Replies

1. 
   JeffBuck | Jan 15, 2005 10:54am | #1

   yup.

   but the good part ...

   once it's fried ... it'll still cut the same stuff all day long nice and clean ...

    

   You saying in $15K worth of cab's U couldn't price in 2 new blades?

    

   Jeff

     Buck Construction 

      Artistry in Carpentry

           Pgh, PA

1. 
   Huckleberry | Jan 15, 2005 06:21pm | #2

   Its a long story, but I'm working this job hourly, no markup for me in the 15k. My faithful blade had been with me for years (OK, so I was due for a new one). I feel like my dog died!

1. 
   Hooker | Jan 15, 2005 07:27pm | #3

   Huck-

   I've got the same prob with a 12" blade.  Have you checkied into sharpening?  I will be when I get some time.  Right now I rotate 4-5 blades between the sharpener and the van.  Actually pretty reasonable local guy does an 80 tooth for about 15 bucks.  Quality is basically like new.   Some say it should be better than new, but I'm satisfied.  I'm waitiing to find out how bad my good blade is after cutting about 400 ft of a floating laminate like yo described.  I was in a hurry and should've changed before I started.

   Later.ADH Carpentry & Woodwork

   Quality, Craftsmanship, Detail

1. 
   Huckleberry | Jan 15, 2005 08:43pm | #4

   Hey, thanks for that. I hadn't thought if it. Its been a great blade, I'd love to keep it and have it sharpened. Plus, I'm a real believer in supporting small businesses like you're guy. I'll check into in.

1. 
   Hooker | Jan 16, 2005 01:46am | #5

   If you sharpen yours before I do, let me know if the laminate didn't totally fry the blade.  I doubt it did.  I'm sure rates vary, but 15 bucks is much better than 70 for another blade!

   LaterADH Carpentry & Woodwork

   Quality, Craftsmanship, Detail

2. 
   Frankie | Jan 23, 2005 02:30am | #11

   You had this blade for years and didn't know you could get it sharpened, let alone, never got it sharpened? Looks like you need to have something else sharpened... too.F

1. 
   Huckleberry | Jan 23, 2005 09:39am | #12

   When the carbide blades first became readily available for the construction market, I asked my saw guy about sharpening them. At that time, it cost the same to sharpen them as to buy a new one. Since that's all I use on my circular saws, I just bought new ones when I wore the old ones out (which isn't that often, because they hold up pretty well). But the 10" blade on my miter saw was just incredible - it has lasted for years. Granted, I don't do trim work every day, and most of the trim jobs I've done have been pine or fir, but its done its share of oak too. I'm sure I paid close to a hundred dollars for it, and never even thought about sharpening it, since it hasn't needed it. Until this flooring job, that is!

1. 
   rez | Jan 23, 2005 04:32pm | #15

   Huck-

   You just know I have to ask you what make of blade you had on that 10" miter saw? 

2. 
   Huckleberry | Jan 24, 2005 09:14pm | #17

   I looked for a name or mark on the blade, and couldn't find any. As I said, its been a long time, but my guess is its a Freud 80-tooth. Does that sound right?

2. 
   USAnigel | Jan 16, 2005 05:11am | #7

   The blades will be fine after regrinding by a good outfit. If near philadelphia I have a place for you.

2. 
   Shoeman | Jan 16, 2005 01:55am | #6

   As Hook has said, you should be able to get the blade sharpened.  I did the same thing a while back and it was no problem getting it sharpened. 

   Also, for future reference, there are special blades made for cutting laminate - different tooth design - can't remember specifics, but my sharpening guy told me about them

   Get er sharpened and be happy again

3. 
   FlatheadWoodWorks | Jan 19, 2005 06:54am | #8

   I just finished up another laminate flooring job, on this one I finally learned and incorporated two new blades into the contract for time and materials.  One blade for my chop saw and one blade for my table saw.  That flooring eats blades.  The last floor we laid one of the guys had to grind one of the planks to glue the threshold down, I thought we were in a add for the flooring company.  Had a grinder going full bore, could barely dent the stuff.  Try with a piece of scrap sometime!!

    

   Brian

1. 
   sarison | Jan 23, 2005 01:57am | #9

   I won't even use those tools on that material.  It's the circ. saw and jig saw, that's it.

1. 
   Huckleberry | Jan 23, 2005 09:44am | #13

   I don't know why, but the stuff didn't seem nearly as hard on my circ. saw and jigsaw blades. I wish I had just stuck with those. Because as it turns out, the cuts aren't critical at all. The instructions specify a 1/4" gap all the way around the edges, and that gets covered by quarter-round. And because of the interlocking feature, there are no cuts in the field, only at the perimeter.

4. 
   TJK1141 | Jan 23, 2005 02:29am | #10

   Your blade was zapped because the flooring has a coating with the hardness of AO sandpaper. Carbide is hard, but it ain't THAT hard ;-)

   I read somewhere they'll be selling diamond coated carbide blades for about 50% more than regular carbide. They're supposed to last 10X as long in materials like fiber siding and laminates.

5. 
   MG911 | Jan 23, 2005 10:17am | #14

   Hi Huck...I know exactly how you feel.  I chewed up a factory blade on a Delta portable 10" table saw when I reno'd a 600 sq. ft. rental suite.  This blade was essentially new and can't rip a 4ft 2x4 now.  Did you notice any of the sparks when you were making cuts?

   I will be investing in a laminate blade next time.

   Mike

    

6. 
   sshoemaker | Jan 24, 2005 07:05pm | #16

   I put in Armstrong flooring in my kitchen. It also fried my carbide blade in my saw. It has to be some of the toughest stuff I have ever come across.