saw blades

http://www.amazon.com/Freud-LU83R010-10-Inch-Combination-PermaShield/dp/B00020JOAA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1293057059&sr=8-5

$43.00 from amazon.com

10-40 T is mainly for ripping
40-60 T general purpose for ripping and crosscutting
60-80 T crosscutting

You get the picture now probably. The more teeth the finer the cut and the less teeth the faster the cut. I chose a thin kerf instead of a full kerf since I don’t know how many HP you saw has.

I would only buy a CMT saw blade if I went to lowes. Other ones really aren’t that great IMHO.

Some good brands off the top of my head are Freud, Infinity, Forrest, CMT to name just a few.

-- Williamsburg, KY

Tips for picking a saw blade

My 2007 Saw Blade Comparison

I try not to get too hung up on brand name, because the design of a particular blade is more important than brand, plus many brands offer multiple lines, which can cause apples to oranges comparisons without realizing it. Some of the better top names are Infinity, Forrest, Ridge Carbide, Freud, Tenryu, Amana, CMT, DeWalt, Systimatic, Leitz.

Since doing the blade comparison in 2007, I’ve tried a few blades that were not included:

Infinity Super General 010-044 40T Hi-ATB – the cleanest cutting of any 40T or 50T general purpose/combo blade I’ve tried to date. Excels at crosscuts/ply/general ripping. Full kerf only, not overly efficient at thick ripping >2”. Very similar to the Freud Fusion with bigger teeth.

CMT 213.040.010 40T ATB – Got two different blades that both underperformed expectations…hard to recommend considering.

Infinity 010-060 60T Hi-ATB – Very low tearout, versatile design (suitable for TS, RAS, CMS, or SMCS), excellent crosscut and ply blade, also excellent for general purpose TS work < 1.5”. Very similar to the Forrest WWI 60T.

Infinity 010-124 24T FTG ripper – Very efficient at cutting thick stock, moderately smooth cut (as expected from a rip blade). Leaves flat bottoms. Very similar to the Freud LU87, CMT 202.024.10, and other 24T FTG rippers.

Amana 610504 50T ATB/R – Huge industrial teeth, versatile, good cut, full kerf, very similar to other 50T ATB/R blades like the Freud LU84, DeWalt DW7640, and Tenryu RS25550.

CMT 210.080.10 80T Hi-ATB – Excellent crosscut and ply blade, limited operating range outside of that.

Oshlun 40T ATB general purpose blade – Great bang for the buck, versatile, good performance, full kerf

DeWalt DW7640 50T ATB/R (series 60) – Very nice combo blade, versatile, very good results overall

Amana RB1020 20T FTG ripper – A very aggressive bulk FTG ripper. Leaves flat bottoms, and not overly smooth cuts (as expected), but hogs thru the thickest materials pretty easily. Full kerf.

-- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....