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What's this schmutz on my new blade...

2K views 10 replies 9 participants last post by  blackcherry 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Howdy,
There is some kind of hard schmutz overflowing out of the laser cuts on my new blade. Looks liquid, but it isn't. It is a dried epoxy type stuff, and it is rock hard. Fills the laser cuts completely. This is my third Freud blade and I have noticed that the laser cuts are filled on my other blades, too, but I have never seen it all gunked up on the blade body itself.
1. Does anyone know what this is?
2. Would you attempt to scrape it off, or would you return the blade?
3. Anyone think I could use it this way? It is pretty thick…so, I am thinking probably not, but if anyone has used one like this, I would love to know how that worked out for ya.

I would be sad to return it…had to order it on Amazon and I REALLY want to try out my new custom thin kerf splitter and guard assembly. Returning it would put me out at least two weeks

Thanks!
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#8 ·
I thought that for everyone's safety, I would post the followup to this.

Thanks to everyone for their helpful comments. Those who told me to email the company made me feel justified for erring on the side of caution, those who said the body of the blade should not contact the wood inspired me to check the thickness of the polymer. So, everyone was very helpful!

I used a pair of calipers to find out just how thick the polymer was, as compared to the kerf cut by the teeth. There is one area it is thicker than the kerf (polymer > .091", kerf = .091). At that point, I decided to send the email. That was hard for me to do because I am very impatient and I was excited to use my new splitter/guard.

I emailed the seller on last night, and they had replied by 8 a.m. this morning (Kentec, Inc. - great prices and really good service!). They asked for the photos and they sent them over to Freud. Kentec replied by 3 p.m. that Freud was issuing a call tag - Freud wants me send the blade directly back to them so they can inspect it and prevent further manufacturing problems related to the polymer filling. The seller sent out a new blade today.

Freud said I should NOT use the blade due to a risk of kickback/blade pinching. So, if anyone else gets a blade that looks like this, it should be sent back! :)

That said, this is not my first Freud blade, and it isn't the first time I have seen some polymer outside of the laser cuts. So, you can use a blade safely if you notice some of it has leaked out, but not if it is this much. The most I have seen in the past was a very thin line neatly around the laser cuts - it has never appeared gloppy before.

Kentec is replacing the blade at no charge/free shipping. If you have an issue with a blade, send it back to the seller you purchased it from, do not contact Freud directly. I have heard from other people that Freud will charge $10 to ship out a new blade - even if the original was defective.

Thanks again for all the helpful replies!
 
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