Hi All, I have just brought a Dewalt DWE7485. I am going to use it in my home workshop because it has a small footprint and a large rip capacity. what I hadn't realised is that it has a 1.8mm kerf blade. That in itself is no big deal, however, i cannot find a blade with a larger number of teeth for cleaner cuts outside of Dewalt's own range. I was hoping I could install a Freud blade. My point is, has anyone got any experience of this table saw and how safe is it to install a blade with a wider kurf? I am obviously concerned about the risk of kickback. Having said that, I work mostly with birch ply so pinching the blade should be less of a risk. I would like to hear any constructive comments. Thank you.
Table saw blade kerf and riving knife
- Thread starter Kuffs
- Start date
R
Rob Z
Guest
Hello Kuffs
Does your riving knife have anything printed on it that specifies its thickness? If not, do you have a dial caliper so you can accurately measure it?
I just checked the mfr. specs for my table saw (not a DeWalt) and they state that my factory riving knife is 0.090 inches and that is sized for a kerf of 0.114 inches to 0.122 inches. So, the RK is about 1/32" smaller than the kerf, or less than 1 mm smaller.
This information might help you gauge how much wider the kerf of any blade can be compared to your current riving knife. Does DeWalt offer factory riving knives of different thicknesses?
Does your riving knife have anything printed on it that specifies its thickness? If not, do you have a dial caliper so you can accurately measure it?
I just checked the mfr. specs for my table saw (not a DeWalt) and they state that my factory riving knife is 0.090 inches and that is sized for a kerf of 0.114 inches to 0.122 inches. So, the RK is about 1/32" smaller than the kerf, or less than 1 mm smaller.
This information might help you gauge how much wider the kerf of any blade can be compared to your current riving knife. Does DeWalt offer factory riving knives of different thicknesses?
Riving knife should be about 0.01" (0.25 mm) thinner than the kerf, but always thicker than blade plate. There are aftermarket makers. For example,https://www.thesharkguard.com/
Hello and thank you for your replies. My knife does have very clear markings. It is 1.6mm thick and the blade teeth are 1.8mm this is in line with what Svar said (Thank you Svar) and Rob Z thank you for checking out your blade knife combination. There is a theme building here. 
I don't believe Dewalt offer different riving knife thicknesses for this machine, however there is some tolerance in the space the knife slots into so I might be able to get some 2mm steel and make one using the existing one as a pattern. I know I can get a Freud blade that is 2.2mm which would be a safe margin and comparable to the example you both have offered.
Once again, Thank you for your help.
I don't believe Dewalt offer different riving knife thicknesses for this machine, however there is some tolerance in the space the knife slots into so I might be able to get some 2mm steel and make one using the existing one as a pattern. I know I can get a Freud blade that is 2.2mm which would be a safe margin and comparable to the example you both have offered.Once again, Thank you for your help.
hi
I wondered how you got on, I'm thinking of getting the DWE7485 model in Nov when back in stock. The 10" 250mm blades seem to have been discontinued on these smaller portable cheaper models.
I have been using Freud blades and also now switching over to saxton blades.
The Freud blades seem much thicker then the riving knife.
The spec saws riving knife = 1.6mm
Blade supplied 24T = Kerf 1.8 , Blade body 1.3
The saxton pro range blade body is 1.5mm
I wondered how you got on and if any issues. I would expect loads of reviews to mention this issue if there was one in the professional/contractor use.
I'm just DIY
I would also be interested how you are finding the table saw itself
I wondered how you got on, I'm thinking of getting the DWE7485 model in Nov when back in stock. The 10" 250mm blades seem to have been discontinued on these smaller portable cheaper models.
I have been using Freud blades and also now switching over to saxton blades.
The Freud blades seem much thicker then the riving knife.
The spec saws riving knife = 1.6mm
Blade supplied 24T = Kerf 1.8 , Blade body 1.3
The saxton pro range blade body is 1.5mm
I wondered how you got on and if any issues. I would expect loads of reviews to mention this issue if there was one in the professional/contractor use.
I'm just DIY
I would also be interested how you are finding the table saw itself
If it helps, the AU and UK DWE7485 Type 3 has a 2.2mm riving knife which means a min kerf of 2.4mm and a max plate thickness of 2.0mm. These are available as spare parts which may, or may not fit your Type 1 unit.
Zoom in on figure C on page 2 of the Type 3 manual here...
http://service.dewalt.co.uk/PDMSDocuments/EU/Docs/docpdf/dwe7485-typ3_gb_xe.pdf
Then compare it by zooming in on figure C on page 2 of the Type 1 manual here...
http://service.dewalt.co.uk/PDMSDocuments/EU/Docs/docpdf/dwe7485-typ1_gb_xe.pdf
Zoom in on figure C on page 2 of the Type 3 manual here...
http://service.dewalt.co.uk/PDMSDocuments/EU/Docs/docpdf/dwe7485-typ3_gb_xe.pdf
Then compare it by zooming in on figure C on page 2 of the Type 1 manual here...
http://service.dewalt.co.uk/PDMSDocuments/EU/Docs/docpdf/dwe7485-typ1_gb_xe.pdf
I have a couple of good quality rip-only blades and rip blades do not seem to depend on high tooth count for smooth rips. I would not concern myself with that.
My dedicated rip blade has wider teeth than my Freud combination blade. For long rips, the wider teeth keep help with my older saw which does not have an automatic riving blade and uses removable splitter.
In any event a high tooth count does not seem to be a factor in rip blades.
My dedicated rip blade has wider teeth than my Freud combination blade. For long rips, the wider teeth keep help with my older saw which does not have an automatic riving blade and uses removable splitter.
In any event a high tooth count does not seem to be a factor in rip blades.
