Sawblades for birch play.

skipdiver · 15 Apr 2016

I am looking for a recommendation for which blade i should use to cut birch ply in my tablesaw, a record power RSTS12 and will be used only for ripping. It's a 12" blade obviously but i guess a smaller one will do as well. It will only be put into the TS to rip the ply, then removed again. The play will be all thicknesses from 4mm to 18mm.

Cheers.

Myfordman · 15 Apr 2016

I find that both ATB and TCG type blades work well in ply. The main thing is to go for 60 preferably 80 teeth.
Give Doug a shout at Cutting Solutions he is forum friendly and will fix you up with a top quality blade for not too much money.

skipdiver · 15 Apr 2016

Cheers Myford; was thinking at least 60 teeth but not having used birch ply before, wanted some info on tooth pattern. Will give him a call.

Myfordman · 15 Apr 2016

I ran some test cuts only the other day as I had a tip off that a mate would be asking me to cut some birch ply soon. I found little to choose between the ATB and TCG tooth types.
The real way to do it is on a saw equipped with a scribing blade but not the sort of thing many of us have access to.
I've heard people swear by taking a very fine (0.5-1mm deep cut) first by running the work backwards through the saw ie towards you. and then cutting normally.
I've not tried this method.

skipdiver · 15 Apr 2016

Thanks again. As long as i get a fairly reasonable cut, i'm not too concerned with slight break out as all edges will be rounded over with a router. I've looked on the Cutting Solutions website and the blades seem reasonably priced.

memzey · 16 Apr 2016

Also try Atkinson Walker and Wealden tools if you want to buy made in Sheffield. That's the way I went for my 10" dimension saw general purpose blade and have been very pleased with it.