(10-27-2017, 06:32 PM)jteneyck Wrote: ... I wouldn't go any wider than 3/4"...

(10-27-2017, 06:32 PM)jteneyck Wrote: Depends on what you mean by serious, Doug.  If you mean can it cut something 12" thick, sure, with a low tooth count blade.  But if you mean will it cut fast enough that I won't hate doing the job, then the answer might have some qualifiers.  For efficient resawing general consensus is that you need about 1 HP for every 4" of resaw height, and that seems about right to me.  You also need high blade speed in order to clear the swarf.  My Grizzly has 5 HP for 16" of resaw height and runs at 4500 fpm.  It has the chops to do serous work and it certainly does.  I don't know what the speed of your machine is but with 2 HP I think serious work will be limited to a max. of 8".  As for the blade, whatever Rikon says is the max. blade width you can run on it, I would go one size narrower.  So if they say 1", I wouldn't go any wider than 3/4".   Tension is more important than width to cutting straight.  This is especially true with carbide tipped blades that need to run at least 25K psi, with 30K psi being better for best performance and life. 

Carbide doesn't really cut any better than non carbide blades; however, some will cut a lot smoother, and I think all of them will last many times over non carbide blades.  If you are looking at carbide I would strongly consider the Lennox Woodmaster CT or Trimaster, or Leguna Resaw King as they will all cut very smoothly with the Trimaster probably being the smoothest and the CT cutting the fastest.  

Hope that helps.

John

(10-21-2017, 09:43 PM)gcrimmins Wrote: A 1/2" 3tpi blade should work great. I've had good luck with Supercut blades. I've also had good luck with the blades that the local hardware store welds to whatever length you need. No idea what brand they are, but they work. I've also heard good things about Lennox blades.

(10-29-2017, 03:27 PM)Steve N Wrote: I like The Tool Center they have the "Woodmaster B" stock which is very long lasting non carbide material. They are who I have ordered from in the past.

Our good friend Dave Diaman has suggested to me to try Spectrum supply as having the same stock, but better prices, and he is very happy with them. I'm going out on a limb here, but figure Dave uses a BS more than many of us here do collectively, so he would be a good judge on a long lasting blade. I priced the "Woodmaster CT" which is the carbide blade, and it was 115 bux, which is less than other places I have seen them.

I like these guys for a Starrett blade 3/4" x 142" x .035 thick, 3 TPI for my Rikon, they are fabulous blades. Alas these guys are out of Starrett blade stock, at least in sizes I can use.