Wood Cutting Saw Blades
Wood Saw Blades for Clean and Accurate Cuts
A wood saw blade keeps a straight line across the cut. The type of blade you use will affect the amount of sanding you will have to do later or whether you will need to do any sanding at all. Hardwoods require more teeth and a slower feed rate than softwoods. The blade needs to be 60 to 80 teeth with tight hooks so it does not burn the wood and can push back the oak and maple. For softwoods such as pine and fir, which tend to pull apart easily, the blades are designed to cut quickly, and typically contain 24 - 40 teeth.
The layered construction (plywood and engineered wood) poses another problem: the plywood is torn off on the exit side unless you use a high number of teeth, often 80 teeth or more, and ground for a clean finish instead of cutting quickly.
Blade Types for Ripping, Crosscutting, and Finish Work
Ripping blades have fewer, larger teeth (24 to 30) and have deep gullets that can remove chips quickly, cutting with the grain of the wood. Crosscut blades make cuts across the grain and tend to have more teeth. Each edge is beveled in an alternating manner, slicing the fibers clean rather than tearing them. A combination blade has between 40 and 50 teeth and suits many shops that do a mix of rip and crosscut work but don't need to change the blade constantly.
Finish blades are at the high end of the blade count, 60 to 90 or more, designed for cabinetry, trim, and any surface where the cut edge is the finished edge. Blades that are used for framing work the other way around - fewer teeth, faster cuts, speedy on the job site where the cut will eventually be covered by drywall.
How to Pick Tooth Count, Diameter, and Kerf
The more teeth you have, the smoother the cut will be, although it will feed slower. The fewer teeth, the quicker the material will be removed, but it will create a rougher edge. Don't match the teeth count to the highest number available on the shelf - match the tooth count to the finish you actually need.
The blade diameter must be the same as that of your saw. A 7-1/4" blade will fit most circular saws; 10" and 12" blades will fit table saws and mitre saws. The arbor size for most residential and jobsite saws is typically 5/8", which must match the spindle size of your saw. Look at both before ordering.
Thin-kerf blades cut the material per pass, put less strain on small motors, and cut faster on cordless saws with limited power. Full kerf blades are heavier and truer on a table saw with horsepower to spare, and are likely to cut a straighter line through thick stock.
Safe Use, Maintenance and Blade Replacement
Burning is typically caused by a dull blade or a feed rate that’s too slow. If the tooth count is too low for the material being installed, or the wood must have a zero-clearance insert to support the wood fibers at the time of exit, then you have a splintering issue on the exit side. Worn carbide tips cause almost all rough cuts.
Change a blade when the carbide starts to show signs of chipping or missing, if a burn mark will not remove after cleaning, or if a cut is one you used to make without sanding. After heavy use, use a blade cleaner or warm, soapy water to clean pitch and resin. Dry thoroughly, then lay the blade flat or hang it up away from moisture to avoid warping the plate.
Straight Cuts Guaranteed
Tool Academy offers a wide range of wood-cutting blades from big names including Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, Bosch, Metabo, and Fein Tools and Accessories. The lineup covers everything from framing crews to finish carpenters. If you don't know which tooth count or diameter is suitable for the job, our team can help you select the one that will work best for your project.
