chadman
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 106
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Post by chadman on Jun 4, 2008 1:11:05 GMT -5
Looking for 6" and 8" trim saw blades. So what brand trips your trigger and why?
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turquoiselover
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2008
Posts: 115
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Post by turquoiselover on Jun 4, 2008 9:09:00 GMT -5
Well, here's my opinion (and I'm sure there will be plenty of others) and mine is limited to the 7" workforce saw.
I guess it really depends on what you want to do with it. The blade that comes with the WF saw is thick and heavy duty; it is, after all meant for tile. It's great for just cutting slabs, as long as you don't mind losing some material. I was pretty much under the impression that the Ridgid brand (diamond stone cutting model) with the little diamond shapes cut out of it was pretty much equal to the MK Hotdog blade. Both of these are sold at Home Depot. But after using them back to back - Hotdog first, then Ridgid - I noticed that the Ridgid is thicker than the Hotdog, and this makes quite a difference when you are cutting out shapes. I'm also noticing that after about 16 hours of use (I just put the Ridgid on the saw on Sat.) it's already beginning to slow down. The Hotdog lasted much longer. The Ridgid blade sells for about $4 cheaper than the Hotdog, and I think I'll spend the extra money and go back to the Hotdog.
Hope this helps in some way. Turq
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Post by Tonyterner on Jun 4, 2008 10:06:17 GMT -5
I have a Workforce saw also and have tried the stock blade, a Husky blade and a Hotdog. The hotdog is obviously the best blade of the three but I paid about twice as much for that as for the Husky but it didn't last anywhere near twice as long. Of course I'm slabbing with it as well as trimming. The Hotdog is thinner so if you are just using it for trimming it would be the best choice in my opinion.
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Post by deb193redux on Jun 4, 2008 12:50:22 GMT -5
IN 6" and 8" the MK-303 are nice. They cost a bit, but you can get them thinner if you have expensive slabs to trim, or thicker if you want to abuse it by rolling chunks. Stainless steel is convenient too.
Barranaca also makes a 303 and their 303P is thicker, so more suited to hand feeding chunks.
You can also get a cheap high carbon steel notched rim blade form Lopacki.com. Take care about rust, and don't expect the same glass-like cut, but did I mention cheap.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jun 4, 2008 13:13:55 GMT -5
Just for the record the Barranca and MK 303 blades are the same except the stick on label. Their new 301 Gemking looks to be even better than the 303 but even "spendier".
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Post by krazydiamond on Jun 4, 2008 17:56:20 GMT -5
i've only ever used the MK 303 blades so i have nothing to compare to.......but they are long life hard working blades (once you learn how to use them). i trashed the first few by forcing rocks through and dished a few, but over time have learned how to actually use my 6" Lortone trim saw. i still get overly ambitious......
KD
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chadman
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 106
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Post by chadman on Jun 5, 2008 11:27:25 GMT -5
i still get overly ambitious...... KD Thanks people. I will look into the MK blades. I like the idea of stainless. Oregon's state color is rust. LOL
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