Thread: Ripping blades - ATB vs TCG vs Flat Top grinds

Not having used the Torquata blade I can't tell you how it compares. The Freud glue line rip triple chip blade is definitely not an all rounder, I never use it on anything thicker than 22mm (7/8") and even then it's not the best on really hard timbers. The first one you've linked to - 24t flat top grind - is a really good all rounder unless you want to regularly rip material over 2-1/2" thick, I use this blade a lot. I imagine that the industrial blade would also do a good job right up to its capacity of around 75mm due to the ATB grind, and at the price at the link I'd be very happy to give it a go. If I was only going to buy one rip blade that would be the one I would go for. The remaining glue line rip blade is one I haven't seen before, but 30 teeth on a 10" blade for ripping doesn't strike me as the best for an all rounder, although I would expect it to perform better than the TCG blade on thicker materials.

If you're trying to avoid saw marks, feeding the stock accurately, using feather boards, will make a significant difference. Yes, I know, it's a pain.

That's my 2c.

For ripping a FTG is in order and 24 teeth sounds right.
ATB and HATB are for Cross Cutting and can be used as a combination blade on a TS but is not as good as a FTG for ripping. Triple Chip usually has a negative take and can be used on Radial arm saws but also used on non ferrous materials.

In terms of quality Freud is ok but Leuco, Dimmar and Leica are significantly better

I recall being taught that the correct TPI for ripping was about 5 teeth in the material. That could be wrong, but either way the number of teeth on the saw blade depends on the thickness of the material you are working with.

Originally Posted by aldav

If you're trying to avoid saw marks, feeding the stock accurately, using feather boards, will make a significant difference. Yes, I know, it's a pain.

Thanks for the input about the glue line rips, I think I might steer clear of them as I'm more often than not ripping over 25mm thick AND it's an Aussie hardwood. I use feather boards/stock guides pretty much all the time when ripping now, I find it's safer and gives a better end result as well. Still have some saw marks to contend with though, maybe it is still my technique, I claim no expertise. I'm kind of thinking the same as you, for under $100 how bad can the Freud Industrial be? That said, maybe I just add a few more dollary doos and get an actual industrial blade.

Originally Posted by tomartomau

For ripping a FTG is in order and 24 teeth sounds right.
ATB and HATB are for Cross Cutting and can be used as a combination blade on a TS but is not as good as a FTG for ripping.

See, that's what I thought, but I would expect saw blade makers would have some idea what they're making, and the ATB blades linked clearly are for ripping with no mention of them being suitable for combo use. Looking further afield, Leitz also have a 24 tooth ATB ripping blade. I might give Leitz Brisbane a ring if I get a chance tomorrow.

I'm assuming you're a hobbiest? If so I'd be surprised if you weren't very happy with the Freud blade, there's no need to spend any more AFAIC. I'd agree that the manufacturers of any of the quality saw blades know what they're doing, the 'rules' aren't as hard and fast as some people might lead you to believe. Two other things that lead to quality rip cuts are a solid fence with no flex and raise the blade well above the height of the work piece so that the teeth are cutting down into the stock not trying to push it back at you.

I have moved to Dinmar blades and the ripping professional with 24 teeth (300mm though) is about $115.00. In saying that the previous post is correct in that the Freud FTG would be more than suitable for the home woodworker. However, if there was only say $20 difference I would get the professional quality blade.
Another factor I bore size, a number of European manufacturers use a 30mm bore and if you are running a 5\8" Arbor then you will need a 30mm to16mm bushing.

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I have moved to Dinmar blades and the ripping professional (MAF300)with 24 teeth (300mm though) is about $115.00. In saying that the previous post is correct in that the Freud FTG would be more than suitable for the home woodworker. However, if there was only say $20 difference I would get the professional quality blade.
Another factor I bore size, a number of European manufacturers use a 30mm bore and if you are running a 5\8" Arbor then you will need a 30mm to16mm bushing.

That pricing on the Freud blades was only until midnight last night, so I sucked it up and bought one of the industrial rip blades with 24 teeth and 10deg ATB grind. I'll have to run some spotted gum through it when it arrives and post comparisons.

I recently added the Freud 10" 24T Industrial Rip Thin Kerf blade when on sale at Timbecon.

Quite reasonably priced & I'm satisfied with its performance ripping mostly 20 mm stock but also up to 70 mm stock even without feather boards. I tolerance the boards, mostly thin rips under 4 mm, to the thickness I require on a Jet 20/10 drum sander. The cut quality has greatly reduced post saw work. Other blades I've used required a light skim through the thicknesser before the drum sander. Less effort required now.

Not a great selection available for rip blades in 10" (254 mm) with a 30mm arbor though. Plenty available for 5/8" arbor.

As a side line - I have found the DeWalt Extreme 24T thin kerf blades provide quite satisfactory performance on my 10" TS with quality almost as good as the Freud at less than half the purchase cost. Less taxing on a conservatively powered TS when doing lots of thin rips. However the Freuds are more economical in the long run when you factor in that they can be sharpened whereas the DeWalts are really a consumable item, blunt 'em chuck 'em.

Hi Alk. I also purchased one of the heavy duty 10" Freud rip blades. When I ordered they listed only 2 available, we must have got the last two . My saw's arbor is 5/8 so it's nice not have to get a reducing washer for once.

Bit late, but we had good results at my old work with ATB rip blades from Leuco and AKE (400mm diameter); good enough to send through a wide belt or drum sander straight off the saw.

Originally Posted by Mountain Ash

Hi Alk. I also purchased one of the heavy duty 10" Freud rip blades.

I did see there were only 2 left late at night and almost went with one of the HD 10" flat grinds as well... But the one I got is ATB, it's the silvery 'industrial' Freud blade. It arrived today, I'm hoping I get home early enough one of these days to take it for a quick spin.

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

Bit late, but we had good results at my old work with ATB rip blades from Leuco and AKE

I hear a lot of good things about Leuco and one day I may get one of their blades... but I've got to find time to cut more timber and dull some blades first