What Are The Best Circular Saw Blades In 2020?
I have on multiple occasions received requests on doing a review of the best circular blades in the market today. While doing my research, I realized that different circular saws are made differently, with different purposes in mind.
However, it all boils down to how efficient and durable your saw blade is. Even with the best chain saw in the market today, you would not get to maximum productivity without a blade that serves you best. In the following article, I have looked at various circular saw blade types in the market today. Here is what I found out.
1. IRWIN Metal-Cutting Circular Saw Blade
First on our list is the IRWIN metal-cutting circular saw blade. Rated as the best circular saw blade, this blade is an assurance of exceptional results when it comes to sheering metals, from ferrous steel or aluminum.
Key Features:
- The blade is made with anti-vibrating vents that minimize wobbling to ensure that your cuts are smoother and straight. The vibrating vents also keep the blade cool and in low temperature when cutting.
- The teeth is made of metal cutting grade carbide ensuring that they remain sharp for long.
- It also spots an anti-kickback shoulder that maintains a degree of safety when cutting. This design reduces dust and sparks from the cut, which are potential hazards.
- The blade is super strong and can easily cut through steel. This is unlike other blades that technically pulverize like a grinding wheel.
Common Questions People Ask about the blade?
- Is this blade thin kerf or full kerf? The blade is thin kerf. The kerf is 3/32” in width but the exact number vary by a few thousandths in different saws and blades. The blade is primarily meant for a saw with a smaller motor.
- Does this blade have a 1-inch arbor? Yes.
What we liked about this blade?
- The blade is very durable and goes a long way into reducing your expenses on saw blade replacements.
- The blade works effortlessly on different types of material, from acrylic to metal roofing sheets and other types of materials.
- The blade feels safe wen using it and makes smooth cuts.
- Compared to other blades, this blade is cheaper and more effective at work.
What we did not like about this blade?
- The blade is quite noisy while on use.
2. Concord Blades WCB1000T080HP Wood Saw Blade
Made purposely for its purpose in woodwork, the Concord blades WCB1000T080HP stand out among the best circular saw blade types. This blade is known for its efficiency and minimal wastage as the tool lies in the category of ultra-thin kerf lades.
Key Features:
- It is 10 inches in diameter with 80 teeth and can cut wood up to 3 inches thick.
- It is light and can run up to 5500rpm to get your job done in no time.
- It has an ultra-thin kerf of 2.66mm. The kerf allows for smooth finishes and minimal wasting of wood.
- Super durable with an ATB grind and a 15o hook, enabling it to work in different types of material.
- The blade is made of wood cutting grade carbide to ensure effortless ripping or crosscutting.
Common Questions People Ask about the blade:
- How big is the center hole? The standard center hole is 5/8 inches.
- The max blade rpm is 5350 but my chop saw runs at 5500 rpm. Is it okay if I use it? No, it is safe for you to use a blade at the speed for which it is rated.
What we liked about this blade?
- The blade leaves a smooth and clean edge as compared to other blades
- The price is surprisingly low for its high quality make.
- It is sturdy and the blades are durable and will need a lot of work before dulling out.
- The blade is also very stable with minimum wobbling even while cutting hard woods.
What we did not like about this blade?
- The blade dulls very fast when working on laminate flooring.
- It is also prone to overheating when cutting.
3. DEWALT DW3106P5 60-Tooth Crosscutting Saw Blade
If you are looking for a blade that is bound to make your work as interesting and easy, you definitely need the Dewalt DW3106P5. The blade is 10 inches in diameter with 60 cutting teeth for general purpose.
Key Features:
- The blade is an all-purpose fit that has been specifically crafted to fit working with the miter and table saws. This fit makes it useful on multiple variations and thus saving your time and money.
- Versatility is another of the key thing that the Dewalt DW3106P5 blade has to offer. Whether you are looking to cut chipboard, plywood, softwood or hardwood, the blade is very reliable.
- The blade is made of thin kerf to ensure that you are able to attain smooth cuts in no time.
- It is also computer balanced, ensuring that vibrations are reduced to a minimum for more accurate cuts.
- The blade comes with the wedge shoulder design that adds more steel onto every tip. This ensures that the blade lasts long and does not warp easily.
Common Questions People Ask about the blade:
- Can I cut plastic pipes with it? The plate can cut plastics with ease
- What is the size of the kerf? The kerf is ¼ inches and the arbor is 5/8 inches.
What we liked about this blade?
- The construction-grade carbide adds to the durability of this blade.
- It is light and only weighs 3 pounds.
- The blade comes in a two pack at a competitive price, which is an advantage for the buyer.
What we did not like about this blade?
- There were instances when the wood edges were frayed and chipped by this blade.
4. Freud D1050X Diablo 10-inch Saw Blade
This blade is interestingly designed to take up a multipurpose function. It is made for table and miter saws, comes with a 10 inches cutting diameter and a 50-tooth ATB. With the blade being one of the best circular saw blades in the market today, enjoy using it for high precision cuts that are made quickly.
Key Features:
- It is built with a tough steel plate. The cutting tips are made of high-density carbide to ensure that the blade is durable.
- The blade spots a thin kerf to ensure that it easily cuts through the wood without taking too much of your energy for maintaining control. The cutting is easier and much more efficient with this feature.
- You will also enjoy vents that are laser cut to improve the stability of the blade while at work. The vents are a great advantage in reducing the noise of the blade and vibrations when cutting.
- The blade also comes with 50 teeth to ensure that you can achieve fine results when getting some cross cuts. The teeth are boosted for durability with Freud’s exclusive shock resistant and Hi-density carbide formulas.
- A deep gullet sits after every 5 teeth to ensure that there is maximum efficiency in chip removal.
Common Questions People Ask about the blade:
- Can the blade cut through a flat bottom dado? Somehow, the blade can cut through a flat button dado but the beveled teeth are slightly taller. This will cause the blade to have bat ears at the cross section.
- What is the RPM rating on this blade? The RPM rating for this blade is a maximum 7000 rpms.
What we liked about this blade?
- The blade is efficient in cutting both wood and wood composites, minimizing your need for extra blade changes in between work.
- The shock resistant carbide formula on the teeth is a sure way to make the blade last long even on strenuous and demanding tasks.
- The blade also comes with a permanent coating, which helps to keep the blade from corrosion, and gumming.
- The thin kerf is a superb way for efficiency on your power tool thus helping your motor last longer.
What we did not like about this blade?
- The thin kerf exposes the blade to vulnerabilities such as easily deflecting and the inability to stand high temperatures.
- The blade is more expensive than other products within its competitive range.
5. Oshlun SBW-055036 Circular Saw Blade
Known for an amazing performance even in the worst situations, the Oshlun SBW-055036 Circular Saw Blade takes its place on this review as the 5th best circular saw blade. This blade comes with a 5 ½ inches cutting capacity, and professional grade carbide. The blade, which is a multi-versatile fit for many power tools, comes with some of the best features that keep it a notch higher in performance and durability.
Key Features:
- The blade is light in weight and weighs 5.6 ounces. A lightweight blade is key to achieving precise cuts in woodwork cutting.
- The blade has 36 teeth protected with professional grade carbide to ensure that they last longer.
- Speed is key in cutting. The blade comes with a provisional 11,000 RPMs and is thus compatible with many power tools in the market.
- It comes with two brushings, one at 1/2 inch and the other at 10mm. both bushing are good quality.
- The teeth of the blade come with a micro grain carbide that ensures they are long lasting. The carbide also ensures that the cuts made are smoother and finer than other normal cuts.
- The teeth of this blade have an anti-kickback design thus offering safety to the user while operating a power tool.
- It also comes with incorporated heat vents to help expend heat build-up during the cutting process.
- The blade has been designed to be compatible with many portable saw tools in the market.
Common Questions People Ask about the blade:
- Is the blade capable of cutting through ½ inch MDF? Yes, the blade can easily cut through.
- What is the thickness of the area between the arbor hole and carbide teeth? The thickness of this section is 0.073”.
- Can this blade cut through a countertop that is laminated? No, you would need a blade that has more teeth for a fine cut.
- Can this blade cut through stainless steel sheets? No, the blade is meant for woodcutting.
What we liked about this blade?
- The blade comes with brushing. The good side of this is that you can comfortably fit the blade on many power tools.
- The teeth have high-grade carbide to boost its durability.
What we did not like about this blade?
- The blade is quite small in diameter compared to its competitors. There is not much of depth cutting that can be done with the 51/¬2 inches diameter blade.
- Not many people enjoy fitting a blade with a brushing. The blade should come with different hole sizes that do not need a brushing to fit.
- The blade leaves many rip-outs when cutting plywood with it.
6. Rockwell RW9231 Circular Saw Blade
The Rockwell RW9231 offers versatility when it comes to cutting. The blade can easily cut through wood, wood composites, and aluminum. The blade has 24 tipped teeth, which are designed to offer the fastest experience amongst other circular saw blade types.
Key Features:
- The teeth of the blade have a carbide tip that ensures the blade lasts long. The carbide also boosts the aggression and strength with which the blade sheers through cutting material.
- Although the blade can cut through different materials, it is highly optimized for cutting wood. Nonetheless, it provides a smooth cutting experience even when shearing through aluminum sections as well.
- The blade has 24 teeth that offer easy sawing through materials. The teeth are well placed to ensure that the cutting is precise and fast.
Common Questions People Ask about the blade:
- Can this tool cut through Ceramic Tiles? No, the carbide tips are strong but they will chip off if exposed to cutting tiles. You will need a diamond-impregnated blade to cut through tiles.
- What is the Kerf in this blade? The kerf of this blade is 3/64 th of an inch.
- What is the diameter of the arbor hole? The arbor hole diameter is 5/8 inches.
What we liked about this blade?
- The carbide on the teeth increases the service life of the blade.
- The blade is super light at only 1.6 ounces, which makes it easy to use and cut fast rough material.
- The cutting diameter is 3.375 inches making it the perfect size for cutting through light cutting assignments.
What we did not like about this blade?
- The blade is not compatible with many circular saws.
- The blade is not coated and can easily catch rust and is corroded if poorly stored.
- The teeth wear out easily when the blade is exposed to metal cutting.
Buying Guide for Circular Saw Blades
A great circular saw can only be as good as having the best circular saw blade to use. Finding the right blade for use can be a daunting task if you do not know what to look for.
Different circular saws are made for different purposes. They are also made for cutting different types of materials and for specific saws.
Of course, top-notch features are the best, but functionality of these features is key and should relate well with your cutting needs. This buying guide will help you know what to focus on while choosing a circular blade that fits your needs and purposes.
The two main steps when buying a blade are:
- Checking to see if it fits your circular saw
- Checking for specifications that suit you the most
With these two main points, you can get into more details on what should guide you into finding the right saw for you.
Checking if the Blade Fits your Circular Saw
The two key guidelines to help you find a blade that fits your saw are the type of blade and the diameter of the blade.
- Smaller blades between 4 ½ inches to 4 ½ inches are meant for hand held circular saws.
- Diamond tipped blades that are 7-10 inches in diameter are meant for tile saws
- Metal saws, abrasive saws and cut off saws will often require a blade that is 14 inches in diameter and whose teeth are tipped with silicon carbide or aluminum oxide.
The arbor hole should also guide you into finding a blade that fits onto your saw. This hole must fit onto the shaft on your saw.
Thirdly, ensure that the maximum rating of the RPM (rotations per minute) match those of your plate.
Checking for the Saw Specifications
Types of Circular Saw Blades
There are many functions that a saw blade can fulfill. The following are circular saw blade types that should help you know what you are looking for and the work a blade can do.
1. Plywood Blades
These are blades meant for cutting plywood. They have numerous teeth.
2. Combination blades
These blades can either cut across or parallel to the grains of wood. This is the best blade to go for if you are looking for a general-purpose solution.
3. Crosscutting blade
These blade cut across the wood grain and they have more teeth with a small gullet for fine cuts.
4. Ripping blade
These types of blades are meant for cutting parallel to the wood grain. The teeth are fewer in this blade and the gullet is larger.
5. Fine-Tooth Finish Blade
These are secondary blades to help you make smooth cuts.
6. Hollow Ground Blade
The hollow ground blade is useful for making smooth cuts across the wood grain. The blade is made in such a way that it is thinner than the teeth to prevent from sticking in between the workpiece.
7. Dado Blade
They are useful when making grooves, rabbet cuts and dadoes in lumber work.
8. Thin kerf blades
These are blades with a narrow profile. They are designed for easier cutting, faster, and with less material waste.
9. Finish/ Paneling blade
These are used to cut plywood, veneer, paneling, plastics and laminates.
Teeth in Circular Saw Blade
1. What is the number of teeth that should be found on the best circular saw blade?
Teeth are the cutting tools on a blade. Teeth spacing and number affect the cutting process of a blade.
When the teeth are widely spaced and large in size, the blade cuts faster and can handle the cutting task more aggressively. However, such teeth will only allow efficient cutting of the wood in the direction of the grain.
When teeth are smaller and narrowly spaced, each rotation of the blade will make more cuts- hence a much finer and smoother type of cutting. On the other hand, smaller teeth make finer finishes and they function best when cutting across the wood grain.
2. Different Types of Teeth and their Importance
Teeth come in different shapes, and forms to fulfill a variety of purposes.
- Alternating bevel teeth – In this type of teeth, the bevel direction alternates from left to right. This reduces the amount of friction by making the cut bigger than the blade.
- Nail cutting teeth – This type of blade allows you to cut wood that may be having nails that would conventionally break other blades.
- Anti-recoil teeth – Blades with these type of teeth have a heel at the back of the tooth. This heel prevents the blade from bucking towards the user.
- Straight and trapezoidal alternating teeth – These blades have teeth with bevels, and straight teeth that follow each other. The trapezoidal teeth are meant for making the rough cut and the straight teeth reduces the extent of tearing of the wood fiber.
- Positive and negative angle teeth – These teeth are differentiated by the extent of how forward or backward the carbide pads lean on the teeth. The positive angled teeth pull towards the blade while the negative angle pulls away. The positive angled teeth make it easy when cutting wood while the negative angle make it easy for the operator to control the saw when cutting materials such as metal.
3. Teeth Count
For experienced woodworkers the number of teeth on a blade determines the best circular saw types.
In general terms, the higher the number of teeth a blade has, the higher the quality of the blade. Every additional tooth means an addition to the cost.
- 14-teeth Blades (Demo Blades) – When the number of teeth is small, the blade can cut fast but the cut is rough. Blades with a low number of teeth have the capacity to go through the thickest stock with much ease.
- 24-teeth blades (Framing Blades) – These give clean rip cuts but their cross cuts are rough.
- 40-teeth blades (Sheet Blades) – These blades can easily cut through plywood.
- 80-teeth blades (Miter-saw blades) – These are saws to help you in doing finish work and cleaner cuts.
Summary
What to Consider when looking for the best circular saw
- Understand the application – Ensure that you know, beforehand, the work that you need to do. This will help you pick a saw that fits your work.
- Determine the type of cut needed – This factor will help you in picking a blade with the right number of teeth to fit your need. If you are looking for a finer cut, you will need a blade with many teeth. If looking to cut on thick stock, you will need a blade with small number of teeth
- The Gullet – The gullet is the space in between the teeth. The wider the gullet, the larger the chip of dirt and waste.
- Configuration of the teeth – Teeth configuration determines how the blade performs. Configuration of teeth will help you determine if the blade is a cross cut, rip cut, or for combined cutting.
- Angle of the Teeth – The angle of the teeth will help you know the material which the blade should cut.
In conclusion, ensure that you go for the blade that fits your purpose. The best circular saw types are only functional if they operate as needed. Also, ensure that you go for a blade that fits your financial capability. The best circular saw blade should give you the best return for your investment.
