Saw blades: Thick or thin

[electricald]

Hi everyone,

New to woodworking and just finished my shop. I just ordered my first table saw. I was looking at many blades and was browsing over the Freud blades. So there are the conventional blades and then the thin kerf. Is there any practicality to the thin kerf or is it just a matter of personal preference. I'm new to this so be easy and spell it out for me.

Dan

 

[TOOLTOWN]

Many thin kerf blades are designed to cut through thicker/harder woods with a saw that may otherwise not have the power to do so.

Since you are removing less material, the motor doesn't need to work as hard.

Ken

 

[stvrowe]

Since you have ordered a new tablesaw it probably has a riving knife.  The thickness of the riving knife will dictate what blade thickness you should use.  Using a thin kerf blade with a riving knife that is too thick (or vice versa) could result in binding (kerf not wide enough for knife to pass easily) or kickback (reaction wood pinching on knife because the kerf is too wide).  I have experienced reaction wood pinching on a conventional thickness blade with the conventional riving knife and it wasn't very pleasant at all.  Because thin kerf blades require less power to cut and are typically used on tabletop or portable saws. 

 

[mastercabman]

Maybe if you tell us what table saw you got we could help you better.

 

[electricald]

Good Point Ken But the saw has a 3 HP motor and by all accounts I have read that is more than enough.

Dan

Many thin kerf blades are designed to cut through thicker/harder woods with a saw that may otherwise not have the power to do so.

Since you are removing less material, the motor doesn't need to work as hard.

Ken

 

[electricald]

That is a very good point Steve and I never thought of that or read it anywhere. I am drawing a blank on reaction wood. Do you mean wood that once you saw it it has internal stresses that cause it to bind against the blade?

Thanks,
Dan

Since you have ordered a new tablesaw it probably has a riving knife.  The thickness of the riving knife will dictate what blade thickness you should use.  Using a thin kerf blade with a riving knife that is too thick (or vice versa) could result in binding (kerf not wide enough for knife to pass easily) or kickback (reaction wood pinching on knife because the kerf is too wide).  I have experienced reaction wood pinching on a conventional thickness blade with the conventional riving knife and it wasn't very pleasant at all.  Because thin kerf blades require less power to cut and are typically used on tabletop or portable saws. 

 

[stvrowe]

That is correct Dan.

That is a very good point Steve and I never thought of that or read it anywhere. I am drawing a blank on reaction wood. Do you mean wood that once you saw it it has internal stresses that cause it to bind against the blade?

Thanks,
Dan

Since you have ordered a new tablesaw it probably has a riving knife.  The thickness of the riving knife will dictate what blade thickness you should use.  Using a thin kerf blade with a riving knife that is too thick (or vice versa) could result in binding (kerf not wide enough for knife to pass easily) or kickback (reaction wood pinching on knife because the kerf is too wide).  I have experienced reaction wood pinching on a conventional thickness blade with the conventional riving knife and it wasn't very pleasant at all.  Because thin kerf blades require less power to cut and are typically used on tabletop or portable saws. 

 

[electricald]

Mastercabman,

Sorry about that. It's a Sawstop 3HP, with 55'' table.

Dan

 

[tiralie]

Mastercabman,

Sorry about that. It's a Sawstop 3HP, with 55'' table.

Dan

Nice saw! Get a forest ww2 or a amana a.g.e. blade.
I love my thin kerf Freud blades but with that much power a thicker blade makes a smother cut.

Tim

 

[electricald]

Tim,
I am looking at Forrest blades as well and in particular the WWII has caught my eye.
I ordered this saw because I am new to this, and will mostly be alone at it. I never heard of Amana so I'm gonna have a look at those. Thanks.

Dan

Mastercabman,

Sorry about that. It's a Sawstop 3HP, with 55'' table.

Dan

Nice saw! Get a forest ww2 or a amana a.g.e. blade.
I love my thin kerf Freud blades but with that much power a thicker blade makes a smother cut.

Tim

 

[TOOLTOWN]

Tim,
I am looking at Forrest blades as well and in particular the WWII has caught my eye.
I ordered this saw because I am new to this, and will mostly be alone at it. I never heard of Amana so I'm gonna have a look at those. Thanks.

Dan

Mastercabman,

Sorry about that. It's a Sawstop 3HP, with 55'' table.

Dan

Nice saw! Get a forest ww2 or a amana a.g.e. blade.
I love my thin kerf Freud blades but with that much power a thicker blade makes a smother cut.

Tim

I can tell you the Forest blades are of excellent quality, and you will be more than happy if you should decide to go with one.

We have a very good relation with the owner of Forrest Blades, in fact, they are made right down the road from us in New Jersey.

Ken