With the whole onslaught of negative feedback on bosch blades, I thought I would ask what Circ saw and reciprocating saw blades you guys use? I have alot of cheaper stuff, esp. if I see recip saw blades on sale(sears and Wal Mart, Craftsman B&D are disposable and cheap for nasty jobs that I don’t want to sacrifice a better Milwaukee blade..)… But given the choice, I go with Milwaukee on the recip saw blade(Ax and Torch) and Makita’s Mak-Star on the circ saw blade.
So, what brands do you use? How many teeth? For Metal? For wood? For rip cuts? For rough framing?
Replies
Diablo for the skilsaw. I occasionally buy something cheaper and am usually disappointed.
For recipricating saw blades Bi-metal is a must. I don't really care what brand as long as it is bi-metal. I never thought I'd buy the diablo for my skill77 because they were to rich for my blood but at home depot they were less than other comperable blades.
Irwin Marathons for framing Milwaukee Torch and Axe for the sawzallI like the Bosch jigsaw blades.For the miter box and table saw it's only Forrest. Expensive, but damn fine blades. I have a couple assorted Freuds and whatnot for the table saw for specific materials like melamine or plastic.
Irwin Marathons for framing
Milwaukee Torch and Axe for the sawzall
I like the Bosch jigsaw blades.
For the miter box and table saw it's only Forrest. Expensive, but damn fine blades. I have a couple assorted Freuds and whatnot for the table saw for specific materials like melamine or plastic.
Copy that verbatim for me, except I use general purpose Freuds on the tablesaw for everything except cabinetmaking. Then the WWII comes out.
<cabinetmaking. Then the WWII comes out>
Yep, call it the "dubya-dubya-eye-eye"
Forrest
For the circular saw with the EZ guide, I had some really nice results using a Frued Avanti 40 tooth blade. For general circ saw use - does it really matter?I did find a blue Makita 24 tooth blade for my 6 1/2" cordless cirs saw that cuts nicer than any other blade I've ever put on it.Can't find those at a home center though.For my miter saws - I've had real good luck with a 12" Frued 96 tooth and any of the Dewalt 76 series (used to be series 40 or series 60) woodworking blades. They are made in the UK and can't be found too much any more as they've made them all Delta branded. All of the Dewalt Yellow rimmed/yellow/black blades suck butt.For the table saw, I've come to find that you really need to use the right blade for the purpose, but a good quality 50 tooth combo blade is a good bet most of the time. I've got a good quality Freud that cuts nice.Too many folks out there buy 10" blades for $30 and 12" blades for $50 and wonder why they don't last or don't cut sharp. You have to realize that you have to pay big bucks for the good ones - cost too much to buy cheapo blades.For recip saw, Bosch makes these blue thick demolition blades that seem to work for crazy heavy duty stuff, otherwise I've found the Bosch wood/nails 4 (0r 6?) tpi blades are great and seem to be long lasting for general construction use. All of the Dewalt recip saw blades I've used have been crapola.For Jigsaw - I just picked up an asst. of Lennox blades at Amazon and they have impressed me with the speed and quality of cut. Also picked up a boatload of Bosch TRX123 (?) metal cutting jigsaw blades (for prob $.35 each) and it's super handy having them at my disposal for cutting any type of metal with ease. Beats the heck out of buying them for $9 for a 5 pack.Here's a tip for sawzall (and jigsaw) blades though, don't go and pay $2.50 - $3.50 per blade at retail - goto ebay and you can find entire lots of them for close to $.50 a blade for GOOD blades.I picked up an asst. lot of all kinds and types of brand new Bosch recip blades for about $42 for about 67 blades - it included some of the crazy expensive blades.Also, check out Amazon - they have a 20% blades deal right now that will make a 25 pack a helluva deal for either recip or jigsaw. Also at Amazon, they often throw out (pricing wise) the 10" and 12" quality blades, I've been able to get a few $75-85 blades for $23 a piece shipped by looking and applying the coupon codes.JulianEdited 12/8/2007 7:07 pm ET by JulianTracy
Edited 12/8/2007 7:07 pm ET by JulianTracy
I've used a lot of Marathons, like the Diablo best for Skilsaws.
For Sawzalls, either the Milwaukee Axe or Torch blades, or the Lenox blades, which I think I like a bit better.
Tablesaw I have a assortment of blades, but I've had decent luck with the Freud's. Next blade I'll probably give Tenryu a shot.
For my SCMS I still really like my Makita blade that came with the saw. I think it's made by Tenryu as well. Also have good luck with Freud's.
Used to use the Marathon blades for framing, but they are no good for trim.
Forgot about Tenryu. One of our lumberyards send those when I ask for a "good" blade. Seem to work well.
For all y'all using bosch jig saw blades... give the festool blades a try... it'll be like you felt when you went from cheapo blades to bosch, wow! Winterlude, Winterlude, my little daisy,
Winterlude by the telephone wire,
Winterlude, it's makin' me lazy,
Come on, sit by the logs in the fire.
The moonlight reflects from the window
Where the snowflakes, they cover the sand.
Come out tonight, ev'rything will be tight,
Winterlude, this dude thinks you're grand.
Circular saw - Avanti 40 tooth, Freud Diablo 24 tooth (very thin kerf) or B&D Piranaha 18 tooth? (rough frame only).
Recip - Lenox in whatever tooth count / length appropriate for the material.
12" Miter saw - Avanti 80 tooth for fine work, Marathon for framing lumber.
10" table saw - Avanti for fine work, Marathon for coarse. Should look into a better woodworker's blade for fine work.
Jim
Jig saw - Lenox for everthing - tooth count varies for material. Especially like their laminate blades for cutting plywood 1/2" or thinner - very smooth cuts.