Choosing The Right Saw Blade

When you are looking for a saw blade, it pays to buy a good one. It also pays to know what you are looking for. There are so many opinions, options, and designs in the market today but only a few can guarantee the quality of their saw blades. 

With the vast of varieties available in the hardware store, it would be hard to choose the best product that fits your needs. Multi-tools are very effective and durable tools that will help you cut through almost anything. To get the performance from your oscillating multi-tool, it pays to be familiar with the different options and know which blade to choose for the job. 

In this article, I will guide you in choosing the right saw blade for you.

Size (or Diameter)

This may seem obvious, but once in a while, I came across individuals who want to use a saw blade that isn't meant for their tool. They do it to save money but instead learn a very costly mistake if you damage your tool.

First, you should consider the issue of clearance: a bigger blade won't likely clear the blade guard on a miter or radial arm on a saw. A smaller blade won't give you your desired depth cut. Second is the saw design. Smaller circular saw blades run at higher RPM than larger saws. Saw blades are designed to work with specific saws to give you the optimal performance.

Most craftsmen will use an 8" dado saw blade on a 10" table saw because most tables saws only come in a 10-inch design.  Another exception may be a highly specialized use by a professional. For example, is using an 8" non-ferrous blade on a 10" or 12" table saw to cut aluminum plate. This blade was designed for cutting extrusions not solid aluminum but these guys got skills and knowledge so the use it to their advantage.

Purpose or Material

When purchasing saw blades at small hardware stores you might be disappointed by their limited selection and most only sell blades for cutting woods. If you are shopping online or any large hardware store, you will find a larger selection of saw blades for cutting more types of material. If you're unsure what type of saw blade to purchase look for a guide online or ask someone at your hardware store. 

Make sure you do your research or ask someone who is knowledgeable if you're unsure what to buy.  The price of a 24 tooth rip blade might seem appealing, but if you're used to using a crosscut saw blade, you will be disappointed you didn't buy the more expensive blade. Trying to rip large pieces of wood with a trim blade, will burn more wood than you cut. Using either one of those blades to cut laminate flooring will cause your blades to wear out very quickly.

Ryker Hardware manufacturers a variety of saw blades that are sure to fit all of your needs. Each saw blade is labeled for their intended use, so you always know which saw blade to use.

Oscillating Tool Arbor

Oscillating tool or multi-tools saw blades come with a variety of arbor or shank attachments that are specifically made for certain tools.  If you purchase an oscillating saw blade with the wrong attachment for your tool things can go horribly wrong. While our quick release saw blades are designed to work with a variety of tools, in order for them to work on a Dremel or Bosch they require a C-Clip adapter to keep the saw blade on the machine to avoid it from flying off.

Tooth Count

If you're ever unsure how to use a particular saw blade, count the number of teeth per inch (TPI). This is a good indicator to determine if the saw blade is meant for demo or finishing work.  The higher number of TPI will produce a cleaner finish cut and the fewer TPI producers a rougher more unfinished cut. When you think of sawzall blades, how many teeth per inch is most common vs oscillating saw blades how many teeth per inch do you typically find?

When you're looking for a new miter or radial arm saw blade, A blade with 60 teeth is going to be your ideal blade for all types of work.  A saw blade with 40 teeth will tear apart any softer material and a saw blade with 80 teeth will make it tough to cut through a 2 by 4. On a table saw, 40 to 50 teeth are going to be your ideal combination.  Saw blades like the famous Forrest  Woodworker or the TENRYU Gold Medal.  All manufacturers make a variety of table saw blades with tooth counts in this range so obviously it works. 

There are also exceptions to the rule, especially in cutting plastics because it depends on the type of plastic, and it also differs on it melting point. Too many teeth will cause melting which will gum up to the teeth resulting to a very poor cut. 

Tooth Design and Configuration

This is might be confusing because there's a lot of theories and debates from different manufacturers. Not to in favor one from another but sometimes two completely different designs will have an equal performance for a specific job. So it is up to you the user on what makes you comfortable to use. 

For more guaranteed products, you can visit www.rykerhardware.com and you can shop at the most affordable and the best saw blades. They sell the best quality saw blades that satisfy a lot of users. You can also sign up for more information.