Circular Saw Blades

Woodworking saw blades are round circular saw blades that are designed to cut various types of wood, including lumber, plywood, softwood, hardwood, panels and laminates. They can be used in various applications, depending on the type of wood you are cutting and the kind of task you are performing. Blades come in a variety of sizes and can be made of various materials to accommodate different uses.

Circular sawblades come with a wide range of tooth counts, everything from 14 to 120 teeth. To get the cleanest cuts, use a blade with the correct number of teeth for a given application. The material being cut, its thickness, and the direction of the grain relative to the sawblade help to determine which blade is best. Perhaps the key factor to consider when choosing a sawblade is the desired result. A blade with a lower tooth count tends to cut faster than a blade with a higher tooth count, but the quality of the cut is rougher, which doesn’t matter if you’re a framer. On the other hand, a blade with too high a tooth count for an application yields a slower cut that ends up burning the material, which no cabinetmaker would tolerate.

What Are the Different Types of Circular Saw Blades?

Although a circular saw can cut through a wide range of material, it can only do so with the right type of blade. There are three primary types of circular saw blades:

• Carbide-tipped. These are the most common type of circular saw blades, consisting of a steel disc with carbide-tipped cutting teeth around the outside edge. These blades are typically used for cutting through wood, but specially designed carbide blades can also cut through light-gauge metal. Carbide-tipped blades usually cost between $20 and $100 and can last from six months to a couple of years. The cost and longevity of carbide-tipped blades largely depend on the tooth count and the material they’re used to cut.
• Steel-tipped. Although somewhat rare today, steel-tipped blades are made entirely of steel and were the most common variety of circular saw blades before carbide-tipped options. Steel-tipped blades are usually cheaper than carbide-tipped, costing between $10 and $30, and are easier to sharpen than carbide-tipped blades. However, they aren’t nearly as durable and only stay sharp for about one-tenth as long as carbide.
• Diamond-edged blades. Diamond blades are made for cutting through masonry materials like concrete, brick and tile. The perimeter of the blade is coated in diamonds, and are usually completely round without cutting teeth. Diamond blades usually cost between $15 and $75. They can last between 12 and 120 hours of continuous use, depending on the quality of the blade and material they’re used to cut.

Circular Saw Features

Once you've decided on the design and power source, compare the features:

• Power is measured by amps on corded saws and volts on cordless saws. The higher the amps and volts, the more cutting power.
• Blade capacity determines the maximum depth of cut a saw can achieve. The larger the blade, the deeper the cut. The most common blade diameter is 7-1/4 inches. Most saws with blade capacities of 6 inches or more can cut through 2-inch dimensional lumber at a 45-degree angle in a single pass. A 5-3/8-inch saw can cut through 2-inch dimensional lumber in one pass at 90 degrees but requires two passes at 45 degrees. As a general rule, a mini circular saw or multifunction circular saw is easier to control because it weighs less.
• Electric brakes reverse the flow of electricity in the saw motor when the trigger is released. Reversing the current stops the blade's momentum quickly. Electric brakes can stop the blade in as little as two seconds, much quicker than a blade on a saw without this feature.
• Spindle or shaft locks make it easier to change the saw blade. The shaft lock immobilizes the shaft and blade, making it much easier to change the blade.
• Bevel capacity indicates the maximum bevel cut the saw can make.
• Bevel stops are presets that allow quick adjustments for bevel cuts.
• Laser guides help improve cutting accuracy by projecting a beam of light onto the work piece.

FAQs

Is more teeth on a circular saw blade better?

More teeth mean more precise cuts. However, fewer teeth make your work easier and faster. For example, a 14-teeth blade, which is the minimal number, cuts faster than a 120-teeth option, which is the maximum. Yet, if you want a smooth, clear cut, and not rough, you may want to stop somewhere in the middle.

How to rip hardwood flooring with a circular saw?

You don’t have to rush with cutting the hardwood flooring. Before you start, you need to fix the wood reliably and decide where you want to make a cut. Draw the line, and make sure it is not too thick and straight. Check out for the most suitable blade. Start working.

What to look for buying circular saw blades for hardwood?

I have already mentioned the most important factors, like the number of teeth, quality of material, and the size of the blade. Check out the company that develops these blades and read the reviews from the clients who have already bought them.