Replies

1. 
   Dam_inspector | Jan 02, 2009 03:57am | #1

   Weird that they can't update the price after 9 months.

2. 
   Snort | Jan 02, 2009 04:47am | #2

   http://www.tylertool.com/makita223.html

   http://www.tvwsolar.com

   Now you see this one-eyed midget

   Shouting the word "NOW"

   And you say, "For what reason?"

   And he says, "How?"

   And you say, "What does this mean?"

   And he screams back, "You're a cow

   Give me some milk

   Or else go home"

1. 
   GraniteStater | Jan 02, 2009 08:37pm | #3

   Is it just me, or is that basically a Freud blade with Makita paint on it?I suspect so... as I have a Hitachi 10" blade that looks awfully like my Freud 12"... the laser cut slots seem to be the big tip-off.The Ridgid blades also appear to be made by Freud.Wouldn't surprise me... blade manufacturing is probably somewhat specialized...

1. 
   Snort | Jan 02, 2009 11:07pm | #5

   Freuds are Italian, Makita's Japanese... a whole world of difference, IMO, in their steel industries... now seems like most sawblades, no matter where they're made, are circular, though.http://www.tvwsolar.com

   Now you see this one-eyed midget

   Shouting the word "NOW"

   And you say, "For what reason?"

   And he says, "How?"

   And you say, "What does this mean?"

   And he screams back, "You're a cow

   Give me some milk

   Or else go home"

1. 
   GraniteStater | Jan 03, 2009 01:29am | #7

   Does the Makita blade say made in Japan?Then I would believe it's not a Freud (but still not necessarily made by Makita).I just find the construction similarities to be too close to each other. Either Freud is making it for them... or their okay with everyone copying the exact pattern of their laser... er.. "channels" they cut into the blades.You'd be surprised how many different brands can come out of one factory...wether that be tools.. or shoes... or breakfast cereal...

1. 
   DDay | Jan 03, 2009 01:45am | #8

   I believe makita use tenryu blades. I have not used one but people say it is right there with forrest blades.

2. 
   Snort | Jan 03, 2009 02:08am | #9

   Woah, you're tough...made me go look.. I have 4 12" Makita boxes marked made in Japan, there's one plastic wrapper that has made in China... hmmmm.None of the makita's look anything like the freuds, except for the circular thing and the pointy teeth...Now, the Rigid blades say they're made in Italy, sure do look a lot like Freuds with that squiggly expansion slot.I think Tenryu makes a lot of Makita's blades, and maybe ####(?).Never had a freud blade that cut worth a dang on a SCMS, I've always gotten chipping. I've got some Forrests, but the Maks are within a hair of being as good, way cheaper, and stay sharp longer.I like a the freud combinations on a portable table saw, way less sanding edges... tried a Rigid, seems to cut the same... no wonder... pretty sure it's a freud... I do use a forrest blade stabilizer, though... just never saw enough difference in their rips to warrant the extra blade cost... still keep one in the sharpening rotation, tho.http://www.tvwsolar.com

   Now you see this one-eyed midget

   Shouting the word "NOW"

   And you say, "For what reason?"

   And he says, "How?"

   And you say, "What does this mean?"

   And he screams back, "You're a cow

   Give me some milk

   Or else go home"

3. 
   GraniteStater | Jan 03, 2009 02:28am | #10

   Well, that proves it!Maybe my eyes are failing me... that Maktia you linked to smelled like a Freud.. but I guess it's probably a Tenryu.Hmm... If it cuts pretty close to a Forrest for 60% less.. maybe I should take one for a spin (so to speak...).Presonally I've been happy with my Freud blade for my non sliding 12"Does the stabilizer limit your cut depth on your port TS? What kind of port TS do you have?

4. 
   Snort | Jan 03, 2009 02:58am | #11

   10yr old dEwalt... when the stabilizer gets in the way, take it off... another thing we use that I don't see on other crews saws is a feather board:http://woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=47340&search=Featherboard&smode=had to modify the piece that goes into the miter slot. A whole lot less blade chatter marks to get rid ofhttp://www.tvwsolar.com

   Now you see this one-eyed midget

   Shouting the word "NOW"

   And you say, "For what reason?"

   And he says, "How?"

   And you say, "What does this mean?"

   And he screams back, "You're a cow

   Give me some milk

   Or else go home"

5. 
   Karl | Jan 03, 2009 05:36am | #12

   I was fed up with using featherboards that mount in the table slots so I hadn't used one in years.A few months ago I found a ridgid branded featherboard at Home Depot that locks down magnetically. It is so easy to use I do so at every opportunity and the finish on my tablesaw cuts has improved dramatically.Karl

6. 
   Snort | Jan 03, 2009 06:13am | #13

   bet it works great on aluminum tables!... really, I have a magnaset I use on our unisaw, but I haven't seen a portable, since my Rockwell bit the dust, that has a magnetically attractive top... miter slot type is limited, but works, and is much better than nothing.http://www.tvwsolar.com

   Now you see this one-eyed midget

   Shouting the word "NOW"

   And you say, "For what reason?"

   And he says, "How?"

   And you say, "What does this mean?"

   And he screams back, "You're a cow

   Give me some milk

   Or else go home"

7. 
   Karl | Jan 03, 2009 07:15am | #14

   I have a 40 something year old 12" craftsman tablesaw that I inherited from my grandfather. The cast iron top works well with the magnetic featherboard.My other tablesaw is a ten year old 8" makita in a trojan tablesaw cart/stand. The makita gets the most use as it is so portable. With the table extension provided by the cart/stand and an outfeed table that clips on the back it does just about anything I can dream up. The fence trojan puts on their saw stand is nothing technologically remarkable but it does have a built in measuring tape that is remarkably easy to adjust to perfect accuracy. This stand is the first one they came out with that fits only a makita, they later started making one that was more universal and I don't recall being quite as impressed with it.If I am doing stuff in the shop I use the craftsman. Now that I have that featherboard I find I use the craftsman quite frequently for projects I might have used the makita for in the past.Karl

8. 
   GraniteStater | Jan 03, 2009 04:06pm | #17

   Thanks, good tips.I've seen that magnetic featherboard but my TS is the Bosch portable and the top is AL.

9. 
   Jer | Jan 03, 2009 02:37pm | #16

   So you think the Maks are worth it compaired to the cost of a Forrest when it comes to the SCMS? Hmmmmm.....hmmmmmm. 'Scuse the non-PC here, but when I hear stuff like this, the Scott in me really comes out. I gotta get another 12" (or two). I'm thinking, I'm thinking...

10. 
    Snort | Jan 03, 2009 04:44pm | #19

    two for less than the price of one...hmmmmm <G>http://www.tvwsolar.com

    Now you see this one-eyed midget

    Shouting the word "NOW"

    And you say, "For what reason?"

    And he says, "How?"

    And you say, "What does this mean?"

    And he screams back, "You're a cow

    Give me some milk

    Or else go home"

11. 
    arcflash | Jan 03, 2009 10:38pm | #20

    I usually buy good ol' Diablos all the way aroung, but then again, I'm like the worlds worst finish guy (do you think it might be my blades?) Diablos are just a good all 'round utility blade and I don't do alot of fine finish work.

3. 
   Shep | Jan 02, 2009 10:37pm | #4

   I like Forrest saw blades. I got them on my table saw, my radial arm, and my 2 chop saws. They make blades designed for each application, so the table saw blade is different from the RA blade, and that's different from the chop saw blade.

   They're kind of pricy, but I haven't found anything that cuts better. They're usualy right at the top of the list on any blade test.

   Plus they're a NJ company. Gotta help the home boys <G>

1. 
   Jer | Jan 03, 2009 02:30pm | #15

   Say, where do you get your forrest blades sharpened? Do you send them back to the factory? They are about all I run in my saws anymore and from what they say in the literature when you buy them they really should last but have to sharpened a certain way. I have three right now that I run in both my TS and my two 12" MS and my backup is Freud. I guess I'm in the market for a few more to have on hand and rotate as they get sharpened.
   I'm game to try others, but another part of me thinks 'why?'.

1. 
   Shep | Jan 03, 2009 04:20pm | #18

   Yeah, I send them back to Forrest for sharpening. They do say that only they can grind the teeth properly, and I haven't felt like experimenting differently.

   Forrest has a pretty quick turn-around. I usually get the blades back in less than a week.

   Which reminds me- I have a blade I need to ship off for sharpening.

   I do wish they would sell the blades with something better than that cardboard packaging, since they do have to be shipped for sharpening.

4. 
   Davo304 | Jan 02, 2009 11:31pm | #6

   My Powermatic tablesaw was equipped with a "budke" blade, manufactured by Systimatic. All Systimatic blades work great.  Little to no tearout...whether you are ripping or crosscutting. All  their blades holds up well for a very, very long time.