Two questions about tablesaw blades

[The Bear]

Q1

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using thin kerf blades? I see the likes of Freud often do the same blade in both thin and standard types. Obviously the thin kerf removes less wood and possibly puts less strain on the motor, are there any disadvantages? What do you all use? (my saw does not suffer from lack of power in case this affects your advice to me)

Q2

Are combination blades any good? Or do members still use separate rip and cross cut blades.

Thoughts?

Mark

 

[FatFreddysCat]

Advantages: Thin blades take less power
Disadvantages: You have to be more careful not to overheat them (because they can warp or lose their temper). You may need to replace your riving knife

Combination blades? They're a compromise so they are never going to be as good as a purpose-made rip or crosscut blade.

 

[Richard Findley]

Hi Mark,

I've got 2 Freud blades, both are the thinner type (about 2.5mm I think) I've never found overheating a problem and my riving knife already suits the thinner blade so no problems there either.

I have a 36tpi rip blade that cuts everything with ease (I cut some 3" Oak the other day!!!) I also have a 96tpi fine blade that I only use for MDF/sheet materials as I want to produce the cleanest/sharpest edge possible. I also use it for cross cutting timber and it leaves a beautiful shinny surface that needs nothing more than a light sand.

I have had these blades for about a year and I haven't a bad word to say against them!!

HTH

Richard

 

[misterfish]

The other thing is the thickness of the riving knife. The blade has to cut a kerf slightly wider than the thickness of the riving knife otherwise the timber will bind and you do not want to be trying to push binding timber towards a sharp spinning blade!

Misterfish