Does your next DIY project require a saw? If so, you might be wondering which saw blade you should purchase. Choosing the right saw blade can impact your table saw’s performance, cut quality, and safety. While the stock blades that come with table saws are suitable for basic tasks, investing in specialized blades can enhance your woodworking experience. In the video above, This Old House master carpenter Nathan Gilbert breaks down the anatomy of saw blades and explains how different blade types are designed for specific cutting tasks.
Types of Saw Blades
Table saw blades come in three main categories: ripping, crosscutting, and combination. Each type is designed to excel at specific cutting tasks, as follows.
Ripping Blades
Ripping blades are optimal for cutting along the wood grain. These blades typically have the following specifications:
- A higher hook angle for aggressive cutting
- Fewer teeth (usually 24–30)
- Flat top grind (FTG) teeth for efficient material removal
- Larger gullets between teeth
Ripping blades are ideal for quickly cutting boards to width. However, they may produce a rougher finish than other blade types, so plan for additional sanding or planing to obtain a smoother edge.
Crosscutting Blades
Crosscutting blades are designed for cutting across the wood grain and tend to feature the following:
- A lower hook angle for smoother cuts
- Alternate top bevel (ATB) teeth for cleaner cuts across the grain
- More teeth (usually 60–80)
- Smaller gullets between teeth
These blades produce smoother cuts but are slower to remove material than ripping blades.
Combination Blades
Combination blades, as the name suggests, are designed to handle both ripping and crosscutting tasks. They have the following features:
- A mix of tooth geometries (often ATB and FTG)
- Medium tooth count (usually 40–50)
- Varying gullet sizes to accommodate different cutting tasks
While not as specialized as dedicated ripping or crosscutting blades, combination blades offer versatility for general-purpose use. They’re a convenient option for those who don’t want to switch blades frequently.
Saw Blade Anatomy
Understanding a saw blade’s components can help you select the right blade for your project. Below, we’ve outlined some basic saw blade components and their functions.
Arbor Hole
The arbor hole is the center opening that allows you to mount the blade on the saw’s arbor. Most table saw blades have a 5/8-inch arbor hole, but check your saw’s specifications before purchasing a blade.
Carbide Teeth
The teeth are the blade’s cutting elements. High-quality blades typically feature larger, thicker teeth made of harder carbide, offering better heat resistance and long-lasting sharpness. You can resharpen these blades multiple times.
Less expensive blades often have thinner teeth made of softer carbide, which may not be suitable for resharpening. Investing in higher-quality blades can be more cost-effective in the long run.
Coating
Many high-quality blades feature special coatings such as Teflon to reduce heat buildup while cutting and resist corrosion and pitch buildup, which can extend the blade’s lifespan. Coatings also minimize friction between the blade and the material you’re cutting.
Gullets
The spaces between the blade’s teeth are called gullets. They help with chip removal while cutting. Ripping blades have larger gullets for efficient chip removal, which speeds up the cutting process, while crosscutting blades have smaller gullets for smoother cuts, reducing the risk of tear-out. Combination blades have varying gullet sizes to accommodate both ripping and crosscutting tasks.
Kerf Thickness
The kerf refers to the width of the cut a blade makes. The right kerf thickness for your needs will depend on your saw’s power and the material you’re cutting. The two most common kerf options are as follows:
- Full-kerf blades: These blades are usually 1/8 inch wide and suitable for more powerful saws that can handle higher cutting loads.
- Thin-kerf blades: Usually around 3/32 inch wide, thin-kerf blades are ideal for less powerful saws. They can reduce material waste and maximize yield from expensive wood materials.
Steel Plate
The steel plate contains different types of slots or cuts and each type helps the blade work better. Here are some examples:
- Anti-vibration slots: These reduce shaking and noise when the blade is spinning, making it operate more smoothly.
- Expansion slots: These cuts let the blade grow slightly when it heats up, preventing it from bending.
- Laser-cut stabilizer vents: These keep the blade cool and steady, leading to more accurate cuts.
Saw Blade Tooth Geometry
A blade’s tooth shape and arrangement influence its cutting performance and cut quality. Here are the main types of tooth configurations:
- ATB: These teeth have alternating left and right bevels, which produce clean cuts across the grain. They can help maximize finish quality in crosscutting operations.
- FTG: These teeth have a flat top and are ideal for ripping operations. They can remove material quickly and efficiently while holding their edge well.
- High-angle ATB (Hi-ATB): Hi-ATB teeth feature a very steep bevel angle and are excellent for cutting delicate materials like veneered plywood. These teeth dull more quickly than other tooth types, so you may need to sharpen them more frequently.
- Triple chip grind (TCG): TCG teeth feature alternating flat and chamfered teeth. They reduce the likelihood of chip-out in brittle materials and are ideal for cutting hard materials like melamine or medium-density fiberboard (MDF).
Hook Angle
The hook angle refers to the tooth’s forward tilt relative to the blade’s center. A positive hook angle is ideal for more aggressive cutting, while a negative one is better for crosscutting and safer for handheld power saws.
Selecting the Right Saw Blade
A high-quality combination blade is often the best choice for most DIY enthusiasts and occasional woodworkers. It offers versatility for various cutting tasks without the need to switch blades. If you frequently work with specific materials or require specialized cuts, we recommend investing in dedicated ripping and crosscutting blades.
