Replies

1. 
   Adrian | Dec 03, 2002 07:45pm | #1

   Not in my opinion, no. I have a Forrest mitre blade in my home shop....okay, nothing special. Just bought a FS Tools for my 12" in the school shop here. Excellent blade, as they all are. Better blade, less money, IMO.

   cabinetmaker/college instructor. Cape Breton, N.S
   WAY too conservative to be merely right wing

1. 
   user-212595 | Dec 04, 2002 03:42pm | #6

   I heard a few other people mention FS Tools' blades as being excellent as well - where do you find them though?  I saw a couple places on the web but the prices were very expensive.  Any good sources out there?

   Thanks

1. 
   ScottWhiting | Dec 04, 2002 08:48pm | #7

   FS Tool blades are but on of many good industrial lines of blades handled mostly by saw shops and machinery dealers. Cost is relative. For a top of the line 12" mitre saw blade you should expect to pay in the $110-130 range.Scott

   Scott's Sharpening Service

   Glendale, Az.

2. 
   Elcoholic | Dec 04, 2002 11:20pm | #8

   I get them in person from California Woodworking Machinery in Anaheim, CA.  They also have a website.  My 200 T 12" SCMS blade leaves endgrain as smooth and polished as my LN low angle block planeJohn O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

1. 
   user-212595 | Dec 05, 2002 03:18am | #9

   Thanks, my next blade, the one in question will be for my RAS.  I assume that SCMS in your post means sliding compound miter saw?  If so, then the negative hook used for them would also work for my RAS.  May I ask what that blade cost you and how many teeth it has?  Thanks again.

1. 
   Elcoholic | Dec 05, 2002 07:20pm | #10

   Yes it's a slider.  The blades may be similar, but then again the cutting action is different as the SCMS pivots and pushes into the cut and there's no tendency to self feed like a RAS.  FS may make a specialized RAS blade.  The blade I have is 12" 200t and cost around $150 if I memory serves.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

2. 
   Adrian | Dec 06, 2002 08:12pm | #15

   Sure it's not a 100 tooth? I've never seen a 200 tooth, and FS doesn't have one in their catalogue.cabinetmaker/college instructor. Cape Breton, N.SWAY too conservative to be merely right wing

3. 
   Elcoholic | Dec 12, 2002 11:22pm | #16

   I've been away for a few days.  You're right it's a 100 tooth.  Wishful thinking or a brain fart I guess.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

3. 
   eclaeys | Dec 13, 2002 10:21pm | #20

   I got mine at hydraflowequipment.com at a very good price. I have used Forest for years but find Freud the best. They will also send you a Freud catalog that will tell you all about the making of blades and there uses.

   Go Luck

    

   ED

2. 
   Dale | Dec 06, 2002 04:26pm | #12

   What does FS mean, brand name??

   Dale

1. 
   Elcoholic | Dec 06, 2002 07:07pm | #14

   FS = FS ToolsJohn O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

2. 
   BHerman | Dec 04, 2002 01:18am | #2

   I use a Freud teflon coated 80 tooth - its a great blade, gives me silk smooth cuts every time.

3. 
   Elcoholic | Dec 04, 2002 01:32am | #3

   Ditto on Adrian's view of the FS Tools blade.  I have the 200 tooth 12" on my Makita LS1212 and it's absof**kinglutley amazing.

   John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

4. 
   Dale | Dec 04, 2002 01:50am | #4

   I have the Forrest "chop saw blade" w/ 90 or something teeth and with the stabilizer it give me good miter joints.  The only thing I have compared it to is a Delta blade and the stock blade that comes with the Dewalt 12" compound miter saw.  I've never seen a 200 tooth miter blade. Sure would interested in seeing one.........Dale

5. 
   RW | Dec 04, 2002 02:10am | #5

   Of all the blades I have for my saws, the FS Tool is my top of the list. Jesada is 2, I got a freebie from Hilti on an order and was surprised with it. Close third. Didn't expect them to make blades when their focus is so intently on tools.

6. 
   bobert26 | Dec 06, 2002 08:52am | #11

   I have a Forrest Wood Worker II on my table saw, and it is by far the best blade I've ever used.  I also have Freud and Dimar blades both are very good good, but the Forrest, old and dull cuts better than either.  I don't think you'll regret buying one. 

7. 
   BOBABEUI | Dec 06, 2002 05:04pm | #13

   I have both the Forrest 12 inch chopmaster and a freud lu85. Big difference in price between the two blades.. I still think the FREUD leaves a much cleaner cut than the forrest does hands down. The Forrest uses a lot less horsepower than the Freud blade does to cut through a given piece of lumber. Hope this helps you

8. 
   wklemp | Dec 13, 2002 05:26am | #17

   I was stewing over the very same decision for my 8 1/2" and 15" chop saws.  I asked the one of the more experienced guys at "the" sharpening shop in Houston if there really was anything special about Forrest.  He said he believed that Forrest really is better, even though they didn't sell them.  He said they can't reproduce Forrest's level of finish in their sharpening shop, and in fact, recommend that customers send Forrest blades back to the factory to be sharpened.  They were convinced that Forrest takes their blades to a finer grit than is standard in the industry.  Just went to Forrestblades.com and bought a Chopmaster for both saws.  We'll see.  By the way, that source was $10 per blade cheaper than the Forrest factory website.

9. 
   mrles | Dec 13, 2002 08:25am | #18

   I may be wrong but I believe Forrest blades still have a money back guarantee if you are not pleased with their performance. If I am wrong I bet a dollar to a donut I will be corrected shortly.

   I have a Forrest blade on my tablesaw and I haven't had anything like it  before. But there are some out there that will not agree with that opinion. Freud makes a good blade and its cheaper but I don't know if they offer a money back guarantee.

   God Bless and Happy Holiday

   les

1. 
   charlesm | Dec 13, 2002 09:53pm | #19

   Les,

   Thanks for the plug. Freud dealers do offer satisfaction guarantees on Freud products.

   Charles M

   Freud, Inc.