Comparison

Dr. Deb · 2012-07-26T16:00:19+00:00

Some time ago I asked if any of you were in a position to try a comparison between the Forrest WoodWorker II and the Harbor Frieght blade (SKU 46231) Freight having the reputation they do for selling cheap tools, I got no takers, and was not overly surprised.SWMBO, gave me a "US Grant" for Father's Day and I put it back in the deepest recesses of the wallet. Finally, I decided to take the plunge and buy a Forrest WoodWorker II (40tooth, 1/8" kerf). So shopping around I found it on Amazon for $107.00 and hit the "Order" button. The package arrived today and, of course, I had to check it out. After peeling the protective coating off it, I mounted it in my Ridgid 3650 tablesaw and made a couple of test cuts. I stepped back, scratched my head and said, "Hmmmmmm." So, I got a fresh HF 46231, mounted it and made a couple of test cuts. Then I remounted the Forrest WWII, got a 7/4 piece of Southern Red Oak and did an an crosscut and an rip cut. Swapped out the Forrest for the HF blade and made the crosscut and rip on the other end and side of the same pieces of red oad.Bottom line, the Forrest is going back. There was very little, if any noticable difference. If there was a difference the HF blade gave the better cut. On the first pass in the rip cut with the Forrest, I noticed a tooth mark, rather severe, so I moved the rip fence over 1/4" and recut. It had the same thing, in the same place. The HF blade is only C3, so it will need to be sharpened a bit more often, but at $19.50, you can almost get a new blade rather than have it sharpened.To be very honest, I was extremely surprised. But, it is what it is.As a disclaimer, the ONLY HF blade I would use is the 46231. My bandsaw blades are Woodslicers, my router bits are all name brand. In other words, I do want quality. What I would really like to see is a lab test between these two. But for my test, on my saw, in my shop, there is no justification in paying six times the cost of the HF for the...

Comparison

Jul 26, 2012 43 Replies

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Bill 13 years ago

Does anyone here recollect having a carbide tooth fly-off during operation? It seems like something one would remember. With all of the cheap blades and circular saws around, I would think it might make the news once in a while?

Becoming "all too familiar" with my box-cutter, I was slashing through several layer of plastic yesterday and sliced across my thumb. I almost didn't want to look. I felt very lucky that I only needed a band-aid! If the blade had been sharper, it might not have happened (or something else might have happened), but I don't want a "do-over". Careful out there!

Bill

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Leon 13 years ago

Absolutely, I have had Freud carbide tips come off and if you hit something imbedded in the wood, Look out.

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Twayne 13 years ago

Sounds like you aren't using it its designed purpose and probably only need the cheapo blades. Higher cost does NOT necessarily indicate better quality first, but instead special uses.

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Pat Barber 13 years ago

I didn't mean to state that it was a common occurrence, but that it was one of "many" things that can go wrong with cheaper products. I have lost teeth on my Freud($200) dado set on occasion and that is because carbide tips are VERY brittle and chip quite easily.

Your experiences might be different.

I will continue with Freud.

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