I'm having a tough time cutting through some dense black walnut using my 15-amp DeWalt table saw. I've already tried Diablo and DeWalt 24-tooth blades, but no luck—they either burn the wood or trip the breaker. The pieces I'm working with are between 1.75 and 2.25 inches thick. I was considering giving a Freud 18T thick stock blade a shot. Any recommendations or tips for this situation?
3 Answers
Have you figured out if you need a ripping or crosscutting blade? For crosscuts, I recommend the Diablo D0740A; it's super thin (0.059 inch kerf) so it requires less power if it's compatible with your wood thickness. For ripping, I find the 10" Freud LM75R010 does the trick. Good luck!
I think the key here is to take it slow. I once learned the hard way that when you're working with tough materials, the tool's power, blade sharpness, and material hardness really matter. If you feel the motor slowing down or the blade dulling, take a step back and adjust your speed. Patience can lead to a cleaner cut even on tougher materials.
It sounds like you might be dealing with some power limitations with your table saw. Have you considered whether you're using a full or thin kerf blade? A thin kerf can often work better with lighter saws. Slowing down your feed rate could help too, but just keep in mind that a smaller direct drive motor has its limits.