I’m in the market for a new blade for my table saw. I’ve been using Freud thin kerf combination blades and need to get them sent to the sharpening shop.
I was planning to get a Forest WWII but recently saw a video that mentioned the CMT chrome blades being equal or better. The video felt a bit biased, but that doesn’t mean it was not true.
Has anyone tried the CMT blades? Are they as good as the forest? Ive always associated CMT with a lower end tool based on a local store that sells them, but perhaps that is wrong.
Thanks
Replies
I don't know why you associate CMT with low quality tools they have always made quality, well regarded router bits. As for their saw blades I have no personal experience but I would put their products on par with another Italian manufacturer, Freud so if it's not quite the equal of Forrest it wouldn't be far behind and it depends on the price.
I'm personally not a big fan of combination blades, even quality ones like Forest. If thin kerf blades work for you (that's what I've been using) I would order another set. It won't cost much more than a Forest and you will still have dedicated purpose blades.
I've not used their blades, but the router bits are superb. The equal of Whiteside or Trend any day.
Fighting talk, I know, but I've never been a fan of fancy blades. They all pretty much cut well enough. A cheap blade these days is usually made to a very high standard, will cut well and run true.
You can argue all you like about specific tooth geometries, but there are plenty of cheap blades with those same characteristics. They may not have quite as much carbide on them, but TBH, how often do you sharpen your blades? With a low cost blade you don't have to worry about nails or grit and you can buy a new one for the cost of sharpening a better blade.
That's not to say a better blade isn't better, but is it really noticeably better, and how much is that difference in perceived quality worth?
I do it a bit differently. My everyday blades are cheaper blades. That is what I keep on the saw. They're sacrificial. I also have some really good blades including Forrest. When it matters I put on a better blade because I think that they are better. It does cost more to have a blade sharpened than to buy a blade. The cheaper blades do remarkably well though, especially when they are new. Is there a big price difference between Forrest and the other? I was on Forrests web site recently and a window popped up saying there is a 5 month wait! That might influence a decision!
I have a thin kerf Diablo, that's Freud I think . I find that it has a lot of potential to flex in hard material even with stiffening collars and it's noisy. I use it when a thin kerf cut means I will have enough material left over to get more material,or enough material,out of a board. To be honest I like a sharp blade and I get them sharpened when they feel dull to me. You feel it in the cutting when it's time to retire a blade. I do hate paying for sharpening though. The cheaper blades I put in the trash.
I have a cmt dado stack, very happy with it.
I can't make a direct comparison because I haven't used a Forrest blade. But I've had two CMT combo blades and a stack dado set for several years. Both blades are my daily drivers; one on the table saw and one on the RAS. They have served me well and I have no complaints.
I've used the Freud thin kerf blades for years. Both combination and rip. They are amazing blades in my opinion of using them for 15+ years. I even use their cheaper priced Diablo blades on my circular saw and miter saw with excellent results. Save your money and stay with the Freud blades.
I saw the same video and bought based on the results. FTG rip and a crosscut blade. I love them both. I didn't think the video was biased. I see a guy who uses a lot of blades and is pretty detailed about how he goes about reviewing things. I trust him.
I have a whole stack of "nice" blades with good carbide that get re-sharpened from dads 27 years as a woodshop teacher and his private stock. I'd rather use the CMT's. Technology changes, even in tools. I don't have a comparison to Forresters even though I could afford them. For a third of the price and plenty of meat to re-sharpen and the way they cut, I'm good to go with the CMT chromes. I have yet to say "I wish these cut better". Plus I like the chrome plate in Houston humidity. I tried a Freud Industrial when I couldn't get my hands on a CMT. Cuts well and has decent meat on the teeth but it just doesn't feel as sweet as the CMT Chromes. Although it hasn't been on the TS since I got he CMT's so I can't tell you how long it'll last sitting in the drawer. haha
I don't believe in the throwaway mentality of todays world. Although I have a couple older gems that cut well, if I had to pick new blades based on my couple years experience/research by I'd say Freud industrial, CMT Chromes then Forresters. For me I can't justify that the Forrester will cut 2-3 times as well as the CMT but it was worth it to me to jump from Freud to CMT chrome. The again maybe in my mind I have to justify it since I already bought the CMT's. haha I also like bucking trends looking for the hidden treasures looking for evolution.
FWW hasn't done a blade comparison in a while. Maybe it time for a showdown guys!
That's my 2 cents.
CMT are quality blades.
I've been Freud blades exclusively for the past 15+ years and have no reason that would cause me to change as they give me the results I require.
As far as cost, a quality blade like all those mentioned above can be sharpened for about 1/3 the cost of a new blade. For me, it's worth resharpening in the long run.
I don't know about CMT or Forrest but one of the reason I like Freud products is that they produce their own carbide, keeping the entire process in house.
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