Saw Blades
By: Alan Matthews
Updated: July 28, 2007
Saw Blades
Circular saw blades for woodcutting.
Diameter of the blade and the amount of teeth on the blade classify circular saw blades. Generally the sizes arrange from 3 3/8" to 12" in diameter with 5 1/2" and 7 1/4" being the most popular. 10" to 12" for table saws and 3 3/8", 51/2" and 6 1/2" are for battery powered saws. Best blade for ripping: 24-tooth blade will do. Crosscut can be as many an 80 teeth. Combination blades with 40 to 6o teeth can be used for ripping and crosscutting. This saves the problem of switching the blade.
Blades come in different thicknesses. A thinner blade takes less power to operate. Each company has their own design of the blade that they make. The teeth can be different styles and shapes. The main usage is for kicking out the sawdust while the blade is in operation.
There are various styles in the body of the blade to reduce heat so the blade does not warp while cutting. A portable saw blade travels about 5,000 rpm. So you might think about investing in a good blade.
Tapered or hollow-ground blades: are made so the blade can cut through the wood without binding. This will allow smooth cuts because the teeth on the blade are not set it would be like cutting with scissors.
Flat ground blades: The teeth on this blade are alternately set (left to right) to prevent binding by making the cut wider than the blade.
Carbide-tipped blades last up to 20 times longer then ordinary blades and are very good if a great deal of your woodcutting is plywood or hardwoods. The new technological knowledge that we have nowadays has made the carbide coating on the blade much harder giving it a longer life.
These blades are not to be used for cutting masonry or where there may be nails. The teeth on a blade can be on an average of 16 to 200. The more teeth on the blade the smoother the cut. Less teeth on the blade the rougher the cut. Almost all the circular saw blades now are laser cut which makes a sharper blade. Look for the word laser cut for the finest blade. Abrasive circular blades are used for cutting metal and concrete. Sizes 6 1/2" to 14". 6 1/2" and 7" are used on powered handsaws. 10", 12" and 14" chop saw and stationary saws.
Sabre saw or Jig saw blades
Sabra saw or jig saw blades are small and thin blades made to go in an up and down motion. The blade cuts only on the down stroke like a handsaw. Units can usually cut from 1" hardwood to 1 1/2" softwood with no problem. They can also cut plastics, metals and etc with the right blade.
The up-and-down stroke length can vary by companies some ¾" others 1". The blade lengths are 4" to 12". Metal cutting blades are 4", 6", 8", and 12". The teeth are 14", 18", and 24" to 32". Wood cutting blade length is 6" 9"and 12" with a small blade for doing scrollwork. There are also carbonate blades for cutting ceramic tile.
Reciprocating Saw Blades
Reciprocating saw blades are used similar to a hand hacksaw only a motor powers it. These blades are like an oversize jig saw blade that cuts vertically (moves back and forth) instead of horizontally. These blades come in length 3 1/2" to 12". The 3 1/2 inch being a scrolling blade. They are good for ripping and crosscutting. The blades are for cutting metal and wood. Reciprocating saw blades can get into places that a jig saw and circular saw cannot. There are carbide for ceramic tile and etc and bi-metal blade for cutting hard steel.
Hole Saws
Hole saws are for cutting out round holes. These come in size 9/16" to 6" diameter. Usually you will find the ones made for wood are colored black or blue. Metal hole saws are white and yellow. The metal ones are made of Bi-metal. Bi-metal simply means that a strip of hard metal is welded on where the teeth will be cut. This makes the cutting edge much stronger. There is also a carbide hole saw for cutting holes in ceramic tile and etc.
There are many other blades for cutting, such as hacksaw blades, band saw blades, power jig saw blades and etc all made for cutting wood and metal. Be sure you choose the right blade for the job. Your hardware store and home improvement stores can assist you. That is what they are there for.
Circular saw blades for woodcutting.
Diameter of the blade and the amount of teeth on the blade classify circular saw blades. Generally the sizes arrange from 3 3/8" to 12" in diameter with 5 1/2" and 7 1/4" being the most popular. 10" to 12" for table saws and 3 3/8", 51/2" and 6 1/2" are for battery powered saws. Best blade for ripping: 24-tooth blade will do. Crosscut can be as many an 80 teeth. Combination blades with 40 to 6o teeth can be used for ripping and crosscutting. This saves the problem of switching the blade.
Blades come in different thicknesses. A thinner blade takes less power to operate. Each company has their own design of the blade that they make. The teeth can be different styles and shapes. The main usage is for kicking out the sawdust while the blade is in operation.
There are various styles in the body of the blade to reduce heat so the blade does not warp while cutting. A portable saw blade travels about 5,000 rpm. So you might think about investing in a good blade.
Tapered or hollow-ground blades: are made so the blade can cut through the wood without binding. This will allow smooth cuts because the teeth on the blade are not set it would be like cutting with scissors.
Flat ground blades: The teeth on this blade are alternately set (left to right) to prevent binding by making the cut wider than the blade.
Carbide-tipped blades last up to 20 times longer then ordinary blades and are very good if a great deal of your woodcutting is plywood or hardwoods. The new technological knowledge that we have nowadays has made the carbide coating on the blade much harder giving it a longer life.
These blades are not to be used for cutting masonry or where there may be nails. The teeth on a blade can be on an average of 16 to 200. The more teeth on the blade the smoother the cut. Less teeth on the blade the rougher the cut. Almost all the circular saw blades now are laser cut which makes a sharper blade. Look for the word laser cut for the finest blade. Abrasive circular blades are used for cutting metal and concrete. Sizes 6 1/2" to 14". 6 1/2" and 7" are used on powered handsaws. 10", 12" and 14" chop saw and stationary saws.
Sabre saw or Jig saw blades
Sabra saw or jig saw blades are small and thin blades made to go in an up and down motion. The blade cuts only on the down stroke like a handsaw. Units can usually cut from 1" hardwood to 1 1/2" softwood with no problem. They can also cut plastics, metals and etc with the right blade.
The up-and-down stroke length can vary by companies some ¾" others 1". The blade lengths are 4" to 12". Metal cutting blades are 4", 6", 8", and 12". The teeth are 14", 18", and 24" to 32". Wood cutting blade length is 6" 9"and 12" with a small blade for doing scrollwork. There are also carbonate blades for cutting ceramic tile.
Reciprocating Saw Blades
Reciprocating saw blades are used similar to a hand hacksaw only a motor powers it. These blades are like an oversize jig saw blade that cuts vertically (moves back and forth) instead of horizontally. These blades come in length 3 1/2" to 12". The 3 1/2 inch being a scrolling blade. They are good for ripping and crosscutting. The blades are for cutting metal and wood. Reciprocating saw blades can get into places that a jig saw and circular saw cannot. There are carbide for ceramic tile and etc and bi-metal blade for cutting hard steel.
Hole Saws
Hole saws are for cutting out round holes. These come in size 9/16" to 6" diameter. Usually you will find the ones made for wood are colored black or blue. Metal hole saws are white and yellow. The metal ones are made of Bi-metal. Bi-metal simply means that a strip of hard metal is welded on where the teeth will be cut. This makes the cutting edge much stronger. There is also a carbide hole saw for cutting holes in ceramic tile and etc.
There are many other blades for cutting, such as hacksaw blades, band saw blades, power jig saw blades and etc all made for cutting wood and metal. Be sure you choose the right blade for the job. Your hardware store and home improvement stores can assist you. That is what they are there for.
