When selecting a saw blade for cutting wood, there are a few key factors to consider in order to choose the best option for your needs. The type of saw you are using, the species and thickness of the wood, and the quality of cut you require should all impact your choice of blade. Finding the right combination of blade features such as tooth configuration, kerf size, speed, and material will lead to efficient and satisfying results in your woodworking project.
Page Contents
- 1 What are the main types of saw blades for cutting wood?
- 2 What tooth configurations are best for cutting wood?
- 3 What features affect blade cutting performance?
- 4 What saw blade material is best?
- 5 How does blade speed rating affect cutting?
- 6 How does wood species impact blade choice?
- 7 What saw blade thickness should be used?
- 8 How does proper blade tensioning impact cutting?
- 9 Conclusion
What are the main types of saw blades for cutting wood?
There are several common varieties of saw blade that are well-suited for cutting wood:
Circular saw blades
Circular saws utilize a rotating disc-shaped blade to make cuts. Circular saw blades are available in different diameters, typically ranging from 5 to 12 inches. These blades are designed to be used with hand-held or table mounted circular saw power tools.
Miter saw blades
Miter saws make angled cross-cuts using a circular blade mounted on a pivoting arm. Miter saw blades are normally 10 or 12 inches in diameter. Compound miter saws allow the blade to tilt as well as pivot for creating beveled cuts.
Table saw blades
Table saws feature a circular blade protruding through an opening in a flat table surface. Table saws allow for ripping, cross-cutting, mitering, and beveling wood stock. Most table saw blades range from 8 to 12 inches in diameter.
Jigsaw blades
Jigsaw blades have a long, narrow shape with teeth on one edge that cut in an up-and-down reciprocating motion. Jigsaws are useful for making curved, irregular cuts. Jigsaw blades come in lengths between 3 to 8 inches.
Band saw blades
Band saws utilize a flexible metal band with cutting teeth that rotates around two or more wheels. This allows band saws to cut irregular shapes and curves. Band saw blades range from 1/8 inch to 1 inch in width.
What tooth configurations are best for cutting wood?
The tooth shape and layout pattern on a saw blade impacts its cutting performance and the type of material it is designed to cut. Several tooth configurations are well-suited for cutting wood:
Flat top grind
A flat top grind blade has flat tips on each tooth with minimal clearance between teeth. This results in a smooth cutting action ideal for making accurate crosscuts and rips in wood. Flat top blades leave a clean, splinter-free cut on the wood stock.
Alternate top bevel
Alternate top bevel or ATB teeth have angled cutting edges that alternate from side to side. The beveled edges allow these blades to efficiently remove sawdust from the cut line when ripping. This configuration leaves a moderately smooth edge on rip cuts.
Combination blade
A combination blade mixes teeth with flat tops for crosscutting and angled bevels for ripping. The combination tooth design makes these blades versatile for both types of cuts in wood. The cut quality is not as smooth as dedicated crosscut or rip blades though.
Triple chip grind
A triple chip grind has small notches cut into three sides of each tooth tip. This configuration acts like multiple miniature chisels to aggressively chip away wood. These blades are best for cutting dirty or wet wood where sawdust removal is a priority.
What features affect blade cutting performance?
Several technical attributes of a saw blade impact how efficiently and accurately it can cut through wood stock:
Tooth count
Most saw blades have between 24 and 100 teeth. Lower tooth counts of 24-40 are common on blades used to rip cut with the grain. Higher tooth counts between 60-100 are found on blades optimized for crosscutting across the grain. In general, more teeth result in slower but smoother cuts.
Gullet depth
The size of the gullet – the notch between each tooth – affects chip removal and cut speed. Large gullets allow rapid removal of wood debris for faster cutting. Small gullets lead to slower but smoother cutting performance. Finding the right mid-point is ideal.
Kerf size
The kerf is the thickness of the cut produced by the blade. Thinner kerf blades waste less wood but may bind in the cut under pressure. Wider kerf blades require more power to drive through the stock but provide better chip clearance. Typical kerf thickness ranges from 1/8 to 3/16 inches.
Hook angle
The hook angle determines how aggressively the teeth feed into the wood. A low hook angle of 15 degrees or less is best for crosscutting while higher hook angles between 20 to 30 degrees provide faster and more efficient ripping characteristics.
What saw blade material is best?
Carbide-tipped
Carbide is the most common and versatile saw blade material used today. It maintains a sharp cutting edge even when exposed to high heat and friction. Carbide blades are available with different grades of carbide material and varying quality of brazing. Higher quality carbide blades provide the best longevity and cut performance.
Steel
Steel saw blades are less expensive but do not stay sharp as long or resist heat buildup as well as carbide blades. Low friction steel alloys, such as stainless steel, can enhance performance and longevity in steel blades. Steel blades are still preferred by some professionals for making intricate trim or scroll cuts.
Diamond
Diamond-coated blades have small diamond particles bonded to the blade surface for extreme hardness and heat resistance. These expensive specialty blades are best for accurately cutting very hard woods or masonry materials. Diamond blades typically have smaller gullet capacities though.
How does blade speed rating affect cutting?
Matching the blade speed to the saw and material being cut is critical for safety, optimum cutting efficiency, and blade longevity. Key blade speed terms include:
Maximum speed
The maximum speed, displayed in RPMs, indicates the highest rotational speed that the blade is designed to handle without fracturing. This threshold should never be exceeded.
Operational speed
The operational speed range indicates the ideal RPMs for cutting wood based on the blade specifications. Staying within this range will provide clean cuts without excessive friction and heat.
Intermittent speed
Intermittent speed ratings describe the maximum speeds that a blade can safely handle for short durations. Circular saws often exceed the continuous operating speed range during a cut stroke across a board.
Matching these blade speed parameters properly with the fixed speeds of your saw motor is imperative to performance and safety.
How does wood species impact blade choice?
The density, hardness, and sap content of different wood species affect the type of blade best suited for cutting them:
Softwoods
Softwoods like pine, cedar, and fir are less abrasive on blade teeth and require smooth cuts for tear-out resistance with the grain. Use blades with more teeth and low hook angles to cleanly crosscut and rip softwoods.
Hardwoods
Hardwoods like oak, maple, and mahogany are harder on blade edges. Use blades with sturdier carbide, more gullet capacity, and higher hook angles to stand up to wear and provide efficient ripping action in hardwoods.
Tropical hardwoods
Dense tropical woods like teak and rosewood pose the most challenging cutting demands. Carbide-tipped blades with triple chip grinds, fewer but larger teeth, robust brazing, and thick kerf sizes are best for tropical woods.
Green lumber
Fresh “green” unfinished lumber requires a blade that can handle excess moisture and pitch. Use a dedicated green wood blade with an aggressive hook angle, large gullets, and specialized resin-cutting tips.
What saw blade thickness should be used?
Thicker saw blades are stiffer and less prone to deflection or binding in the cut than thinner blades. 7-10mm plate thickness is best for table saws, miter saws, and sliding miter saws where the cut is fully supported throughout. For handheld circular saws, thinner blades around 5mm work better to prevent blade warp or deviation in the cut. Match the blade thickness to the arbor size of the specific saw you are using.
How does proper blade tensioning impact cutting?
Correct blade tension helps hold the blade stable and resist bending forces during cutting. Follow the saw manufacturer’s guidelines for checking and adjusting blade tension. Common signs of improper tensioning include excessive blade warp, inaccurate cuts, premature blade wear, and excessive vibration. Maintaining proper tension maximizes cutting performance and blade lifespan.
Conclusion
Selecting the optimal saw blade for cutting wood requires matching several specs – tooth configuration, plate thickness, speed ratings, kerf width, hook angle – with the type of saw being used and wood species/thickness being cut. Investing in high quality carbide-tipped circular saw blades and properly tensioning and maintaining them leads to truer cuts, faster sawing action, and longer blade longevity. Understanding the core criteria in this article will equip you to choose the best blade for each woodcutting job.