Customer Reviews

Freud LU74R012 12-Inch 96-Tooth ATB Thin-Kerf Cut-Off Saw Blade with 1-Inch Arbor and PermaShield Coating

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This blade complements a similar 10" Freud blade I have used for three years in my table saw. Excellent performance, fine kerf, almost polished finish to the cut surfaces. The quality of the blade coupled with the excellent price, made this purchase an easy decision.

Purchased this blade because I was having some trouble cutting think maple on my Porter Cable 12 inch saw with Forrest Chopmaster. I think the positive hook angle and slightly thinner kerf really helped as this blade cuts much without slowing or burning, which the Forrest was doing. I think that was really more of a function of my saw being underpowered, than the Forrest blade. So if you are looking for a good blade for a saw thats a little underpowered, this is the ticket.

Freud makes some of the best quality products in tools. They are solid, reliable, and just plain well made, and this saw blade is no exception. My old miter saw blade was finally starting to show its age and well just signs of use! So I decided to see what was available as a replacement and since I alread own Freud router and forstner bits well you know how it goes. I picked up this saw blade and I can say in my 15 years of woodworking (handyman type level) including my dad's tools I haven't seen cleaner cuts from a blade. I mean some cuts don't even require sanding it's so nice and clean. Anyway, take a go for yourself. You will NOT be disappointed!

In addition to being a great blade as usual from Freud, the thin kerf makes a noticeable difference on a 12" miter saw. First, the lighter blade weight makes for much less bounce when starting the saw. Second, the thinner kerf is significantly reducing the force need for the cut, therefore easier/faster cuts on large stock and/or angle cuts. I don't see any tendency for this blade to vibrate or deflect vs. a standard kerf, no reason not to use it all the time. Make yourself a new zero-clearance fence for this blade and you can get cuts that are ready to use for joinery.

I've been a fan of Freud's consumer line of blades, which go under the Diablo moniker, for a few years now. The snazzy red blade is totally functional as an anti friction coating and has saved me from countless binding and burning situations. I decided to give the Freud industrial line a chance. First off, Freud's anti vibration cutouts and slots are second to none. I replaced a fine finish Dewalt blade(the one from the two pack with the framing blade) with this one, on my Makita LS1216L. That blade rang like a bell after every cut, to the point it was louder than the saw, which is superb and quiet on it's own. This blade is dead quiet and extremely stable. Freud lets you choose down to even your particular grade of carbide, and if you look closely at the teeth, it uses a composite tip with two different carbides for both hardness of edge and toughness of the teeth. I cut myself slightly pulling the blade from the box, it's that sharp! A few caveats though

- this blade is supposedly "thin kerf"', but it has a full 3/32nds kerf. The Dewalt was much thinner, and the thicker kerf makes the saw work harder to make the same cut. Make sure your saw has at least a 15 amp motor at minimum.
- many blades come with anti overfeed stops behind the teeth. This is a vanilla alternating top bevel blade, and it is possible to overfeed the blade and damage your workpeice with tearout or blade burning. Use a slow, steady hand and let the blade cut only as fast as action permits, which is relatively slow compared to most other blades I've used. If you want fast, buy a framing blade.

If you can work within these limitations this will leave an almost glass like finish on the cut with zero tearout. I would NOT use this blade to cut MDF or ACQ all day, that's what triple chip blades are meant for. This is an excellent cabinet makers blade in every respect.

I bought this saw for the crown molding and I couldn't be more happier with it. I used to have a different saw from a different brand and it was noisy and dulled after so many uses. When i bought this saw it was really quiet had a smooth cut and I really recommend it to anyone who is on the line between choosing it or going with a different brand, choose this brand you won't be disappointed. Best bang for your buck.

I have had this blade installed on my Bosch GCM12SD for about a month and am very happy with it. My previous blade was the Forrest Chopmaster, which is out being sharpened. The Chopmaster is an excellent blade but it's typically $30-$40 more expensive than this Freud. The quality of the cuts I get from this Freud is essentially the same as I got from the Forrest blade when it was new (and sharp). The sawn face of the wood is very smooth -- almost polished-looking -- and requires minimal sanding. If I didn't already own the Forrest blade, I would order a second Freud to have on hand when this one needs to be sharpened! Great blade at a great price.

This Freud saw blade is an excellent accessory to a miter saw. Very satisfied and would recomend this product to anyone that desires a very clean and precise cut.

I installed this blade in a Rigid compound miter saw and am very pleased with the results. It does leave a glass-like finish as advertised. One expects a blade with 96 teeth to cut a bit slower but I have not lost much speed with great results. Cuts very clealny on lower quality plywood as well. This blade will not disappoint!

`This is a great blade for crosscuts. It leaves an exceptionally smooth edge with almost no tearout. Excellent for fine woodworking!