Low cost 1/8" kerf blade that leaves a flat bottom?

[dkerfoot]

Sigh... I have been building some small boxes using miter keys and was unhappy with the non-flat bottom my only full-kerf blade was leaving. So, I used it as an excuse to buy the 30 Tooth WWII.

I decided on the full kerf version specifically because I want to cut 1/8" miter keys. Only to find out - Doh! It doesn't leave a flat bottom! I don't know why I assumed it would, I just did. I love the blade, but had I known, I would have gone with the thin kerf version.

So, I still need a full kerf blade specifically for cutting flat bottomed miter key slots. Any recommendations? It needs to be low cost because I blew my budget on the WWII already.

Anyone care to trade a (sharp) thin kerf 30 tooth WWII for a full kerf model?

[LarryG]

I am under the impression all the Woodworker II blades are Alternate Top Bevel (ATB) grind, whether full or thin kerf. I have a TK 30T WWII that I've not yet used, so I cannot say that with certainty for it, but I know for a fact my TK 40T WWII is ATB. Forrest does offer the FK 40T with a flat grind option, as a special order, but obviously that's not going to satisty your "economical" parameter.

When I need a flat-bottomed kerf, I use the OEM Freud-made blade from my now-retired BT3100. You might be able to find a BT owner who has bought another blade and would sell you his stock blade.

[Knottscott]

To get a truly flat bottom you'll need to go with a Flat Top Grind (FTG), which is mainly used by ripping blades. For full kerf, Freud's LM72, Infinity, DeWalt, Delta, CMT, and Amana should all have good examples.

CPOWoodworking has the DW7642 on sale for ~ $35. You might check Ebay for other deals.

[pelligrini]

I am under the impression all the Woodworker II blades are Alternate Top Bevel (ATB) grind, whether full or thin kerf. I have a TK 30T WWII that I've not yet used, so I cannot say that with certainty for it, but I know for a fact my TK 40T WWII is ATB.

I can confirm that the WW10307100, the TK 30T WWII is an ATB grind. The one I got a couple weeks ago will make a tiny little v cut.

[LCHIEN]

nowadays most blades used for crosscutting or combo work will have something of an ATB to help score the fibers and reduce tearout.

Ripping blades, since they don't go across the grain but with the grain, don't need the tearout reduction so mostly use FTG which will give you the flat bottom and last a little longer.

[cgallery]

I have noticed, though, that the low-cost Diablo rip blades sold at Home Depot are ATB.

[ke4rdb]

Pickup a Freud Box Joint Blade Set. Cutting flat bottoms is what its made for.....james

[pelligrini]

I don't think the Freud will do 1/8". Nice set though, I picked up one recently. Sure beats my old craftsman dado stack.

[dkerfoot]

When I need a flat-bottomed kerf, I use the OEM Freud-made blade from my now-retired BT3100. You might be able to find a BT owner who has bought another blade and would sell you his stock blade.

Yeah, the OEM blade that came with my CM 21829 makes a fine flat cut - but it is thin-kerf. I am pretty sure the BT blades are thin kerf as well.

For now, I think I will use a file to flatten down the little "v" and see how much that bugs me before I run out and make another impulse purchase.

I will say that the WWII is an impressive blade to hold in your hands - especially compared to inexpensive TK blades. Kind of reminds me of when I got my Whiteside rabbiting router bit. It was immediately obvious that I was holding a different class of tool than I was used to.

[pelligrini]

What about changing your desired 1/8" miter key to 3/32" in order to match the kerf of the OEM blade

[dkerfoot]

What about changing your desired 1/8" miter key to 3/32" in order to match the kerf of the OEM blade

I actually thought long and hard about that and tried a couple sample cuts. I really WANTED to like the 3/32" kerf! If I were using a matching wood, that would be fine, but with a contrasting wood color, I just really like the 1/8". I am usually pretty laid back about those things, but it would bug me.

[LinuxRandal]

The Forrest WWII is available in different grinds. I have a #6 grind, 40 tooth, but I believe (trying from memory), the #1 grind, is for flat bottoms.

[pelligrini]

That's right! Now I remember seeing a number one carried by woodcraft.
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=20363

[pecker]

A few years ago someone on this forum offered a 3 piece set of "Avenger" brand blades to members for around $50. The combo blade in that set had a rake tooth with a flat top grind.

I don't think the Avenger brand exists anymore, but that blade may be available as a no-name or Harborfreight item for pretty cheap. You might do some google searching for the terms "combo blade" and "novelty blade"

[AlanWS]

I've looked around, and it seems a full kerf FTG blade is not one of the cheaper options. FS Tool has a good rip blade for $45. One place to look for decent blades, that allows you to type in exactly what features you want so you don't need to dig through a zillion bad search hits, is www.carbide.com . I can't link directly to the search results, but it's easy enough to just select the kerf (normal) and the tooth bevel (FTG), with the default 10" diameter and 5/8" bore, and search for blades. Searching amazon for "Freud FTG" also finds a bunch of blades, but it's harder to tell what kerf they are.

Another possibility depends on how small those boxes are, and what other tools are available. Could you use a 1/8" slot cutter in a router table instead of the saw?
http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shops...s/bt_slot.html