A Guide to Choose the Right Saw Blade for Your Next Project

1. What Is A Saw Blade?

Saw blades are what make sawing wood possible. Depending on how they are attached to the teeth of your circular saw, they can either cut straight across or at a diagonal angle. To get the best results, choose a blade that's sharpened properly and fits well onto the teeth of your saw.

2. How Do You Know If A Saw Blade Is Sharp Enough?

If you don't know whether or not a blade is sharp enough, try using the edge of the blade to shave off small pieces of wood. If the blade cuts smooth and cleanly, it probably isn't sharp enough. However, if the edges of the blade tear up the wood fibers, then the blade probably needs honing. When cutting thin material, like paper or plastic, use a duller blade than when cutting thick things, like wood.

Choosing A Good One

When choosing a saw blade, opt for those with longer lengths and wider cross sections. These blades tend to have thicker sides, making them stronger and more durable while having less surface area for nicks and damage.

Nothing is worse than replacing a blade on your power tool. But buying the right saw blade isn't always easy. Choosing the right blade might be even harder than using the wrong blade in the first place. That's why we decided to make things easier when it comes to blades.

The right saw blade is the foundation of any good project. A simple task like cutting wood could get out of hand if not done correctly. While some people use their hands or power tools to cut things up, others opt to invest in a quality circular saw to make their work easier.

There's no denying that a well-sharpened saw blade is helpful, but how much maintenance do they need? Here's everything you should know about choosing the best saw blades for your projects.

Blade Size

First, you may want to consider the size of the blade before buying. In general, a bigger saw can handle larger pieces of materials while a smaller one is perfect for those small jobs. If you need a high-quality blade, then you may want to go with a 36″ model instead of a 24″ one. However, that doesn't mean you have to buy a big one.

Just note that a bigger saw implies a lot of friction between the blade and the material, making it harder to control. So, a 28″ saw would be ideal for beginners who want to start building furniture.

Type of Material

Most people use a saw mainly for cutting different types of wood. Depending on the wood used, you may need something specific. For example, you might choose cedar or oak for exterior siding, but you would need a different blade for each one. To avoid confusion, the saw manufacturer will list what kind of material the blade works best. When shopping around, please pay attention to the nameplate to ensure it matches the material you plan to use.

Blade Type

On top of the blade size, you'll also need to think about the blade type. Different types of saw blades are built differently. For example, sanding and finishing saw blades tend to last longer than a carbide blade due to their hardness and durability. On the other hand, carbide blades are great for rough cuts since they're designed to withstand the force of a hammer without breaking apart.

On the contrary, a sanding blade is meant for smoothing surfaces and removing excess wood. Each blade comes with a unique set of features depending on the material they handle. Whether you chose a carbide blade over a sanding one or vice versa, always read the label carefully to see your offer's features.

Cutting Speed

Most people think of speed when they think about saw blades. However, speed isn't everything. There are many ways to quantify how fast a saw should cut wood: the grain size, material thickness, power, etc. In general, larger-diameter blades mean faster-cutting speeds than smaller ones, but that doesn't always have to be true.

Sometimes, the size of the teeth determines how fast the blade cuts. So, if you want a high-quality saw blade, pick one with sharp teeth. On the other hand, if you don't know much about how the saw works, do yourself a favor and buy a cheap saw blade. There are plenty out there that won't break any promises!

Durability

Sometimes durability is confused with cost, but these two terms aren't synonymous. A low-cost blade might not last long, but a higher-quality one could last longer. The best way to ensure longevity is to choose a blade that lasts. Durability means different things depending on who you ask, though. Many say strength is the number 1 factor when determining whether or not a blade will hold up over time, while others argue that flexibility is a more accurate indicator.

Pick a blade that feels right to you and will stand up to whatever work you put it through. Also, use a "saw gauge" tool to test the blade. Most companies will sell them separately, and they are inexpensive. All you need to do is insert the blade between the gauge and the handle of the saw and press lightly until the blade breaks. That's it!

Blade Sharpness

It might seem like a no-brainer, but blades become dull relatively easily. In addition, dull blades tend to tear apart the wood they're working with, causing splinters to fly everywhere. To avoid this, sharpen your blades regularly. Just remember that sharpening is only effective once. As soon as the edge becomes blunt again, the blade loses effectiveness. So ensure you set aside enough time each week to keep your blades sharp.

Overall Quality

When you first start using a saw, you may not notice the difference between a great and average quality blade. But after a while, you'll recognize a problem. Unfortunately, poor-quality blades are difficult to find locally. So, if the price is a factor, go ahead and save money. But otherwise, look for an excellent quality blade and learn how to evaluate your options.

Care and Maintenance

After purchasing the blade, you'll want to keep it sharp! Sharpening your sawblade takes less than a minute and only requires basic supplies. First, remove the protective cover on the blade and wipe off the oil. Then, place the blade upside down in a sink or bucket filled with warm water. Let the water run until you notice the blade getting slightly wet.

Afterward, flip it over so that the blade faces downwards and give it a quick rinse under running tap water. Now, remove the blade and dry it thoroughly. When it's scorched, you can either put it back in its original packaging or store it in a clean area where it won't get scratched.

Final Words

You need to know everything about buying the best saw blades online. Keep these tips in mind to help you pick the right ones for your projects! What do you think about our guide? Is there anything we missed? Comment below and let us know!