When it comes to choosing the right table saw blade for ripping lumber, there are a few key factors to consider. The width of the kerf, number of teeth, hook angle, teeth set, and blade material all play an important role in how suitable a blade is for ripping tasks.
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What is Ripping?
Ripping is the process of cutting wood along the grain to create narrower boards from wider stock. This is one of the most common tasks performed at a table saw. Rips are often used to cut lumber down to width to create boards for furniture building, cabinetry, flooring, and other woodworking projects.
When ripping lumber, the table saw blade cuts across the wood fibers instead of chopping through them lengthwise. This leads to a cleaner cut with less splintering and chipping on the cut edges. Choosing the right blade for ripping is important because a poorly suited blade can cause excessive tear-out, burn marks, or an uneven cut.
Kerf Width
One of the most important factors for a ripping blade is the kerf width. The kerf is the amount of material that is removed by the saw blade during the cut. For ripping tasks, a blade with a thinner kerf is ideal because it wastes less lumber.
Table saw blades typically have kerf widths ranging from 1/8″ to 3/16″. For ripping hardwoods like oak, maple, and walnut, a blade with a 1/8″ kerf is recommended. This thinner kerf enables you to rip boards to their finished width with less loss of stock. A 10″ table saw blade with a 1/8″ kerf will remove around 1/4″ to 3/8″ total from a typical rip cut.
Wider 3/16″ kerfs are better suited for softwoods like pine where the additional kerf width helps prevent binding during the cut. The downside is that more material is lost when ripping each board to its final dimensions.
Number of Teeth
Table saw blades for ripping typically have between 24 and 30 teeth. The number of teeth impacts the size of the gullets between each tooth and the aggressiveness of the cut.
Blades with fewer teeth, usually 24, have larger gullets that allow them to clear sawdust and chips efficiently when sawing thick or knotty lumber. The bigger spaces also reduce friction and heat buildup that can lead to burns.
Blades with more teeth, around 30, take finer bites per inch which creates a smoother cut. The smaller gullets also provide extra support for the thinner teeth. A 30-tooth count blade is a good choice for ripping hardwoods where chip-out must be minimized.
Tooth Count Comparison
| Tooth Count | Gullet Size | Cut Quality | Suited for |
| 24 teeth | Large | Fast and aggressive | Ripping thick, knotty lumber |
| 30 teeth | Small | Smooth and fine finish | Ripping hardwoods |
Hook Angle
The hook angle of a saw blade refers to the angle or degree of curve on the leading edge of each tooth. For ripping tasks, a blade with a positive hook angle between 5° and 15° is ideal.
A slight positive hook angle causes the teeth to dig aggressively into the wood rather than scraping across the surface. This helps maintain a straight cut while minimizing wandering, binding, or burning. Common positive hook angles for ripping blades include:
- 10° hook – Moderate aggressiveness optimal for most ripping
- 15° hook – Very aggressive for ripping thick or knotty stock
- 5° hook – Less aggressive which improves smoothness
You generally want to use the least aggressive hook angle that provides adequate cutting action for rip cuts. A lower angle helps reduce tear-out while a more aggressive angle is sometimes needed for difficult woods.
Teeth Set
The teeth set refers to how the teeth are angled or positioned left and right of the blade body. For ripping, an alternating top bevel is typical where teeth are bent left and right in an alternating pattern.
This alternating set helps rip blades make a straight cut by clearing a broader kerf path. A wider clearance path helps prevent binding which can cause chatter marks, burns, or excessive wear on the saw blade. While more set provides clearance, it also decreases the quality of the cut.
Many ripping blades also utilize paired teeth where there are two teeth set together followed by a gullet. This further improves chip ejection when cutting thick or sappy woods.
Teeth Set Styles
| Set Style | Benefits |
| Alternating top bevel | Prevents binding, allows straighter rip cuts |
| Paired teeth | Improves chip ejection in problem woods |
Blade Material
Solid carbide tipped blades generally provide the best performance and longevity for ripping tasks. Carbide is an extremely hard material that keeps blade teeth sharp for up to 20x longer than basic steel blades.
Look for carbide tipped blades labeled C4 grade or C3 grade. The higher the grade, the harder the carbide material for increased wear resistance. While more expensive initially, carbide tipped ripping blades end up being more economical long term.
Stainless steel is another good option for ripping blades. While less durable than carbide, stainless provides better corrosion resistance. This helps maintain smooth cuts when working with resin-rich or highly acidic woods.
For ripping pressure treated lumber which is corrosive to metal, a specialty titanium-coated carbide blade is recommended. The titanium coating provides a protective barrier for long blade life.
Blade Material Comparison
| Material | Benefits | Drawbacks |
| Carbide | Extremely durable, long lasting sharpness | Higher cost |
| Stainless Steel | Good corrosion resistance | Less wear resistance than carbide |
| Titanium-coated Carbide | Maximum corrosion protection | Higher cost than regular carbide |
Specialty Ripping Blades
In addition to standard general purpose ripping blades, there are also some specialized blade options designed for certain materials or situations:
Glue Line Ripping Blades
Use more teeth (40+) and a very low hook angle to help minimize tear-out when ripping solid wood panels with laminate or veneer layers. The fine cut helps prevent damaging fragile surfaces.
Non-Ferrous Metal Cutting Blades
Have added lubrication coatings that allow ripping thin sheets of non-ferrous metals like aluminum, brass, or copper on a table saw. Should not be used for cutting wood.
Thin Kerf Ripping Blades
Have kerfs around 1/16″ for maximizing yield when ripping thinner stock. Help reduce the loss of material but may have limited ability to clear sawdust.
Conclusion
For ripping most common lumber types and thicknesses, a 10″ or 12″ carbide tipped blade with a thin kerf, 24-30 teeth, moderate 5°-10° hook angle, and alternating top bevel teeth set provides the best combination of cutting speed, chip ejection, and smooth cut quality.
Adjusting factors like the hook angle, teeth set, and number of teeth allows tuning the blade’s aggressiveness to match your specific needs. Specialty ripping blades like glue line ripper or thin kerf blades also have benefits for specific sawing situations.
Investing in a high-quality carbide ripping blade ensures maximum durability and minimal tearing of wood fibers during rip cuts. This allows efficiently transforming rough lumber into cleanly ripped boards suited for your next woodworking project.