What blades to get?

[p8ntblr]

What blades do you guys use/recommend for both ripping and finishing work with a table saw. I don't have a huge budget so I'm looking for a "best bang for the buck" type blades.

I'm also looking to replace my 12" miter saw blade in the near future. Probably will go for a 60T for both fine and rough cutting. Unless you guys think getting 2 seperate (mabye 40T and 80T) is a better idea. Anyways, thanks for your input.

[linear]

If you don't need to saw 3" thick boards, you can use an 8" blade and save big dough.

[p8ntblr]

If you don't need to saw 3" thick boards, you can use an 8" blade and save big dough.

any brand/model you recommend?

[Knottscott]

Of the dozens of good blades I've had the privilege of trying, the Freud LU88R010 is one my all time favorites. It'll rip well to about 6/4" material and cuts very cleanly in most everything...a bit cleaner than even my WWII, DW7657, Ridge Carbide TS2000, Tenryu Gold, and Infinity combo. How's that for a testimonial of a $45 blade?! The others are all excellent choices IMHO, but the LU88 is more than capable of holding it's own in their company. (in the $50 range, the Infinity is a good altnerative)

The LU88 is listed as a crosscut blade but it's unique in that it has a 15 degree hook angle more like most 40T general purpose blades, so it rips well and is more versatile than most 60T blades. A good 80T has potential to cut cleaner, (assuming the quality is comparable, otherwise it won't cut as cleanly) but the 80T blades are more prone to burning and are less versatile. The cuts I get with the LU88 are good enough that I literally never use my 80T blades. If you want to add a second blade, my advice is to grab a 24T ripper to handle the really thick stuff and spare your motor. (Freud LU87, DW7124 are good choices in the $30-$35 range)

http://www.amazon.com/Freud-LU88R010...8?ie=UTF8&s=hi

http://www.epinions.com/content_226312687236

Amazon may have some good deals on a 12" miter saw blade...check their DeWalt DW7649 for $60.

[p8ntblr]

Of the dozens of good blades I've had the privilege of trying, the Freud LU88R010 is one my all time favorites. It'll rip well to about 6/4" material and cuts very cleanly in most everything...a bit cleaner than even my WWII, DW7657, Ridge Carbide TS2000, Tenryu Gold, and Infinity combo. How's that for a testimonial of a $45 blade?! The others are all excellent choices IMHO, but the LU88 is more than capable of holding it's own in their company. (in the $50 range, the Infinity is a good altnerative)

The LU88 is listed as a crosscut blade but it's unique in that it has a 15 degree hook angle more like most 40T general purpose blades, so it rips well and is more versatile than most 60T blades. A good 80T has potential to cut cleaner, (assuming the quality is comparable, otherwise it won't cut as cleanly) but the 80T blades are more prone to burning and are less versatile. The cuts I get with the LU88 are good enough that I literally never use my 80T blades. If you want to add a second blade, my advice is to grab a 24T ripper to handle the really thick stuff and spare your motor. (Freud LU87, DW7124 are good choices in the $30-$35 range)

http://www.amazon.com/Freud-LU88R010...8?ie=UTF8&s=hi

http://www.epinions.com/content_226312687236

Amazon may have some good deals on a 12" miter saw blade...check their DeWalt DW7649 for $60.

Thanks Dustmight. with a 100% of the reviewers giving it 5 stars along with your recommedation I think I'll get the LU.

[MilDoc]

I agree with dustmights recommendation - great blade!

[ragswl4]

If you use the LU88 on the BT3100 do you use a dampner? I ordered the blade and then read some opinions that a dampner should be used. Thanks.

[MilDoc]

If you use the LU88 on the BT3100 do you use a dampner? I ordered the blade and then read some opinions that a dampner should be used. Thanks.

I don't - tried one, made no difference.

[Knottscott]

If you use the LU88 on the BT3100 do you use a dampner? I ordered the blade and then read some opinions that a dampner should be used. Thanks.

If you buy a stabilizer you'll help subsidize someone else who will then be able take their wife to lunch. It's a very selfless gesture on your part that might even save a marriage!. But I'm kind of a self-centered thinker who thinks you should take YOUR wife to lunch instead!

Honestly, the vast majority who've tried them see no difference. Some use them just because they have them and there's no harm in it, but you'll rarely see an improvement with blades the caliber of the LU88, WWII, TS2000, Tenryu, Infinity, CMT, Amana, etc. That's especially true with modern saws that have low arbor runout.

[Cheeky]

i use the freud LU87R010 for ripping (thin kerf ripping blade great for low powered saws) on my ridgid ts2400. the blade is simply awesome, and it's leaps and bounds better than the garbage stock blade. the blade yields a nice smooth line.

i think i paid $26 dollars for it when it was a special on amazon. it's now at 35, which is still a nice price, but you can procure industrial freuds for less when they are sale priced (either a nice accessories % off or sale).

http://www.amazon.com/Freud-LU87R010...0?ie=UTF8&s=hi

[LCHIEN]

Dampeners/Stiffeners = waste of time/money/depth of cut

[ragswl4]

Freud LU88

Got the blade today and did some trial cuts on 3/4" curly maple and padauk. Crosscuts produced no tearout. Ripping the curly maple I got a little burn mark in one area (could be technique) and none on the paduak. With the OEM blade on the BT3100 I used to get a lot of burn marks on both types of wood when ripping and always tearout during crosscutting. Seems to be a great blade.