Tablesaw blades

[marcros]

I have just bought a 10" tablesaw that will actually take up to 270mm blades. It quotes a max 90 degree cut at 95mm. Whilst handy for tapering table legs, I cant see myself needing to use it to that capacity often, so am wondering about blade sizes, tooth counts etc.

I am likely to cut a bit of sheet material, from 4 or 6mm mdf to 18mm ply or mdf. Maybe a bit of veneered sheet material in similar sizes. most of my projects are in 1" or less hardwood, and a decent proportion in 1/2" or thereabouts. The majority of the hardwood work will be rip cuts, requiring a decent finish if possible. Cross cutting can be done on the RAS, so not really a top priority.

CAVEAT- Anything used will be with an appropriate riving knife and guarding.

Is there any advantage or disadvantage to using a larger or smaller blade than the normal 10" blade in the saw, other than maximum depth of cut? I am thinking particularly of the relative number of teeth, or lack thereof between an 8" and 10" blade, obviously the same tooth count on the different sizes will mean different spacing. There is also a difference in the angle of the blade hitting the timber, in a similar way that there is at different blade heights.

Or do you just buy as large a blade as will fit in an appropriate tooth count for each major task?

 

[Myfordman]

Sometimes the maximum blade size that will fit also means is wont retract fully.

If you are never going to remove the crown guard for grooving etc, ( missing out on a useful capability in my book!) then it does not matter that the blade does not go all the way down so get the biggest rip blade for maximum depth of cut.
For fine cutting of sheet materials, you might as well stick to the standard or even smaller blade as they will be cheaper having less tips for a given circumferential tooth pitch.

I find Freud blades very good value and have plenty of meat for re-grinds.

 

[CaptainBarnacles]

I would probably stick with 10'' blades. There is a much greater variety of blades available in that size. My saw will take a 270mm blade but when I looked into it there was a very limited choice. I use 4 or 5 different blades and I could only find a couple of them in the 270mm size. I have a 270mm ripping blade that I'll bring out when I do need that extra but of depth but on the whole I'll use 10'' blades.

A larger diameter blade will have a higher tip speed and therefor I suppose it may be more liable to scorch the wood.

I second Myfordman's recommendation of Freud blades. I also like CMT blades but they aren't so easy to find these days.

 

[marcros]

Are Freud still around as Freud, or are they badged Bosch now?

 

[Steve Maskery]

You could also consider contacting Doug Perry. He is on here as Cutting Solutions and sells top quality blades at sensible prices. I have a couple of his blades and am very happy with them. I also have Freud blades and am happy with them too.
Stick with 10" blades, get adept at changing the blade and then be happy using the right blade for the job.
S

 

[marcros]

I have used dougs blades before. I agree good price and quality.

 

[Myfordman]

Are Freud still around as Freud, or are they badged Bosch now?

Still Freud barnded. Bosch often choose to keep the brand names they acquire. eg Skil, Qualcast etc

I'll have to ask about blade prices in the staff shop although I normally pick them up on ebay with oddball bore sizes and open then up to 30mm in the lathe - much cheaper.


+1 for Cutting solutions blades too. Doug is v good for specials like FTG teeth for quick, clean dados without fitting the full set

 

[Giff]

+1 for Doug at cutting solutions. Changing the blade size will also change the speed. Don't know if that would be relevant. Geoff