How to Choose a Table Saw Blade
- 1). Determine what type of cut you want to make. There are two types of cuts: rip-cuts and cross-cuts. Rip-cuts are cuts parallel to the wood's grain. Cross-cuts are cuts against the wood's grain.
- 2). Select the right blade for the cut you're making. For instance, some blades are designed specifically for rip-cuts. Other blades are designed for both cross-cuts and rip-cuts. Blades used for rip-cutting include flat-top grind (FTG) blades, which have teeth parallel to the table saw's table. Blades that can be used for either rip-cutting or cross-cutting include alternate top-bevel (ATB) blades and multipurpose blades. The teeth on ATB blades alternate back and forth from left to right. Multipurpose blades have teeth placed at an angle of approximately 20 degrees relative to the table saw's table.
- 3). Determine the number of teeth you need. Blades with more teeth are able to cut smoother cuts. For instance, a blade with only 24 teeth will make quick, rough cuts. When rip-cutting large sections of lumber that will later be cut into smaller sections, a blade with 24 teeth will work just fine. For molding or trim, finer cuts are necessary, so a blade with 50 or 100 teeth will be more effective.
- 4). Determine what type of wood you'll be cutting. Hard woods like walnut and oak are cut more easily with carbide-reinforced teeth. Soft woods such as pine can be cut using non-reinforced blades.
- 5). Select a blade with the right-sized gullet. The gullet is the space between the teeth that allows waste material to fall safely away and not clog the blade. Some blades have small gullets, which can be problematic.
- 6). Look for a reinforced blade plate. The blade plate determines how flat a blade will stay during a cut. Blades with weak blade plates can warp.
- 7). Select a blade with a kerf thickness that matches your saw's horsepower. For instance, as the blade spins, it cuts a gap within the wood. This gap is called the kerf. Blades can be rated as thin kerf or full kerf. Thin-kerf blades create a very thin gap and a cleaner cut. They require less torque and are good for low-power saws. Full-kerf blades create a wider kerf, and they require more torque from a table saw.
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