Just bought a new BT3100 and am starting to research blades for
different uses. As I understand it, an 80 tooth is recommended for
finish work, or is that for plywood? I've seen Oldham 60 tooth carbide
blades that say they are for finish cuts. Will a 60 tooth do for
general purpose finish cuts?
Perhaps the better question is, how many teeth for what sort of work?
On Fri, 19 Dec 2003 15:23:12 -0700, Grandpa <jsdebooATcomcast.net>
wrote:
>Just bought a new BT3100 and am starting to research blades for
>different uses. As I understand it, an 80 tooth is recommended for
>finish work, or is that for plywood? I've seen Oldham 60 tooth carbide
>blades that say they are for finish cuts. Will a 60 tooth do for
>general purpose finish cuts?
>
>Perhaps the better question is, how many teeth for what sort of work?
More teeth for laminates and ply. Fewer teeth for ripping. I have a
40-tooth combination blade installed, a compromise between crosscut,
rip, and laminate. But I change blades when I need a quality cut for
laminates.
Typically:
24-30t = rip blades
40-50t = combination blades (rip and crosscut)
60-80t = crosscut blades
80+ = specialty blades for non-ferrous metals, plastics, man-made materials,
ceramics, etc.
As always, there are exceptions.
Bob S.
"Grandpa" <jsdebooATcomcast.net> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Just bought a new BT3100 and am starting to research blades for
> different uses. As I understand it, an 80 tooth is recommended for
> finish work, or is that for plywood? I've seen Oldham 60 tooth carbide
> blades that say they are for finish cuts. Will a 60 tooth do for
> general purpose finish cuts?
>
> Perhaps the better question is, how many teeth for what sort of work?
>
On Fri, 19 Dec 2003 15:23:12 -0700, Grandpa <jsdebooATcomcast.net>
wrote:
>Just bought a new BT3100 and am starting to research blades for
>different uses.
I think you need a minimum of two blades to really cover everything.
Most people manage with one.
A 40 tooth "combination" is really a crosscut. It does a decent job of
ripping (but not quickly) and it cuts sheetgoods adequately. Edge
quality on plywood depends on the blade quality and the saw's
accuracy, but it's usually OK for workshop use, if not for cabinetry.
For laminates, you needs something finer - 60 or 80, and this will
give you a better edge finish on plywood. Won't rip though - your saw
will bog down.
So if you're a general woodworker, you can cheerfully do everything on
a decent 40. If you make plywood carcases with the odd bit of solid
trim, then a 60 will do you. If you range over the whole range, then
you're going to need two blades though - maybe a 40 and an 80 to put
on when working "finish quality" sheetgoods, or a 60 for most things
and a 28 to rip down rough stock.
--
Smert' spamionam