The 8 Best Table Saw Blades

How To Choose Table Saw Blades

A table saw is an essential part of a woodworker’s power tool collection. It lets you quickly perform rip cuts (along the grain) and crosscuts (across the grain), as long as you use the correct blade.

These large, circular blades may all look similar, but they vary more than you think. Depending on the type of wood or cut, they can produce noticeably different results. Consider these factors to ensure you purchase the best saw blade for the task.

• Teeth: The number of teeth indicates what type of cut the blade does best, as well as what materials it can effectively cut. Blades with the fewest teeth (20 to 32) are best for rough ripping cuts. They’re not great for finishing work. Blades with about 40 teeth, also called combination blades, are great for rip and crosscuts. Blades with 40 to 60 teeth are ideal for crosscuts; their smaller teeth create smooth ends and prevent unsightly blowouts, perfect for cutting corner molding. Higher count blades (80 to 120 teeth) are best for higher quality plywood, laminate or medium density fiberboard (MDF), resulting in the cleanest cuts. Dado blades, with fewer teeth, create the grooves needed for interlocking joinery. If you’re not sure what you’ll be cutting, go with a combination blade.
• Kerf size: The kerf refers to the width of the teeth, and indicates how much wood each cut removes. Full kerf blades, 1/8-inch, are sturdier and less likely to wobble while you cut. Thin kerf blades, 3/32-inch, create less waste and sawdust; they’re are well-suited for thin, more precise cuts. Because thin kerfs remove less wood, they also take less of a toll on your saw motor. That makes the blades more energy-efficient and better for saws with less than three horsepower (hp).
• Diameter: Most table saw blades are 10 inches in diameter, suitable for most cutting tasks. If you need to cut material thicker than 1-1/4-inch, choose a 12-inch blade. Keep in mind these larger blades may wobble, which can decrease accuracy. Ensure your table saw can accept whatever size blade you’re planning to use.
• Sharpening: All blades need to sharpened at some point. Lower-tooth-count blades with large teeth can be sharpened easier and more frequently than smaller tooth blades. Thin kerf teeth shouldn’t be sharpened as frequently as full ones.
• Finish: If you can afford it, choose a blade with a protective finish that resists buildup of pitch, a natural residue from wood. Pitch creates friction as the blade cuts, heating up the blade and causing it to break down faster. These blades may be more expensive, but they’ll last longer and require less cleaning.

Best Table Saw Blades for Crosscuts

Twelve stabilizer vents on the surface of the Freud’s Diablo D1060X Table Saw Blade reduce noise and vibrations, preventing wobbles and inaccurate cuts. It also features 60 teeth, making it ideal for performing crosscuts easily and effectively. A non-stick coating on the blade prevents wood pitch from gumming up this blade, reducing wear and tear and corrosion.

Pros

• Very little tear-out;
• Smooth results require less sanding.

Cons

• You’ll want a ripping blade to complement it.

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Best Table Saw Blades for General Use

If you’re looking for a combination blade for a wide range of cutting tasks, the Freud D0740A Diablo Table Saw Blade is a great choice. Its 40 teeth are well-suited for crosscuts and rip cuts, and can also be used in your miter saw. Made of a high-density carbide, the teeth are durable enough to stand up to frequent use. A protective finish helps resist heat and corrosion.

Pros

• Designed for all wood products;
• High density carbide teeth retain sharpness.

Cons

• Sloppy rips in hardwoods.

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Best Table Saw Blades for Rip Cuts

The 24 heavy-duty teeth on the Freud LU87R010 Table Saw Blade are perfect for executing long rip cuts and convenient to sharpen. This blade can handle wood from 3/4-in. to 2-3/4-inches thick.

A non-stick coating prevents the buildup of pitch that causes unnecessary drag. Combined with the energy-saving thin kerf, it’s efficient enough to use with an under-powered table saw.

Pros

• Great for cutting thick stock with a small saw;
• Flat topped teeth for perfect rabbets.

Cons

• Results were best in thinner material;
• One trick pony.

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Best Table Saw Blades: Low Budget

If you’re in the market for an inexpensive multi-purpose table saw blade, there’s no better deal out there than the WEN BL1040. WEN’s BL1040 blade has 40 teeth and works excellently with hardwoods, softwoods, and sheetgoods of all types. It comes with high-end features, such as heat expansion slots, thin kerf design, and a protective coating to prevent gumming and burning. All at a price comparable to a fast food meal.

I keep one of these around the shop at all times. In the event that a beautiful piece of lumber comes along that may have a few nails embedded in it, it is better to ruin this blade than a more pricey one.
Pros

• Inexpensive;
• Works well with all wood products.

Cons

• Dulls quickly;
• Not finish quality.

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Best Table Saw Blades: Fine Cuts

With 80 high-density carbide teeth, the Freud Ultimate Blade LU79R010 makes extremely smooth cuts quickly. Thanks to laser-cut slots that reduce vibration and prevent splintering, cuts made with this blade are straight and true.

This blade works especially well with delicate materials like melamine and veneered plywood. It’s expensive, but worth it if you need to make fine cuts.

Pros

• High-beveled teeth make very smooth cuts;
• Laser cut anti-vibration slots.

Cons

• Expensive.

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Best Table Saw Blades: Value Pack

If you’re looking to refresh your ragged saw blade collection before a substantial DIY project, the DeWalt DW3106P5 Saw Blade Combination Pack is an affordable and excellent way to do so.

The DeWalt combination pack contains a 10-inch, 60-tooth fine-finish blade and a 32-tooth general purpose blade. Suitable for use with any 10-inch miter saw or table saw. These blades are ideal for projects that involve any softwood, hardwood, chipboard, or plywood products.

The thin-kerf blades provide rapid cutting results with minimal debris. While the wedge shoulder places additional steel behind each tip improving the blade’s durability and performance.

You can’t beat two high quality blades for the price of one.

Pros

• Versatile combination of blades;
• Great price.

Cons

• Some blade deflection in hardwoods.

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Best Table Saw Blades: Splurge

Although it’s priced significantly higher than any other blade on our list, the rugged construction and heavy-duty cutting capability of the Forrest Woodworker II Table Saw Blade is worth the price.

The 10-inch, 48 tooth count is versatile enough for cross and rip cuts up to two inches thick, and durable enough for hardwoods like maple. This blade is also available in a range of diameters, tooth counts, arbor and kerf sizes. That makes it useful for a range of wood thicknesses, saw power levels and cuts.

As well as manufacturing quality saw blades, Forrest sharpens them too. Simply, send them your dulled Woodworker II, and for a nominal fee, they will sharpen them and ship them back to you, razor sharp from the factory and ready to be used again.

Pros

• Exceptional quality;
• Many blade options available;
• Factory sharpening service.

Cons

• Expensive.

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Best Table Saw Blades: Dado

You can easily create a range of joinery cuts and grooves using the Freud 8-Inch Stacked Dado Set, which includes a pair of 12-tooth blades and wing chippers. Combined with included shims, the Freud Stacked Dado Set can produce 1/4- to 13/16- inch wide grooves in laminate, melamine, plywood, or solid lumber. Freud Dado Sets are available in both six- and eight-inch diameter sizes so there’s a version available for both safety brake equipped saws, and underpowered saws out there.

Pros

• Essential for table saw joinery;
• Carbide-tipped blades and chippers;
• Included storage rack.

Cons

• Loud;
• Expensive to sharpen.

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