Unisaw blade and dust?

Brad_bb · January 22, 2008, 01:07:53 AM

I recently acquired a 1953 Unisaw in the best condition you'd ever want to find. Two questions: What would be the best blade for me to get for it (10"). It currently has a 10" Craftsman carbide tipped blade, but now sure if it's cutting as fast as it should. Also, do you guys take the time to clean pitch etc off a blade? I have lacquer thinner handy so it wouldn't be much trouble.
Lastly, my unisaw didn't have the dust collection cover that goes over the motor when I bought it. Are there any reproductions available? Sure i could probably take the time to make a wooden one, but I'd rather have an original if possible.
Thanks, Brad

flip · January 22, 2008, 07:34:50 AM

Depends if you are doing a lot of ripping or crosscutting. I use a thin kerf Freud for ripping and if I am doing much crosscutting I put in a Forrest Wood Worker 2. The Freud line is less expensive and does a good job for the $$. I generally don't have a pitch problem with the woods I use.

metalspinner · January 22, 2008, 08:10:24 AM

I stopped switching blades around when I recieved the Forrest Woodworker II. It is a very nice blade. Sending it out to get resharpened is a pain, though.

Larry · January 22, 2008, 05:46:12 PM

Blades I use...and even with pictures for your enjoyment. Reply #37 on the second page.

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,24381.20.html

I worked in a shop where we sawed a lot of Formica for signs and also quite a bit of hardwood ply. We cleaned the blades maybe every 10 to 20 hours with lacquer thinner. In my home shop, with just hardwood I still clean with lacquer thinner...but it might be several months apart and only if I need a perfect splinter free cut.

For rectangular motor covers I have been buying Grizzly...you have to fab up a hinge. If it is a egg cover which I suspect you have good luck. Originals come up for sale on eBay and there are some reproductions out there...both are quite expensive.

Brad_bb · January 23, 2008, 12:06:03 PM

Where are these repos? Someone else mentioned it on another site (owwm.org) but didn't tell me where to look for them. I haven't found any repos via google.
Thanks for the replies on blades. $110 for a blade is pretty expensive, but if it's worth it, it's worth it.

shopteacher · January 24, 2008, 05:52:34 PM

Take a look at the systematic line of blades. I use them at school and at home. I also have the Forrest blade and dado set at home. The Forrest is only slightly better than the systematic from what I've seen, but a lot harder on the pocket book.

I've seen the egg shape covers on ebay and they do go for a good bit, but haven't seen the repro's. If you could find some one who had one you could layup one out of fiberglass and marine epoxy using the original as a mold. Sand and paint it and only you would know.