Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Mar 28, 2004 03:00am | #1

   I haven't used any CMT blades, but I have 3 Freud blades plus a dado set, and must say I'm pleased with all of them.  They came highly recommended to me by one of the Northwest's accomplished professional WWers, and I am glad for the advice he gave me!

   "good blades that can go a [long] while without having to be resharpened, don't vibrate [period] excessively, and produce [exceptionally] smooth cuts."

   The hardest part sometimes with the Freuds is picking from all the options they provide.  Mr. Charles from Freud thankfully answers here at Knots when we get confused.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

2. 
   RW | Mar 28, 2004 03:44am | #2

   As with all things, 99% of the time the cliche is true - get what you pay for. I go through a lot of blades, and over time have had occasion to try a good chunk of what's out there.

   I like both Freud and CMT as middle of the road blades that (especially on a combo blade) I don't have to worry about cost if I'm running less than ideal stock through it. There's a couple that I like more, and this obviously depends on your own inclinations and to some extent, cost.

   The Jesada tool combo blade is a great blade for the price. Their saw blades are the one thing they don't make in house. I don't know who does, it just says "Made in Italy" on the blade, but they are great workhorses with lots of carbide.

   I'd also give a nod to Systimatics, and while they're marketed more or less to the industrial crowd more than the woodworkers, they're good, sturdy, and won't break the bank. I think the gem in their collection is the Saf T Rip - which is all of like 25 bucks and will tear through 8/4 oak like butter. Great for rough sizing parts. My "holy cow this is good" reaction goes to (and I gotta break it up so Prospero doesn't #### me) is Matsush ita. My trim blades for the 12" retail at about $125 each, they're thin kerf (which I usually detest) but they're dead on, stable, clean, and cut through even rock maple just beautiful.

   "If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain

3. 
   Michmesquite | Mar 29, 2004 05:20am | #3

   Rick

   I have 6 CMT blades including their 8" dado set. Very good blades.

   Then I tried the Freud Glue-Line Rip blade. Haven't taken it off my MiniMax and can't see any reason why I should.

   __________________________________________________________

   Michael in San Jose

   Freedom from mental disturbance is the very most for which one can hope.

    Epicurus (341-270 BCE)

1. 
   BigRick | Mar 29, 2004 02:31pm | #4

   Thanks to everybody for their feedback.  I think I'm going to stick with Freud.  Actually I'm going to order the glue line rip blade right now :)

   Thanks again,

   RickRome wasn't built in a day, take your time and do it right the first time.

1. 
   creekwood | Mar 29, 2004 03:18pm | #5

   Have you thought about Forrest blades?

1. 
   Fingrs | Mar 31, 2004 03:22pm | #7

   I invested in the Forrest dado set and really like it.  Paid about $375.  It replaced a Freud set that lasted quite a while, but was undersized and eventually quit cutting cleas shoulders.  I stil use the Freud set for rough wook and the Forrest for cabinets.

4. 
   stanleyj2 | Mar 30, 2004 03:27pm | #6

   Big Rick:

   I recently purchased the CMT combination blade and love it.  It sells for around $60.00 locally and I have found it to be a very smooth blade.  I also have the 8"  CMT stacked dado set and I am very pleased with the results.  I think that you will be pleased with either Freud or CMT combination blades in this price range.  Neither of these blades will match the performance of a Forrest blade but these are half of the price.

   Stan

5. 
   parker1 | Mar 31, 2004 04:28pm | #8

   Big Rick

   CMT all the way for longevity and cut.  i have dropped frued from my line up some years past so am not aware of any improvements lately. BUT Let me reinforce the suggestion to try FORREST. Hands down the best saw blade you will ever use!!!!!

                    

1. 
   Michmesquite | Mar 31, 2004 09:16pm | #9

   In my MiniMax Owners Group, most commercial guys have dropped the Forrest blades and have gone over to Tenryu and specifically the GM-25540 (10") GM-30560 (12") Tenryu Gold Metal saw blade.

   Try http://www.2sharp.com/tenryu.html __________________________________________________________

   Michael in San Jose

   Freedom from mental disturbance is the very most for which one can hope.

    Epicurus (341-270 BCE)

1. 
   BigRick | Apr 03, 2004 05:19pm | #10

   All,

   Thanks for the feedback.  I ended up getting the Freud combination blade.  I've heard of the Forrest blades but, hadn't heard a whole lot about them.  I may look to them for my next blade.

   RickRome wasn't built in a day, take your time and do it right the first time.

6. 
   JMartinsky | Apr 03, 2004 11:53pm | #11

   I've used them both commercially and the Freud is better, hands down, BUT you must choose the right blade for a particular operation. It's easy to defeat a good tool with a bad or wrong blade.

   John