Shopsmith Forums

I’m glad ChrisNeilan started his dado blade discussion because the subject of blades has been on my mind a lot lately.

I’ve been eyeing something called the Excaliber, by Craftsman. A double blade that can be variously widened to cut dados (dadoes?) of various widths. However, I’d begun to feel that these likely aren’t the best blades to spend money on.

Of course that has led me to consider blade quality in particular. I probably arrived here thinking all blades offered to market were at least close in quality, but recently learned there’re HUGE differences from one brand to the next.

The rule of thumb seems to be the higher the price the better the blade. I’ve been noting names such as Forrest, Wood Worker II, Freud, etc. All considerably higher-priced than the more familiar names — Craftsman, DeWalt, etc.

Once again I turn to the nabobs of knots for counsel.

What say ye?

I’m also greatly concerned about costs regarding services that offer sharpening of table saw blades. I’ve read some who say it’s the only sure way to maintain quality and longevity of these higher priced blades.

I’d like to know how many revolutions (or whatever) can a decent blade abide before it requires sharpening? … and whatever else you can tell me about the subject.

Nabobs?


Have you looked that up?;)


We are not that!:eek:


Saw blades are almost a 'black art'(that is to go along with the 'nabob' theme). There are so many variables as to bog de mind.


My limited experience with 'exotic'(expensive) brands is that they really do perform better out of the box and seem to maintain that longer. But then I have a stable full of old timey non carbide tipped blades that I am accustomed to.

P.S. as for longevity, it depends upon what it is used for and how.

I grew up with the old steel blades....... never ever going back that route.

Fine woodworking:

First I'm a big advocate of blades up near $100 and not ones in the $20 range. I find the expensive blades I buy do a better job. Less sanding is a big plus for me, I hate sanding. I've been using Infinity blades the last some years and will continue for the foreseeable future.

General woodworking:

I still like blades in the $50 range even for this type of woodworking but on occasion I might pick up a cheaper blade if it is on sale. I still look at it as a $50 blade just happen to get it cheaper.

Carpentry level woodworking:

Nothing is too cheap to be used here. Especially if the wood has be pre-used, left setting around, or the like.

The point being you can be as selective as you wish to be. When I'm building bird houses I will go with different blades then if I were building a jewelry box.

There are also many types of blades, a comb can do ripping and crosscutting but if you want better cuts you will need to get a rip blade and a crosscut blade. Want to cut laminates, maybe time for a special blade for that. So some people go with a single blade while others will have a dozen.

Expensive blades normally mean sharpening, even things like tip replacement is often worth it. Some blade can be sharpened say 15 times so over a life time the expense might not be so bad.

A cheap blade is often not worth having sharpened, it might be cheaper to buy a new one then to have it sharpened. Mid priced ones, well it all depend, but they often have a limited number of sharpening.

Others will have their opinions, these are mine.

Ed

Since we seem to be double posts here this is mine.

There is simply no way to judge how long a blade will stay sharp. Can not be measured in hours or linear feet cut. To may variables, and even deciding when is "dull", some will wait until smoke is rolling off the wood before they conclude it is dull. Still others even the slightest signs show up it is off to be sharpened.

I even question results I see in magazines, the tests are not done by good scientific methods and lack anyway of duplication at a later time.

So that was my double post.

Ed

As for 'double posts', there is a method to the madness.

If I have an 'after thought' and the member to which I am responding is still logged on, I will add a post. If they are not logged on, I will edit the original post.

I had a post previously here on blade sharpening experience: Three carbide blades sharpened through someplace in Michigan as I recall. The company uses computerized machines to get it exact and they were much better than a new blade I purchased before sending these off to them. Do a search on my posts and you will find the company. The computer controlled sharpening was better than anything hand sharpened in the past.

Cars in the future can better parallel park than you - if you can at all. So, don't get your panties in a wad over computerization. It does a better job of hip replacement than the best skilled surgeons could 10 years ago. If it can fix your body it can damn sure fix your saw blade.

[quote="JPG40504"]Nabobs?


Have you looked that up?]


I intend it to suggest a person(s) of recognizable prominence.
In this setting, IMO, exemplary woodwork knowledge.

db5 wrote:I had a post previously here on blade sharpening experience: Three carbide blades sharpened through someplace in Michigan as I recall. The company uses computerized machines to get it exact and they were much better than a new blade I purchased before sending these off to them. Do a search on my posts and you will find the company. The computer controlled sharpening was better than anything hand sharpened in the past.

Cars in the future can better parallel park than you - if you can at all. So, don't get your panties in a wad over computerization. It does a better job of hip replacement than the best skilled surgeons could 10 years ago. If it can fix your body it can damn sure fix your saw blade.

Computers, cars, panties, surgeons, saw blades.

Got it! Thanks db5