There’s a wide variety of saw blades on the market, all with specific cutting purposes and features, which can make it difficult to know which blade to choose. Whether you’re investing in a new saw blade for a specialty cut or selecting one from your own collection, you should read on. Here are some tips for choosing the right saw blade for your project.
Classify Your Cutting Material
The first thing to consider when choosing a saw blade for any project is the material you’ll be cutting. While there are some universal saw blades on the market, you’ll get a better cut by using a specialized blade for the material you’re working with. The more specific you go, the better. For example, when choosing a stone-cutting blade for a masonry project, you can pick from various blades that specialize in cutting specific types of stone, such as diamond blades for cutting marble or granite. Even the slightest differences between saw blades could make the blades worse or better suited for your project.
Select the Number of Saw Blade Teeth
When selecting your saw blade, you should also observe the number of teeth on the blade. Blades with more teeth will generally produce a smoother cut than blades with fewer teeth. This is true for many common cutting blades, but you should also know how to pick blades that don’t have traditional teeth. Some blades, such as diamond blades, have rectangular teeth known as segments, which store their diamond particles. So observe the teeth or segments carefully when choosing your saw blade.
Understand the Type of Cut
Finally, after examining your material and the specifications of the blade, you should also consider how the blade will help you make your type of cut. For example, if you’re cutting against the grain of a piece of wood, your saw requirements will change. On the other hand, when working with hard materials, such as stone, the blades don’t actually “cut” the material itself. They grind into the surface of the stone to create an abrasion. When making difficult cuts, such as those that go against the grain or are on harder materials, you should ensure your saw blades match the job.
Use these tips for choosing the right saw blade for your project to save time and avoid wasting your budget on the wrong tools. Select the right blade the first time by examining your working materials and saw blade needs closely.
