Replies

1. 
   HowardAcheson | Apr 02, 2006 04:18am | #1

   They most certainly are not for a full kerf blade.  Their value is debatable for thin kerf blades.  Almost all blade manufacturers will say that they serve no purpose.  However, the maker of a very popular and high priced blade says they are needed FOR THEIR BLADES.  Kinda makes ya wornder about their blades.

   I've never seen a test that showed that either stabilizers or dampeners have a positive affect on blade cutting.

   Howie.........
2. 
   craig | Apr 03, 2006 12:27am | #2

   Personally, I wouldn't waste my money on them.  Some say they improve cut quality greatly, but I really can't tell any difference myself.  At a WWing show, a gentleman was trying to sell me one for $45.  I said, OK, proove how good it is.  I made him take it off his saw, do a cut w/o it, then a cut with it.  Under a magnifying glass, there was negligable difference.

    

3. 
   Knotscott | Apr 03, 2006 01:45am | #3

   I can't tell the difference, and rarely read of someone else who can either....don't bother.

4. 
   Kleck | Apr 03, 2006 12:32pm | #4

   I wasted my money on a 5" stabilizer that I got conned into purchasing with a WWII blade. It makes zero difference to the quality of cut on any blade I mount on my Unisaw.

1. 
   Samson | Apr 03, 2006 05:44pm | #5

   It makes one difference:  you lose significant cutting depth capacity (i.e., you can't raise the blade as high because the stabilizer hits the insert).

1. 
   Kleck | Apr 04, 2006 05:49pm | #7

   LOL! That's a point I should have made. It does indeed reduce cutting height.Dave

1. 
   Knotscott | Apr 04, 2006 07:45pm | #8

   Yeah....reduces wallet weight too! ;-)

5. 
   bones | Apr 03, 2006 07:00pm | #6

   I have the WWI & WWII (thin kerf) from Forrest. I bought the stabilizers for the WWI that I have on my Craftsman RAS. The only bennefit I see is the noise level of the blade was dramatically reduced.  I don't have one on my TS.  Do you have to have it? I doubt it. Mine was a kicker for buying several blades, so it was no skin off my nose. 

6. 
   RDNZL | Apr 07, 2006 06:32am | #9

   Hi Jeff

   I bought a Forrest stabilizer when filling out a gift certificate order, because it "popped up" and it had always seemed like a good idea. I know: poor reasons at best. I found it to be little help, and that it did indeed reduce the depth of cut, especially with a zero clearance insert in place. It was collecting dust until I was forced to use (another story) a Freud blade (normally I love 'em.....) that sang so as to drive you out of the shop. The stabilizer completely eliminated the singing problem.

   So, there are some uses...I intend to try mine with the thin kerf rip blade that has been collecting dust due to it's poor edge results.

7. 
   Hairface | Apr 08, 2006 06:00am | #10

   Use you own judgement, I've had one for years, and never take it off the arbor unless I need the saw all the way up or use a dado.

   Furniture builder.

1. 
   highfigh | Apr 08, 2006 06:39am | #11

   I'm with you on this. Mine came as a set of two, but I only use one. I don't think I have ever made a cut without it, but my edges need no prep to glue up, either.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

8. 
   nikkiwood | Apr 08, 2006 07:39am | #12

   I got a stabilizer free when purchasing some Forrest blades.

   I guess I'm the contrarian here, since i do think it imporoves the cut quality -- not dramatically, but still a little better than without.

   I don't use it much because the limitations on cutting depth.

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

9. 
   Ejc | Apr 08, 2006 04:11pm | #13

   Hi Jeff,

   I wont claim to know that it does or doesnt improve the quality of cut, when I had an underpowered saw and ran a thin- kerf blade I used one because "it couldnt hurt"  ( I was also cutting a lot of melamine)  Now that i have a full powered saw , i am using full kerf blades, cant say i see any difference.

   Interesting note however, I did get out the stabilizer for some recent cuts, I had to rip some wood banding I made, not wanting to waste so much material w a full kerf blade. Thanx to everyone at this forum, it was suggested to use a 7.25 freud Diablo 40t finishing blade. The kerf is an incredible 116" (Made me feel a lot better about ripping 116 strips of banding) Anyhow, I put the stablizer on this setup only because i felt it might help stiffen up the plate. The rips went well, and the cut is great, nice finish right from the blade. Thank you Freud !

   Eric