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Just an update,

I have contacted one of the blade manufacturers who custom make blades for some of the larger guitar producers and they are working on some pricing for me. They work to a tolerence of +/- .0001" but the guitar manufacturers have asked for a tolerence of +/-.00005" so that is also what I have asked for. So these blades will be either 5" or 6" in diametre (any preference?) and will be .025" +/- .00005". You need to use a blade stabilizer with them. I will be suggesting a 3.5" set. I bought mine for less than $15 CDN and I will either find a source for them or will advise on some options for getting these also. Presently the slotting blades are made with a 1 inch or .5 inch arbor but these will have a 5/8 inch arbor and I have asked for 10 teeth per inch, the manufacturers use from 8 to 12 teeth per. At 10 teeth per inch we would see a tooth spacing of about .100". At this point I am not sure of the price (they said I should know in a couple of days) but would only move forward if the price is reasonable when compared to what else is on the market and if there was interest from you.

So, I have a couple of questions. Are any of you interested in a blade like this? And do you have any input as to the specs that you think I have either over looked or have advised incorrectly.

One further item to consider. A 5" blade will have .75" of exposed cutting area and a 6" bade will have 1.25" exposed. The more blade exposed the greater the chance for deflection. So have a look at your saw and see if you can get enough lift for these small diametre blades and also consider how thick the bottom of your sled is. I have some thoughts on all of this but I will weigh in some more once I get your thoughts.

Thanks

ShaneShane Neifer38714.7281018519

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Canada

Shane, I would consider returning my new blade for one of these if the price was similar.

I would love to see a 6" blade as I like to use a thicker sled but I could make a thinner one if needed. Now would you supply the stiffeners as well or just give us a link to buy them.

so, I'd take one.

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Shane, I'd likely be interested in one as well, depending on where the price came out. Your specs look good to me. I use 5" stabilizers, so I'd prefer a 6" blade; the less exposed, the better.

Thanks for doing the digging here.

Rod, for what it is worth, my sled (a la Benedetto) puts the fb face right on the saw, so the thickness of the sled is immaterial.

Shane;
If I can't get my blade issues worked out with Stew Mac, I'll need something else. I would prefer the 6" blade. All i'd have to do is widen the slot in my sled to accomodate the blade stiffeners.
I'm pretty sure Busy Bee in Canada & Grizzly in the States sell 5" stabilizer sets for a decent price.
I look forward to seeing your prices once you get the info back.
Thanks for your efforts.
Dan'l

Either way Rod. I will try to locate some stabilizers at a reasonable price but House of Tools (where I bought mine) has 'em pretty cheap! I will keep you posted though as I find out more about these blades.

I am getting a sense that 6 inch is winning out, and that 3.5 and 5 inch stabilizers would be required for the different configurations.

ShaneShane Neifer38714.7500810185

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Canada

6 inch as well id preferred here - I need more room for my multiscale sled, straight slotted boards go right on the table. The Forrest folks recommend only using a stiffener on one side, as long as its one that has been ground flat, not pressed. I use the Forrest one (got it with the table saw and a WW2 blade as well). My old stew mac one has some blue spots on it, too much use and heat I guess. If the price is right might get a 2 or 3 !!!

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

I would be interested. 6" preferred.

Definitely 6 inch. This allows for 3/4 inch sled material. I need a kerf of .7mm (.0275 inch) The Stew Mac blade says it is .023 inch

I would be interested in a 6" blade if the price is right.

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

Howdy Shane,

I would also be interested in the 6" blade. Let us know when you have pricing.

Alan D.

Shane, put me down as being interested in the 6" blade.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Me too. 6".

Best,

Michael

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Live to Play, Play to Live

Shane, I'd be interested in a 6" blade if the price is right.

Ray

I talked with the manufacturer today and redifined the specs as follows:

6 inch diamtere, .025 kerf, 8 teeth per inch.

They were talking about creating some 'relief' in the sides of the blade to reduce any tendancy of burning. They will also supply a price for blade stabilizers, similiar to LMI's. They are aware of the prices and options available from the two main suppliers and know that the prices have to be inline with them. They indicated I should have word tomorrow.

Shane

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Canada

Shane, I'd like to get in also. These group buys are the way to go. Oh 6" for sure. Mark

Well I think that sucks that they know both LMI and Stew-Mac's price, cause it would be nice to get the blade for less (ie: $50 Canadian would be nice)

One other thing, we don't need the company to work to a tolerance of 0.00005". That is just overkill and we don't need these blades to be lapped. A tolerane of +/-0.0005" is totally fine for this blade. Lets not pay more for it than we need to because as one machinist always told me, the more the tolerance decimal moves over to the left, the more dollar decimal moves over to the right.

Also, a measurement helt to a tolerance like +/-0.00005" can change just from breathing hot air on it. Hold the steel in your hand for 5 minutes and the dimension will change, garanteed. Think about it, the wood will expand and contract more than 0.001" over the seasons.

That's my two cents worth.Rod True38715.8896296296

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OOOP's! I slipped a digit Rod. I meant .0005" tolerance. They typically make 'em to .001". I am not second guessing the price yet. We should know tomorrow. What I do like is that this company knows what we are after and is aware of the purpose for which they would make them. I wouldn't want to get something with just absolutely the wrong tooth profile of something that ended up just making a mess. Update tomorrow!

SHane

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Canada

Cool, Thanks Shane

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Shane, Depending on the price I may be interested in one too.

Thanks,

Roy

Roy, check out the post on the prices, that seems to be the place where the "count" is happening.

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson