What miter saw blades out there are similar performance to a Forrest blade without the high dollar price tag attached?
What miter saw blades out there are similar performance to a Forrest blade without the high dollar price tag attached?
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Replies
FS Tools.
I took a look at the site, I think I will order something just to get the T shirt._______________________________________________________________
I do all of my own stunts
I could go with this, especially with a stiffener, my experience with Forrest isn't good (but they do a superior sharpen job). I have the FS thin blade right now, really smooth (but noisey)
<!----><!----> <!---->
Phill Giles<!----><!---->
The Unionville Woodwright<!----><!---->
I'm running probably 20-30 or so right now, and I've run them in other shops too, so I've used lots.....they are always consistent and top quality. In twenty whatever years, I've only ever heard one bad thing about one particular FS Tools blade, and that was two guys that had a bad experience on their big straightline rip saws and moved to another blade....I only heard the tail-end of the conversation, and don't know all the details.
I don't know about the west, but in the esatern half of Canada, if you go to the saw shops and in the pro shops, you will see a lot of FS Tool blades.Cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
What do you mean by "similar performance"?
If you're primarily interested in framing cuts, why bother with a Forrest? Get a multi-pack of "disposable" blades and hack away...
If you're interested in fine finish work, cabinetry, etc., why scrimp on something cheaper just to save $20 or $30? I picked up my Forrest on Amazon during a sale for under $100. It's a good blade, stays sharp, and they offer a good re-sharpening plan...
I've also used Freud which was pretty decent (but not quite as good), but it was one of those red ones (can't stand the #&%* red paint marks on cutoffs)...
I have Forrest, and I have a lot of FS Tools. FS Tools are equally good, and much better priced in my region.....no hype to pay for.Cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
Thank you for the link. Never heard of them before, but i am going to order one tonight and give it a run.
I wonder how much of the cost of a Forrest blade goes for advertising?
A whole lot of it goes to advertising. I teach a course on tooling for woodworking equipment, and I've also talked to lots of sharpeners about Forrest.....every one I have talked to has been agreed it's all hype, especially about Forrest or their 'approved' sharpeners being the only ones that can sharpen the blades. So is the stuff about C4 carbide....all the good blade manufacturers use the right grade of carbide for the application, and C4 isn't always the best choice....C4 is just one of several options, not some miracle carbide that only Forrest can get.Cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
Adrian
You make that coment quite a bit regarding the Forrest blades, and I dont doubt your abilities or accomplishments but if its all hype then they are pulling the wool over a lot of smart carpenters!
I respect your opinions on here but I also see some pretty bright guys out there in the field that use Forrest blades and I dont think that they are as gulable as your suggesting.
You can down play Forrest's abilities all you want and for whatever reason that you dont like the Forrest blades, and you make it quite clear, they seam to do a pretty good job for a lot of people.
Doug
I don't dislike Forrest blades at all....I think they are one of a number of companies making excellent quality professional blades, and they can be counted on to do a good job. Leitz, Gladu, FS Tools, Royce Ayr, Guhdo, and others, all make equivalent quality blades though, and most cost less than Forrest. They are typically sold through sharpeners or industrial suppliers, and they don't do nearly the amount of advertising that Forrest does......the advertising they do is not aimed at carpenters or small shop woodworkers, so they are not as visible.
I do get irked at the hype around Forrest, but I think I understand it....if you are comparing Forrest to the blade that came with your saw, or what you can get in a typical lumberyard or hardware store....yeah, it's going to come out head and shoulders above. If you compare a Forrest to other blades in it's class, it's going to rate as a very good blade among other very good blades.Cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
FS is a decent blade, not quite the polished cuts I get with a Forrest Chopmaster, but FS is my next favorite blade. I picked up a full size DW blade 12" 80 tooth the other day and It was pretty sweet, installed 2 sets of hardwood stairs and rail, no splinters or fray.
My 80 tooth FS was in the $150 range, the DW was $85 with a company discount at Prime Fasteners Halifax.May neighbors respect You, and troubles neglect You.
Gord
I haven't had good luck with Dewalt blades, maybe they have changed.....I complained to the company about one, they sent me another, and it wasn't very good either.
I don't care about polished cuts, more about accuracy....I have FS Tools on Bosch and Omga (Italian) chopsaws....very accurate. Especially the OMGA, but that's a pretty expesnive industrial saw.
Try J.R Normand in Quebec for FS Tools blades....pretty reasonable. A combo is $59.00.Cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
>>If you're interested in fine finish work, cabinetry, etc., why scrimp on something cheaper just to save $20 or $30?<<
Are you self employed? Twenty or thirty dollars here and there in the expense department add up to a lot over the years. It is like the contractor friend i have who insists on coping with a coping saw. I can cope four cuts to his one by using a angle grinder but he insists he is too old to change. We both bid similar amounts but guess who makes more money?
I find the Makita blade is equal to the Forrest blade so i am just looking for other opinions and reviews on blades.
I've been pleased with the Ridgid. I have the 60T and it's a good general purpose SCM blade. When it matters though I mount the Chopmaster. I haven't tried the 100T Ridgid though - at around $80 it looks like a great deal.
Tenryu
"Dogs don't follow an emotional leader. They follow the dominant leader. We are the only species that follows an unstable leader. "
Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer, in an interview in National Geographic Magazine
Re: TenryuIs that the brand of blade that is on the Makita SCMS? Whatever it is is, it's one of the best I have used -- the equala of a forrest.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
I use a Oldham got it on sale a few years ago ...Cuts great.
View Image Official Jeff Buck Memorial Tagline "
Nikkiwood
I recomended the Makita LS1013L to a building inspector the other day, he was eyeballing mine, come to think of it I hope he wasnt sugesting anything........Anyhow, one of the reasons that I told him to buy it was that the blade that came with it has to be one of the better tool equiped blades that I have ever seen. I like the saw a lot too but you also get a blade thats top quality.
I previously ran a Milwaukee slider with Freud blades, hated the Frued's, they are the worst blades out there for a slider that I have ever used. I've relegated mine to cutting decking boards.
I exchange my Makita blade when dull with the Forrest and there is know diff in the cut! Really pleased. I had wondered who made them.
Doug
I was wondering if it was just me, or if that blade was a great one (the one that comes on the LS1013). It really is quiter, too. It'll get sharpened a few times before I move on.zak
"When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone." --John Ruskin
"so it goes"
I got sorta/kinda lucky, when I bought my saw this last summer I got a coupon for a new blade!
So I have two of them plus my Forrest blades. Should be set for a while!
Doug
Me too. That Mak blade is a dream. No tearout.
Yep -- it's a good blade; but now that I think about it, the brand may be "####" -- or something like that. I've been toying with the idea of getting a forrest Chopmaster -- do you think it is a better cutter than the makita blade (for trim cabs, etc.)?********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Nikki
I dont know that I could argue that the Forrest is all that much better then the Makita blades. It may stay sharper longer, not even real sure of that, but I like them(Forrest) a lot for finish work.
I have been pleasantly surprised by the Makita blades though, I'm one that usually thinks that the blade that comes with the saw is going to be set aside for cutting those "boards" that you dont want the good blades to touch, not so with these.
I'm also one of the biggest fans of the Forrest blades, we use then at the place I work, have been for years, and I'm never disapointed in them. I also have been using them personally for about 5 or 6 years and with all the other blades that I come in contact with the Forrest is the one that stands above the rest, at least to me.
To me the biggest disapointment in a blade is the Freud blade thats made for sliders, cant recal the # right now. Why I bought two of them at one time is still a mystery to me! I dont want this to sound like I'm dissing Freud, I have other blades and router bits and like them a lot.
I guess for me I went out and bought a new slider (Makita LS1013L)and came away with a blade(or two when you add in the freebee that I recieved) that I think is almost as good as any other that I've used. I dont see a significant reduction, if any, in quality when I switch to the Forrest. But if I were buying I'd opt for the Forrest!
I know it sounds like I'm a little wishy-washy on the subject but I like both of them, my nod would go to the Forrest but by how much is not clear!
BTW, last night I stayed up late to read that thread over at Knots reguarding the policy for suspending/kicking someone off the site! You cant buy that kind of entertainment!
Is MS really that thick headed or is he just that argumentative? If nothing else you cant say Ole Matt isnt persistant!!! He must have been the type that back in school told on everybody, you know, the self appointed police of everything. Holy cow, sorta mad at Berger for shuting it down, although it probably had ran its course!
Doug
Thanks for your opinions on the blades. I use a Forrest WWII for most of my shop work, and they are pretty terrific. In fact just the other day, one of them was cutting a little poorly, but I cleaned it up and it cut like a new blade. It's amazing how long they stay sharp, compared to other blades I have used over the years. As far as Knots is concerned, I got kicked out because of my responses to MS in that thread, which is the first time I have ever been banned from anything. So I don't know what has been going on, since you can't even get read-only access to the site if you're thrown out. MS has been like that for all the many years I have been at Knots, and if getting banned was the price I had to pay for standing up to him, I'm OK with that.Berger was brought in to run the online stuff for Taunton a year or so ago, and to moderate Knots. I think it is just a matter of time before he brings his heavy hand to BT, and that should be veeerrry interesting. ********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Berger shut the thread down to replies. I dont know how he would do over here, hope to not find out.
I think if he does wonder over and take the reins the place will not be the better for it. Nothing against the guy, I'm sure his job is no easier then any others but this place isnt the same as Knots, and therefore shouldnt be run like it.
Doug
Situational Leadership, one of the better buzz concepts from the 80s.
Yea, just what we need!
Doug
Any of you guys try or like CMT blades? That's what I've been using in both my slider and my table saw (different blades of course). I think they're good blades for a good price. Of course I'm not making cabinets or anything, but I can still tell a good cut from a bad cut.
I was just surprised to not even see them mentioned in this thread so I figured I'd ask. Do they have a bad name or something? I like their router bits too.View Image
Brian
I think out of the 200 + - router bits that I have clsoe to 1/2 of them are CMT's, I like them a lot. Hold a sharp edge for a long time.
I assume that they make their blades with the same quality as their router bits but its kinda funny, I just dont associate blades with CMT so I dont even think about them when it comes time to buy.
I dont see anybody with them but I cant imagine them not being high quality. When I look for router bits CMT is right there with Whiteside and Amana, usually I'll look at price and go from there.
I've never heard anything bad about them, its just that I dont hear anything about them. Maybe their marketing isnt as strong on those things as they are for their bits?
If I went into my tool supplier and thats all they had(CMT blades) I certainly wouldnt hesitate to buy one based on the preformance I get with the bits!
Maybe they need to give me one as a sorta "trial run" to hook me! <G>
Doug
I have a CMT on my bosch 10" slider and it has been great. I took the advice from someone on BT a while back who recommended the gold Rigid and bought one for my Bosch 10" portable. It has been great, as well. I can't emphasize how important it is to clean these blades....many people ignore this step!!
"The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a governmental program" -Ronald Reagan
Edited 12/18/2006 12:18 pm ET by unTreatedwood
Ive got the CMT 80 T on my Makita 10" slider right now and its great.I think the reason you dont hear much about them is they dont sell them at the BB's. I get them at a contractors LY and have seen them at Woodcraft stores.
"this place isnt the same as Knots, and therefore shouldnt be run like it."
I totally agree. It was actually nice to see him take a stand in Knots - MS and a couple of others really junked up the site. At least for me it just wasn't worth it to spend much time there.
Here people get a bit roudy but self-police well, and it is a fundamentally different crowd. Sure hope it stays that way! Otherwise that the heck would I do on a Friday night? Get a life?
Get a life?
Hell, none of us want that!
Doug
The "self-policing" thing worked pretty well at Knots for years when faced with the likes of MS.But when Berger was brought in to make the online part of the FWW operation a paying proposition, everything changed. You should go over there to see what they've done, if you haven't already -- subscriptions, blogs, articles, etc. Anyway, the exchanges at Knots never got really nasty, but the rhetoric was sometimes hot and heavy, mainly becasue of folks like MS. And I think that embarrassed the Roman kids (who now run Taunton). Here they were, trying to draw paying customers to the web site, and over at the Knots forum, participants weren't always making nice with one another.My copy of FWW came just today, and I was looking through it tonight. They are heavily promoting the new web site, but at no point is there so much as a mention of the Knots forum. It seems to me that means the management doesn't hold it in very high regard. It is inevitable that Berger, or someone of his ilk, will be coming over here sometime soon to do much the same kind of thing. And the question is what new rules they might introduce to BT.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
BTW, last night I stayed up late to read that thread over at Knots
tried to find it several time... NADA...
got help???
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Try this:http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=32949.1The thread was in the General Discussion folder, and was entitled something like "Violators will be banned."Since I was kicked out as a result of my comments on this thread, I can't go over there to get you the link.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
32949.153
well said..
did you get a time out or the axe???
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Time out, I guess --- I think Berger said January 3. I have been trying to figure out what MS's game is all about. He and I have tangled for years. But he really fell off the deep end when he got into this Festool cult thing.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
all I can come up with is WHEW!!!
there are parrellels to him on this side..
more WHEW!!!
did anyone else suffer???
there's enough happening here to keep ya covered till the 3rd....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
<< did anyone else suffer??? >>Dunno; if you're "banned" you can't even get access to read what's going on. I do know there were two other people that MS complained about, but I don't know if they got the axe too.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Did you get sent to your room for the post Marty linked to? No way! So, how come you don't talk like that over here's<G> Oh God said to Abraham, "Kill me a son"
Abe says, "Man, you must be puttin' me on"
God say, "No." Abe say, "What?"
God say, "You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin' you better run"
Well Abe says, "Where do you want this killin' done?"
God says, "Out on Highway 61."
He knows better with this crowd!!!
Sorry Nikki, couldnt resist
Doug
<< He knows better with this crowd!!! >>I think he does, actually. There was a Festoo/EZ thread over here a couple of months ago. I linked it in one of my posts at Knots to MS, but he never showed up to post anything. I was hoping he would, because I knew his nonsense would get him whacked around the ears over here. But he -- and a lot of others at Knots -- could benefit by spending a little time around a construction site (even a virtual one like BT) to expose them to the good natured ribbing and jocularity that goes on. Too many of the cabinetmaker types have a thin skin and take themselves too seriously.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Too many of the cabinetmaker types have a thin skin and take themselves too seriously.
I made a similar comment a few years ago and Richard Jones (think thats his name, the guy overseas, used to live in Huston, has that Scottish/English/Irish? call name that I cant figure out!) gave me a swift kick in the virtual azz for making it, but I still think its true!
EDIT: I think there was one other that got the ban, dont recall the name right now. Maybe the guy with the no. at the end of his name, dont recall the name though. I think you and he had exchanged some posts but I didnt recognize his call name, some initials with a couple no.'s at the end? ring a bell!
Doug
Edited 12/16/2006 11:31 am ET by DougU
"Sgian Dubh"Richard is one of the oldest "hands" around Knots, and usually comes by to offer droll, cynical comments, but I usually don't count him among the "thin skinned" crowd. He really knows his stuff, writes a lot of articles, and is now teaching in some wwing program in the UK. His handle stands for a small, Scottish dagger, usually concealed in the armpit, under one's hat, or tucked in a sock:http://www.oregonknifeclub.org/dubh.htmlThe other guy you are talking about must have been "robertl"; He made some cutting remark, MS responded that he should be banned for it, then I did a post "joining" in the comment, so if he was banned, I should be too. And I was........
********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
<<So, how come you don't talk like that over here's <G>>>Because I have never met a character like that ever -- on line or in real life, and I've been around the block a few times..........I'd still like to know what his story is -- whether he is playing some kind of game, or if he's really messed up. When I first started buying Festool stuff, I spent some time at the users group he "owns" at Yahoo. It's like a cult, and he put me on "probation" when I made some innocent remark to someone about "mother Festool".********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
FWIW,
I read your post and some of that thread. If it were up to me, not only would I have not banned you..... I'd have given you one of those little gavel icons up by your name as well! I think you stated your piece eloquently and thoughtfully.... but it appears you may have chosen the wrong thread to do it in and were made an example of.
But at the end of the day........ Good on Ya!View Image
The guy is a real jerk. I couldn't keep my mouth shut, and I paid for it. But I have no regrets. Thought about you today, as I was helping a friend set trusses on one of the most complicated roofs I have ever seen. Fortunately, he had a big crane on the job, and all I had to do was give directions to the operator and nail it off. My friend did the ridge and all the climbing around, so it was pretty easy for me. But I see why you are hitting that tread mill and the weights. You have to be in good shape for that kind of stuff.Maybe your book on framing should have a chap on the best way to stay in physical shape for the job. <G>********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
So you found it huh!
MS is about as baby like as anything over here, moreso in my opinion.
You just know that he was the one that told on everyone out on the playground, probably got his azz kicked a lot for it and now he has the screen to hide behind!
Doug
Edited 12/16/2006 11:28 am ET by DougU
Just saw your post, I'll go see if I can find it, they might have taken it down completely!
Doug
That Makita blade everyone is saying good things about is a Tenryu, or was anyway.
I have a Chopmaster....it's a good blade, no more, no less. I wouldn't buy another one.Cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
slider with Freud blades, hated the Frued's, they are the worst blades out there for a slider that I have ever used.<<<<<<<<<<<Totally totally totally agree. Glad you said that...I thought it was just me...whewwwwwwwwwwwww
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
I thought is was just me to, or maybe the sharpener that didnt get them sharpened properly, wasnt sure until a friend bought one and right out of the package it sucked just like the two I had!
I like Freud stuff so its not a diss to them just those particular blades. I hate that I have all that money wraped up in the two blades and all their good for is cutting decking! and I dont do decks!!!
Maybe I'll have to look into taking a couple rough framing jobs or decks to get my money out of them! <G>
Doug
Yep...the blade I bought seemed like it went dull in no time. I couldn't understand it. totally baffled me. Just kind of bogs down half way through a cut. I need to come down on the work piece seriously slow or it keeps binding up. Hmmmmmmm. I didn't think I dulled it that fast. Now I know. Its too big to put on any of my other saws I think so I'll just use it till its worn out then toss it.
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Makita may make there own blades or they may be Matushista(sp).."Dogs don't follow an emotional leader. They follow the dominant leader. We are the only species that follows an unstable leader. "
Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer, in an interview in National Geographic Magazine
The more expensive Tenyru are quite nice as are Freud
The Rigid Ti Blades are as good as anything out there IMO...great performance and a good price.
American Carbide from robert's Saw Company out of Oldsmar Fl.
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!