Shopsmith Forums

I have read articles and reviews about various types of saw blades and which ones are considered "better" for various reasons. I have been using SS blades over the past 25 years but since I'm getting ready to make some new purchases, I wondered who makes the blades we buy from SS and how do the SS blades compare to those that the magazines test. I'm seeking information on the following blades:

a- 10" table saw blades
b- Band saw blades
c- Scroll saw blades

Based on my limited experience, I've been satisfied with my SS blades but I don't know if I'm missing out by not using one of the other blades. Forrest, Freud, and Carter are brand names that I'm aware of as well as SS.

Any input as to who makes the blades for SS, their relative quality, and your personal experience with any blades would be appreciated.

Thanks to those of you who will continue to contibute to my education and knowledge set.

Freud was the manufacturer until Shopsmith switched to Amana. I don't know if the Shopsmith transition involved all of their blades or not.

About 15-20 years ago, I bought at one of those woodworking shows, a three blade set of carbide tipped saw blades from U.S.Saw/Oldham with the 1 1/4" arbor holes for my Shopsmith . To me, they looked identical to what Shopsmith was selling at the time. Who makes them today, I have no idea.

If you want to spend the money, you won't be disappointed with a Forrest Woodworker II or a Ridge TS 2000 blade with 40 teeth. They're both excellent blades and both offer factory sharpening so you can always get them restored to original condition. There's just no comparison between these two blades and those from U.S. saw, but then again I probably got that three blade set for what you'd pay for one Forrest or Ridge blade.

That reminds me, I need to get the Ridge blade resharpened.

pennview wrote:About 15-20 years ago, I bought at one of those woodworking shows, a three blade set of carbide tipped saw blades from U.S.Saw/Oldham with the 1 1/4" arbor holes for my Shopsmith . To me, they looked identical to what Shopsmith was selling at the time. Who makes them today, I have no idea.

If you want to spend the money, you won't be disappointed with a Forrest Woodworker II or a Ridge TS 2000 blade with 40 teeth. They're both excellent blades and both offer factory sharpening so you can always get them restored to original condition. There's just no comparison between these two blades and those from U.S. saw, but then again I probably got that three blade set for what you'd pay for one Forrest or Ridge blade.

That reminds me, I need to get the Ridge blade resharpened.

Hi Art,
FYI, Black and Decker are the current owners of the Oldham brand