Good Quality Alternative Circular Saw Blade

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

Can anyone recommended a more rigid option than the Diablo "165mm 40T Fine Finish Circular Saw Blade" for a battery operated saw? The saw is a Ryobi 18 volt brushless saw. I will happily pay more money for a saw blade that does not wander sideways along a cut.

I am making a battery charging station and some extra shelves out of 17 mm structural ply. I cut two sides that should have been the same width yesterday.

Today after work I checked each side's width and found one varied in waves by 2-3 mm along its length. The saw did not load up, slow down or leave burn marks on the ply. The blade just went through the ply without real effort. I also used a straight edge that was securely held as a saw guide. When I used the saw even pressure was applied so the saw fence followed the straight edge. However, I have noticed the Diablo saw blade's tendency to meander. Just like during a cut the blade tries to follow the path of least resistance. Yes, the saw blade is firmly secured to the saw and there is no lateral movement in any shafts. T

Please let me know what your preferred brand of circular saw blade is for a "165mm 40 Teeth Fine Finish Circular Saw Blade"?

Kind regards
Lionel

[p38arover]

I use Irwin blades.

Circular Saw Blades - Tools - IRWIN TOOLS (https://www.irwin.com/tools/browse/circular-saw-blades)

[Lionelgee]

Hello Ron,

Thank you for the reply. I bought the Diablo because it was the dearer option between it and the same specification Irwin blade. The price difference at the green hardware store is $29.48 for the Irwin and $42.85 for Diablo . I figured you get what you pay for. Dearer = better quality... Sigh!

I did notice in the Irwin advertisement that you sent me the link for Ron, that the saw blades for the battery operated saws have, "Ultra thin kerf for more cuts per charge". The 'ultra think kerf' for saw blades made especially for battery operated saws may have a common theme. Just too damn thin. I will go searching for a non-specialist battery operated saw blade that might just be thicker and subsequently more rigid.

I would sooner - less 'cuts per charge' if a thicker, more rigid blade eliminates the need for me to get the mains powered planner out so that I can make the two carcass sides at least the same uniform width. It is not much of a time or energy saving after having to use the planner!

Kind regards
Lionel

[Tombie]

I almost exclusively use Diablo.

If you’ve had a cut like that you were likely forcing the cut rather than letting the saw walk it’s way along.

[Lionelgee]

I almost exclusively use Diablo.

If you’ve had a cut like that you were likely forcing the cut rather than letting the saw walk it’s way along.

Hmmm let me check something Tombie... Revisit my first post ... Okay here it is ... The saw did not load up, slow down or leave burn marks on the ply. The blade just went through the ply without real effort.

I was going to write that the saw went through the ply like a hot knife through butter. Perhaps I could use the word that it sawed "effortlessly" - while it went for a nice meander. The blade is impressively sharp and does leave a very clean cut. I can just do without its lateral movement while it is making such a damn fine cut!

Kind regards Lionel

[Tombie]

As I wrote also, I use only Diablo.

And I’ve not had this wandering you are commenting on.
My saws have made hundreds of cuts with Diablo blades.

[Lionelgee]

As I wrote also, I use only Diablo.

And I’ve not had this wandering you are commenting on.
My saws have made hundreds of cuts with Diablo blades.

Hello Tombie,

I am more than happy to donate my Diablo saw blade to you. Because I will not be using it again. Otherwise its next step is in the scrap metal bin.

Kind regards
Lionel

[LuckyLes]

Hello Tombie,

I am more than happy to donate my Diablo saw blade to you. Because I will not be using it again. Otherwise its next step is in the scrap metal bin.

Kind regards
Lionel

I haven't had any trouble with Diablo blades either and I do a fair bit of cutting. Do a cut with the original blade and see if that is straight. Either return the blade or the saw. Bunnings have a pretty good return and replace policy.
I have the same Ryobi saw as you and it is pretty good with the original blade. A blade for cutting ply has a different set to a general crosscut blade or a ripping blade.
What was the straight edge that you used made of and how was it clamped to the workpiece?
Cheers
Les

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

One thing I would like clarified with the Diablo circular saw blades is their labelling on the blade which shows the direction of rotation. With circular saw blades I have always previously bought the same brand as the saw itself. For example, a Dewalt saw circular saw blade for a Dewalt saw. An AEG circular saw blade for an AEG saw. So you can have a pretty good guess at what brand I was looking for at Bunnings that met the teeth requirement and material usage for my Ryobi saw. Every brand on display except Ryobi.

Anyway, in my past experience when I install a circular saw blade I match the rotation arrow on the blade to the same direction that is shown on the saw itself. On all other occasions that spring to mind once the match between blade rotation label and saw rotation label is done it leaves the full label of the saw blade facing up towards me, as I bolt the saw blade down.

To match the marked rotation of the saw shown on the saw's body to the Diablo blade I had to swap the blade over so that the label faced towards the motor and the blank side of the blade was facing me. I went to myself - "well that is weird". I was tempted to take the blade back to Bunnings. However, all I had to do was put the label facing the engine and the no label side facing me. It just required me to build a bridge and get over the label facing an unusual - to me - way. Yes, I am aware that the Diablo blades are not made to fit just one brand of saw and different saws may have different directions in rotation.

So given all this extensive insight - that I have probably bored you rigid with .... do Diablo circular saw blade's labels normally face up to you when you bolt the blade to the saw? Or did I just happen to have the good fortune to buy a rogue blade that was made on either a Monday or a Wednesday?

Yes, what side the label is on probably makes zero difference to the saw's performance. It was just one of those - "Well that is odd" moments.

Kind regards
Lionel

[Lionelgee]

Hello Les,

I just had to duck out to the shed to answer your question. I use a Master Finish Plain Aluminium Straight Edge. 2.7 Metres long Model Number P27P (https://www.totaltools.com.au/18429-masterfinish-2700mm-plain-aluminium-straight-edge-p27p). The straight edge is clamped firmly down on top of the sheet of ply and to the side of a steel trailer. Clamps used Trojan F Clamp 250 mm (250MM QUICK ACTION F CLAMP - Trojan Tools (https://www.trojantools.com.au/product/250x120mm-quick-action-f-clamp)). No the straight edge did not move during the course of the cuts.

Kind regards
Lionel

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

I went to a local independent hardware store this afternoon. I bought a Makita 56 Teeth circular saw blade. I asked the owner if they are familiar with Diablo circular saw blades. After some thought the owner said. Yes, a local builder has a Diablo blade fitted to one of his saws. They want to come in to test our range of saw blades. This is because the Diablo saw blade wanders around and even pushes the saw against the straight edge.

While 2 individuals with the same complaint in a city the size of Bundaberg is nowhere near a statistically relevant sample, it is funny how two people give the same feedback over the same product's short comings. I use Diablo spade drills and have always been quite happy with them. Definitely not impressed with the thin kerf circular saw blades though! Maybe Bundaberg received a bad batch of blades.

Kind regards
Lionel

[Hogarthde]

Just a hint Lionel, only have as much blade below the depth gauge so as to clear the timber.

dave

[Lionelgee]

Just a hint Lionel, only have as much blade below the depth gauge so as to clear the timber.

dave

Yep Dave,

Thank you for your tip. I do follow the very same technique. By the way, I am by trade a landscaper - a 'hard' landscaper. This refers to construction landscaping, things made of stone, timber, masonry and steel. Structures. Whereas, the putting things the green-side up people are known as 'soft' landscapers. I was also a full-time permanent TAFE Trade teacher - Landscaping & Parks and Gardens. Part of my role was teaching people how to use power tools such as circular saws correctly. As I had drummed into me during my training ... "Always let the tool do the work for you. If you have to force the tool then either you are using it incorrectly or the blade is blunt. Blunt blades are dangerous... " I also trained in Arboriculture and have chainsaw licences and mobile elevated platform experience along with Tirfor winches and related gear to change the direction of felled trees or branches. Also trained in Nursery and Production (Fruit & Vege growing). The Nursery and Production were compulsory subjects. I specialised in Landscaping & Parks and Gardens. Working in regional and rural local governments I kept all fields of my horticultural training up-to-date. I then followed the recreational aspect of horticulture and worked as a Ranger. I was then offered the opportunity to become a TAFE Trade Teacher.

With 7 years TAFE Teaching I left after the last two years of handling batches of the worst people Centrelink wanted to get rid of for six months by hiding them in government funded 'job creation' courses. After two years of casting pearls before the swine I went back to my trade. After my return to local government I had enough of the blatant nepotism that is incumbent in some rural councils. Also, the insistence of farmers who were also Councillors saying things like, "front deck, zero turn mowers are useless because they do not look like my tractors". This coincided with my eyes buggering up. It was recommended that I seek other employment by an eye specialist. By then, I was well and truly jaded with my trade. So, I left my trade and re-trained.

I am far from being an expert though. Well apart from within my PhD discipline - I reckon I have paid my dues in that area. However, you get to the stage where you realise how little you still know. The great thing about that is you never get bored!

Now where is that soapbox? That is right I am standing on it. Exit stage left.

Diagram borrowed 31st of May 2023 from
https://www.jlconline.com/tools/fastening-tools/power-tools/q-a-saw-blade-depth-adjustment_o.

Kind regards
Lionel

[Lionelgee]

A postscript to my last message.

When I was a TAFE teacher, I remember spending hours trying to find good clear diagrams that could be 'borrowed' and inserted into class notes or learning guides. Trawling through trade magazines in the library or going into sales brochures. These images would then be photocopied, cut out, gluing the cut-out image onto the page in a text box with your text surrounding it. Applying liquid paper to the edges of the photograph. Then photocopy the whole finished page and then sending the notes off to the printer for copying out for the class.

It took me less than five minutes to find that saw-depth diagram. Insert image ... done!

Kind regards
Lionel

[Xtreme]

I've also experienced the 'bendy blade' problem with CraftRIGHT blades on my bench saw. I recently binned a set of three, two of which I hadn't even put on the saw!
Replaced with a Makita blade which I have found to be OK.

[LuckyLes]

Good to see that you may have the problem sorted. I have to admit that I have only used diablo blades on a saw bench. I think I still have the original blade on my little Ryobi 18v saw.
I can understand what it is like to teach the unteachable how to do things that mean they have to actually use their hands and brain at the same time. Very difficult if one of those doesn't function.
Good luck with the new blade
Les

[Lionelgee]

Good to see that you may have the problem sorted. I have to admit that I have only used diablo blades on a saw bench. I think I still have the original blade on my little Ryobi 18v saw.
I can understand what it is like to teach the unteachable how to do things that mean they have to actually use their hands and brain at the same time. Very difficult if one of those doesn't function.
Good luck with the new blade
Les

Hello Les,

Thank you for your reply. I would still have my original saw blade except for its encounter with a very hidden bolt inside a length of recycled timber. I had previously spent a long time removing everything that I could see nails, tacks and other metal detritus. Anyway, the saw teeth found the bolt! Off to Bunnings I go.

Normally, within the first two days of Centrelink's chosen group's six month block of training a declaration would be made. "We do not want to be here. Don't bother trying to teach us anything because we don't want to be here. We are only here because if we leave Centrelink will stop our payments". If any of their peers showed the slightest interest in learning - they would be bullied. It was not a fun time. What got me the most is I went through a bad unemployment patch when I was younger and I would have given a lot to be have the opportunity for free training. Then I paid for my own training. I suppose in the big scheme of things it stopped 4 groups of 24 people having to show up at a Centrelink office each fortnight and it hid the local unemployment numbers for a while. While they were still getting unemployment benefits they were officially undergoing approved training - so they were therefore not 'unemployed'. I just wonder nationally how many dedicated TAFE teachers got burnt out in the process of the government hiding the unemployment numbers.

Kind regards
Lionel

[workingonit]

...the worst people Centrelink wanted to get rid of for six months by hiding them in government funded 'job creation' courses...
Lionel

Needs a separate thread. Worked for Dpt Social Security for nearly 10 years. I understand what you mean.