Narrow saw kerf

[larryc]

I have read several articles on segmented pens that state that a 1/16" or 3/32" saw blade be used.
I've priced these and they are expensive.
Is there any reason a single dado blade cannot be used instead of a regular blade?

 

[D.Oliver]

My thoughts are "On a dado set the two outside blades (usually 1/8" blades) do most of the cutting. Any blade that would be that thin (1/16" or 1/32") would be a chipper and used by itself would produce a rather rough cut." To be sure though you could do a test cut.

 

[Dale Lynch]

Bandsaw or handsaw is what I use.

 

[Rodnall]

I bought a thin kerf blade for my table saw but can't use it with the riving knife (too wide). Ended up using a regular blade.

 

[randyrls]

I have read several articles on segmented pens that state that a 1/16" or 3/32" saw blade be used.
I've priced these and they are expensive.
Is there any reason a single dado blade cannot be used instead of a regular blade?

On a table saw, the blade doesn't have to be 10". I use a 7-1/4" blade intended for a circular saw. It is limited to a depth of cut of about 1". It works well as long as you don't push the blade too hard. Otherwise it tends to "sing". The kerf is about .072".

 

[mredburn]

I also use a 7 1/4 thin kerf blade it measures .0645 (just ofer 1/16th) for the kerf. I bought the blade at Lowes.

 

[bobleibo]

Freud has a pretty good selection of thin kerf blades that are pretty stable. I agree with using a 7 1/4 blade on the table saw as mentioned by others....less total blade to wobble.

 

[kovalcik]

The suggestion to use a 7 1/4" blades is good. Depending on the type of segmenting you are doing, the only downside of a regular blade vs thin kerf is wasting wood. Unless you specifically need the thin kerf (ie. you are repacing the wood with 1/16" of other material) I would go with the cleanest cutting blade you can afford regardless of kerf.

 

[mredburn]

The thin kerf also means you can enter thinner filler pieces for design work. I have the 10 wood worker 2 blades with a stabilizer plate on my Delta 10inch unisaw that will give me glue up ready cuts. The 7 1/4 carbide 40 tooth with a stabilizer on it gives me just as smooth a cut, I just cant cut as thick a material. Using a sled I can only cut 3/4 stock without 1 inch.
For pen work it works just fine.