Shopsmith Forums

I have a number of Shopsmith carbide tip 10" blades. As I get ready to do my Power Pro upgrade, I am wondering what you guys recommend as far as resharpening saw blades or buy the new narrower kerf blades? I haven't looked elsewhere for other sources of blades. Is there perhaps a better brand of blade that offers a thinner kerf and superior features to the Shopsmith carbide tip blades. I noted they are expensive. $246 if you want blades with new arbors from Shopsmith. I have plenty of arbors.

I found a blade with a 1/8" kerf on Rockler which is very expensive- $185 and call the Revolutionary Micro Kerf blade. But I'm not really interested in saving wood, although I imagine the blade would have less resistance when cutting through hard woods and there would be better results as if I had a more powerful motor than my 220v Power Pro and make it seem like even a large power motor was installed.

I've never had a blade resharpened/repaired, so if you have any recommendations, I will than you in advance.

backhertz wrote:I have a number of Shopsmith carbide tip 10" blades. As I get ready to do my Power Pro upgrade, I am wondering what you guys recommend as far as resharpening saw blades or buy the new narrower kerf blades? I haven't looked elsewhere for other sources of blades. Is there perhaps a better brand of blade that offers a thinner kerf and superior features to the Shopsmith carbide tip blades. I noted they are expensive. $246 if you want blades with new arbors from Shopsmith. I have plenty of arbors.

I found a blade with a 1/8" kerf on Rockler which is very expensive- $185 and call the Revolutionary Micro Kerf blade. But I'm not really interested in saving wood, although I imagine the blade would have less resistance when cutting through hard woods and there would be better results as if I had a more powerful motor than my 220v Power Pro and make it seem like even a large power motor was installed.

I've never had a blade resharpened/repaired, so if you have any recommendations, I will than you in advance.

What? $246 for a saw blade and arbor? Was that maybe three blades and mating arbors?

I don't sharpen saw blades. Today they are really cheap to replace. Menards sells 10" carbide Skilsaw and Toolshop brand blades for under $10, and once in a while they have better sales on them marking them down to under $5. Both brands seem to cut beautifully and cleanly.
I can't see wasting time trying to sharpen old saw blades today. I'd rather be cutting out my next project rather than messing with old dull blades. No sharpening blades anymore. No cleaning blades anymore. Just enjoy cutting wood.

I must respectfully disagree on the cheap blade thing. Cheap blades use lesser grade carbide compounds, often track poorly, lose carbide tips during operation (dangerous if you don't use an upper blade guard, and after all, who does?) and generally don't cut as cleanly. My opinion is based on the fact that I used to use cheap blades & was happy with them until I got a Freud & a couple of Shopsmith blades with a machine I bought.

I had the non-carbide blades all sharpened. (Carbide ones didn't need it) The Shopsmith combo & Plywood blades leave gluable edges, and even end grain on crosscuts looks like it's been sanded for finishing. Also, tearout is virtually non-existant.

I've become a believer that good blades do make a difference.
Also, there are always reasonable deals on used Shopsmith blades on ebay. Some will need sharpening, some won't, but (at least around here) I can have a 10" blade sharpened for about $9- $18, depending on type. (carbide vs non, number of teeth)

The $246 was was 3 blades, I think. Here is the link:
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... blades.htm

Then I also saw this blade on the Shopsmith site:
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... blades.htm
But I have no idea what the price is on the Amana saw blade and my search on line doesn't show any 1 1/4" arbor blades, so looks like I'd need a 5/8" arbor blade.

backhertz wrote:Then I also saw this blade on the Shopsmith site:
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... blades.htm
But I have no idea what the price is on the Amana saw blade and my search on line doesn't show any 1 1/4" arbor blades, so looks like I'd need a 5/8" arbor blade.

Too bad that one isn't showing a price now! I got one a couple of years ago and it is a really fine blade. Seems like it was in the $55 to $60 range before tax & shipping. It's a full-size-kerf blade and the PowerPro runs it with ease.

http://www.totalsawsolutions.com/blade_repair.htm
they offer blade resharpening if you cannot find a local place.

http://www.forrestblades.com/

bought one of theirs for my Mark V.

I noticed that the Forrest blade cuts so smoothly and quietly I sometimes wonder if I am pushing the wood into the blade. BIG difference from the Sears and box store blades I had used previously on other saws. No ringing or singing, burn marks, rough cut, etc. Just amazing.

bicman wrote:http://www.totalsawsolutions.com/blade_repair.htm
they offer blade resharpening if you cannot find a local place.

Bicman have you used this service?

.

I use a Forrest blade as well. I am amazed how smooth the cut is. I'm not sure I would risk having the blade sharpened by anyone but Forrest.

Ridge Carbide Tool Co also makes a very nice saw blade, the TS2000. It's on a par with the Forrest Woodworker II, but a few dollars less expensive. Ridge also resharpens. And I agree that if one spent the bucks on a Forrest blade, I'd have Forrest resharpen it. Same goes for the Ridge.