All my blades are ATB, and I’m wanting one to cut spline slots with on the table saw. The only flat-grind blades I’ve found in the Freud line, which I’m partial to, are 24-tooth rip blades. Crap. I already have a 24-tooth rip blade, but it’s ATB. Any other suggestions of a blade that might have additional use to me than just cutting spline slots?
forestgirl — you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can’t take the forest out of the girl 😉
Replies
For Splines I use a Freud 10" 80 TCG. .126 kerf LU97MO10, 3 degree Neg. hook. I use it mainly for splined picture frame corners.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Hey, Bruce. I was thinking about a triple-chip blade, 'cause then I'd have something good for laminates too. It makes a nice, clean slot??forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Just my luck I wanted to cut spline slots before I had a dedicated rip blade, so I looked until I found the Freud with flat top grind. Having said that, I like to cut the spline slots at least 1/16" deeper than the width of the spline as I think the glue squeezed to the bottom of the slot is significant. That said, the small V groove in the bottom of the spline slot wouldn't concern me now - just slightly less room for excess glue. Of course that might be a concern if the spline and slot were left exposed. If that were the case I'd have to use the FTG blade. As an alternative, there are slot cutting router bits, but don't know if they are available in the width you desire.
Edited 10/24/2006 1:50 pm ET by DonStephan
Hi forestgirl ,
I use a Freud 50 tooth combination blade for spline cutting , it's the same blade I use for ripping hardwood and does a great job of it .
depending on the length , make the splines out of plywood milled to the correct thickness .
good luck dusty
The 50-tooth combo is an ATB blade, yes? Probably the same one I have. The little V doesn't bother you? Perhaps I should clarify: this will be for splines that show in many cases.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Edited 10/24/2006 11:09 pm by forestgirl
FG ,
The cut works well , granted most of my splines are hidden . Still imo you need to make the dry fit a tad loose to accommodate for swelling from the glue . As Don said the glue gets pushed down to the bottom so a bit of slop is needed .
On an exposed spline I would use a small piece of solid spline stock on the ends that will show and make the little piece fit tighter .
dusty
I was just looking at the profile for the TCG - hmmmmm, don't think I want to go there. I guess I'll just pony up for a new ripping blade. I wrote to Charles, and he said the LU87 and LM72 are now a flat-grind tooth. Thanks for the feedback!!!
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Edited 10/25/2006 12:28 am by forestgirl
The 80 TTG has alternating FTG and TTG teeth, But there is a very mimimal dip in the center. But makes superb cuts w/no tearout. Looks like I'll be looking into the LM 72 also. Now I'am wondering If the Blade I'am using isn't a Systimatic, Blades have been cleaned in lacquer thinner so much the lables are long since gone.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Edited 10/25/2006 9:06 am ET by BruceS
LM72, yep that's where I'm headed too. Want to get the one that does not have the red coating.
"Blades have been cleaned in lacquer thinner so much the lables are long since gone." Try soaking them in Simple Green for 5 or 10 minutes, then toothbrush-off the pitch. Works great, doesn't abuse your lungs, and can be washed down the drain. I find that I clean my blades more often now that it's not such a hassle. I bought the BBQ cleaning can because it foams on, but I'm sure the liquid would work just as well.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
FG ,
The 50 tooth Freud I use is an LU80 and has a flat ground tooth every like 5th tooth .
Any small v left from the cut imo would be insignificant in a spline slot as we have determined some slop will be needed . The glue will usually fill any spaces .
why don't you just try a sample and see for yourself
dusty
That's the LU84, at least in the current line, same blade I have. I'll play with it. Keyed miters (more accurate than "spline slots") -- would like them to be real clean looking.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
If the length of the splines isn't too great, you could use a scratch stock to scrape the bottoms flat. Even if you have occasional longer ones, it shouldn't be too difficult to scrape flat, as long as they're deep enough to be stable.Or, you could have your ripping blade resharpened for flat bottome cuts."I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
Edited 10/25/2006 9:58 am by highfigh
"Since you have other ATB blades why not resharpen it with a flat top grind." It won't hurt to have another rip blade. The hook angle on the ATB Diablo blade is 15°. It's 20° on the FTG blade (LM72). I figure they probably have a reason for them being different, so I think I'll keep the old blade the way it is.
Another option would be to get the "Thick Stock" rip blade, which would fill a new role, but it's only 18 teeth on a 10" blade, and that might not give the best slots in a box or picture frame. Comments?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
As long as the coarse cut won't cause any tearout issues, it could work. Slow feed rate would tace care of it, though.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
The 24 tooth blade ATB you have would really be considered a combination blade as a true rip is a flat top grind. Since you have other ATB blades why not resharpen it with a flat top grind.
Rick,Just to clarify, the geometry of the top grind doesn't necessarily determine the application. In fact, there are ATB, FTG and TCG rip blades on the market. Other important factors are the hook angle and the number of teeth. I wouldn't classify the Diablo D1024 that forestgirl owns as a combination or general purpose blade but it is a great ripper and would also be a pretty good crosscut blade for very thick stock.
Charles M
Freud America, Inc.
"...as a true rip is a flat top grind." Wellllllll, I think CMT, Skapaz and Freud (to name just a few) might be dismayed to hear that they're mis-naming their rip blades. They all make rip blades with ATB configuration. Might have an FTG tooth interspersed, but have ATB also. Perhaps the technology has evolved over the years?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I started using Freud slot cutters on a mandrel. I have three or four sizes. Just back up your exit cut with scrap.Works fine, I use it on a router table.Ron
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