Today I received the Freud LU87R010 24T blade from Amazon. The blade I got has FLAT teeth instead of ATB teeth show on the webpage. What is the advantage and disadvantage of FLAT vs ATB? Should I keep it or exchange for a ATB blade? Thanks in advance.
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Evening xli1.. you don't work at Area 51 do you?.. :>)
Eagle America and several others I have seen list the Freud LU87R010 thin kerf as a 24 T ATB blade. Go to the Freud web-site and you see them list it as a 24 T flat! Go figure? Someone is right and someone is wrong. I think you got if figured who is who. ha.. ha...
The flat tooth is a true ripper and the quicker of the two to get ripping done. Usually has a set of 20* degrees positive and provide plenty of gullet space to let you move sawdust out and open space in quickly. The draw-back is the cut is relatively rough, but if you are going to the jointer after the fact you just cut it about 1/8" or so proud to allow for the rough cut.
The ATB teeth have positive hook also (usually 15* degrees on a 24 T rip blade), but they alternate and the gullet is not quite as deep. You give up speed for a little smoother cut hoping for a glue-line rip.
I run 24 T flat and go to the jointer as I am not satisfied with any cut for glueing that can be had with a rip blade. I cut it proud enough to go to the jointer and then latter give it a "butt kiss" by"shooting" the final edges of two adjoining edges with a hand plane (#7 jointer usually).
So.... depends on what your goals are. Speed wtihout concern for the smoothness of cut or going for a 'one cut does it all glue-line rip'. Everyone will have an opinion, but mine is the second choice is a compromise I won't make. I have in the past.. but won't at this stage of my journey.
Regards... -
The LU87's that I've seen have all been thin kerf ATB grinds with a 20 degree positive hook. Is it mispackaged and could it possibly be a blade other than an LU87? Does the blade actually say LU87R010 or is it just on the package? I ask because I've recently heard of someone else receiving an LM74R010 in an LU87 package....which of course is a full kerf 30T triple chip grind (TCG) that has a combination of flat and chamfered teeth with a 13 degree hook. Freud's 24T FTG ripper from their Industrial line is a full kerf LM72R010.
As Sarge mentioned, the flat top grinds (FTG) are more efficient at removing fibers but don't slice quite as cleanly. They also leave a nice flat bottom. An ATB cuts a bit cleaner but leaves little "bat ears" on the bottom. Pros and cons to each. For ripping thick stock with a saw the size of the BT, I'd think the LU87 is the best choice.Happiness is sort of like wetting your pants....everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth.
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I just got my LU87R010 from Amazon and it also says flat and yes it indeed is a LU87R010. I have not had time to try it yet but I am sure I will be pleased with it. The picture of the LM72R010 at Amazon also shows that to be flat.
SteveComment
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It is indeed a LU87R010 with FLAT teeth. It has the label on the blade not the package, with 20 degree hook. I think I would keep it since I am not expecting to have that kind of clean cut, just want a decent ripping cut. I will go through jointer anyway. Thanks for the info.Comment
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Morning Dustmight...
I posted the LU87R010 is 24 T flat... and before yesterday I would have agreed with you that it was an ATB. I have never seen it listed other than ATB for years. But.........
I happened to be surfing www.freudtools.com yesterday looking for a 12" 72 T SCMS blade. I ran through the LM and LU series while at the site. And guess what.... the LU87R010 is now listed as 24 T Flat.. Click on the site and click on Freud Woodworking at the top.. Click on Saw Blades.. The Fusion will be listed first then scroll down to Ripping Blades and look at the chart at the bottom.. LU87R010 24 T Flat...
Blew me out of the water also as I have always seen that TK blade listed as an ATB.. I also think they have changed it because their TK 200 series is full ATB, but what happens leads to confusion with the consumer as xli-1 (Area 51.. just kiddin' xli-1 :>) found out!
I have gotten to know Charlie Mac (Freud represenative at Freud's HQ. in Greensboro) that post on the Knots FWW forum from the larger WW Shows. I will call Freud on Monday and confirm that a change was made. If anyone else is curious.. 1-800-334-4107 will get you an answer straight from Freud's mouth. I have met most of the Freud HQ. folks at the IWF show where they actually attend instead of letting the local distributors carry the weight. Very nice people and love to assist you.
PS.. xli-1
I agree with Dustmight that you should run a TK on your BT (if that's what you have). If you decide to keep the LU87R010, great. But if indeed Freud has made the switch to a 24 T Flat and your looking for a slightly smoother cut, may I suggest the Freud TK 206 24 T ATB or CMT 24 T TK as I run on my BT 3000. It is 24 T with one Flat tooth and then 2 ATB's following. A little compromise that gives you a mix from both Flat and ATB.
I got one at www.highlandwooking.com (I go there about every two weeks) as my local Freud source was out of the TK 206 ATB's I run on that saw. The CMT "big orange" cut about 200 linear feet of 2" white oak and left it pretty doggone smooth. I wouldn't call it glue-line but I have seen many that have glued up panels with worse. ha.. ha...
Regards...Last edited by Guest; 02-17-2007, 08:04 AM.Comment
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Well I tried out my new flat grind LU87R010 today on a small piece of pine I had and it so far seems to do a great job. See the pics below if interested . I am using a BT3100.
SteveAttached FilesComment
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