| You can have a top of the line circular saw but | | | | low to mid range circular saw. They often have only |
| without a good blade it doesn't amount to much. | | | | steel teeth which cut very well when sharp but are |
| Having the right blade for the job you are doing is | | | | easily dulled. They are seldom used by professional |
| critical to making a clean cut and making the cut | | | | since they do not maintain their cutting edge. |
| safely. Depending on the material you are cutting and | | | | Trim Blades |
| the results you are looking for you have to choose a | | | | Primarily for finishing cuts, a trim blade has 40 to 60 |
| blade for your circular saw accordingly. | | | | teeth, each with a premium carbide tip. A trim blade |
| Generally the blade will be a standard 7-1/4" in | | | | cuts slower then a general purpose blade but leaves |
| diameter. You can get general purpose blades for | | | | a smooth sharp edge. They are ideal for cross |
| under $10 but to get a high quality blade you can | | | | cutting dimensional lumber and cutting plywood. |
| expect to pay $50, $75 or more. | | | | Decking Blades |
| When choosing a blade I prefer to have a thin-kerf | | | | Used for trimming off decking and other premium |
| blade since it is easier to make a cut (kerf refers to | | | | dimensional stock a decking blade has a thin kerf with |
| the width of the cutting teeth). I also inspect the | | | | a raised shoulder. This allows it to easily cut through |
| blade to make sure there are no chips in the carbide | | | | even the hardest pressure treated lumber or knots in |
| teeth. Running your finger nail along the edge of the | | | | cedar or teak. Most decking blades also have a radial |
| blade will reveal any pits that you cannot see. | | | | slot which reduces warping while cutting and |
| The blade and teeth should have no rust and be | | | | prevents deep saw marks. |
| smooth and shiny. A dirty blade requires more force | | | | Remodeling Blades |
| to make a cut which will result in a rough cut or | | | | These blades are primarily used for demolition work. |
| cause an injury. Any dirty blades should be cleaned | | | | They have far less teeth then a finishing or decking |
| by using an industrial cleaner. This will dissolve any | | | | blade, often as few as 10 or 12. The teeth are also |
| pitch or gummy substances left from cutting wood. | | | | very robust with square shoulders and a wide kerf. It |
| Different circular saw blades and their uses | | | | is ideal for rough cutting and cuts where nails and |
| Masonry Blade | | | | other debris could be present. Since this type of |
| A masonry blade is smooth with no teeth. This is | | | | blade is so aggressive there is a lot of chip out. Avoid |
| because it grinds material away rather then cuts it. | | | | using a remodeling blade on finishing type cuts. |
| When using a masonry blade you should always wear | | | | General Purpose Blade |
| a dust mask to prevent inhaling and hazardous | | | | This blade is used for most general cutting. Almost |
| substances. Masonry blades are ideal for scoring | | | | every circular saw will have a general purpose blade |
| concrete pavers or cutting bricks. | | | | included with it. They are great for ripping or |
| Plywood Blade | | | | cross-cutting but do have some tear-out so should |
| Ideal for cutting cabinet grade plywood or plywood | | | | be avoided with finishing cuts. General purpose blades |
| with a thin veneer, plywood blades nibble away the | | | | will usually have 20 teeth with carbide tips and cut |
| wood rather then chew it up like a general purpose | | | | smoothly when sharp. |
| blade. A plywood blade has a lot more teeth then | | | | Cutting with a circular saw is one of the most |
| other types of circular saw blades, often over 70 | | | | common ways to rip and cross-cut lumber and |
| teeth. This makes for a very clean cut with no | | | | plywood. However there is always a risk of |
| chip-out. | | | | kick-back. Set the depth of the blade so it is just |
| Chisel Tooth Blades | | | | slightly deeper then the thickness of your stock. This |
| These types of blades are what usually come with a | | | | will reduce the risk of kick-back and other injuries. |