Choosing the right miter saw blade can make a big difference in the quality and safety of your cuts. While most miter saws come with general-purpose blades, you can choose saw blades suited to your specific project to improve your woodworking experience. This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert breaks down the different miter saw blade types, their components, and how to choose the best one for your work in the video above, and we’ll dive a bit deeper below.
Understanding Miter Saw Blade Sizes
Miter saw blades come in various sizes to accommodate different saws and cutting needs. These are the most common sizes:
- 7 1/4-inch blades: Ideal for DIYers working on smaller projects like moldings or flooring
- 10-inch blades: The most versatile size, offering the widest selection of blade types
- 12-inch blades: Suitable for heavy-duty construction and finish work, though they may deflect slightly when cutting dense materials
While 12-inch blades provide a larger cutting capacity, 10-inch blades are the best option for most users due to their balance of size, versatility, and availability.
Anatomy of a Miter Saw Blade
Understanding a miter saw blade’s components can help you make informed decisions when selecting one for your project. Here are the main parts of a miter saw blade:
- Arbor: The center hole that attaches the blade to the saw (typically 5/8 inch, but can vary by manufacturer)
- Carbide teeth: The sharp, cutting edges brazed onto the blade
- Gullets: Spaces between the teeth that help remove sawdust while cutting
- Laser etches: Small designs cut into the plate to reduce noise and vibration
- Steel plate: The main body of the blade
Higher-quality blades often feature larger, harder carbide teeth that you can sharpen multiple times, extending the blade’s lifespan.
Miter Saw Blade Width and Kerf
The term “kerf” refers to the width of the cut left behind by the saw blade. You’re most likely to encounter full-kerf and thin-kerf blades, which have the following characteristics:
- Full-kerf blades: These have a cutting width of about 1/8 inch and are generally more stable, producing smoother cuts with less deflection.
- Thin-kerf blades: With a cutting width of about 3/32 inch, these blades remove less material and create less resistance while cutting. They’re particularly beneficial for cordless saws but may be more prone to deflection.
Miter Saw Tooth Geometry and Its Impact on Cutting
A blade’s tooth design and arrangement significantly affect its cutting performance. The most common tooth configurations include the following:
- Alternate top bevel (ATB): These teeth are beveled in opposite directions, resulting in cleaner cuts across the grain.
- High-angle ATB: These teeth feature very steep tooth angles, creating a fine point ideal for cutting medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and veneered plywood.
- Triple chip grind (TCG): Each tooth has three small bevels, making these blades suitable for cutting nonferrous metals and plastics.
Miter Saw Hook Angle and Its Importance
The hook angle, or rake, refers to the tooth’s angle with the blade’s center. This angle affects the cut’s aggressiveness. Higher hook angles produce more aggressive cuts, making them suitable for hardwoods and chop saws. Lower or negative hook angles are less aggressive and are ideal for slide-style miter saws.
Miter Saw Protective Coatings and Their Benefits
Many manufacturers apply protective coatings to their blades. These coatings can extend your blade’s lifespan and improve overall cutting performance by offering the following advantages:
- Decreased wear on the blade
- Minimized heat buildup
- Reduced friction while cutting
- Resistance to pitch and sap buildup
Miter Saw Tooth Count and Its Effect on Cuts
Generally, blades with higher tooth counts produce finer cuts but may require more power from your saw. Fewer teeth (24–40) means faster cuts, while more teeth (60–80) lead to smoother, cleaner cuts.
Miter Saw Carbon and Diamond Blades
You might need specialized blades, such as carbon- or diamond-coated blades, to cut specific materials. Here’s how these blades differ:
- Carbon blades: You would typically use a carbon blade to cut ferrous metals. These blades are durable and maintain their sharpness longer than standard blades.
- Diamond blades: You’ll likely need a diamond blade to cut hard materials like stone or tile. Diamond blades are pricier but offer exceptional precision and longevity.
Using Miter Saw Blades for Different Cuts
The blade type you choose will partly depend on the cuts it produces. Below, we’ll explore the cuts made by three different blade types:
- Crosscut blades: These blades are designed to cut across the wood grain.
- Rip blades: These blades are ideal for cutting along the wood grain.
- Combination blades: These specialty blades offer a balance between crosscutting and ripping capabilities and are ideal for those who perform a variety of cuts but prefer using a single blade.
Choosing the Right Miter Saw Blade for Your Project
Consider the following factors when choosing a miter saw blade:
- Desired finish quality
- Material you need to cut (wood, metal, plastic, etc.)
- Saw power and type (corded or cordless)
- Type of cut (crosscut, rip cut, or combination)
While using a single blade for all tasks may seem more economical, investing in project-specific blades can lead to better results and increased safety.
Miter Saw Blade Maintenance and Care
Proper maintenance can extend your miter saw blades’ lifespans. Clean your blades regularly to remove pitch and resin buildup and store them in a dry place to prevent rust. Sharpen your blades when you notice increased resistance or burning during cuts—a clean, sharp blade will make more accurate cuts and be safer to use.
