Miter saws are known for their efficiency and accuracy while making cuts in the woods. They are used to create identical cuts and to form perfect miter joints. There are six types of miter saw blades. Each of them is known for their different features. The market has a massive range of options when it comes to miter saw blades. The accuracy of the output solely depends on the blade. So, you need to use the best blade according to the output you expect. In this article you will read about the step by step guide on how to choose a miter saw blade.
Contents
Our Recommended Miter Saw Blade
No products found.
How To Choose A Miter Saw Blade– Step By Step Guide
Choosing the right kind of blade adds even more proficiency in your work. It will push your work to the next level. A good quality blade will make an accurate cut on any material. It will be fast and will save you time. A right blade will keep your motor from being damaged. A wrong blade can wear out your motor quickly. A straight working blade ensures your safety. Your safety is most important.
There are four necessary and important factors that you need to consider while choosing a blade. The elements are:-
Total Time: 45 Minutes
1. Types Of Miter Saw Blade
You need different kinds of miter saw to cut through various materials. Choose which of the following miter saw will be most useful to you. There are six types of Miter Saw Blade, and they are:-
a) Ripping Miter Saw Blade- They are used to cut through hardwood. They have a 10-inch blade and comes with 24 teeth usually. They give very smooth and accurate cuts.
b) Crosscut Miter Saw Blade-. This blade ensures the smoothest and firm cuts through wood grains. Other blades often fail to work with wood grains.
c) Plywood or Laminate Miter Saw Blade- This blade comes with a triple-chip tooth. It is perfect for cutting through the plywood. It has a lot of teeth and laminates without chipping anything extra.
d) Non- Ferrous Miter Saw Blade-. It is used specifically for cutting through materials like brass, aluminum, and copper. It is ideal for hard metals.
e) Melamine Miter Saw-. Cutting through Melamine wood is a difficult task. It isn’t easy because they have a coating on both sides. This blade has lots of teeth to help in cases like these and provide the smoothest and accurate cuts.
f) Steel Miter Saw Blade- The blade is made of carbide grade steel. This steel lasts much longer than others. This blade is used to cut through steel.
2. The Diameter of Your Miter Saw
Every miter saw requires a specific blade size that would work with it. If you use a different size than the one required, the device won’t work correctly. You will face problems with its cutting range, and the blade won’t even fit properly in the device. So, it is vital to check the user manual to know which blade size you need to use with your device.
7.5 inches, 8.5 inches, 10inches, and 12 inches are the most common sizes of the blade.
3. Hook Angle
The angle between the edge of the tooth and the center of the blade Is called a hook angle. It is also known as the blade’s label. A standard quality blade is supposed to have a hook angle between -5 and +7 degrees. The more the hook angle, the more grabby the blade will become to the substance.
4. The Tooth Count Of The Blade
The accuracy of the cut is determined by the number of teeth the blade has. A blade with numerous teeth will provide you smooth finishing and a more precise cut. The larger the blade, the more teeth it will have. A 12 inches blade should have 80 to 100 teeth to give the best output. Whereas, an 8.5 inches blade will only need 60 teeth to provide the best output.
Always keep in mind that you need a blade with fewer teeth to cut through a thick material.
Top Three Miter Saw Blades
1. Makita A-93681 – Best 10-Inch Blade, 80 Tooth
No products found.
The Markita brand itself is known for its tools and accessories. This 10-inch blade by Martika has 80 teeth, and each of its teeth is micro-polished with 600 grit materials. These micro-polished teeth help you get a smooth edge and reduce friction while working. These factors increase the life of the product. This blade is available at a very affordable price. At the same time quality of the product has not been compromised.
- Affordable
- Carbide material in it extends its life.
- It makes very accurate and precise cuts.
- There are differences in some parts of the blade, which might affect the cut.
- It makes comparatively more noise.
2. Freud D12100X – Best 12-Inch Blade, 100 Tooth
No products found.
It is the best blade in the 12-inch range. It has 100 teeth, which ensure smooth cuts. The risk of surface burns is omitted by slow feed time. It is used to cut standard woods and wood composites. The Diablo used in this blade increases the life of the blade. It is an excellent product for professional work because of its large size.
- Smooth face grind
- Makes very smooth cuts
- Diablo used increases the life of the blade
- Great for professional work
- Not so good for softwood
- Expensive
3. Freud D1060X Fine Finish Saw Blade, 60 Tooth
- 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
This blade is known for its excellent finish material. The blades don’t require sanding. It is easy and quick to use and makes exact cuts. It is a fast-cutting blade. It is a 10-inch blade and has 60 teeth. The laser-cut stabilizer vents in this blade trap the noise and the vibrations. It can cut all types of materials. The Perma shield coating makes it a superior choice. It has incredible performance with no trouble.
- Laser-cut stabilizer vents trap vibrations and noises.
- Noiseless
- Provides flawless coating
- Easy to use
- It generates a more delicate cut
- Scrap wood processing is complicated with this blade
- It can wear down sooner
- The presence of fewer teeth can leave rough or uneven cuts in certain materials
FAQs
1. Can a circular saw blade be used on the miter saw?
Yes, Circular saw blades are designed to use with miter saws. At the same time, they can be used with table saws, radial arm saws, cut-off saws, and standard circular saws.
2. Can you sharpen the blades of the miter saw?
Yes, sharpening blade can make them last longer. With use, the blade becomes hard and blunt, and its edges need to be sharpened.
3. How often to change the miter blade?
It depends on your usage of the blade. In most cases, it is after 2nd or 3rd time. It is then the time to either sharp your blades or replace them with the new ones.
4. Can a miter saw be replaced by a table saw?
A table saw can make the types of cuts miter saws are used to make. Though the precision may vary, technically, the table saw is more versatile.
5. Do I need a stand for a miter saw?
Yes, you need a stand for a miter saw.
6. Are miter saws dangerous?
No matter how useful they can be, miter saws are power tools and can be very dangerous if not used properly.
Final Thoughts
For the people who have recently started using miter blades, the difference between the blades is not significant. But, it is vital to know how to choose a miter saw blade. A right quality blade will make accurate cuts on all material. It will increase the life of the motor of your saw. And, the most important, it will ensure your safety. So, it Is vital to choose the right blade for your saw.
The blades are available in a variety of price ranges. Do not buy a cheaper blade if you will use the blade every day. The can wear off the motor very soon.
Miter Saw Blades can be dangerous when not used cautiously. The blades mentioned in the article are the best blades present in the market. Take proper care of them, and they will serve you for many years.
Leave a Reply