: Are there any brands that are particularly good or horrendously bad? What is
: the recommended blade/tooth configuration for ripping strips?

That would depend on your particular saw. I always use the 6 tooth skip blades. The skip is a missing tooth that helps in removal of sawdust and also keeps it running cooler. The width of your wheel will determine the max. width of your blade and the wider the better for ripping. Probably in the 3/8" to 1/2" range. ??? You can usually get some made at the saw sharpening shops as they are near impossible to sharpen and it is usually just as cheap to buy new. ( I've gotten a couple back that were sharpened on one side only, or the set in the teeth was incorrect and they both make for interesting times on the saw ) I have all mine made up as they seem to be better than the store bought. You either have the diameter stamped on your saw or in the manual somewhere, but if not, just take an old blade and mark a spot and measure the dia.. If no old blades, then you can back the tention off the top wheel just a bit and wrap a string around the wheels, cut it and measure that. They will weld up some blade stock and you are set. Hope that helps!

Rehd