: I am in need of some assistance. I have a new table saw. I set is all up a
: couple of weeks ago and last weekend commenced ripping my planks. I used a
: DeWalt Hollow Ground Planer blade and attacked my 1"x8"x8' Pine
: planks - everything worked out fine and I now have some nice, fairly
: uniform (all within 2/100 of each other, from 23/100 to 1/4 inch thick -
: is this O.K. for running through the router?) planks.

: Today I turned my attention to the Western Red Cedar I recently bought. The
: first couple of rips on each plank went well and I got my nice, fairly
: uniform planks. Then the saw started to bog, and I burned my way through
: the next few. I slowed my feed rate - still burned boards. I bought a new
: hollow ground planer blade - still burned boards. I have zeroed my fence
: to the mitre slot, even adding +2/100 of an inch to the rear - still
: burned boards. My blade appears to be +2/100 with the rear of the blade
: closer to the fence by that much - is this my problem (why did the pine
: rip so cleanly, though?). Is it the Western Red Cedar - too wet (it is/was
: stored indoors)? Please tell me what I could be doing wrong - I'm no
: cabinet maker. I've blown the breaker once, and I reckon the neighbours
: will be calling the fire department out soon . . .

: Thanks,

: Greg.

Try cutting some more pine. Even if you don't have any of the first stock, go buy a 2x4 and give it a try. If the pine goes through w/o problems, it's the wood. If the pine (old or new) bogs the saw down, look at the saw.

Is sounds like the problem surfaced part way through a cutting session. Check the blade. Were any of the teeth bent? It can happen if a tooth hits a knot.

Also check to see if the blade is clean. With the saw off and the power UNPLUGGED, check to see if there is any buildup of grunge in the gullets between the teeth. Also check to see if there is any on the tips, both in the body of the blade and on the sides. If the blade looks clean, and not teeth are bent or missing, I suggest you look at the sat itself. Check that the blade is still tight, if it's slightly loose, it can wobble. Not enough for you to motice, but enough to bind in the kerf.

One more thing, Does the blade you mentioned have expansion slots? If a blade doesn't have them it can warp as it heats up, once again causing it to bind in the kerf.

Good luck

coop