Saw blade choice for Flex moulding?

[Oren]

I have occasion to cut baseboard flex moulding. It is urethane, dense and just kills my saw blades. The maker states on the web a general comment about using any saw blade. I called them and a got generic answer. "we use a spatula", but any blade will work....

I found plenty of info about material and blade selection, but nothing specific to urethane (6" flex baseboard).

Using 60T or 80T blades.. this stuff kills my 12" miter saw blades. It has become the last material cut :)

Any suggestion on a blade type, tooth count, or a better type of blade? Mine are all ATB blades.

[Joe]

Odds are you saw blade(s) have come across a few nails and lost their edge. A 12" saw runs at a higher FPM than most and sharpness is paramount. Check your Yellow Pages for a saw sharpening shop, and if you're lucky, you may find a technician that really knows his stuff. He will return your blade with the proper set, both sides and top of each tooth razor sharp. The side and top cutting action minimizes friction and the result will be smooth and fuzz free. Another possible problem could be an unusually abrasive finish on the molding. The paint pigment could be heavily formulated with silica as a cheap substitute for titanium dioxide and calcium carbonate blends. It would take considerable exposure to the finish to cause a saw blade problem, though. HTH

Joe

[Oren]

This saw has never cut a nail. I'm about to remove a blade and will ship four off to service for sharpening. When they return I'll be happy.

This is dense urethane flexible moulding. I can see friction and a dull blade, this stuff just kills a blade, fast.

There has to be a blade suited for this material. I just haven't found one.

[beecrofter]

Look for a triple chip grind with no more than 5 deree hook,0L degree hook angle would be optimum, anywhere from 80-100 teeth should do well for that saw. ATB blades just don't last so long in plastics which tend to be abrasive. There are also special grinds for plastic very similar to a tcg with the usually straight tooth also having eased corners but I doubt you will need one for this application.

Daily Grind Sharpening

[Oren]

Thanks, I really never knew there was so many variables for a saw blade until I started looking into my question. To me a blade was rip, crosscut or finish blade. I've learned different as a DIYer! :))

Reading some of the material about blades on the Amana and Freud wed sites, I did _guess_ the ATB might not be best. I will look for TCG blades.

Was in a place today, all the 12" blades were ATB, no other choice (I'll find a TGC).

Thanks. ..