Ridgid TS3650 Blade

[Luckbox]

I am looking to buy a new blade for my saw. I still currently have the stock blade and it is getting dull. I was looking at the Tenryu GM-25540 but wasn't sure how it would perform with this saw. It is my understanding that the stock blade is a thin kerf and all though this is sold as a thin kerf blade it is thick for a think kerf. I wasn't sure if I should look at a true thin kerf or if it really doesn't matter. I cut probably more plywood than hard wood, but was looking for a good blade for both and wood magazine rated this blade very well for both hardwood and plywood and it also rated well for both rips and cross cuts. I was just looking for some input. I know I should probably get two to 4 blades but cost is an issue.

[Knottscott]

The Gold Medal is a nice blade. I've had two but am no longer using them. A 3/32" thin kerf will be easier for the saw to spin, especially in thick materials but since the kerf of the GM is only 0.111" as opposed to 0.125" of a full kerf, it'll still have a pretty easy time of it. Most saws will spin a full kerf fairly well too, but a good TK definitely has lower feed pressure.

The Forrest WWII, Ridge Carbide TS2000, and Infinity Combomax are just a few other TK blades that are every bit as good as the Gold Medal IMO....the TS2000 has thicker carbide than any. The WWII and the TS2000 are both made in the USA and are available in both full and thin kerf. The Tenryu Gold Medal is made in Japan, many of their other blades are made in China.

You might consider grabbing two blades instead of one, and expand the range of your blade capability. A pair of blades like the Infinity 010-060 60T (0.104" TK) or a Freud LU88R010 60T TK mated with 24T TK FTG ripper like the Infinity 010-124 or Freud LU87R010 will take you further in the extreme ranges ripping in thick stock (24T) and cleaner cuts in medium stock (60T). Both the LU88 and 010-060 are quite versatile for general purpose work, and the Infinity is superior in plywood, melamine, and crosscutting hardwoods.

My picks for that saw would be the LU87 mated with the Infinity 010-060. Compared to the Gold Medal, you'll be roughly on budget, will have more efficient ripping capability in thick stock, will have cleaner cuts in general, and especially in veneered plywoods. (~ $105 for the pair)

In the meantime, try giving your stock blade a good cleaning.

[Sawatzky]

I have the Ridgid 3650 and the blade that comes with it is a thin kerf, but it is much thinner than regular thin kerf blades. I put at Forrestt WWII thin kerf blade on the saw and it is awesome. Really any 10" blade will work on this saw as long as it is rated for the RPM of the saw. Thin Kerf blades don't take off as much material as full kerf blades and require less power. Thery are perfect for contractor type saws. Some thin kerf blades are not made well and can deflect (I personally feel the stock blade on the TS3650 is junk), but the high end ones as listed in the previous post will all work well. With all blades, you want to make sure you hvae the right blade for the type of cut you are making.

[Gator95]

I've got a Ridgid 3660 and have a WWII 30T thin kerf in it. Huge improvement over stock blade. This is a great blade for hardwood. Both rips and crosscuts are very clean.

[poolhound]

I have a gold medal and am very happy with it. It cross cuts very cleanly. I would consider getting a TK ripping blade as well, especially for thicker stock.

You may like to take a look at Holbren's Oshlun blades, they are good value for money. I have a 60T blade in my CMS and it cuts very well, I did use it in my BT but not since I got the GM.