A Ripping Yarn

I have a wonderful Forrest WWII thin kef blade on my table saw which I am very careful what I choose to use it on – maybe because it cut a big hole in my budget (glue edge I might add). So I have researched cheaper blades that I would not be so picky on using to rip anything. My guess is that there are folks out there who can’t risk throwing a tooth on a Forrest when ripping less than perfect lumber.
Eureka, buds I found a couple of WOW blades that you don’t have to take bailout money or a mortgage to get something good.

Hitachi 311128 10-Inch 24 Tooth ATB Ripping Table Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor
• 10” table saw blade
• 24 carbide teeth
• 5/8” arbor
• Vented
• General purpose blade
From the Manufacturer
This 10” carbide tipped blade is a great general purpose blade for any table saw.

Product Description
Hitachi 998840 Features: -Ripping Saw Blade. -Fast ripping in plywood, wood composites and natural wood. -Material: TCT. -Grind: ATB. -Wood cutting. -Arbor: 5/8”. -Kerf: 0.087”, 0.098”. -Plate: 0.055”, 0.071”. -Hook: 15 (degrees) for 998840, 180 (degrees) for 311128. -Teeth: 24. -Carbide Grade: C2 Micrograin. -Available in 8-1/2”, 10”. Size: 10”

Hitachi 310878 10-Inch 40 Tooth ATB General Purpose Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor
• Circular saw blade designed for use with most 10-inch miter saws
• Ideal for crosscutting and ripping of plywood, wood composites, MDF and natural woods
• 40 durable carbide teeth for precision cuts and finish work
• 5/8-inch arbor
• 10-inch diameter; 5-year limited warranty
This Hitachi Circular Saw Blade has a 10-inch diameter with 5/8-inch arbor and is made for use with most 10-inch miter saws. This blade is ideal for all-purpose crosscutting and ripping of plywood, wood composites, MDF and natural woods. With 40 durable carbide teeth, this blade can make precision cuts for general finish work and can be used in framing and decking as well. This product is backed by a 5-year limited warranty extended to the original purchaser.
Product Description
Kerf: .098”. Plate: .071”. Carbide Grade: C2 micrograin. All purpose cross cutting and ripping plywood, wood composites, MDF and natural woods.

User Comments:
Hitachi 310878 10-Inch 40 Tooth ATB General Purpose Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor (Tools & Hardware)
We use the 40 tooth blades on our table saws for most ripping and the 72 tooth for our sliders. They last as long as any other blades we have used and the prices are very low. You can’t beat the quality or price! We are trim carpenters and a quality blade is important to us daily.

Hitachi 310878 10-Inch 40 Tooth ATB General Purpose Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor (Tools & Hardware)
great blade-bought a diablo 80 tooth and for twice the price and half the performance of the Hitachi.

I have both of these blades and I am stunned by the quality and performance. They are thinner kerf that the Forrest, they are not as good as the Forrest, BUT they are up there with Freud blades (made in Italy) OH YES, the Hitachi’s are not some cheap Chinese crap – they are MADE IN FRANCE – you know, right next to Italy.
Here’s the clincher: Amazon Site:
$13.77 & eligible for free shipping with Amazon Prime. Hitachi 311128 10-Inch 24 Tooth
$19.95 Hitachi 310878 10-Inch 40 Tooth
5 YEAR WARRANTY **

Go for it.

-- Roger-R, Republic of Texas. "Always look on the Bright Side of Life" - An eyeball to eyeball confrontation with a blind person is as complete waste of Time.