Buyer’s Guide
When you’re out there looking for the best blade for your new saw, it pays to take a little extra time to find the right product. In our best table saw blades review, you’ll notice that there’s a lot of variation between products.
This is because not every blade can and should be used for every job, so with that in mind, we’re going to tell you about some of the features that you should definitely consider before you make a blade purchase.
Also check our reviews about the top quality blades on the market:
Ripping Versus Crosscutting
As you learn more about woodworking, you’ll quickly begin to understand that the number of teeth on your saw blade is going to greatly affect how it will cut through the wood that you’re working with.
Simply put, you want more teeth on your saw blade if you’re going to be cutting plywood as compared to hardwood like oak, which would benefit from fewer teeth. In our saw blades review, we covered both types of cutters, but overall it comes down to rip cutting versus crosscutting, so let’s take a look at both.
Rip Cutting
When you need to cut through thick hardwood, try to err on the side of a blade that has around 24 teeth. These types of blades do an excellent job at cutting materials like oak because they are designed to cut along the grain of the wood.In fact, it’s called rip cutting because the teeth, which are more jagged and hooked than other types, are effectively ripping the wood at the contact point. For this reason, more delicate materials, like most plywood, can tear-out if you have a smaller amount of teeth.
Crosscutting
When you need a finer cut, then crosscutting is perfect because it’s designed to be able to cut accurately against the grain of the wood. This means that a saw blade of this type will easily shear thinner woods without causing tear-out.As a general rule, the more teeth you have, the cleaner the cut will be, so select a blade that has at least 40 teeth and you’ll have no problems.
Product Reviews
Best Table Saw Blade for Crosscutting – Forrest WW10407125
- Forrest WW10Q407125 Woodworker II - Diameter (D) = 10 1/4-Inch, Teeth (T) = 40, Kerf (K) = 1/8-Inch, Arbor (A) = 5/8-Inch, Tooth Style = ATB
- With this one all purpose blade you can RIP and CROSSCUT 1 inch to 2 inch ROCKHARDS and SOFTWOODS resulting in a smooth-as-sanded surface
- DOUBLE HARD and 40% STRONGER C-4 CARBIDE will give up to 300% longer life between sharpening
- Ends blade changing, Ends scratchy, Ends second-step finishing, Ends cutting 1/16 oversize, Buy and Sharpen ONE blade
- Specially engineered clearances on the carbide teeth can totally eliminate side scoring. The result…no planing/jointing or sanding. In many cases a glue-line cut can be obtained, depending on the accuracy of the saw machine
This line of saw blades has been in production since the 80s, and it’s still considered one of the better workhorse blades in most product recommendations.
It has 40 teeth, a thin kerf, and cuts at a good rate of speed. It even has a diameter of 10 inches, which means that you should experience a fast cut.
Simply put, if you’re going to be sawing hardwood, this blade is going to struggle somewhat. On materials like maple plywood, you may experience some tear out.
It would be a mistake to consider this a multi-use blade; rather, this blade is more of a crosscut model that cuts through most materials with relative ease.
Verdict
With 40 teeth, this blade does a good job at tearing through most types of wood that are less than 8/4 stock. If you need a product that’s designed to last and employs some useful features like a .125 kerf that will help reduce wasted wood, then this is a good option for you.
PROS
- It has 40 carbide teeth.
- The blade has a relatively fast operation.
- It stays sharp for years.
CONS
- It can struggle with thicker hardwood.
- The blade can cause burn marks on the wood.
Best Table Saw Blade for a Fine Finish – Freud LU85R008
- Premium TiCo Hi-Density Carbide crosscutting blend for maximum performance
- No Stabilizers needed
- Unique side grind polishes the material to produce a superior finish
The 64-tooth count on this saw blade means that your cuts will be smooth and fast. This means that when you’re in need of a crosscut that has good precision, this Freud cutoff blade is a good go-to product.
For some reason, when you’re using this particular blade on maple, it has a tendency to leave scorch marks. Also, this product has shipped with missing or chipped teeth.
With its side grind, this product also polishes the wood so it’s smooth and well-finished after the cut. This blade also has very limited drag due to the Perma-Shield coating. Also, with so many teeth, the cut on this blade tends to be very smooth at the contact point.
Verdict
When you need to do some crosscutting, this blade from Freud is an excellent option. Not only does it have some good cutting edges that are constructed of carbide, but it also is well-made and will last for years of cutting.
PROS
- It’s very smooth-cutting
- It has a lot of teeth for crosscutting.
- The side grind polishes the sides of the wood for a smooth finish.
CONS
- It can burn some types of wood.
- It might ship with broken teeth.
Best Table Saw Blade for Extended Accuracy When Crosscutting – DEWALT DW3106P5D60I
- Thin kerf for fast and smooth cutting action
- Computer balanced plate reduces vibration for improved accuracy and better finish
- Exclusive wedge shoulder design puts more steel behind each tip for increased durability and accuracy
When you need to quickly crosscut, this DEWALT product is a good go-to. It has 60 teeth that have some venting, which will reduce noisiness during operation. Additionally, the product has a very thin kerf, which means you should be able to get a very fast and smooth cutting operation.
When you’re cutting fast, the yellow paint on the blade can transfer to the material that you’re cutting. Also, kickback can occur on some types of wood due to the geometry of the teeth.
This product comes in a two pack, which is very useful. The plate is also computer-balanced for accuracy; a feature that can make cutting smoother and easier. Due to the wedge shoulder design, this blade also has higher accuracy.
Verdict
For a fast crosscutting blade, this DEWALT product is an excellent choice for the job. Users that need a blade that’ll cut across the grain and want speed will definitely be pleased with this product.
PROS
- The venting really quiets down operation.
- This is a fast blade due to the thinner kerf.
- With so many teeth, you’ll have no problem crosscutting.
CONS
- It can kickback a bit.
- The yellow paint can transfer to the wood that you’re cutting, so you’ll have to sand it off.
Best Table Saw Blade for Quick Rips – Hitachi 311128
Sometimes when you’re cutting with the grain, you’ll need a blade that has the teeth for the job, and this Hitachi blade is great for this type of rip cutting. It has 24 teeth, a .098 kerf for balanced cutting and precision, and will even cut through hardwood.
If you’re looking for precision, this blade definitely isn’t ideal. Also, it loses a little smoothness when you cut harder woods.
Each tooth is tipped in tungsten carbide, which means that the blade will last longer than traditional table saw blades. The teeth are also hooked perfectly for dealing with many different wood types.
Verdict
When you need reliability, these Hitachi 311128 saw blades are an excellent choice. They’ll work with most types of wood, and they will last for years and have a great kerf for overall control and precision.
PROS
- Tungsten carbide tipped teeth.
- They have a good hook for most wood types.
- These have a good kerf for maximum control.
CONS
- Despite the vents, the blades can be loud.
- The blade doesn’t cut as smoothly on some types of hardwood.
Best Table Saw Blade for Low-Vibration Functionality – Freud D1040X
- Includes (5) D1040X Saw Blades.
- New, Bulk Packed.
- TiCo Hi-Density carbide specifically designed for each application to increase performance.
- Perma-SHIELD Non-stick Coating protects from heat, gumming, & corrosion.
- Super thin laser cut kerf for fast, durable, and clean cuts.
When you’re doing a lot of general cutting, a good all-purpose blade can do the job of both a rip and crosscutter. This product, which is also from Freud, is an excellent choice for generalized work with its 40-tooth construction and unique tooth design.
The ripping functionality of this blade is clearly secondary to the crosscutting, so you may struggle when using it for cuts with the grain.
With its alternate top bevel, this blade is designed for a higher level of precision and smoothness. Not only is it a good choice for crosscutting, but its teeth are also designed with a hooking design, which means that the product can also be used to rip.
Verdict
When you need versatility, this blade is a good option for your woodcutting needs due to its ability to both crosscut and rip.
PROS
- It is a laser-cut blade.
- The coating protects it from vibration.
- It has minimal blade warping over time.
CONS
- It’s not the best blade for rip cutting.
- For some wood types like cherry and poplar, this blade can cut somewhat unevenly.
Best Table Saw Blade for Versatility – CMT 256.050.10
- For rip and crosscuts. The large gullets allow deep cuts and effective chip clearance.
- Cut solid wood, melamine, laminates, plywood, chipboard. Use on radial arm/miter saws, table saws.
- 0.098 kerf thickness, 0.071 plate thickness, 15° Hook Angle, 1 Flat + 4/20° alternate teeth Grind.
- Micrograin carbide for long-lasting cutting performance and smooth cut on wood/wood products.
- Laser-cut plate features expansion slots to reduce noise and anti-vibration design.
One of the best features of this CMT product is the fact that it’s clearly been designed with both crosscutting and rip cutting in mind.
The product has 50 teeth with sizable hooks that will cut with or against the grain of the wood with ease.This product is relatively smooth, but it doesn’t quite cut as smoothly as other products on the market.
CMT included some sizeable vents on this laser-cut saw blade. These expansion slots will reduce vibration and noise, making cutting much more convenient. Also, despite the fact that this is a combo blade, it really can manage most wood types.
Verdict
With its relatively flat cut, this blade is even a good choice for those that need to make dado cuts in their wood. As a result of this overall versatility, this product is an excellent choice for just about anyone that needs a jack-of-all-trades-style saw blade.
PROS
- The blade cuts flat and smooth.
- It doesn’t make a lot of noise when it’s cutting.
- It has a good kerf for fine cutting control.
CONS
- It’s not precise enough for dedicated rip cutting.
- It doesn’t cut as smoothly as other combo products.
Best Table Saw Blade for Ripping – Freud LM72M010
- Specs: Arbor 5/8", Diameter 10", Grind FLAT, Hook Angle 20°, Kerf .126", Plate .087", Teeth 24
- Premium TiCo HI-Density Carbide Ripping Blend for Maximum Performance
- Extra Large, Flat Tooth Design leaves a smooth finish without the need for sanding or jointing
- Laser-Cut Anti-Vibration Slots drastically reduce vibration and sideways movement in the cut extending blade life and giving a crisp, splinter-free flawless finish
- Silver Ice Coating resists corrosion and pitch build-up
As you may have guessed from the name of this product, Freud has designed it to primarily function as a rip cutter. As a result, the teeth are hooked and flat in order to still deliver a smooth finish on the hardwood that you’re cutting.
Despite the Silver Ice Coating, this blade has a tendency to rust, which means that you should store it in dry conditions. Also, in some table saws, the blade can cut somewhat in an unstable fashion; it has a tendency to wobble slightly.
This product’s extra-large flat teeth really will cut most types of hardwood down to size at a fairly quick rate. The teeth are also laser-cut, which will ensure that the leading edges of the blade will remain strong and sharp for a long period of time.
Verdict
With 24 teeth that are designed to cut tougher woods, the Freud LM72M010 is a good option for people that need to cut with the grain of the wood. The teeth are laser-cut and strong for long-term use – just keep it away from moisture.
PROS
- This product has laser-cut teeth.
- The 24 teeth are designed to rip through most types of wood.
- The venting system is great for reducing noise.
CONS
- The coating is supposed to fight pitch and corrosion, but the blades can still rust.
- The carbide teeth can chip gradually.
What are other important features to consider?
The Type of Blade That You Need
When you’re working with a table saw blade, you’ll find that there are four different blade types to choose from.
Alternate Top Bevel (ATB): These have teeth that are angled along the top edges of the blade, and every other tooth leans in the opposite direction so the tooth shears the wood.Due to the method that this type of blade uses to cut, these are rated for a relatively clean cut on the wood. That being said, these are also rated for a very fast cut.
Flat Top Grind (FTG): FTG blades have relatively uniform teeth that are square when lined up with the saw plate. Most woodworkers compare FTG blades to a chisel; simply put, they rake out areas of the wood, which is why they are one of the blades that cut the least cleanly through the material.
Combination (ATBR): As you might expect, ATBR blades have a tendency to combine some of the features of both ATB and FTG blades, which means that they are very versatile saw blades. Usually, these blades are designed to have a repeating pattern of four ATB teeth followed by four FTG teeth.This means that you can crosscut and rip with these. As a result, most recommendations agree that these can be used for most nuanced woodworking.
Triple Chip Grind (TCG): If you’re going to be sawing tougher materials like Corian, then consider a TCG blade. These blades have both FTG teeth and chamfered teeth that alternate a ripping and a smoothing cut, allowing you to cut quickly and clean up the cut almost simultaneously.
When to Use a Dado Kit
Are you looking to use your hybrid table saw to cut grooves into your wood? This type of process is called cutting dadoes, and to do this properly you’ll need a good dado kit like the final product that we featured in our reviews.
A dado kit will produce a flat-bottomed cut that is a few fractions of an inch thick and is perfect for providing a seat for adjoining two pieces of wood. This flat area is perfect because it provides a good contact point when you need to glue two pieces of wood together.
How Kerf Comes Into Play
The kerf of the blade is primarily a measurement of how many fractions of an inch thick the blade is. For the purpose of woodcutting using table saw blades, it’s generally a good idea to have a relatively thickly-kerfed blade so it’ll last longer and be able to go longer between sharpening sessions.
That being said, when it has a thinner kerf, the blade will typically cut through the wood at a much faster rate and also have a keener edge.
Final Thoughts
Woodworking is a burgeoning art that many people still perform today. While it is heavily dependent on tools and materials, you’ll find that using the right blades and wood is a fairly easy process.
The products that we’ve covered in our saw blades review guide are all excellent tools for a wide variety of jobs, and each is well worth the money as well.
As the woodworking pastime progresses, more and more technologies are making their way into the process. Not only are modern blades stamped, but techniques such as laser cutting allow for the blades to be cut without much of the metal stress that happens during the stamping process.
Additionally, blades are becoming safer due to the fact that manufacturers are now including skin sensors in their table saws that will stop the blade from spinning the instant it senses your fingers.