Blades - Things I Wish I Knew Before??? | Must Know Info About Blades & Blade Sharpening

Everything practical that you need to know about how to choose the best saw blade for you and how to get the most out of your saw blades. I also share the state of the art sharpening service that I have used for years to get my saw blades sharpened.
W.D. Quinn Blade Sharpening Service - quinnsaw.com/carbide-tipped-s...
My favorite Blades:
Favorite Miter Saw Blade - geni.us/YkCGKv on Amazon (commissions earned) (Sub-Micron Grade Extended Life Carbide and 6 degree hook) I USE THE SM6300 personally NOTE THE LM6300 is not as high quality carbide and his a more negative hook angle.
Favorite Table Saw Blade - geni.us/X3f128 on Amazon (commissions earned)
Blade Cleaning Solution - geni.us/RUUHWe on Amazon (commissions earned)
Blade Cleaning Brushes - geni.us/1rV93M on Amazon (commissions earned)
Blade Cleaning Plastic Container - geni.us/Wjumz68 on Amazon (commissions earned)
Rockler Blade Cleaning Container - www.rockler.com/router-bit-an...
(0:00) Common Mistakes with Blades
(1:04) WHERE TO GET BLADES SHARPENED
(1:41) WHAT ARE THROW AWAY BLADES
(2:38) HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU SPEND ON A BLADE
(4:29) USE INDUSTRIAL BLADES FOR HIGH VOLUME CUTTING
(5:04) MY GO TO MITER SAW BLADE
(6:00) WHY USE INDUSTRIAL BLADES
(6:50) LOW VS MID VS HIGH QUALITY BLADES
(7:52) CUT QUANTITY & BLADE LIFE
(8:28) BLADES THAT MAKE SENSE TO ME
(9:07) QUINN SAW CO ENGRAVES YOUR BLADES
(9:34) HOW MANY BLADES SHOULD YOU OWN
(11:06) STANDARDIZE YOUR BLADES FOR SIMPLICITY
(11:28) MY GO TO TABLE SAW BLADE
(12:16) MY BIGGEST BLADE MISTAKES
(12:57) YOU MUST CLEAN YOUR BLADES FOR MAXIMUM LIFE
(14:10) HOW TO CLEAN YOUR BLADES
(15:45) HOW TO TELL WHEN A BLADE IS DULL
(16:39) ALWAYS SAVE YOUR BLADE BOXES
(18:31) HOW TO SEND IN YOUR BLADES FOR SHARPENING
(19:09) HOW TO CLEAN YOUR OWN BLADES
(20:54) FINAL THOUGHTS
My Favorite Tools - Insider Carpentry Amazon Site - www.amazon.com/shop/insider_c...
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INSTAGRAM - insider_carpentry

[@Northwooods]

As a fellow carpenter I am shocked by the lack of likes on this video. This is the kind of valuable information that most of us probably don’t think about, but yet has a huge impact on money and time saved. Much appreciated.

[@ChromeLuxx]

All sounds like work to anyone under 45 yrs old. Why work when they are all going to be a rich KZbin stars, or invent some POS and live like a Kardashian.

[@bret9741]

I don’t think most users know there are high end blades.

[@CraigularjJoeWoodworks]

⁠@@bret9741maybe. I think pros know pro tools and blades though. Home owners would probably think diablo is upper tier, so I agree on that front

[@tedd1091]

Dude, that was off the charts for KZbin - Well done

[@jt-eb4sp]

This is one of the best videos I have seen. His presentation is flawless and his opinions are right on. Great job.

[@aspees]

When looking at the initial investment of buying a $50 blade vs a $100 blade you need to look at longevity of sharpness first. The Forrest/FS quality will outlast the Freud/Amana quality 2:1. It’s basically a wash in cost. However, when you get to sharpening you pay the same amount of money to sharpen cheap blades vs expensive ones. Every time you spend your $25 to sharpen the $100 blade you get a $100 blade. Sharpen it 5 times means you have spent $100+$125 = $225 to get $600 worth of blade which outlast the good quality 2:1. That’s without even talking about cut quality. Point being buy good blades they will last years of decent use. We always buy them in pairs. One is on the saw the other is either at the sharpeners or is sharp on the shelf.

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Well said!

[@diverdave4056]

a long time ago before track saws were invented ... I had to cut solid maple panels that were finished - face up with my Skil worm drive ... I asked the tool store manager IF they might have a saw blade that will give me the cleanest cut ? With out missing a beat , he showed me the TENRYU blades and he said , that YES they do cost more BUT they will give you the cleanest cut and they will last a long time before needing to be resharpened ! Well he didn't lie - every cut was perfect - no chips or splinters and no need to sand the cut smooth . Since that day I have only bought the blades that TENRYU makes . So unless your using a saw to do demo work - don;t waste your money on a cheap saw blade

[@michael.schuler]

Excellent blade tutorial. Thank you. Many years ago I adopted a European strategy that has enabled me to maximize flexible use of my tooling: I specified 30 mm bore when purchasing all my high quality blades. At the time, I ran a German combination machine with 30 mm arbor; others in my shop have 5/8", 3/4", and 1" arbors. By use of the appropriate saw bushing (I buy from Amana), I am able to deploy any blade on almost any machine, at times maximizing the usefulness of certain specialty blades (e.g. triple chip.) I also had custom 30 mm O.D. collars machined, one with 5/8" I.D. and another with 1" I.D., that allow me to deploy my 8" stack dado on either table saw, RAS, or shaper. I run mostly Leitz and Forrest blades, purchased in pairs. Care and maintenance such as you present in this video have allowed most to remain in service for decades. Besides regular cleaning, another key to optimizing cut quality (and minimizing power requirement!) is the use of blade stabilizers, especially on lightweight table saws. With stabilizer diameter equal to as much as 50% of blade diameter, the improvement in the performance of a thin kerf blade is dramatic.

[@pattihudson6962]

I have been sharpening my Dewalt blades with my Foley Sharpener for years. Always have excellent results.

[@kevinparmelee5609]

Quinn and FS Tools just got 99,000 new customers when this video posted

[@InsiderCarpentry]

I'm happy to send business to good companies that help us do our job better.

[@pavelnesterov5554]

At first I was gonna say, you are NUTS paying $180 . For a blade. But after listening for the reason and use of it. I will be buying these blades too . Thanks much

[@lumberjack7923]

LOVE HOW DETAILED YOU ARE WITH YOUR DESCRIPTION AND LEAVE NOTHING TO QUESTION ! just stumbled across your channel. Recently retired from 35 yrs of emergency services work but started out carpentry work as a teenager and young man and I am looking to dabble again in my own house but am so pleased to find EXPERTS on you tube that are willing to share . After all these years it is evident that I have a lot of brushing and catching up to do BUT eager to start the journey with renewed enthusiasm and vigor & NOW MORE IMPORTANTLY ARMED WITH VALUABLE KNOWLEDGE to proceed with !!! thank you I WATCHED YOUR SHIP LAP VIDEO and picked up some valuable tips !!!! because that is what I am using in my first project covering a beautiful natural stone fireplace and converting it to something more modern looking ( MAKES ME WANT TO VOMIT 🤮🤮🤢 ) having to paint the bottom stone white and cover the top with ship lap BUT as the saying goes HAPPY WIFE !!!!! LOL

[@ravenheart1439]

Man you just answered a bunch of questions I had, it's about like finish, it's a deep worm hole we get into...thanks for your time man .

[@Wooddust6]

good info. But one correction/disagreement. Freud blades are not the same as Diablo red blades (is they cheap big box store version). the Freud line blades are the higher quality industrial carbide blades which is what i use & they are great blades (years ago before they rebranded things they were synonymous, but now the Freud blades will usually say Freud Industrial and don't have the Red paint on them generally.). Not something you can buy at the big box stores.

[@williamcooper5009]

Just bought a Freud for my SawStop 3.0. Waaaaayyyyyyyyyy better than I expected. $60 at Rockler.

[@justinrehms4530]

I’ve never thrown a blade away. I’ve always taken my low quality blades whether chipped or dull to get retoothed with high quality carbide to be sharpened. I’ve even had my blades teeth redesigned for optimal use on my table saw or miter saw so they cut smoother and faster. I’ve been using the same saw blades now for 20+ years. Cleaning for sure helps them last longer than you’d ever think too.

[@iamjackalope]

Keeping your blades clean is a must. I just cleaned about half a dozen blades that had been relegated to the dull blade pile by others that have access to my table saw that came back to life after a good cleaning. I have been using the Freud blades for a bunch of years professionally and I have had 0 problems with them. I have them sharpened all of the time and they come back good as new. But then again I try and stay away from thin kerf blades especially on my hand held circular saws and even more so on my beam saw with it's 16 5/16" blade. As a matter of fact I have a whole stack that are ready to go to the sharpener right now. That's partly why I clicked on this video. Some of them where being tossed out on job sites and I grabbed them from the trash bin. They have never been sharpened before and I'll send them in and have a nice sharp blade for a third of the price when I get them back.

[@DrWes1962]

My dad was a master woodworker and I've tried to improve upon his work over the years. I've built a ton of stuff and NOBODY ever told me about cleaning my blades. I feel real dumb. But I'm going t go to work on that. Still considering the ROI on the good blade sharpening plan. But you're pitch was pretty damn good. Got me thinking.

[@billbasta1548]

Great info, thanks.

[@geraldlessard7446]

Great informational video. Keep them coming.

[@sprintspirit8457]

Great way to end a Friday!

[@mrkrause3]

Great information! Thanks Spencer!

[@jimanderson4495]

GREAT content. Thanks

[@mikea7126]

I bought 3 FS Tool saw blades from a place called industrial saw blades which was next door to where I was working. This was in 1990. I still have them today and use them regularly. The are excellent blades and I would recommend them to anyone looking for good quality Blades.

[@nicholasnews5983]

Cool guy explaining cool details on cutting blades

[@shigthehandyman]

So good! Great tips Spencer…thanks!!

[@woodworkaf]

Great video, thanks Spencer!

[@kiwdwks]

Awesome info/recommendations! Thanks!

[@YvonBolduc_Tip007]

Always great content. You are a reference in the field of finished carpentry.

[@WarrenDrakeVRN]

Excellent video! Best I"ve ever seen about saw blades on KZbin!

[@allenguffey9370]

Great video as always lots of good information

[@jgarard111482]

Great content, as always!

[@tommyknightly1659]

Great knowledge and high quality work, thanks Lewis

[@AngelMartinez-zx6mk]

Great tips brother. Thank you!

[@howardlaunius7484]

Very informative video. Thanks Spencer.

[@Hvn1957]

I think Freud and CMT get sold a little short. In our shop, we use mostly Forrest blades. However, there are several Freud blades in use, on miter saws and lighter duty tables saws. They perform quite well if used judiciously. Our philosophy is they get one sharpening, then out to pasture. Where the really good blades shine is in the mill. We have two big old Dewalt 14” radial arm saws, one for rough and one for fine. We also have an old Clement table saw with power feed for rough rips, and a big Tannewitz also with power feed, for all the fine rips. These four saws are in use eight hours a day, all year round. They have the highest quality blades we can get. Thanks for your excellent content! You really spend the time to explain thoroughly. Your care and thoughtfulness is appreciated. PS You mentioned Southern Yellow (Short Leaf) Pine. Years ago we ran a ton of that stuff for structural components. It’s the worst wood on tools I’ve ever had the displeasure to mill. But man is it robust!

[@bigchief113]

Excellent content

[@katabrontes]

Very helpful Spencer. I didn't appreciate how important it was to keep blades clean. Thanks for the many tips and good advice I get from your channel. Mike (UK)

[@colinrussell4707]

Great video as usual!

[@michaelnilson9876]

Awesome job

[@m3hsid10]

Awesome video! Thank you for the great content!

[@donf1526]

Awesome info!!!

[@corcoransullivan1562]

Another great vid. Always learn something watching you.

[@jimbtv]

Excellent video! Thank you.

[@Rubydoo61]

Excellent video. Very informative. Thank you!

[@rauljr9869]

Awesome knowledge you shared with us, greatly appreciate your efforts!

[@wilkinsoncarpentry6278]

Great video mate

[@andrelevesque6300]

Great content. Keep it coming.

[@haroldaubry8344]

Great review!

[@BradKaboord]

Most of the best answers are loaded with question. Thanks for your take on this topic.

[@edmundnyamupepema]

Thank you so much for such a saw blade masterclass. I wish I could thumps up it 1000 times.

[@josephmccann4143]

Very informative, as always.

[@screaminpotato]

Really helpful information! It shows how intentional and serious you take your business. It’s hard for some to sit back and perform maintenance but this shows it is necessary.

[@palettetools6461]

One of the best channels on KZbin.

[@lindamarsden8024]

Thank you, this is a fantastic video with invaluable information.

[@ronallen6578]

Great info video. Thank you

[@A_Plus_Finish_Carpentry]

Great content in this video. Keep up the good work, sir.

[@jamesurquhart1289]

Spencer, Really enjoy your channel, your videos are well thought out and really show your knowledge base. As an Engineer by trade I enjoy the way you make a process out of the job, the stop block video series really demonstrates how you recognize efficiency for your company while increase your speed an accuracy on the job. Look forward to more informational videos.

[@violettownmicroenterprises1528]

excellent. I've learnt quite a lot of important information. Thank you.

[@DT11acs]

100K right around the corner. Well done fella and Hi from Scotland

[@DadzorRules]

Outstanding video! You just acquired a new follower. Thanks for the great info.

[@frankkenny4873]

really enjoy your vids they are very helpful

[@terryduprie6313]

Very informative video. I really appreciate you sharing your lessons learned and expertise. Will definitely use your links for some of this gear. Thank you!!!

[@1qikz210]

During my woodworking / carpentry career I chose to help (as an apprentice) an up and coming sharpening operation who had decades of experience, but was struggling to get his operation off the ground. It was one of the best choices I've made. We worked hard, in rough shop conditions, and ordered a lot of late night take out pizza. 20 + years later he passed his operation down to his son and they have expanded into a very successful operation. His gained knowledge was key to providing top quality services, and intelligent advice, to his customers which simply didn't understand anything beyond "dull and sharp". Having someone who knows the mechanics of cutting tools is huge. Hamronale Carpentry

[@ericbaldridge4211]

Much appreciated. You hit every question I’ve had. No more box store bargain blades.

[@jncn1490]

Great job ,

[@toodlican]

Wow. That was interesting. The guy I worked for never have nice blades and we all just got used to cutting with them. The cleaning tip blew my mind as most of the time on my personal saws I changed blades because they had build up. Thanks for the tips

[@florissantrob]

great info. never knew you should clen your blades. Love your videos. HVAC worker now but 13 yrs as a carpenter. Still do it just not on the daily. You always put out amazingly informative videos, thank you.

[@davidsherley2652]

Hi Spencer - as I’ve watched more of you videos, I want to comment again. I really like your take on means & methods - how you approach your work. Your balance of precision, efficiency and production repeatability is truly admirable. I recently came across your channel and have gladly subscribed. In my younger days, after college, I apprenticed with frame and later trim carpenters for roughly five years. I later went to work in commercial cabinet shops, first in production and later as a project manager. From there I went back to architecture (what I studied in college). My orientation toward working with the tools is similar to yours, but my experience is less evolved. As my architecture career developed, I moved around the country following commercial projects...and the tools went into storage. I’ve recently decided to settle in Eastern Indiana and gotten the tools out of storage. As I reconnect with my love for woodworking, I hope to synthesize my experience and develop a work style similar to yours. Keep up the workmanship and the videos!

[@damianvazquez-oi3qj]

thank you for your videos they are very helpful

[@randalljaynes8628]

I learned a lot, Thanks

[@dougprentice1363]

I am very happy with ridge carbide blades that stumpy nubs recommends. I put a note on my blade storage box to remind me to send them to quinn when they need to be reshaped. Nice video

[@Vipul.Canada]

very informative video

[@cletustollery6914]

As a trim carpenter and cabinet maker for 30 years, kudos on this video. Years ago I bought a Forrest blade and have never bought another brand since. Their sharpening is amazing and they sharpen almost anything from saw blades, planer knives, router bits, lathe tools and jointer knives. As loyal, stubborn and old as I am, I might grab a FS blade.

[@stumpbumpers]

Same, but I dare say, my experience has shown a professional sharpening is the key component. I think the heavier blades are better because of momentum more carbide. I really don’t think 90% of woodworkers could tell a difference in a cheap blade vs a quality blade after a professional sharpening.

[@BigRed-]

Love your content man. You really know what you’re talking about. I’ve learned so much from you, thank you!

[@InsiderCarpentry]

My pleasure!

[@T.E.P.]

You share sooo much through your experience and always improving and thinking about improvements ... and your channel has been a huge joy here on KZbin. Cheers Spencer. Your excellence is inspiring

[@InsiderCarpentry]

My pleasure 😊

[@mattbowers5342]

Thank you for the awesome information! Bookmarked the sharpening service for the next time. My local guy in NW Ohio does a good job, but it takes 6 weeks normally and costs much more!

[@mattschoular8844]

As always, you get what you pay for. Thanks Spencer..

[@danpelletier6727]

As always, fantastic information Spencer. You've also triggered a ton of great comments from other experienced professionals. I'm not a professional, just a reasonably talented DIY'r. It's all good for a guy like me looking to up my game. I always look forward to your video drops, keep 'em coming!

[@paxtonquigley1725]

Your videos are really first class. A gentleman and very professional tradesman. You are an example of what we should strive to be. An example for others who is knowledgeable and willing to teach. Thank you. Be well.

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Thanks 👍

[@hoppy564]

Great return on the cost

[@Stefan_Kawalec]

We've all been there - trying to outsmart ourselves and buying dirty cheap blades. Then you find a really good sharpening parlour and all of sudden end up with bunch of 200 Euro a piece blades. And it makes sense. Great video, as always. You've become a really good teacher.

[@Freddie2598]

Great tips to know I use 80t and 60t blades most of the time

[@sharkatk9]

Excellent, excellent, excellent Thank you!

[@gavinfeargrieve4874]

You pretty much summed up everything I've been thinking about blade selection/ cleaning and sharpening. It's just nice to hear another professional come to the same conclusions! And, yes- the sharpening service is really only worth it when it's done by robots.

[@stevesakotic8280]

Hello Mate. Great video. Excellent presentation. I found the content of your presentation very informative, helpful and useful. Well done Mate!! Automatically subscribed!

[@ederorellana9919]

Thank you for this info. I’ve been looking to upgrade from these thin Diablo blades. I just ordered the fs tool blade and I’m looking forward to deflection free cuts.

[@anthonygerali7220]

Just ordered both the 10"& 12" blades from your links...Happy to support this channel!...Keep the awesome content coming!

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Much appreciated

[@dano6201]

Great video! I’m a self employed carpenter and it’s funny when I worked for people before I never knew to clean blades. When I went on my own I realized my blades weren’t cutting well even though they where new and thought to clean it and it cut like new so I do like you said clean it quite often! In a pinch I use windex and a toothbrush on site.

[@ercaner9614]

Just discovered your chanel mate. I am a metal worker that dabbles in carpentry and find your posts valuable. Look forward to more posts. Sydney Australia

[@3345arjd]

f s blades are the best hands down. 27 years cabinet shop all i use. love your channel. you taughtme quite a few things

[@s312a22s]

Excellent Equipment, a must needed at Home or Even for Working

[@rauladame2105]

Clean blades are a must. I also use the blade cleaning solvent. I wax my blades after I clean them. I have not had any more problems with pitch/glue build up with the added step of waxing. I wax the cutting platforms as we, like my table of the table saw. This content is extremely helpful and also accurate in explaining saw blade best practices. Great info.

[@T0MaTOS]

THANK YOU!

[@josephmerritt1411]

As an amateur, I have learned much from your videos. I am starting a new home build project and information from this video will be put to use. Your tip about blade cleaning will be also applied to the chain for my chainsaw. Similar issue with build-up on the cutting surfaces.

[@johnmav8309]

Thank you!

[@andyeckles4158]

Thanks Spencer. I was always sending my blades in to get sharpened to remove that *gunk* as I called it. It never occurred to me to research how to clean them myself. I used your link below to purchase the kit. Hope you got your commission. Andy

[@davesatosky5840]

i also user those fs tool blades because my local sharpener sells them, your the first person i've ever heard recommend them. A&H sharpens them close to 20 times, which i have sharpened bi weekly just because i've become so spoiled with sharp blades that i cant stand when they show any signs of dulling. glad i found your channel, you got a new subscriber

[@shelton0181]

I’ve just recently switched from Amana thin kerf blades to Ridge Carbide thick kerf blades. The cut quality is superior with the Ridge Carbide blades, hands down! I’ll never go back to anything less than a 0.125 kerf. Thanks for the video. Well done.

[@robertfrancis4876]

Ridge and Forrest great blades

[@monteglover4133]

👍👍 I’ll definitely agree with cleaning and a high quality full kerf blade, do how ever do use separate blades for plywood, ... A high quality rip blade will often leave a glue ready cut. I was a part time cabinet maker, unfortunately my shop has been setting mostly unused for a few years due to illnesses.

[@whales302]

Love the Tenryu Gold Medal blade and I've run a lot of blades. Super quiet and deadly sharp. I agree on sharpeners....none of this matters if you don't have a high quality knowledgeable sharpener.

[@SupaDave63]

I like The Tenryu as well. Makita eased to put them on their miter saws. CMT has a high end blade that seems to work very well. Wisconsin Knife , forester of course.

[@Cousin.Justin]

*Welcome Back* 🤜🏻💥🤛🏻