Generally, blades with more teeth will provide a smoother, finer cut whereas blades with fewer teeth will provide a rougher cut. The benefit of fewer teeth is faster cutting and a lower price. For most construction work, a 24-tooth general use blade is sufficient.
So we’ve summoned all of our wisdom and powers of brevity to bring you this useful guide to choosing the right circular saw blade. Choosing the right circular saw blade for rip cuts might be even more important. We hope this article about choosing the right circular saw blade cuts through the confusion so you can select the best accessory for the job.
Saw Blade Essentials Many saw blades are designed to provide their best results in a particular cutting operation. A rip blade isn’t designed to yield a mirror-smooth cut, but a good rip blade will move through hardwood with little effort and leave a clean cut with minimal scoring. A crosscut blade makes many more individual cuts as it moves through the stock than a ripping blade and, as a result, requires a slower feed rate.
Blade Types:Generally speaking there are four major categories of circular saw blades. Combination saw blades are designed to cut both rips and crosscuts and are the most common type of circular saw blades. Unless you have two circular saw blades available at all times, it would be more than a nuisance to switch from a rip to a crosscut blade every time you change the cutting direction.
which saw blade to use Related Question:
What blade should I use to cut wood?
Standard circular saw blades are typically used to cut wood or wood composites. The number of teeth on the blade helps determine the speed, type and finish of the cut. Blades with fewer teeth cut faster, but those with more teeth create a finer finish.
How many teeth should my saw blade have?
TPI is the number of teeth the blade has per inch. If you’re looking to cut wood or other soft materials, you’ll need a blade with a TPI of 6 up to 20. For harder materials like metal, a TPI between 14 up to 36 is more suitable. The number of teeth can be found on the blade.
How do you select a saw blade for different materials?
Typically, thicker metals, plastics or wood sections require saws with bigger blades, while hard materials require saws with larger teeth. The actual number of teeth on the work is crucial, with at least three on each section of material being worked.
Is more teeth on a saw blade better?
Blades with more teeth yield a smoother cut. Blades with fewer teeth remove material faster, but tend to produce a rougher cut with more “tearout”. More teeth means you will need to use a slower feed rate.
Can I use a bigger blade on my circular saw?
The answer is generally this is not a great idea. A larger blade will put excess stress on the motor, and may not have enough strength to provide the cutting power at the tooth you need.
Which saw blade makes the smoothest cut?
The 44-tooth blade (left) makes a smooth cut and is used for trim carpentry and cabinet making. The coarse 24-tooth blade (right) cuts quicker and is used for rough carpentry work.
Why does my circular saw burn the wood?
A dull blade will make it hard to cut quickly, and the slower the feed rate of the saw, the more friction against the wood and the greater the likelihood of scorch marks. Pushing the stock through the saw too slowly is a common cause of saw blade burn. Sometimes a blade that feels dull might only be dirty.
What is a 40-tooth saw blade used for?
We chose a 40-tooth blade for a balance of cutting speed and finish quality to produce a happy medium between the two sectors. Realistically, a dedicated trim carpenter would likely go for a 60-tooth blade while a framer would prefer the speed of a 24-tooth model.
What is a 60 tooth saw blade used for?
A crosscut blade, on the other hand, is designed to produce a smooth cut across the grain of the wood, without splintering or tearing. This type of blade will usually have 60 to 80 teeth, and the higher tooth count means that each tooth has to remove less material.
What is the purpose of the gullet on a saw blade?
Gullet. The space between the teeth and the body of the saw. This space holds the sawdust while the teeth are in the cut. The gullet must be large enough to hold all the sawdust produced.
What is a ripping blade for?
The best saw blade for ripping hardwood is a rip blade. This blade is specially made for cutting through wood fibers, so it will cut through hardwood easily and leave a clean edge. Rip blades usually have 10 to 40 flat-topped (FT) teeth, which is a comparatively small number, but it will move through the grain quickly.
How high above the workpiece should the saw blade extend?
The general rule of thumb is that the blade should be set so it is 1/8” above the workpiece. If you make contact with the blade with your hand at this height, you’re unlikely to lose a finger.
How do I choose a miter saw blade?
A general rule of thumb is that a bigger number of blade teeth will result in a smoother cut. The smallest number of blade teeth is 24 and this count is typical for a ripping blade. Thus, the type of job you’re intending to do will determine the appropriate number of miter saw blade teeth.
Can I put a metal cutting blade on my circular saw?
Only blades and discs specified for cutting metal should be used. These professional circular saw blades are perfect for cutting through aluminium, copper, lead and other non-ferrous metals; while these diamond cutting discs will make light work of cutting through stainless steel.
Can you use a 6 blade in 6.5 circular saw?
Short answer: No. Long answer: You should only ever use larger circular saw blades, when the difference is fairly negligible (1 mm / 1/16″).
