Choosing the right table saw blade

After you’ve found the best table saw for your woodshop, it’s time to find the best blades for your projects.

The saw blade that comes with most table saws is usually not able to handle every type of wood. Your table saw blades must be versatile tools. The right blade makes various cuts smoothly and safely.

Combing through all the available saw blades can feel overwhelming. Not every blade is created equal. We are sometimes asked if a good blade is worth the investment. The answer is always yes. As one of your core tools, table saw blades need to be carefully selected. 

When choosing your blade ask yourself some of the following questions:

• What materials will the blade cut?
• What types of cuts do I need to make?
• How powerful is the saw and what size blade does the manufacturer recommend?
• Do you want to build a collection of specialized blades, or do you want one blade that can make all kinds of cuts?

After you’ve determined your table saw’s use there are a few common blades you will be looking at.

Three basic types of woodworking blades:

Crosscut:

These table saw blades are designed to produce a smooth cut across the grain of the wood without splintering or tearing. This type of blade will usually have 60 to 80 teeth.

Rip:

Ideal for ripping hardwoods or thick softwood stock. Quality ripping table saw blades will slice through hardwood with minimal effort and leave a clean cut with minimal scoring.

Combination Blades:

Don’t confuse combination blades with being an all-purpose blade. While combination blades can work multiple cuts, rip and crosscut, they are not general blades. It’s still vital to have specific blades for different cuts and wood characteristics.

Each one of these common blades was crafted to perform a different task. Map out your projects to plan out your blade purchases. Similar to other woodworking tools you will want to upgrade your blade as you advance your woodworking skills. If you’re unsure on which blade to purchase yourself ask any of our experienced Cardwell employees.