Q&A: I just bought a used Craftsman table saw (10″) and I need some blades, what blades will…?

I just bought a used Craftsman table saw (10″) and I need some blades, what blades will…?
…give me the best bang for my $ ?
I don’t mind buying multiple blades for different purposes, at a minimum I need one for finish cuts and one for rough cuts.

Suggestion by sensible_man
Some companies, like Irwin, sell multiblade packs. I would suggest buying one of each blade you will need. The better (more expensive also) the blade, the longer it will last and give better cuts.

Suggestion by Rob
I have Freud thin kerf rip and cross cut blades that I use on my Delta Uni-Saw. I’ve had them for several years, and they still cut like new. I can cut plywood chip-free with the cross cut blade. They both are capable of making smooth cuts.

Suggestion by Polyhistor
Actually, there are different blades for different purposes. You have to know what you are doing in order to get the blades for it. The most common blade is the Combination, but for fine cutting, you will need a higher tooth count. For plywood, you will need still another.

Suggestion by thewrangler_sw
Well, you can get several answers regarding “brand” but what you really need to know, is what you’re going to be running across that table saw.

Forrest and Freud are both good brands in general, but if you use the wrong blade for the wrong application, you’re going to run into problems.

For example, you don’t want to use a rip saw blade (meant for rip sawing along the length of a piece of lumber – with the grain) to cut veneer, melamine, or laminates (which require a higher tooth count per inch, to get a cleaner cut). Also, the tooth angle/hook can affect blade performance, and life. Now, if you’re only going to use the saw on the weekends, that’s not as much of a concern as if you were going to be using it every day for your living.

One thing I do recommend, ALWAYS use carbide tipped blades, yes, they’re more expensive than high speed steel blades, but they will cut cleaner, stay cooler, and last longer.

Here’s a general guide for you –
Table saws typically use 10 inch blades, though some bench top models will use a smaller diameter blade. What you want to look at, is how many teeth per inch (tpi) the blade has. The more teeth on the blade, the slower the cut (but better the finish)

For rip sawing – less than 40 tpi
General use (can be used for rip, or cross cut – handy for the occasional user) – 40 to 60 tpi
Laminates, veneers, etc – 80 tpi

Some blades are optimized for certain products, like plywood, partical board etc – if you’re going to be running more of that type material, its worth investing in a blade that is made for it.

If you choose to get a dado set for cutting slots, you’ve got the ‘dial’ type, or stackable. I prefer the stack myself. Some complain that the stack blades can leave an uneven bottom, but if you have all the blades ground (sharpened) at the same time, you’ll get a nice clean pass. For commercial production, I kept 2 dado sets, and deliberately left one with blades that had slightly different diameters, to give more glue surface for joint strength.

If I were going to purchase only one blade, I would buy about a 40 to 60tpi blade, and just go slower with the material. If two blades, then a 40tpi and an 80tpi blade.

Don’t forget, a table saw can be a very versatile machine, if you accessorize it – you can build a cross cut sled to make end cuts, miters, etc, and fence accessories to aid in all kinds of projects.

Rockler is an excellent resource – here is a link to their saw blades –

http://www.rockler.com/search_results.cfm?srch=usr&filter=table+saw+blades

I’d recommend taking some time to look around at their other products too. You may want to purchase an accessory, or make it yourself.

Have Fun

What’s the best 10″ table saw blade (teeth count) for working with Oak?

Suggestion by been there done that
The higher the tooth count per inch the better. If rough cutting use a blade with a wide kerf (tooth offset). If fine or finish cutting, use a blade with a narrow kerf.
Definitely a carbide tipped tooth blade and feed the lumber quite slowly so as not to burn the wood or the blade..

Suggestion by natureschaos2
Rockler and Dewalt both have good articles.

Suggestion by oil field trash
There are blades for ripping and others for cross cutting. You can also get a combination blade that will do a good job in both circumstances.

I am partial to the Freud 50 tooth combination blade model LU83R010. It is carbide tipped and costs about $ 50 to $ 60 depending on where you buy it.

Suggestion by quiglag
Too many teeth will put a lot of strain on your saw if you are cutting think hardwood boards. Your best bet is to get a high quality 40 tooth blade.

• Tougher tungsten carbide stays sharper longer
• Thin kerf for fast and smooth cutting action
• Computer-balanced plate reduces vibration for improved accuracy and better finish
• Durable tungsten carbide maintains true edge
• Best used for miter saw and slide miter saw jobs

The DEWALT DW3106P5 saw blade combination pack contains a 10-inch DW3106 60-tooth fine-finish blade and a DW3103 32-tooth general purpose saw blade. Perfect for miter saw and slide miter saw jobs with softwood, hardwood, chipboard, and plywood, these slim-kerf blades offer quick and even incisions with minimum excess debris. A patent wedge shoulder places additional steel in back of every tip, maximizing strength and precision. Get the cutting action you need at the right price with this heavy-duty combination pack.

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