FTB Saw Blade

[StevieB]

Anyone know whether flat top blades (FTB), as opposed to alternate top bevel (ATB) blades, are banned/frowned upon in the UK and/or Europe? CMT do one - 285.624.10 but I can only find it in the US. Freud do one too - the LM72R010, but I can only find that in the US as well. Ironically, at least one of these is 'made in the EU'!

Yes, I know that to 'trench' on a table saw you need to remove the overhead guard, but my saw (an old startrite) has never had one and there is no slot or bolt hole in the splitter for one either. Yes, I know that there are other ways to make a half lap joint but for smallish pieces of timber I would prefer to clamp something to a table saw sled rather than run it over a router cutter in a table.

If the blades are not available then I shall rethink my approach through necessity, but various forums and sites refer to rip blades as being flat top, but I cannot identify one! I need a 250mm blade with a 16mm bore. Saxton blades only stock ATB, I have a mail out to Cutting Solutions to see what they can do but I am wondering why this is such a difficulty given trenching cuts are common in radial arm saws :eusa-think:

 

[Jonathan]

I wonder if a saw sharpening company would grind one flat for you.....
for the odd bit of trenching I do, I cut the trench as you described on the table saw and then I flatten the trench out by moving the trench from left it right over the top of the saw blade.

Sent from my Redmi Note 9S using Tapatalk

 

[Malc2098]

I bought one from Scott & Sargeant

https://www.scosarg.com/cmt-281-ve-...igF_JBNY91xwwW534_-2-RSqMjyHMfahoC-SkQAvD_BwE

I cut down the riving knife so it was just below the top of the blade.

I then used it for trenching on some larch.

I've just used it for normal cutting of a sheet of mdf with no problems, and will put it back in the drawer tomorrow.

 

[AndyP]

I bought one for the purpose you propose from Tuffsaws which IIRC was referred to as FTG, Flat Top Ground.

 

[StevieB]

Thanks all. That Scott one is not FTB unfortunately but will take a look at tuffsaws if Cutting Solutions cannot help, but had them down as bandsaw blades only.

 

[AndyP]

Thanks all. That Scott one is not FTB unfortunately but will take a look at tuffsaws if Cutting Solutions cannot help, but had them down as bandsaw blades only.

Oops, sorry Steve, it wasnt Tuffsaws but http://www.atkinson-walker-saws.co.uk/
I have found the original emails from 2012, cost 33.55 gbp for 200mm x 30mm bore.

 

[StevieB]

Thanks - interesting website - will give them a call if cutting solutions cannot do one for me!

 

[MJ80]

Freud do FZ (flat tooth) for cutting grooves, I'm not sure what they are called over in the UK but here they are called Nutsägeblatter. 150 or 180 diameter on a 30mm bore, size ranges from 1.5 to 5mm. I have the product codes here if you need them.

 

[StevieB]

Thanks all - Doug at Cutting Solutions can do one for me with a reducing bush for the bore so fingers crossed I should be all good.

Just as well really as I was idly looking at new table saws last night and really don't have that kind of money. I do like the look of the laguna fusion 3 though but a bit overkill for my needs

 

[ScaredyCat]

I can vouch for Doug at cutting solutions too. did me a nice 210mm 4mm kerf FTB which cuts really well.

Love it.

 

[RogerS]

Can you do trenching on your SCMS, Steve ?

 

[StevieB]

I don't have a SCMS I am afraid, but there is always room for more tools...... :eusa-whistle:

 

[Craig Salisbury]

Its nicer to support small businesses, especially now.....but if youre in a hurry, do a search on amazon for "cmt grooving blade"

 

[StevieB]

Thanks for that, didn't think about going smaller that 10" to be honest, which is my bad. But since I only want probably no more that half an inch depth one of these would work.

Fortunately Doug is supplying me one but will keep this in mind for future reference!