Replies

1. 
   Steinmetz | Nov 29, 2003 02:41pm | #1

   Sawick, been there done that. Always swapped smaller carbide blades to cut brass, aluminum  bronze and phenolic 

    Alsodid it to rip recycled nail filled free lumber.

   Try using two identical blades with a 1/4" spacer between to cut double kerfs in one pass.  Stein.

1. 
   mitch | Nov 29, 2003 08:06pm | #2

   if you can afford the loss in the depth of cut, it's a really fast, cheap way to increase the power of your saw.  the smaller radius blades have better mechanical advantage.  it's an old trick for underpowered contractor saws.  one down side is that the teeth are moving slower (72.5% as fast as a 10" blade) so you're not getting quite the same cutting effect in things like plywood or in woods that tend to splinter when cross-cutting.  in other words, it will cut more or less like you're using a blade with fewer teeth.

   m

1. 
   crt2cu2 | Nov 30, 2003 08:43am | #4

   Mitch,

   I understand the math of a 7 1/4 inch blade moving 72.5% slower at the teeth compared to a 10 inch. But what I think is gained is the much narrower kerf which translates to what feels like more power as you said. However, for cutting ply, couldn't one use a finer tooth or ATB blade? (assuming such a thing is available in a 7 1/4"? Funny thing is that in all the woodworking books I have read, this table saw trick was never mentioned (to my memory).

   Mike S.

2. 
   crt2cu2 | Nov 30, 2003 08:36am | #3

   Steinmetz (as in Beer stein?)

   Good idea to double up 7 1/4 blades. I think I might try that to cut some finger joints and maybe even a dado or two. Who knows? Maybe I won't get the 10 inch blades sharpened, given all the new experiments I can try with cheap 7 and 1/4 blades?

   Mike S.

1. 
   Steinmetz | Nov 30, 2003 08:58am | #5

   Sawick, Steinmetz was an electrical genius who worked for Thomas Edison. Growing up, My young friends nicknamed me that  'Moniker' because I fooled around with electricity and tools cars radio etc. My real name is Ed. Stein ryhms with Ryan.  G'Luck, ED.

1. 
   mitch | Nov 30, 2003 06:46pm | #6

   there's most definitely a number of offsetting factors in both directions-  for instance, one already mentioned is using a contractor pack of el cheapo 7 1/4" blades to rip up salvage lumber.  10 inchers come in the widest variety and are generally available in far better quality (but you can get 7 1/4" blades from Forrest if you want to spend the $$), but if the smaller blades suit your purpose, by all means use them.

   it's the same as any other mechanical engineering question.  there are always tradeoffs and compromises.

   m