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(More customer reviews)After reading several other reviews I thought this information would be helpful.
Some users report short-life from this blade. That may be true under certain circumstances, but it usually isn't the blade's fault. Here's how you can get cleaner, safer, smoother cuts and MUCH more life from this or any other good blade.
1- Keep it clean. "pitch" --- that gummy residue from wood--- increases friction and heat. There are several products marketed specifically for keeping blades clean. They work fine, but I have found that no product works better than rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is inexpensive and widely available at any pharmacy. I will assume anyone reading this is careful enough to UNPLUG THE SAW before cleaning the blade or making any other adjustment.
2- Material considerations... Cutting plywood is tough on any blade because plywood has multiple layers of glue. Glue heats up and gets sticky FAST. Long rips and multiple rips make the blade hot anyway, and a hot blade melts glue faster than a cool blade. So just be aware, ANY BLADE from any manufacturer will wear faster in plywood.
3- Lubrication... You can minimize friction with a light coat of paste-wax or paraffin. You don't need to be perfectly even in the application of either. A quick dab of wax or a few strokes with the paraffin stick will quickly spread itself in about one-second into the first cut. Lube both sides of the blade roughly equally to reduce warping, and don't forget to lube the teeth. Once you make the first cut, the wax or paraffin will spread evenly everywhere and the excess will disappear.
Again... please UNPLUG THE SAW when you lubricate the blade. I have seen some pros turn their saws upside down and hold a paraffin stick against the running blade. It makes me cringe to think what might happen. The fact is all pros know the value of lubricating cutting tools, but most of us are not in that big of a hurry. Take your time and unplug the saw. A trip to the emergency room costs time, money and pain.
4- Cut Straight! Wandering cuts cause excess friction, heat and wear. Free-hand cutting is a skill that requires concentration and practice to achieve good technique. Using a straight-edge saw-guide is easier and works for novices and pros alike. Whenever I hear someone complain about their saw-blades getting dull too fast, I look at how they use the saw. The problem is most-often the user, not the blade. You do NOT need an expensive saw-guide, although many of them work well. A cheap straight edge can be quickly made ( in about ten minutes ) from ANY board with a straight factory-cut edge and a piece of scrap plywood. This blade ( and other blades like it from Freud) have a slippery coating designed to reduce wear, but I have found that even these good blades work better and last longer with frequent lubrication.
I have used this blade and other Freud edge-tool products for decades and never experienced premature wear. Their products are consistent and very well-made. Considering the low price, I consider them to be a great value too. This 40-tooth model makes smooth cuts, especially when you use the tips presented here.
IF you want joinery-quality cuts from this blade, you can get them. You just need to install an abrasive sheet ( sandpaper ) to the sides. You can buy the commercially made round sheets for this, (they ARE convenient!) or make your own. I cut mine from cheap 180 grit aluminum-oxide sheets, using a compass and an X-acto knife, then attach them with 3M super 77 spray adhesive. This is about one-tenth the cost of commercial products like "Final-Cut."
For clean-straight cuts, you must be certain that your saw-blade is parallel to the cutting-guide and that it is at a perfect 90 degrees to the work. DeWalt, and Bosch saws have adjustments for that. Most saws do not. Even if you have a cheap saw, you can make the blade run parallel to the cutting-guide by shimming the edges with UHMW tape. Setting the blade perpendicular to the work can be adjusted similarly by shimming the base-plate. You can do both adjustments roughly with a decent square, or you can get them "dead" perfect with a dial indicator. I get the best results with a dial indicator and the TS aligner. <<< (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!)
Please do not take my comments as negative towards the other reviewers who have expressed their problems with this blade. They are not necessarily "wrong." Nor am I trying to seem like a "know-it-all." Many professionals use these tricks and tips. I simply want to help.
I know from long experience that this is a good blade at a reasonable price. The carbide is of high-quality and the manufacturing method insures consistent sharp edges.
If any saw works well for the first few cuts, it should continue to cut well unless the person using the saw ignores some basic rules of physics and technique. If someone experiences premature wear, it could be caused by the material, the method or the imperfect adjustment of their saw. Consider these facts when choosing and using your blades.
Try this blade and the cheap tips I suggested. You should get good results. Even if you don't, you won't lose much money or time. I won't ask that anyone simply believe me... just try it. See for yourself.
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Freud D0740X Diablo 7-1/4 40 Tooth ATB Finishing Saw Blade with 5/8 Inch Arbor, Diamond Knockout, and PermaShield CoatingProduct Description: For a clean-cutting blade that makes smooth finish crosscuts in a variety of wood types, look no further than the Freud D0740X Diablo 7.25-Inch Finishing Saw Blade. Ideal for finish work such as deck and fence construction, this is your go-to finishing blade for slicing and ripping through hardwood, softwood, plywood, and fascia board. For strong, long-lasting resistance, the blade features a tough steel plate and high-density carbide tips.
Model #D0740XDiameter7-1/4"Machine UseCircular SawApplicationFinishingTeeth40 ATB
(Alternate-Top Bevel)Arbor5/8"
(Diamond knockout arbor)Kerf.059"Hook Angle15°
Makes Smooth, Razor-Sharp Finish Cuts in WoodAchieving attractive results when constructing finish work such as decks, fences, and shelving is all about clean, accurate cuts. The Freud D0740A makes this process easy, fast, and precise. Offering a smoother edge than framing blades, this finishing blade is constructed for effective cutting speed and long life.
Trim carpenters, fine cabinetmakers, and avid do-it-yourselfers will want to keep this blade on hand for jobs that call for ripping or making finish crosscuts. Appropriate application materials include hardwood, softwood, plywood, and fascia board.
Produces Smooth, Quiet Cuts with Laser-Cut KerfThe Freud D0740A's clean-cutting design means that you can enjoy the comfort of smooth performance. The thin 0.59-inch kerf between the blade's 40 ATB (alternate-top bevel) teeth is laser cut to provide ease of feed, so you have more control over the blade's position. This helps maximize both the accuracy of the cut and the efficiency of your work, so you can enjoy a job well done and the ability to complete more tasks in less time.
An added bonus, the blade's laser-cut stabilizer vents reduce noise and vibration during operation, keeping your work environment more relaxed and your hands more in control. This feature also reduces friction and warping, helping to extend the blade's cutting life.
Features Shock-Resistant Carbide for Long-Lasting PrecisionSo you can count on it over the long term, the Freud D0740A is designed for durability. The blade's hardy teeth are protected by Freud's exclusive shock-resistant TiCo Hi-Density Carbide formula, which helps fight wear and tear and maintains blade sharpness up to four times longer than standard carbide. And protecting the blade is Perma-Shield Non-Stick Coating that provides resistance to heat and corrosion.
Fits Circular SawsThe Freud D0724A is a great addition to your workshop because it's designed with the versatility to fit a variety of circular saws, including portable varieties.
This product is covered by Freud's Limited Lifetime Warranty.
What's in the BoxFreud D0740X Diablo 7.25-Inch Finishing Saw Blade.
Get 32% OFF
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