How to Select the Right Track Saw Blade – Quick Helping Guide

The track saw is an incredibly useful tool when it comes to creating precise and accurate cuts. Choosing the ideal track saw blade can be a difficult decision due to the abundance of options. To simplify your selection process, I have composed this comprehensive guide. Herein, you will discover how to pick the appropriate track saw blade for your needs, enabling you to create accurate and exact cuts on different materials such as wood and metal with ease.

To find the right track saw blade for your tool, take into account the material you will be cutting. Next, make sure it is compatible with your tool. Choose a blade that has suitable tooth configurations for the material. Also pick one that works with your track saw’s arbor size, rpm speed and blade diameter.

Are you prepared to advance your woodworking skills? If so, continue reading for instructions. You will learn how to choose the optimal track saw blade for your project. Whether it’s thick hardwood or delicate veneer, I’ll show what track saw blade to buy to efficiently and accurately complete the task with excellence.

Importance of Choosing the Right Track Saw Blade

Making the correct decision when selecting the right track saw blade is essential for achieving better, cleaner cuts, regardless of the material you are cutting. Selecting an appropriate saw blade will improve your track saw’s performance, safeguard both the saw and its blade from harm, and in the final analysis will save time and expense while augmenting the quality of your work. That is where this guide is goin to help you in what to look for when buying a track saw blade.

Understanding Saw Blade Anatomy

To choose an appropriate track saw blade, familiarizing one’s self with the anatomy of the blade is essential. Like that you will get the best results from the saw. Knowing this will help you to choose a suitable blade for the job.

Saw Blade Teeth Types

The teeth of the blade are one of its most significant components, with three primary varieties – crosscut, rip, and combination.

• Crosscut Teeth: Crosscut teeth are specially crafted to cut across the grain of any material. The angled, alternating design results in a clean, fine cut finish. This is the best track saw blade for plywood. Related article: 5 Best Track Saw Blades for Making Crosscuts (Fine Tooth Saw Blades)
• Rip Teeth: Rip teeth are shaped for slicing parallel to a material’s grain (rip cuts). They are usually large and have a steep angle, making them effective at removing chunks rapidly.
• Combination Teeth: Combination teeth offer a perfect blend of crosscut and rip features, making them highly versatile and suitable for numerous tasks.

If you want to dive deeper in the importance and knowledge about track saw blade teeth, you can check out my article Understanding Track Saw Blade Teeth: How They Affect Your Cut to learn all about it.

Tooth Count

When selecting a track saw blade, another significant element to contemplate is the number of teeth on the blade – termed tooth count. For a more refined cut, opt for a blade with a higher tooth count; alternatively, if you are looking for an aggressive cut, choose one with less teeth.

Tooth Configuration

The arrangement of the teeth is essential too. Different arrangements, such as alternate, triple chip or flat top, provide different benefits and drawbacks depending on their purpose.

Kerf Width

The selection of a blade is heavily influenced by the kerf width, that is, the thickness of the cut it makes. This must be taken into account when making a decision on which blade to use, as it can significantly impact the ease and amount of material removed during cutting.
Dive deeper into this knowledge in my article The Important Role of Track Saw Blade Kerf Width (Quick Answer)

Blade Diameter

The dimensions of the saw blade matter greatly. Depending on your saw and the job at hand, you can select blades of different sizes to suit your needs.

Arbor Hole Diameter

It is essential to take into account the diameter of the arbor hole, which is located in the middle of the blade and connects it to the saw’s arbor. Choosing a blade with an accurately sized hole guarantees a safe attachment.

Blade Material

When selecting a track saw blade, one must not merely consider the type and configuration of the teeth; material composition is an equally significant factor. High-speed steel (HSS), carbide-tipped blades, and diamond blades are three of the most common blade materials.

• High-Speed Steel (HSS):HSS blades are an ideal selection for cutting softwoods and non-ferrous metals due to their robust construction from a high-speed steel alloy, which can resist extreme temperatures. Nevertheless, these blades tend to become blunt more rapidly when faced with tougher materials.
• Carbide Tipped Blades: Carbide blades, crafted from high-speed steel and fitted with carbide tips on the teeth, are tough enough to effortlessly cut through hardwoods and metal. Furthermore, they’re capable of slicing faster and maintaining their sharpness longer than HSS blades.
• Diamond Blades: Diamond blades are the toughest and most resilient cutters, specifically fashioned for slicing through difficult materials like concrete, stone, and tiles. The blade is embedded with diamond particles which grant it remarkable cutting ability and resist damage from wear and tear.

Selecting the Right Track Saw Blade for the Material

Selecting the right track saw blade for the material you plan to cut is imperative for securing a smooth and accurate cut. Here are some instructions on how to pick out the correct blade for common materials:

• Wood: For optimal results when cutting wood, opt for a carbide-tipped blade with a high tooth count and a crosscutting design. For ripping tasks, go for a blade with fewer teeth. This all-around choice provides the best performance for cutting wood.
• Plastics: For an efficient cut when cutting plastics, using a blade with a low tooth count and large spaces between the teeth is the best option. This will stop the material from deteriorating and fusing to the blade. Additionally, one with alternate top bevel teeth works splendidly for cutting plastics.
• Metal: For slicing through metals, a blade boasting many teeth and a formation specifically for metal cutting will be most beneficial. When cutting thicker metals, opt for fewer teeth on the blade. Thin metals can be easily cut with a carbide-tipped blade, while bi-metal blades are best suited for thicker metals.
• Laminate: For an optimal cut of laminate, select a carbide-tipped blade with plenty of teeth arranged for crosscutting. This will enable you to make a precise and chip-free slice.

It is essential to remember that these guidelines are merely general suggestions when choosing the right blade for any task. To gain a more comprehensive insight into various plunge cut saw blades and their applications, take a look at my article “What Are the Different Types of Track Saw Blades – Quick & Easy Guide.“

Compatibility with Your Track Saw

When selecting a track saw blade for your tool, there are some points you should consider to guarantee it is compatible. Here are some factors to think about:

• Track Saw Brand: It is vital to select a blade made for your saw’s brand and model specifically, as not all track saw blades are suitable for every track saw.
• Arbor Size: It is essential to ensure that the arbor size of your saw blade corresponds with the arbor size of your saw. The majority of track saws have a 20mm arbor size, nevertheless, it is recommended to double-check your saw’s manual to confirm this point.
• RPM Speed: The rotation speed of the blade must be compatible with the revolution per minute (RPM) of your saw to avoid any possible damage to either the saw or the blade.
• Blade Diameter: It is essential to select a blade whose diameter is compatible with the maximum accepted size of your saw. Utilizing a too-large blade can lead to dangerous overheating and kickback.

It is of utmost importance to read the user’s manual carefully prior to buying a track saw blade, to guarantee that it is compatible with your specific saw and task. Taking these precautions will guarantee you pick the perfect blade for your work.

Factors to Consider Before Making a Purchase

When selecting the ideal track saw blade, take your budget into account. Additionally, consider the quality and durability of the blade, its purpose, and the brand’s credibility. Invest in high-quality blades tailored to your needs which will result in smoother and more precise cuts.

Conclusion

To sum up, selecting the right track saw blade is an indispensable aspect for achieving accurate and spotless cuts on a range of materials. By sticking to the recommendations and guidelines mentioned in this article, you can make an informed decision when it comes to selecting the most suitable blade for your requisites.

Keep in mind that regularly replacing the blade also plays an vital role in preserving your device’s efficiency, and you can find additional information about this process by reading our article “How to Replace a Track Saw Blade“. Therefore, don’t be afraid to upgrade your blade and keep your track saw operating optimally for all your woodworking ventures.