Replies

1. 
   mvflaim | Apr 10, 2008 09:58pm | #1

   Forrest Woodworker II is a very good blade

    

1. 
   chaim | Apr 10, 2008 10:09pm | #2

   Thanks thats definitly one that I've heard good things about!

   ChaimMake your own mistakes not someone elses, this is a good way to be original !

1. 
   mvflaim | Apr 10, 2008 10:27pm | #3

   here's what people say about it. http://www.amazon.com/Forrest-WW10407125-Woodworker-10-Inch-8-Inch/dp/B0000223VQ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1207854427&sr=8-1

   I've gotten my blade resharpened by them a few months ago and they are a top notch service company. The Lie-Neilsen of saw blades one might say. 

2. 
   chrisdraper | Apr 11, 2008 12:01am | #4

   I just picked up a Freud Premier Fusion 10" blade a couple of weeks ago. I have been very pleased with the performance I am getting with it. It is a 40 tooth blade so it does pretty well cross cutting when necessary. Although, not as well as the 96 tooth Premier Fusion blade I just put on my miter saw. The 10" blade set me back $80 which is a stout bit cheaper that the Forrest blade. I am not saying the Forrest blade isn't a fine blade but I am getting excellent performance out of the Freud blade at less cost.

1. 
   chaim | Apr 11, 2008 01:22am | #5

   I was also looking at it as well as their combo blade which is even cheaper! I have their crosscut blade (60 tooth) and it does a ok job but I'm a might bit lazy when it comes to changing out, so I was looking for a premium combo to alleviate the tedious back and forth.

   What do you think?

   ChaimMake your own mistakes not someone elses, this is a good way to be original !

3. 
   BruceS | Apr 11, 2008 02:05am | #6

   The biggest bang for the buck IMHO are Freud blades.   But I am not a big fan of combination blades and prefer dedicated rip and crosscut blades.  And break that down even further to tooth count for lumber thickness.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

4. 
   nazard | Apr 11, 2008 02:40am | #7

   Chaim,

   Freud Premier Fusion 40 t.  I'm much more than happy with mine, and try not to miss an opportunity to give it a big heads up.  Not to cast any aspersions on the Forrest WW2, it's also a great blade.  However, at the time of my purchase, the Freud was substantially less $$$.

   Cheers!

   -nazard

5. 
   piker | Apr 11, 2008 02:53am | #8

     I have never seen a blade that works as good as the Ridge carbide 40 tooth. I watched a rep demo it at a wood show 2 yrs. in a row before buying. Cuts 2" hardwood like butter & I have to hold it in the right light to see any tooth marks. Bought a 2nd blade last year for my old Unisaw in my shop at our cottage. Probably not as good on sheet goods as a dedicated blade but plenty good enough for a general purpose blade. The only time I switch blades is for melamine.

6. 
   Sequim Tool | Apr 11, 2008 03:00am | #9

   Go online to  Justsawblades.com .  Systimatic are the very best you can get I have used them for over 25 years and Just saw blades will save you a lot of $ too.

   John 

7. 
   Knotscott | Apr 11, 2008 03:11am | #10

   You didn't mention whether you wanted full kerf or thin kerf. There are several really good premium general purpose blades that have been mentioned, most of which I've tried. All are on the expensive side....~ $90-$100 unless on sale. Infinity makes an excellent 50 tooth combo blade called the "Combomax" and it's available in both full and thin kerf for ~ $60. Holbren.com sells a full kerf 50T Tenryu RS25550 that's also very good....~ $45 shipped. Another full kerf bargain is the DeWalt DW7657 40T if you can still find one....that blade rivals for the Forrest for about half the cost. Since B&D bought Pentair, they've overhauled the DW line of blades...you're most likely to find the Delta 35-7657 instead of the DW7657.

   http://woodworkerszone.com/wiki/index.php?title=Table_Saw_Blade_Comparisons

   http://www.epinions.com/content_380232306308

   http://www.holbren.com/product.php?productid=125&cat=0&page=1

   http://www.epinions.com/content_220309917316

   
   

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   Edited 4/11/2008 2:47 pm ET by Knotscott

8. 
   blewcrowe | Apr 11, 2008 03:00pm | #11

   Splitting hairs between the three top blades, IMO. Forrestt, Tenryu, Freud. They all do a good job.

9. 
   tomwalz | Apr 11, 2008 05:41pm | #12

   Wood magazine - May 2008 issue

   ranks Forrest and Freud best in thin kerf

   Amana and SystiMatic are "Top Value" in full kerf

    

   This is their retest which, I think, is a really classy thing to do. 

    

10. 
    K1500 | Apr 11, 2008 06:58pm | #13

    A combo (50T ATB + raker) or a gp (40T ATB)?  I have had great results from a thin kerf Rigid 50T combo from Home Depot.  I believe it is nothing more than a rebranded Freud so I suppose the Freud would be identical in performance, but my HD didn't carry the combo Freud.  The Rigid has a gold 'titanium' coating and the Freud has a red teflon coating.  I go straight from the saw to glue up with no problems (and I am picky).

    
    

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    Edited 4/11/2008 11:59 am ET by K1500

1. 
   chaim | Apr 12, 2008 09:13pm | #14

   Thank you all!

   With all this info it can be difficult to choose the right blade for myself.  I'm looking for a thin curf as my saw is a Bosch (I also want to recommend one to a friend who owns an old delta contractors saw) and may not cut as well with a full curf blade.

   ChaimMake your own mistakes not someone elses, this is a good way to be original !

1. 
   Knotscott | Apr 12, 2008 09:41pm | #15

   The Freud LU86R010 40T TK is an awfully good bargain at ~ $35....worth a look if > $50 causes some angst.

11. 
    Napie | Apr 13, 2008 08:41pm | #16

    Forrest Woodworker II, the best on the market, period.

1. 
   chaim | Apr 13, 2008 10:09pm | #17

   Thanks, I might as well get one of each. At this rate it might be easier!

   ChaimMake your own mistakes not someone elses, this is a good way to be original !