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Finish Nailer Repair - Replacing the Driver Guide (Ridgid Part # 79004001022)

Circular Saw Blade Types

Finish Nailer Repair - Replacing the Driver Guide (Ridgid Part # 79004001022)

It is best for saw blade shoppers to have a working knowledge of each specific blade feature when selecting a circular saw blade.

Many blades are sold and advertised with extremely simple names instead of a detailed list of features and measurements. Some of these simply-named saw blades are very common and worth mentioning for reference.

Saw Blades

There is a huge list of available saw blades, so we only list some of the most common blades here.

Each of the saw blade types described below match their simplified names by using unique combinations of many blade design features.

For more information about saw blade design features, view our "Saw Blades 101" article.

Also, for the purposes of this article, we consider .125" kerf (1/8") as the average kerf size. This is because, statistically, this is about the average kerf for 10" blades. Also, woodworkers tend to prefer 1/8" blades because of the "rounder" measurement when accounting for material loss.

 

General Purpose Blades Just like the name suggests, these blades are great for comprehensive, medium-application coverage. These blades will make a very clean rip cut as well, as long as the material is not too thick. Tooth Style: ATB
Hook Angle: between positive 10 and 20 degrees
Teeth: 40 is is average; usually about 3-4 teeth/inch
Materials: best for natural woods
Kerf: average: 1/8"

Example: The DeWALT 12" 32T General Purpose Saw Blade

DeWALT General Purpose Saw Blade

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Heavy General Purpose Blades

A specific, more aggressive hook angle, a few FT teeth, and fewer cutting teeth make these blades just a little more hearty than regular general purpose blades.

Also called "All Purpose," and "Contractor" blades, these blades can cut through harder materials like plywood and particle board that are not recommended for regular general purpose blades.

The ATB+R style for these blades follows a 2:1 ratio of ATB teeth to FT teeth.

Heavy general purpose blades can make rip cuts and crosscuts, but they are much better adapted for ripping because they make rougher cuts.

Tooth Style: 2:1 ATB+R
Hook Angle: 22 degrees
Teeth: about 2-3 teeth/inch
Materials: natural woods and some fabricated materials
Kerf: wider kerf than average

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Rip Blades

The best blades for simple wood ripping using a uncomplicated combination of aggressive design features.

Tooth Style: FT
Hook Angle: usually about 20 degrees
Teeth: about 1-1.5 teeth/inch
Materials: any solid woods, soft or hard
Kerf: wider kerf than average (unless advertised as "Thin Kerf")

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Radial Arm Blades

This is the design feature combination that adapts circular saw blades for radial arm saws, used for crosscutting.

Tooth Style: depends on application. ATB for wood, and TCG for harder materials.
Hook Angle: negative 6 degrees
Teeth: about 5-10 teeth/inch
Materials: depends
Kerf: slightly wider than average

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"Thin Kerf" Blades

This does not refer to any specific thinness of a saw blade, but instead refers to blades that are specifically named and/or advertised as "Thin Kerf" blades.

"Thin Kerf" blades include design features intended to maximize the benefits of a thin kerf while minimizing the disadvantages. Features can vary, but they all seek to reduce wear potential, overheating, and blade flexing so that more aggressive cuts can be feasibly performed with lower horsepower machines.

Depending on the type of thin kerf blade, they can be adapted for both rip cuts and crosscuts.

Tooth Style: varies (usually depending on material)
Hook Angle: varies (usually depending on saw type)
Teeth: can be between 4-7 teeth/inch
Materials: "thin kerf" designs can be suited to nearly any material
Kerf: thin +special features

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Precision Trim Saw Blades

For the finest trim woodworking crosscuts. Usable on most saws. Not used for ripping cuts.

Tooth Style: ATB or HiATB
Hook Angle: positive 10 degrees for most saws and negative 6 degrees for radial saws
Teeth: about 4-8 teeth/inch
Materials: all kinds of wood and plywood
Kerf: very thin kerf

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Glue Rip Blades

Specialty ripping blades for woodwork that will involve gluing. These blades produce a very clean edge and smooth finish, and are most recommended for hardwood.

Tooth Style: TCG
Hook Angle: around positive 20 degrees
Teeth: 3-4 teeth/inch
Materials: all woods, especially hardwood
Kerf: average to a thicker than average

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Compound Miter Blades

These blade's combination of features make them the best for miter cuts with compound miter saws.

They can be found in variations to fit almost any application material, and they have the right balance of aggression and precision.

Coupound miter blades should not be used for ripping cuts.

Tooth Style: ATB or TCG, depending on material
Hook Angle: positive 10 degrees, or negative 6 degrees (for metal cutting and radial saws)
Teeth: about 4-6/inch
Materials: suitable blades are available for most materials
Kerf: slightly thicker than average

Example: The Bosch 10" TCG  Miter Saw Blade

Bosch Miter Saw Blade

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Melamine/Laminate Blades

These blades break the typical hook angle conventions for saw blades. Using a negative hook angle on non-radial saws prevents chipping and tearout with man-made materials like melamine.

A generous amount of cutting teeth and very thin kerfs make melamine/veneer blades the best for plywood and MDF as well.

TCG melamine blades will stay sharp longer, but they won't make as smooth a cut as HiATB melamine blades will. Users should choose between melamine blade tooth style based on how they prioritize delicacy and durability in the application.

Tooth Style: HiATB or TCG
Hook Angle: negative 6 degree hook angle
Teeth: 6-8 teeth/inch
Materials: man-made materials: glued woods, MDF, melamine, veneer and so forth.
Kerf: very thin kerf

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Teflon Blades

Some circular saw blades are teflon coated. The slick teflon material greatly reduces drag during cutting, making these blades excellent for high-friction applications.

The durability of teflon blades will help them stay sharp much longer. They are recommended for crosscutting all kinds of natural and man-made woods, but not for ripping cuts.

Tooth Style: ATB, most commonly
Hook Angle: depends
Teeth: about 5-8 teeth/inch
Materials: all kinds of wood
Kerf: thiner than average

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Conclusion

As we mentioned before, this is not a comprehensive list of every possible saw blade design, just some of the heavy hitters.

Saw blades are not "one size fits all," so becoming familiar with specific design features, measurements, and combinations of features is the best way for users to match blades that will provide optimal cutting performance.

Check out eReplacementParts.com's Standard Saw Blades page to view our expansive selection of circular saw blades for all kinds of applications and materials.


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