Lord Nibbo]

I've got a Freud combination blade on my table saw, it's nearly three years old and it's excellent through ply or crosscuts. Today I ripped down a 10ft length of 3" beech, 3" is my machines absolute maximum and it cut it easily. So why anyone would go to the bother of changing blades is beyond my thinking. Now if the machine were only to be used for ripping thats another ball park.

 

[Joints]

Its too much of a nice machine not to use its sliding table I think.

What model blade do you have Lord Nibbo (maybe different size ofcourse) as there are a lot on the website to choose from..?

G.

 

[OPJ]

Changing the blade shouldn't take too long - ...unless you're fitting a dado blade! :shock: :?

Just remember that the arbour will have a left-hand thread (turn the spanner clockwise to loosen it! :wink

I think most of Freud's blades have a 30mm bore, which should be plenty big enough for your saw. If you find that the arbour on your machine is less than this, say 5/8", then Axminster sell Blade Reducing Bushes to suit. CMT also do excellent saw blades, perhaps a little bit dearer than the Freud ones.

Don't even think about starting the saw up when the blade bore is greater than the spindle diameter!! [-X

 

[Joints]

I'm not that much of a mincer! haha

I was looking at some CMT's. The Forrest Woodworker 2 combination blade looks like its got some good reviews, anyone got one of these?

I will be ripping and crosscutting 2" Oak for a job coming up soon, anyone who uses combi blades know of one upto scratch?

many thanks, George

 

[JonnyD]

I have a freud LU2A combination blade which is very good. I tend to use seperate rip and crosscut blades but this is a good comprimise and saves a lot of blade changing. If you can get away with a 10inch blade there are some cheap here http://www.woodworkuk.co.uk/forum/viewt ... =16&t=2434

jon