Best Table Saw Blades for Your Project

A table saw is vital for pros and hobbyists alike. Consider the job at hand when choosing the best table saw blade. Below are the most common materials that different types of table saw blades are used for:

• Plywood: Ideal for light construction and framing, plywood is easy to cut cleanly with a well-maintained plywood cutting table saw.
• MDF: Medium-density fiberboard is a specific type of plywood often used for furniture. A table saw fitted with the correct blade can help you cut it cleanly.
• Man-made materials like layered plywood, plastic laminate and even melamine can often be cut with the right table saw blade.
• Hardwood: You can easily make precise cuts in hardwood with a table saw that's the right size and structure.

There are ripping saw blades, crosscut saw blades, combination saw blades and composition saw blades. Each type of saw blade is designed to cut cleanly through a particular type of wood or man-made material. The best table saw blades are the ones that don't damage the material you’re cutting.

Ripping blades are the best blades for a table saw to have when cutting natural woods. When using a ripping blade, cut with the grain of the wood. Typically made with 24 to 30 wide teeth, ripping blades make short work of most cuts.

You might use a ripping blade to:

• Cut a single piece of lumber in half or in separate portions.
• Cut many pieces of natural wood to size before making more precise cuts.
• Cut through thick pieces of hardwood.
• Make a quick cut with the grain in plywood.
• Make fast cuts for wood framing projects.

Commonly designed with 80 to 90 teeth, crosscut blades are made to cut across the grain of your material. As you do this, you'll notice more sawdust. That's because the teeth of a crosscut blade are making a very fine, precise cut through your wood. Crosscuts are the best table saw blades for:

• Natural hardwood like oak
• Making cross-grain cuts in plywood
• Cutting composite materials like MDF, veneer and plastic laminate
• A metal cutting table saw blade (non-ferrous metal)

The most common of table saw blade types is the 10-inch general purpose saw blade or combination blade. If you do a variety of projects, combination blades are the best table saw blades for you. If you're new to woodworking or new to using a table saw, combination blades are also an excellent choice.

Available in a 32-tooth to 50-tooth design, combination saw blades perform the job of a ripping blade and a crosscut blade all at once. However, these blades are less refined than ripping and crosscut blades. Used for cutting plywood, natural wood like oak and pine, pressure-treated lumber like MDF and wood beams, combination blades can be used for a few different tasks:

• Cutting lumber or MDF and lightweight veneer
• Making fast, precise cuts on many pieces of lumber
• Making cross cuts in natural wood or composite materials

Composite blades or multi-purpose blades are available in a 60-tooth design. Ideal for man-made materials, these table saw blade types do the work of both a ripping blade and a crosscut blade. They have a higher tooth count than a combination blade and are great for cutting materials like MDF and softer woods.
Here are a few tasks for a composite blade:

• Making many small cuts in MDF for furniture building or repair
• Cutting long lengths of materials like layered plywood
• Making more precise cross cuts in man-made materials

For efficient, accurate cuts always choose the best table saw blade size. The wrong size saw blade can cause splintering or uneven edges. A saw's blade size is measured across the diameter, from one side to the other. Below are some popular table saw blade sizes:

• 4-inch saw blades are good for crafts and precise cuts.
• 7-1/4 saw blades are lightweight and good for small projects.
• 10-inch table saw blades are the most common. A 10-inch blade is easy to carry and cuts well for both small and medium jobs.
• 12-inch blades are large and powerful enough for heavy-duty cuts and thick materials.

Tip: Table saw blade types that work in a circular motion are designed to rotate clockwise, so make sure the teeth always point down.

Blade kerf is the width of the saw's carbide teeth.

• A full kerf blade that's 1/8-inch wide has more carbide, which means that it will stay sharper longer. However, it can be rougher on your table saw's motor. Plus, new woodworkers can find a full kerf blade more difficult to use.
• A thin kerf blade that's 3/32-inch wide has less carbide. This means the blade may not stay sharp long and or make precise cuts. However, a thin kerf blade is easier on the saw's motor and easier to handle.

Look at your table saw's manual to see which kerf style works best with it. In general:

• For high-power machines like a 220-volt 3-horsepower saw, a full kerf blade is ideal. You'll have ample power to make quick, relatively easy cuts with a blade that will stay sharp longer.
• For a less powerful table saw like a 110-volt model, a thin kerf blade works best. It will make cutting much easier while reducing wear and tear on your saw's motor.

Here are a few features to look when shopping for a new table saw blade:

• Titanium carbide teeth are strong and durable. Titanium carbide teeth provide excellent performance and can help you make many clean, fast cuts.
• Coated blades have a protective layer that creates less friction and resistance. It also prevents corrosion, gumming and burns. This is particularly important for a combination or all-purpose blade where you may need to work slower to get through certain materials and make clean cuts.
• Shock-resistant brazing can help your blade stay sharper longer by resisting the impact of more extreme work. This is particularly beneficially if you're working with materials like laminate.
• Filled stabilizer vents help prevent sideways movement for cleaner cuts. Look for these on heavy-duty blades designed for materials like plastic laminate and non-ferrous metal.

Blade teeth spacing is important when choosing the best table saw blade. The specific cutting action depends upon the number of teeth per inch (TPI). Crosscutting of material requires more blade teeth than ripping or cutting across the wood grain. The higher the TPI, the closer the teeth and smoother the cut. This works well for thin materials. However, large saw blades with lower TPI are best for thick materials.

Here are some guidelines to help you select the right table saw blade for most jobs:

• Ripping solid wood: Use a 24-tooth to 30-tooth blade. You can use 40-tooth to 50-tooth multipurpose blade as well, but it will take longer.
• Cross-cutting wood or sawing plywood: Use a 40-tooth to 80-tooth blade. You can use a 40-tooth to 50-tooth general purpose blade as well.
• Joinery work: Use a 40-tooth to 50-tooth all-purpose combination blade.
• Cutting MDF and man-made materials: Use a 50-tooth to 80-tooth blade. 60-tooth and up blades often make better cuts in dense materials.
• Plastic laminate: Use an 80-tooth cross-cut blade. You may be able to use a 60-tooth composite blade for thinner materials.

When considering the best table saw blades, check out prepackaged saw blade sets. More experienced woodworkers and individuals find saw blade sets a budget friendly option. Plus, always having a sharp blade on hand will keep your project on track.

Most of these packs include standard 10-inch table saw blades designed to perform a variety of different tasks. Circular saw blades often feature any combination of a ripping blade, crosscut blade and a combination blade. For beginners, these multi-pack blade sets can be a valuable option, especially if you want to replace the worn or dull blade that came with your table saw.