When selecting a table saw blade, one of the most important factors to consider is the number of teeth. The number of teeth has a direct impact on the blade’s cutting ability and the finish of the cut. Choosing the right tooth count allows you to optimize the blade for your particular cutting application. In this article, we will examine how tooth count affects blade performance and provide recommendations for choosing the ideal number of teeth for different table saw tasks.
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What Does Tooth Count Mean?
The tooth count of a saw blade refers to the number of cutting teeth around the circumference of the blade. More teeth provide a finer cut, while fewer teeth are better for fast, aggressive stock removal. Tooth count is sometimes specified in “teeth per inch” (TPI). A blade with more TPI has smaller, more densely spaced teeth compared to a blade with a lower TPI.
Most table saw blades have tooth counts ranging from 24 to 80 teeth. Here’s an overview of the capabilities of blades with different tooth counts:
- 24-40 teeth: Best for ripping thick stock and fast cutting where a rough finish is acceptable
- 50-60 teeth: The most popular range for combination blades; balances smooth cutting and fast stock removal
- 80+ teeth: Excellent for fine finishes and crosscutting but slow at removing material
How Tooth Count Affects Cut Quality
The number of teeth has a direct impact on the resulting cut. Blades with fewer teeth leave a rougher cut because there is more distance between each tooth. The cuts appear more “toothed” with pronounced ridges where each tooth removed material. Blades with more teeth produce cleaner cuts. The smaller distance between each tooth results in a smoother cut with barely visible ridges.
Many people new to woodworking are tempted to think that more teeth automatically mean a better blade. But more teeth also require more power from your saw to drive the blade efficiently. Using a low powered saw with a high tooth count blade can cause slow cutting, excessive wear, and burning.
Rough Cuts
For fast, rough rip cuts, a blade with 24-40 teeth is ideal. The aggressive teeth of these blades hog out material quickly. While the cut finish is rough, the goal is to remove stock rapidly rather than achieve a sanded surface right off the saw.
General Purpose
For combination blades that balance cutting speed and finish, tooth counts between 50-60 teeth are preferable. At this middle range, you get a reasonably smooth cut that is suitable for many furniture building applications. The cut is still a little rough but avoids pronounced ridges.
Fine Finish
When the highest quality, glue ready finish is needed directly from the saw, blades with over 60 teeth are the best choice. An 80 tooth blade or higher will leave a near glass smooth cut on the edges of your stock. This super fine finish saves you time by eliminating the need to sand or plane the saw marks out of your material after cutting.
How Tooth Count Affects Cutting Speed
An important tradeoff to consider with tooth count is that as the number of teeth increases, the cutting speed decreases. Blades with fewer teeth can hog out big chunks of stock quickly. But the fine finish blades take their time meticulously slicing out tiny slivers of material. This effect is exaggerated when cutting dense hardwoods versus softwoods or plywood.
Fastest Cutting
For pure cutting speed, 24-30 tooth blades are the fastest ripping blades on the market. The wide gullets allow for excellent chip clearance to keep the cut moving. While the cut finish is awful, you can rip through material lightning fast.
Balanced Cut Speed
In the 40-60 tooth range, cut speed is balanced with finish. While not as fast as a 24 tooth ripper, these blades can still make quick work of most cuts while leaving an acceptable surface finish.
Slowest Cutting
With very fine finish blades of 80+ teeth, cutting speed drops significantly. Although the buttery smooth cut requires little to no sanding, you need to be prepared for slow going on dense woods. Feeding too quickly can overload the fine teeth and cause burning.
How Tooth Count Affects Blade Wear
Tooth count also impacts the longevity of your table saw blades. As a general rule, more teeth equals more wear resistance but blades with fewer teeth can still last long with proper care.
Least Wear Resistance
Aggressive ripping blades experience the most rapid tooth wear due to the large gullets and exposed tooth tips. However, carbide tipped 24-30T rippers hold up well when used appropriately in thick ripping applications. Avoid cutting metal, nails, and stone which can quickly dull and damage rip blade teeth.
Moderate Wear Resistance
The 50-60T range offers a good balance of wear resistance while still allowing efficient cutting. Quality blades in this range have carbide tips that hold an edge well even under repeated use. They handle occasional cutting of nails and stone better than ripping blades but should still be used with care.
Most Wear Resistance
Blades with very high tooth counts are the most wear resistant. The small teeth are less prone to chipping and deforming when they contact nail plates or gritty materials. However, the delicate teeth are also more vulnerable to damage if overfed or abused. Use high TPI blades only for cutting clean wood to maximize their working life.
Recommendations by Cutting Application
Now that we’ve reviewed how tooth count affects performance, here are some specific recommendations for choosing the right number of teeth based on the type of cutting you need to perform.
Ripping Lumber and Plywood
For ripping solid wood boards, timber, and plywood down to size, a 24-40 tooth blade is ideal. The coarse teeth slice through the wood fibers faster. A 30T general purpose ripper provides the best combination of speed and reasonable cut quality.
Crosscutting Lumber
For crosscutting lumber across the grain to length, a higher tooth count in the 50-80T range allows for a cleaner cut. A 60T blade is a good standard choice. The fine teeth prevent tearout along the grain that can mar a crosscut surface.
Miter Cutting
A fine finishing blade makes the cleanest miter joints. Choose an 80T hi-ATB blade for smooth, splinter-free miters when making table legs, picture frames, and other angled joints. The top bevel of the teeth slices cleanly rather than tearing across the miter faces.
Ripping Plywood and Veneers
When working with laminated plywood and veneers, a 40-60T blade reduces splintering on both faces for smooth edges. A 60T ATB blade provides just enough teeth for a clean cut without loading up on a plywood’s adhesive layers.
Crosscutting Plywood
For crosscutting plywood, higher teeth in the 60-80 range offer the best cut. Choose an 80T blade for ultimate smoothness on crosscuts. The fine teeth sever the wood fibers and laminate layers cleanly for a glue ready edge.
Cutting Melamine and Laminates
On saw blades, laminate and melamine can build up quickly and clog the gullets. A blade with just enough teeth, around 40-50T, allows efficient cutting while providing open space for chip clearance. The Tri-metal or carbide teeth resist abrasive wear from cutting sheet goods.
Cutting Small or Thin Stock
For accurate cuts on small parts, thin boards, or veneers, a higher tooth count gives you better control. An 80T blade minimizes tearout that can ruin small workpieces. Take light passes and avoid forcing the thin material to prevent burning.
General Purpose
As a general all-around blade suitable for both ripping and crosscutting, a 50T or 60T blade is ideal. This toothing strikes a versatile balance for common table saw tasks. Many combination blades also include design features like staggered teeth to improve both rip and crosscut performance.
Factors That Affect the Optimal Tooth Count
While the above recommendations provide a good starting point, the ideal tooth count depends on several factors:
Your Saw’s Power
Underpowered saws need fewer teeth to prevent motor bogging. More teeth require more energy. Make sure your saw’s amperage can handle the number of teeth you choose.
Feed Rate
You must feed blades with more teeth slower to avoid overloading. Adjust your feed rate to suit the tooth count.
Type of Material
Dense tropical hardwoods may require fewer teeth than softwoods or ply for efficient cutting. Blade selection depends partly on the workpiece.
Desired Cut Quality
The finest results need 60+ teeth. If surface finish is less important, a blade with fewer teeth will cut faster.
Skill Level
Inexperienced users often benefit from fewer teeth until they perfect feed techniques. Poor feeding can quickly damage carbide tips.
Consider all these factors when shopping for new blades. Your ideal tooth count depends on your specific saw, skills, and cutting needs.
Conclusion
Finding the right tooth count for your table saw blade is a balancing act. But understanding how gullet size and tooth density affect cutting performance puts you ahead of the curve. For rough work, opt for 24-40 teeth. General purpose cuts are best with 50-60T blades. And for surgical smoothness directly from the saw, reach for 80+ teeth.
Match the tooth count to your particular saw, workpiece, and finish requirements. With the right number of teeth dialed in, you can optimize your table saw’s cutting efficiency and take your woodworking to the next level.