Forrest rolls out small-diameter blades

Forrest Mfg. began offering the latest versions of its Woodworker I and Woodworker II small-diameter blades in March.

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The specially-sized blades are designed to fit the leading brands of trim and plunge saws, and to deliver high-quality rips, combos and crosscuts in both hard and softwoods. They are intended to give woodworkers the ability to achieve precise cuts that leave the work surface with a smooth finish that requires very little sanding, according to the company.

"We started manufacturing small-diameter blades in response to requests from woodworkers who wanted durable, high-performance blades for their portable trim saws," says Forrest's Anthony Ferrato. "They give woodworkers portability and exceptional performance, as well as the ability to achieve a variety of tasks more quickly."

The 40-tooth, alternate top bevel blade configurations are available in the following diameters: 4-3/8" for the Makita 4200NH and 4200N circular saw ($60); 4-1/2" for the Porter-Cable 314 circular saw ($60); and 5-3/8" for DeWalt DW936 and 935 battery-operated portable saws ($89). Bores on each are 20mm, 3/8-inch, and 10mm, respectively. Each blade has a 20-degree hook, so each tooth leans forward to help pull wood into the blade, accommodating a higher feed rate.

Forrest has also produced alternate top bevel blades with a five-degree hook for Festool plunge saws. Similar to the Woodworker I blade, they produce superior crosscuts in hard and softwoods, as well as plywood veneer, without top or bottom splintering, according to the company. The 160mm and 190mm diameter blades feature 50 teeth and 20mm and 30mm bores, respectively. An 8-1/4" diameter blade has 60 teeth and a 30mm bore. List prices for these blades range from $101 to $126.

All blades are made in the U.S. from a blend of corrosion-resistant C-4 micrograin carbide.

Contact: Forrest Mfg. Co., 457 River Road, Clifton, NJ 07014. www.forrestblades.com

This article originally appeared in the May 2010 issue.