How to Choose The Right Circular Saw For You

FACTS CHECKED BY  NICOLE PAV 

Choosing the right circular saw blade is essential for getting the best cuts.  There are many different circular saw blades available, and for as many saws, there are just as many purposes.  How do you know which is the right one for you? 

Read through this guide and to learn how to find the right.

Table of Contents

Section 1: Circular Saw Blades – The Importance Of The Work.

circular saw blade

We can believe that circular saw blades work because they provide a clean, efficient cut. Whether it is wood or stone, using a circular saw allows you to make quick work of a task. Clean, suitable cuts make projects easy and less time-consuming.
Every handyman has a circular saw. From basic woodworking to intricate stone and masonry, this tool’s handiness makes it essential on all types of job sites.

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Section2: Circular Saw Blade – The Complete Type

There are several different types of circular saw blades. I know how to select the right one involved learning a little about the saw itself along with the blade’s purpose. The general options below provide a high starting point to familiarise yourself.

circular saw blade


2.1 General Options

Circular saw blades are designed to cut different types of items. You’ll notice the difference in the teeth size of the saw blade. When looking at saw blades, you must know specific particular points of interest. Allows you to choose the right for any project you are working.


Here Are The General Options:

Blade Diameter: Most blades are either 5 ½ inches or 7 ¼ inches in diameter. The larger diameter is suitable for more significant cuts, while the smaller diameter is helpful with smaller projects.

Handheld Circular Saw: Circular saws are either table saws or handheld. The handheld models provide greater versatility and, in many cases, much safer than table saws.

 Maximum RPM: Rotations Per Minute (RPM) tells you the power of the saw. The higher the RPM, the more influential the saw. With masonry saws, you’ll want to know whether it’s wet saw capable because there’s much dust and overheating that can take place

Tooth Count: The higher the number of teeth, the smoother the cut.

2.2 Standard Circular Saw Blade

The basics of understanding what type of circular saw blade you need to involve learning about the different parts of the blade. Understanding how these parts work together on a circular saw blade helps you choose the right for your project. Here are the basic terms:

 Gullet: This is the space in front of each tooth, with a low tooth count , have a larger throat, while high tooth counts have small gorges. The gorge is where the wood gets stuck as it cuts. When the blade rotation stops, you could see debris in this area

Tooth Configuration: There are several types of tooth arrangements affecting a cut. To keep it simple we will explain the purpose without getting too technical

 Flat Top (FT): Primarily used for rip cuts. Designed to cut quickly without being too fine

Alternate Top Bevel (ATB): The positioning of the blade is from left to right, this gets you a smoother cut but will take longer than the FT

Combination: These teeth do it all. The arrangement is 5 ATBs for every FT. There is a big gullet between the different teeth. Ideal for those who want a smooth but quick cut

Hook Angle: This gives the feel of the saw climbing the wood. High hook angles work for quick rip cuts while low hook angles are ideal for smoother, more excellent cuts

Kerf Width: Basically, this is the thickness of the blade. A thicker blade will vibrate less, but it also may require more power from the saw for it to work efficiently. Low power saws require thin kerfs, while the opposite is exact for high-powered saws

Ripple: The smoothness of a cut. Small ripples are an excellent cut; coarse ripples are a rough cut

Section 3: Circular Saw Blade – The Type of Blade

Standard circular saw blades cut wood or composite materials. As alluded to above, the number of teeth relates to the smoothness of a cut. A blade with 48 teeth cuts smoother than one with 16. Here are some common types of circular saw blades.

circular saw blade

Demon Blade (14 teeth)

Cuts through very thick material but very rough. Unable to cut thin material, will turn the delicate equipment into unusable scraps. These blades have large gullets and FT tooth configuration, making quick work of the wood with coarse ripples.

Framing Blade (24 teeth)

A rip cut (down the middle) is immaculate, but the crosscut can be rough. The blade for fast and easy. Heat dissipates quickly, and this blade is among the most commonly used by contractors and DIYers. These are generally coarse ripples.

Sheet Good Blade (40 teeth)

You’ll get a clean, smooth cut but when using specialized plywood, opt for a sheet right blade with 60-80 teeth to avoid tearing. Often these teeth will be ATB, especially on the high tooth count models. These can produce medium to beautiful ripples.

Miter Saw Blade (80 teeth)

The more exceptional woodworking uses these blades. Get the right crown molding cut with this blade. Other elements where smooth cut lines are essential need this blade. Teeth have small gorges, and the reduction will take a little longer than it would if using a demo blade. These produce little ripples.

Blade Guard

Blade Guard something that will most likely be on all circular saws. Don’t move the guard out of the way when cutting. It is there to keep you safe and will run automatically as the blade goes through the wood. Make sure your blade guard is a big piece of metal.

Section 4: How To Choose The Right Blade For Your Work

How To Choose The Right Blade For Your Work

The key with choosing the right circular saw and blade is understanding how you will use the saw. If you are doing projects like building a deck or fence, a proper circular saw won’t be too overpowering but will work ideally with a framing blade. For projects requiring more delicate cuts, a less powerful saw and a blade with a high tooth count are ideal.

Many contractors choose powerful circular saws with high RPMs because they are doing a lot of work and need it completed quickly. DIYers have different needs. The circular saw is not an everyday item, so going lower on the RPMs will save some money without sacrificing quality.

Whatever the choice, make sure the blade is right for the project. Refer to the information above if you’re not sure which is right for your project. If it falls in between, go with the blade with more teeth to guarantee success.

Make sure your blade’s kerf matches the saw. Full kerf blades Suitable for circular saws of more than three horsepower. Smaller kerfs are appropriate for less powerful saws. Pay attention to this because it is a safety issue.

Section 5: Purchase Channel for Circular Saw Blades

Purchase Channel

When choosing where to purchase your circular saw blades, there are plenty of options. For single , Amazon is a great place to pick up a valuable commodity at a great price. However, if you need a large number, find a contractor supplier. Home Depot and Lowe’s have contractor programs that get you the commodity you need at a low per-blade cost.

Section 6: Tips for Using Circular Saw Blades

circular saw blade
There are several things to consider when using circular saw blades. Here are some tips that will help you get the most out of your dynamic tool.

Safety First

Circular saws can be very dangerous. Don’t ever move the guard out of the way to get a better cut. You won’t get a better cut. Let the guard move because if your hand slips off the guard, you could get very injured.

Sawhorse and Clamps

Sticking with safety, you’ll get the best cuts if what you’re cutting is in a stable position. Use a sawhorse and clamps to keep the wood in place. You won’t need to keep your second hand on the board to steady it because the clamps keep it more secure than your hand ever could.

Inspect the Blade

Before you start cutting, check out your blade. If you notice the tooth is dull, replace it. Another indicator,if cutting is taking longer than average. The blunt tool is unsafe, so replace them right away.

Measure Twice, Cut Once

This old saying is essential – be sure to measure correctly and then cut. Leave a little extra and if your material fits into place, great. If not, then you can keep cutting until it does. When you make too large a cut, you’ve wasted the material.

Summary:

Everyone who looks to do projects large and small should have a circular saw. These tools shorten the time and provide clean cuts that hand tools can’t. Finding the right blade for your project makes everything easier.
There’s always more to learn about circular saw blades , and this guide is a great place to start. We also offer plenty of other content for similar topics as well. Sign up now at nccuttingtools.com(https://www.nccuttingtools.com/) to get great content along with free samples as well.

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