What is a spiral saw used for?

A spiral saw, also known as a spiral blade saw or spiral cutting saw, is a power saw that is used to cut materials like wood, plastic, and light metals. The blade on a spiral saw is shaped like a spiral, which allows it to cut aggressively and quickly through materials. Spiral saws are commonly used for various DIY and construction projects.

What is a spiral saw?

A spiral saw gets its name from its unique blade design. Instead of having straight teeth like a traditional saw blade, a spiral saw blade has angled teeth that wrap around the blade in a spiral shape. This gives the teeth an aggressive cutting action that allows them to rip through material efficiently. The teeth on a spiral blade are also slightly offset from each other, which helps prevent binding as the blade cuts.

Spiral saw blades come in many diameters, typically ranging from 3 inches up to 16 inches. The most common sizes used are 7-1/4 inches and 10 inches. The larger the blade diameter, the deeper it can cut in a single pass. Spiral blades have a hole in the center that allows them to be mounted on an arbor which is then attached to the saw motor. A key benefit of spiral blades is that they can cut very quickly because their teeth take much bigger bites than traditional blades.

Types of spiral saws

There are two main types of spiral saws:

• Portable spiral saws – These are handheld saws that operate similarly to a circular saw. They have an electric motor that spins the blade and can be used for freehand cutting. Portable spiral saws are more maneuverable than table saws.
• Spiral table saws – These have the blade mounted upside down under a table. The operator slides the material to be cut across the stationary blade. Table saws provide more cutting precision and the ability to use guides/fences.

In terms of brands, popular manufacturers of spiral saws include DeWalt, Makita, Rockwell, Craftsman, Porter Cable, Bosch, and Ryobi.

What materials can a spiral saw cut?

A spiral saw blade is designed to cut through dense materials with speed and efficiency. Here are some of the most common materials spiral saws are used to cut:

• Wood – Soft and hard woods, plywood, MDF, oriented strand board (OSB)
• Plastics – PVC, acrylic, polyethylene
• Light metals – Aluminum, copper
• Tile – Ceramic and porcelain
• Laminates – Formica, laminate countertops
• Drywall – Cutting openings for electrical boxes or ductwork

The aggressive cutting action of a spiral saw makes quick work of sliced through these materials. They can cut faster and with less binding than standard circular saw blades. Spiral blades are not well-suited to cutting hard metals though.

Common spiral saw uses

Here are some of the most popular uses for a spiral saw:

• Cutting wood planks, boards, shelving
• Breaking down plywood and OSB sheets
• Cutting flooring – laminate, hardwood
• Cutting large holes or openings
• Trimming countertops
• Cross-cutting 2×4 studs
• Ripping long cuts in wood
• Cutting plastic pipe, tubes, and profiles
• Cutting aluminum siding and roofing
• Cutting acrylic sheets for projects

For woodworking, spiral blades are ideal for quickly breaking down lumber and sheeting into smaller sizes. Their fast cutting action helps increase productivity.

Cutting action of a spiral blade

The unique cutting action of a spiral blade gives it advantages over standard circular saw blades:

• The teeth on a spiral blade aggressively chip away material, hogging out cuts faster than a circular blade.
• The angled teeth cut slightly upward, helping lift chips out of the kerf.
• The spiral shape gives the teeth a ripping/slicing action versus a circular blade’s sawing action.
• The offset teeth help prevent binding in the cut.
• Spiral blades stay sharp longer than circular blades when cutting abrasive materials.

This fast, efficient cutting action is what makes spiral blades so effective for ripping, cross-cutting, and freehand cuts.

Benefits of spiral saw blades

Here are some of the main benefits that spiral saw blades offer over traditional circular blades:

• Faster cutting – Cut through wood and other material much quicker.
• Smooth cutting action – Less binding means smoother blade travel through the cut.
• Aggressive feed rates – Ability to cut very quickly by feeding the material fast.
• Clean cuts – Leaves a very smooth cut edge on materials.
• Less burning – Reduced heat build up and friction that can char material.
• Stays sharp longer – Holds its cutting edge better than circular blades.
• Ideal for ripping – Rips through wood and laminates with ease.

For any application where fast, efficient cuts are needed, a spiral saw blade is an excellent choice. Their aggressive cutting action helps boost productivity and efficiency.

Considerations when using spiral saw blades

While spiral blades have many advantages, there are a few factors to keep in mind when using them:

• They create more dust and chips – Use proper DC system.
• Should not be used on hard metals – Carbide blades better for steel.
• Cut very aggressively – Need to feed material carefully.
• Dulls faster than circular blades – Plan on more frequent blade changes.
• Not ideal for detailed scrollwork – Circular blades better for tight curves.
• Require more power – Need 3+ HP saws for best performance.

While spiral blades cut aggressively, they still require safe practices – guides, push sticks, guards, etc. Their ultra fast cutting also requires care when feeding material to avoid risks.

How to choose the best spiral blade

Here are some tips for selecting the right spiral saw blade for your needs:

• Choose proper diameter – Match to throat size of saw.
• Consider number of teeth – More teeth for fine cuts, less for ripping.
• Choose specific material blade – Ripping, crosscut, laminate, etc.
• Get the right arbor size – Match to saw arbor.
• Select proper kerf width – Based on saw motor power.
• Consider premium blade – Higher grade carbide and coatings.
• Buy from reputable brands – Freud, Tenryu, Forrest, Ridge Carbide.

Consulting the manufacturer’s recommendations and getting advice from experienced DIYers will help ensure you select the ideal spiral blade.

How to change a spiral saw blade

Changing a spiral saw blade follows a similar process as changing a standard circular blade. The basic steps are:

1. Unplug the saw – Disconnect power first for safety.
2. Remove blade guard – Allows access to the blade and arbor nut.
3. Loosen the arbor nut – Use a wrench to loosen the nut holding blade.
4. Remove old blade – Take off existing dull or damaged blade.
5. Install new blade – Match arbor holes and orientation of new blade.
6. Tighten arbor nut – Wrench tighten nut to secure new blade.
7. Replace guard – Always reattach blade guard after changing blade.
8. Test run saw – Check for smooth operation before using.

Refer to your saw manual for detailed steps. With practice, spiral blade changes can be done very quickly to maximize productivity.

Spiral saw safety tips

While spiral saws provide fast, effective cutting, the speed of their blades also introduces safety concerns. Follow these tips for safe operation:

• Read user manual – Fully understand proper use procedures.
• Wear eye protection – Protect eyes from flying chips and debris.
• Wear hearing protection – Spiral saws are very loud when cutting.
• Use dust collection – Contain harmful dust from cutting.
• Check blade tightness – Ensure arbor nut is tight before cutting.
• Allow blade to reach full speed – Don’t cut until blade is at full RPM.
• Support large material – Prevent blade binding on long cuts.
• Use proper feed rate – Don’t force or twist the blade in cut.
• Maintain equipment – Keep saw and blade in good working order.

Always give the blade full respect and use good judgment.Never put hands directly in the blade path or reach under stock while cutting.

Conclusion

A spiral saw and its unique spiral-shaped blade can cut through wood, laminates, plastic, and light metals faster than a standard circular saw blade. The angled, spiral set teeth slice aggressively through material with less binding. Spiral blades excel at ripping, cross-cutting, and freehand cuts in a wide range of materials. They allow faster feed rates and increased productivity compared to circular blades. However, spiral blades do require safe practices given their ultra-fast cutting action. When used properly, spiral saws are an excellent addition to any workshop.