Selecting the Right Type of Saw Blade

Saw Accessories Safety Tips

 

 

Always wear safety glasses and ear protection when using a saw.

 

Only use an abrasive blade if you also have an aluminum or magnesium guard for protection.

 

Always make sure you are using the proper blade for the material you are cutting.

 

Beware of kickback of a circular saw, which is when the blade becomes pinched and the saw lifts up out of the workpiece and toward the user. To prevent it, make sure the blade is sharp and clean, do not overheat, support large panels so they will not pinch the blade, beware of knots or sap in the wood and never remove the blade from the material while it is cutting. Release the switch immediately if the saw stalls or binds.

 

A self-retracting guard that closes over the blade as it cuts is a good safety feature on portable saws.

Carbide-Tipped Saw Blade

 

 

Circular blade used for working with plywood or hardwood.

 

Lasts up to 10 times longer than regular blades.

 

circular blade used for working with plywood or hardwood.

Combination Blade

 

Most commonly used circular blade.

 

Used for cross-cutting, ripping and mitering in hardwood, softwood, veneer and plywood.

 

Does not leave a smooth finish.

Abrasive Cut-Off Wheel

 

 

Circular blade used for cutting ferrous metals, masonry, glazed materials and ceramic tile.

 

Must match the type of wheel to the type of material being cut.

 

Only use with saws that have an aluminum or magnesium guard.

Diamond Blade

 

 

Circular steel disc with a diamond-bearing edge.

 

Used to cut tile, marble, slate, quarry tile, granite, stone, limestone and porcelain tile.

 

Can have either a segmented, continuous rim or turbo rim configuration.

Plywood Blade

 

 

Circular blade used for cutting plywood.

 

Has small teeth to resist splintering and resist the abrasion of plywood glue

Dado Head Blade

 

 

Consists of two kinds of blades in one assembly: two small and thicker-than-normal circular blades on the outside and blades called cutters on the inside.

 

Use to cut grooves or slots across boards.

 

Used on a table saw.

 

An alternative type is an adjustable dado, which consists of a single blade.

Sabre Saw Blade

 

 

A carbon steel blade used for cutting most woods and some plastics.

 

The high-speed steel blade is used for cutting metal, fiberglass and abrasives and thin plastics.

Reciprocating Saw Blade

 

 

Carbon steel blade used for soft woods and plastics. Do not use for material with nails.

 

Carbon-tipped blades are best for nail-free wood, nonferrous metal, plastic and fiberglass. High speed steel blade is used for most metals, plastics and fiberglass. Blades are brittle and easily broken.

 

Bimetal blades combine carbon steel and high speed steel. They last as much as three times longer than other blades

Rip Fence

 

 

Provides a guide for a circular saw that allows it to rip large sheets of plywood.

 

Usually made to fit a specific brand and model of saw

Beam-Saw Attachment

 

 

An attachment for a circular saw that looks like a chain saw and gives the standard circular saw a 12” cutting capacity.

 

Used to rip, crosscut or notch heavy girders or planks

Edge Cutting Guide

 

 

Attaches to a jigsaw.

 

Used as a guide to making straight cuts.

 

Some models come with a pivot knob that guides the saw in a circular cut.

Saw Accessories PRO Corner

 

 

Pros will be your biggest buyers of saw blades and are likely to be brand loyal, especially when they find a blade that stays sharp for a long time. Be sure to have plenty on hand all the time.

Courtesy of NRHA.org