There are a number of things to note when it comes to selecting the ideal table saw blade. However, the most important thing to note is that the most table saw comes with lousy blades, exacting replacement.
More often than not, these blades are the generic ones that can only deliver a low output irrespective of the type of cut attempted. Juxtaposed with the cost of the table saw, the standard blade is still affordable, and if you ask me, it is worth the extra cash.
Now, let’s look at the types of blades available and his to select the right one for a given woodwork project.
Types of Table Saw Blades
There are four different types of saw blades identified.
Ripping Blades
Ripping wood means cutting the log a long the particles, and it entails ejecting many particles. As such, blades used for ripping usually come with few teeth and wide spaces (gullets) in between each tooth. The spacious gullets make it possible for more wood particles to be cut as the teeth rolls on the wood log.
Because more wood particles are removed at a time, the ripping blade is designed for fast cuts. Ripping is when we cut across the grain of the lumber and requires much material to be removed.This blade might contain as many as 30 teeth.
Crosscutting Blades
Crosscut results from a gash across the grain of the log of wood. Unlike ripping, a crosscut does not involve taking many particles away from the wood.The blade has so many teeth, and the implication of this is that fewer materialsis removed as the blade cuts the wood.
Combination Blades
Combination blades are the multi-purpose cutting devices that blend the features of crosscutting blades with those of ripping blades efficiently. While it might not be the best in doing any of the two tasks, it is fair in doing any one of them. The teeth are more than those in ripping blade, but not as much as there are in the crosscutting blade.
Composite Blades
Composite blades are excellent choices for cutting specialized sheets of wood, say plywood, particle board, MDF and such likes. All the a fore-discussed types are mainly used in cutting typical logs of wood.
How to Choose the Right Blades
As earlier discussed, you will most likely want to purchase a new blade to replace the default that your saw came with from the factory. You might not be able to maximize the full potential of your saw in the absence of a functional blade to work with.
Buying different types of blades is advisable should you have a project of varying cut types to do. However,you will be good with just ripping and crosscutting blade if you are not embarking on any serious cuts.
Peradventure, you are on a low budget, you can just go for a combination blade. It is again advisable if you are disinclined to regular replacement of blade and contented to use a ‘one-for-all’ blade for every cut that comes.Never forget that you might need a specialized blade if you are working on some individual cuts.
Final Words
The blade is an essential component of the table saw, so never attempt to trivialize it. If you like a superb table saw, then, gets a right blade alongside it.
