Replies

1. 
   biznazion | Mar 15, 2003 09:24am | #1

   If the number of teeth is the same, then check the kerf and the coating.  The HD near me stocks mostly the thin kerf blades.  I have a diablo that is gold and the ones they have now are red - but I don't think they are the same red teflon coating that is on the ultimate cutoff blade.  I have not been that happy with the thin kerf blades except for ripping.

1. 
   donshop | Mar 16, 2003 02:29am | #3

   Thanks for the reply.  I've got an Ultimate for my slider and I am thinking about getting one for our Habitat saw.   Don

2. 
   donshop | Mar 16, 2003 02:31am | #4

   Thanks for the reply.  I think the coating is different on the two blades.  I've got an Ultimate on my home slider and am thinking about getting one for our Habitat saw.

   Don

2. 
   forestgirl | Mar 15, 2003 06:25pm | #2

   I have the Ultimate Cutoff Blade (LU85).  The difference between it and their other cutoff blades is the difference in amount of side clearance.  In loose terms, how much the edges of the teeth "stick out" from the blade body, which is only .009" 

   I can testify that this blade does make a "glass smooth" cut.  It's absolutely amazing!  A possible downside to this design is that if a piece of wood had some internal stress that would make the kerf close slightly upon crosscutting, binding would be more likely to occur that with a regular blade.  For that reason, they offer the LU85 in a Teflon coated version, which is the one I have.  Since the project I bought the blade for involves stock less that 3" wide, I wasn't concerned about the binding.

   The other downside is that if you needed glue to adhere to the end grain, you'd probably have to sand it!  That's how smooth the cut is.  However, we all know that glue isn't great on end grain anyway.

   If you want extremely smooth, accurate crosscuts, the LU85 is a winner, but I'd expect the Diablo to do an excellent job also, just not as polished as the LU85.  I'm not a big fan of the Teflon coating, mainly because it comes off so easily, and I haven't needed the slickness that it provide. 

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

   
   

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   Edited 3/15/2003 11:28:33 AM ET by forestgirl