Which Blade for PT?

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  • conwaygolfer
    Established Member
    • Jun 2008
    • 371
    • Conway, SC.
    • BT3000
    #1

    Which Blade for PT?

    I have been ripping some 12' 4x4 pressure treated lumber into 5/8 in. widths for some flower bed borders. I am using the BT3K with a 40 tooth Forrest blade. The ripping is terribly slow. I even touched a nail embedded in the PT.

    So I have sent off the blade to get sharpened. In the meanwhile, is there a better blade for ripping this material? Perhaps less teeth?

    I have set the saw blade fully up in order to make one pass. Is it better to make 2 passes? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

    Glenn
    Tags: None
    • pelligrini
      Veteran Member
      • Apr 2007
      • 4217
      • Fort Worth, TX
      • Craftsman 21829
      #2
      For that kind of thickness a 24T ripping blade would be much better. I picked up an Olshun 24t from Holbren a while back. I've been pleased with it.

      Be sure to wear a mask with that PT material.
      Erik

        Comment

        • DaveS
          Senior Member
          • May 2003
          • 596
          • Minneapolis,MN
          #3
          Whatever blade you use, be sure to clean it off well (with more than just your thumb) after you are done.

          The stuff they have in the PT these days will eat the edge right off those teeth.

          If it were me, I think I would go and get some sacrificial cheap-o blade that I could abuse and then throw away.

          No way I'd use my good blades... just me though.

            Comment

            • SARGE..g-47
              #4
              To rip that thickness in pressure treat... you really need a 12 T flat grind but... about the only place you need it so forget that. I use 20 T Amana's to rip with but... Pellingrini's suggestion of the Oshlund 24 T is an excellent one. It has 24 T but does have some ATB in the grind. A true rip blade will usually have flat grind.

              I just got the Oshland 40 T to do general work and as Scott has mentioned.. not a bad blade for $25. For the ripping you do normally the Oshland would be a good blade as you will find that the fewer teeth and larger gullet rip blades are much easier to use than a 40 T. You really need one anyway regardless of the PT in this scenerio. Pressure treat is nasty as mentioned and don't be surprised to find some tension that will close the stock on the back of your splitter after the cut. If you do.. turn the saw off and walk around too... or have someone put wooden wedges in the already severed keft to avoid the stock pinching the rear teeth... and yep.... even with a splitter or riving knife very reactive wood can do just that.

              Good luck..

                Comment

                • Ed62
                  The Full Monte
                  • Oct 2006
                  • 6021
                  • NW Indiana
                  • BT3K
                  #5
                  That Pt stuff is really nasty when it comes to twisting, etc. You might end up with corkscrews after milling!

                  I could be wrong here, but if you cut strips like that size, I don't think you'll get the benefit of being PT. In other words, it will likely rot.

                  Ed
                  Do you know about kickback? Ray has a good writeup here... https://www.sawdustzone.org/articles...mare-explained

                  For a kickback demonstration video http://www.metacafe.com/watch/910584...demonstration/

                    Comment

                    • Knottscott
                      Veteran Member
                      • Dec 2004
                      • 3815
                      • Rochester, NY.
                      • 2008 Shop Fox W1677
                      #6
                      Fewer teeth will have an easier time with it, and a thin kerf blade will have an easier time yet. I would not cut PT with my Forrest (or comparable)blades. You should be able to pickup a decent thin kerf 24T FTG ripper for ~ $35...Freud LU87R010 or DeWalt DW7124PT. If you can't find one, or don't want to spend that much, a 24T TK ATB would be my 2nd choice....Freud Avanti TK206, or Hitachi 24T TK. Nice to have anyway, as Sarge mentioned.

                      Two passes is always an option, but isn't likely to be as smooth of a cut if it's important....on the hand, if it's important skip the pressure treated!
                      Happiness is sort of like wetting your pants....everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth.

                        Comment

                        • conwaygolfer
                          Established Member
                          • Jun 2008
                          • 371
                          • Conway, SC.
                          • BT3000
                          #7
                          PT Blade

                          Thanks for all the help. I went out and picked up a 24 tooth blade. As per suggestions, I WILL NOT use the Forrestor blade for this again.

                          Glenn

                            Comment

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