Custom Saw Blade Modification – Bore, Pinhole, Keyway & Splitting
If your saw doesn't take a standard 5/8" or 1" arbor blade, you don't have to retire the machine or chase obsolete parts. Our partner machine shop modifies new Popular Tools and LORNA Industrial blades to fit any spindle configuration — custom bores, pinhole drive patterns, keyways, even splitting blades for specialty mounting setups.
Every modification is performed by full-time machinists using wire EDM, precision lathes, and mills — the same equipment used for high-tolerance industrial work. Concentricity and runout stay tight, even on heavily modified blades.
📞 Get a quote: Call (855) 628-7297 with your blade and modification specs. We'll quote your job — usually within the same business day.
What we can modify
Custom bore sizes
Any bore diameter, imperial or metric. Common modifications: 30mm, 1-1/4", 1-1/2", 50mm, or anything else your machine requires. We can also reduce or enlarge existing bores within reason.
Pinhole drive patterns
Standard 3+3 and 2+2 patterns, plus custom hole spacing for proprietary machine spindles. Common applications: Altendorf, Martin, SCM, Holzma, Biesse, Giben, Striebig, Cantek, and other European industrial machines.
Keyways
Precision keyway cuts for shaft-and-key drive systems. Specify your shaft diameter and keyway dimensions when requesting a quote.
Splitting blades
For specialty mounting where a half-blade is required. Cut with wire EDM for clean, accurate edges that maintain concentricity on remount.
How it works
- Call or email with your blade and modification specs. Phone: (855) 628-7297. We'll confirm feasibility and quote pricing.
- Place the order. You order the stock blade through us; we coordinate the modification.
- Modification is performed at the partner machine shop using wire EDM, lathes, and mills as needed.
- Blade ships to you ready to mount.
Turnaround & pricing
| Blade brand | Modification shop | Typical lead time |
|---|---|---|
| Popular Tools | In-house | 1-3 business days |
| LORNA Industrial | Shipped to modification shop | ~5 business days |
Rush option: $30 per blade for priority handling. Available on both Popular Tools and LORNA Industrial modifications.
Modification pricing depends on the work required — call for a quote. We'll give you a firm number before any work begins.
When you need this service
- Older or imported industrial machines with non-standard arbors (vintage European, Asian-import sliding table saws, custom production rigs)
- Sliding table saws with proprietary pinhole patterns — Altendorf, Martin, SCM, Holzma, Biesse, and similar
- Replacement blades for discontinued machines where OEM parts are no longer available
- Specialty mounting on custom production equipment, double-arbor saws, or split-blade configurations
- Metric-spec equipment that needs a standard imperial blade re-bored to a metric arbor
What to have ready when you call
- The blade you want (or a stock SKU from our catalog)
- Required bore diameter (specify imperial or metric)
- Pinhole pattern details if applicable — diameter of pinholes, spacing measurements, or the machine make/model
- Keyway specs if applicable — shaft diameter, key dimensions
- Quantity and rush vs. standard turnaround
The equipment behind the work
The machine shop performing these modifications runs the same tooling used for high-precision industrial parts manufacturing:
- Wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) — for tight-tolerance bore work, complex pinhole patterns, and clean blade splits. Wire EDM cuts without contact, so there's no induced stress on the blade plate and tolerances stay tight.
- Precision lathes — for bore turning operations, OD adjustments, and concentric bore work.
- CNC mills — for keyway cutting, flat-bottom milled features, and custom drive patterns.
These aren't workshop tools or sharpening-shop equipment — they're full-size production machines run by full-time machinists who do precision saw blade work as their daily job.
Frequently asked questions
Can you modify a blade I already own?
This service is primarily for new blade orders through us. Send-in modification on customer-owned blades may be possible — call to discuss.
How tight are the tolerances?
Wire EDM holds very tight tolerances on bore work. Concentricity and runout are maintained well within industrial spec on standard modifications. For mission-critical applications, specify your tolerance requirements when requesting a quote.
What if my saw uses a proprietary or unusual pattern?
Call us with the machine make and model. The shop has done modifications for nearly every industrial saw on the market — there's a good chance they've already done yours.
Does modification void the blade warranty?
Modifications performed by Popular Tools' machine shop do not void Popular Tools' warranty. LORNA Industrial blades modified through our process retain manufacturer coverage on the blade itself; the modification work is warranted separately.
How do I know if my machine needs a modified blade?
Check your machine's arbor diameter and pinhole pattern against a standard 5/8" or 1" stock blade. If the arbor isn't 5/8" or 1", or if your spindle has drive pins not on a standard 3+3 pattern, you need modification. Call if you're not sure — we'll help you figure it out.
What does it cost?
Pricing depends on the modification. Basic bore work starts low; custom pinhole patterns and keyways cost more. Rush is a flat $30 per blade on top of modification cost. Call (855) 628-7297 for a firm quote.
Can you modify dado sets too?
Yes. Both Popular Tools dado sets and LORNA Industrial dado sets can be bored to custom sizes or fitted with pinhole patterns. Call for details on multi-blade modifications.
Can you modify carbide-tipped blades or just steel?
Both. The modification work is to the blade plate (steel body), not the carbide tips. Carbide-tipped industrial blades modify the same way as solid steel blades.
Get a quote
Call us at (855) 628-7297 with your machine specs and required modifications. We'll quote your job — usually within the same business day.
Or browse the stock blades available for modification:
→ Dado sets
→ All saw blades