How to Choose the Right Circular Saw Blade

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Rate: (14 Ratings)

The perfect circular saw blade exists for nearly every job. Don't mess up your project by using the wrong one.

Flag Article

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Circular Saws
Combination Blades
Crosscut Blades
Flooring Blades
Hollow-ground Planer Blades
Hollow-ground Plywood Blades
Masonry Blades
Metal/plastic-cutting Blades
Nail-cutting Blades
Ripping Blades
Thin-kerf Blades

Step1

Learn how blades are named. Some are obvious: A masonry blade is used to cut brick. A flooring blade is made for cutting flooring and rough lumber. This type of blade can even handle an occasional nail.

Step2

Recognize that the more teeth that are on the blade, the cleaner the cut. Carbide-tipped blades are more expensive, but they require less frequent sharpening and make the smoothest cuts.

Step3

Select a ripping blade for long cuts with the grain. Don't use this blade with plywood. The crosscut blade can cut plywood easily, as well as regular wood (across the grain).

Step4

Use a combination blade for general-purpose woodwork. The large teeth leave a rough-cut and the blade can be used for cross cutting or with-the-grain rips.

Step5

Look for a hollow-ground planer for smooth miter and crosscuts. There is also a hollow-ground plywood blade that cuts plywood and paneling without splintering.

Step6

Choose a non-ferrous metal/plastic-cutting blade for aluminum, brass, copper, lead, and most solid plastics.

Step7

Pick up a thin-kerf blade to minimize wood waste when cutting.

Step8

Try a nail-cutter if you're doing heavy remodeling. You may run across hardware in the wood.