Replies

1. 
   gweisenburge | Sep 27, 2002 06:38am | #1

   Don,

   IMHO scoring blades aren't necessary, and I consider them pain to keep aligned (unless the saw is made for scorers). I think a good, sharp  hi-AT blade with at least 80 teeth in a 10" diameter, along with a zero-clearance throat plate, will cleanly cut through the most shread prone, rift sawn oak plywood. If I cut a lot of malamine, I'd have an industrial scorer with its own motor on my saw, but I refuse to cut melamine 'cuz it cuts my hands. Tool geeks may disagree with me.

   Gary

1. 
   riverr1 | Sep 27, 2002 06:50am | #2

   Gary,

   I think you're right here. I've played the devil's advocate with this one on a few different people, and no one yet has convinced me that there is a real advantage to having one. Even Moduluses web site uses a microscope type view to demonstrate what the blade will do. If a microscope is needed to see the effect, then I guess the best thing to do is not look at our cuts with a microscope and all those little nicks won't exist.

   Don

2. 
   dondownunder | Sep 27, 2002 06:51am | #3

   Don C

   I guess it depends on your situation & finances, you'll need to allow another fifty odd bucks for a split scorer & shim set, toss in a main blade to match & it starts to mount up BUT...

   I use a European saw with a scoring blade and I don't think a day goes by when it isn't used. Granted they are the best thing since bottled beer for decorated & veneered sheet goods but I also use mine when cross cutting timber (when doing tenons or rails for cabinet doors for example) & a whole bunch of other stuff.

   Experience has taught me that if you get the scorer it is best to match it with a main blade, ie keep them in sets. Because blade kerf widths vary from blade to blade I have 3 sets of scorers & main blades; 2 for decorated/veneered board & a general purpose set for all other stuff. This just makes set up much more efficent (in this production shop), but to start with I think you'd be happy with one set.

   FWIW

   Don