Ping for Edwin P (and any other Ridge Carbide blade owners)

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Ed,
>
> In googling this group, your name shows up consistently as a TS2000
> owner, and wanted to ask you about the tooth configuration on that one.
>
> I do my tenons on the table saw using the Nibble method on a cross-cut
> sled, but my blade is a Forrest WWII, which has an ATB tooth
> configuration. As a result, my tenons come off the saw with a
> corrugated effect and need an inordinate amount of clean-up with hand
> planes and files. (Yeah, my planing technique isn't *quite* there yet,
> but it's getting better everyday...)
>
> As I understand it, the TS2000 has a flat-topped configuration...just
> what I'm looking for in a tenoning blade. But how does it perform as a
> combination blade--particularly in cross-cutting?
>
> I called Forrest to inquire about having my teeth reground to
> flat-topped, and their tech advised me that the blade should then be
> used only for ripping...that it would leave a splintery cross-cut.
>
> TIA for any thoughts.
>

Nibbling a tenon is laborious method. Get a tenoning jig or make one. It
seems every wood magazine has one homemade version.
When making tenons, I make the cheek cuts with the work piece vertical and
just short of the finished line. I then use the sled to make the final
cross cut. Perfect tenons, every time. BTY my TS-2000 is standard
equipment in my saw now. The Forrest has been relegated to back-up duty.

Dave

Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
> For tenons, I usually use the dado, but the combo blade will be good too.

Thanks, Ed.

I'm torn on whether or not to spend the $$ on a dado, but that's
another story...

Does the TS2000 give a perfectly flat bottomed cut, or are there still
some "lines" that the raker teeth don't clear out?

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
>> For tenons, I usually use the dado, but the combo blade will be good too.
>
> Thanks, Ed.
>
> I'm torn on whether or not to spend the $$ on a dado, but that's
> another story...
>
> Does the TS2000 give a perfectly flat bottomed cut, or are there still
> some "lines" that the raker teeth don't clear out?

I'd say "near" perfect. I've not done much like that because I use the dado
if there is more than one cut or so to make. Any woodworking shows near you?
I bought the combo blade and the dado blade as a package at a show and got a
very good price. IIRC, it was little more than just the dado alone.

<[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> As I understand it, the TS2000 has a flat-topped configuration...just
> what I'm looking for in a tenoning blade. But how does it perform as a
> combination blade--particularly in cross-cutting?

Performs very well. I get smooth, clean cross cuts in hardwood, I get clean
cuts on plywood. For crosscuts, it is equal to or better than my Freud
crosscut (80T I think) and damned near as good on plywood.
Since I got the Ridge, I only change blades for dado, or if I'm going to be
cutting a lot of thin plywood as the Freud is marginally better.

For tenons, I usually use the dado, but the combo blade will be good too.

I've used a Forrest blade a few times and it was good, but the Ridge is
about equal, IMO.