[Chrome]

I'm cutting treated decking lengths to make planters, on my DeWalt 717XPS. However I seem spend a lot of time using a rasp on the cut ends due to a bit of tear and not getting clean cuts. I feel this is a chore and a bit of a waste of my time. The blade is a recent replacement but I want much cleaner cut ends. What saw blade should I be using (within reason)?

 

[knotscott]

I don't really know what's available in the UK, but there will be a trade off between the cleanest cutting and the longest lasting. A Hi-ATB grind is the cleanest slicing, while a triple chip grind (TCG) gives longest edge life. A standard ATB grind could be a good compromise. If all else is equal, more teeth gives a cleaner cut, but also poses more resistance and higher rate of burning. Since your saw is a slider, it'll be best to use a saw with a low to negative hook angle (from any negative hook angle to ~ +5° should be fine).

Stick with a good quality name...the odds are in your favor if it's made in Germany, the UK, Israel, European Union, the US, Canada, Japan, or Italy. If it's made in China, it might still be a good blade, but blades are generally made there to cut costs, not to improve quality.

 

[redbirdone]

Try this - Freud LU91R010. I use a lot a Freud blades and am usually very pleased. When I first got my Bosch 10" SCMS 10 years ago I had no idea what "hook angle" meant or if it even mattered. After using a Freud 60T ATB with a 15* angle for several months I was not thrilled with the occasional lift I would get. I then tried the LU91R010 and it has performed great. I use it mostly for trim work and flooring. It has lasted through 3-4 house renovations and even 1,200 sq ft of bamboo flooring install.