One of the most important things you need to know when using a circular saw is what size blade to use. The wrong size blade can result in poor cuts, or even worse, damage to your saw. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the different blades available and help you choose the right one for your needs. We’ll also offer some tips on how to get the most out of your circular saw. So if you’re ready to learn more, keep reading!
What size blade for circular saw:
When cutting with a circular saw, it’s important to match your blade to the material you’re trying to cut. The best way to determine which blade is right for the job is to consider what you’re cutting and how hard it is. For all of the following examples, we’ll show you which blade we’d recommend using for each material.
Wood:
If you’re planning on cutting wood, a general-purpose blade will work best most of the time. If you’re planning on cutting thicker or harder woods, then a 10 or 12-inch blade will ensure that the saw has enough power to go through it. When cutting wood with nails, we recommend a combination blade.
Plywood and Hardboard:
When cutting plywood and hardboard, the key is to think about how many nails are in the material you’re planning on cutting. If there are lots of nails, then a demolition blade is what you’ll need. Otherwise, a general-purpose blade will work best.
Metal:
If you’re planning on cutting metal, use a demolition blade to do the job as quickly and efficiently as possible. However, these blades can damage your saw – so it’s worth using them with caution. As such, we recommend that you use a metal-cutting blade with a guard.
Cement board:
A demolition blade is the only safe option for cutting cement boards. As they can damage your saw, it’s important to wear safety equipment when using these blades, including gloves and an eye shield. By wearing proper protection, you can prevent injuries while cutting cement boards.
Masonry:
A demolition blade is the only option for cutting masonry products, including brick and natural stone. They can damage your saw if you don’t wear safety equipment, so it’s important to wear gloves and an eye shield while using these blades. By wearing proper protection, you can prevent injuries while cutting masonry products.
Different size blades
At first glance, circular saw blades may all look the same. But there are actually multiple blade sizes available for each diameter of the blade. The four most common blade diameters are 7¼ inches, 8 inches, 10 inches, and 12 inches. For each of these sizes, three types of blades are available:
General-purpose blades:
The general-purpose blade is the most common choice for cutting wood. It features a combination of sharp angles and flat surfaces (known to manufacturers as “heels”). This helps reduce friction when you’re sawing through wood, which results in smooth cuts and low kickback.
7 1/4 inch circular saw blades:
As the name suggests, a general-purpose blade is designed for most types of cuts on a variety of different materials. They have medium thickness and teeth that are equally spaced throughout the body of the blade. The teeth are designed to cut a variety of materials and leave an average finish.
8-inch circular saw blades:
As the most popular size for circular saws, 8-inch blades are designed to work best on this size of the blade. A general-purpose blade with medium thickness is offered in this diameter. The teeth vary in spacing, but they don’t leave as smooth a finish as a 10 or 12-inch blade would.
10-inch circular saw blades:
Designed to work best on a 10-inch circular saw, these blades have medium-thickness and equally spaced teeth. These teeth leave the smoothest finish of all three general-purpose blade sizes, but they’re less likely to cut through harder materials with ease.
12-inch circular saw blades:
As the largest of the three general purpose blade sizes, 12-inch general purpose blades are designed to work best with a 12-inch circular saw. With thicker bodies and more widely spaced teeth than their 8 or 10-inch counterparts, these blades can cut through harder materials like wood with nails or metal.
Combination blades:
As the name suggests, a combination blade is designed to make multiple types of cuts. A typical blade will feature 40 teeth (10 percent), and they’re most commonly used for cutting wood with nails. While it doesn’t leave as smooth a finish as 10 or 12-inch blades would, this size can cut through harder materials like plywood and hardboard.
Demolition blades:
A demolition blade is a thickest and coarsest blade available in all three sizes. With 60 teeth (15 percent), these blades are designed for cutting through extremely heavy materials, including metal and masonry. As such, they’re much more likely to damage a saw. So why would you want to use one? They can make extremely fast cuts through heavy materials.
FAQ’s:
What can you cut with a 7 ¼-inch blade?
A circular saw blade with a 7 ¼-inch diameter can cut through most types of wood, including plywood, hardboard, and 2x4s.
With a 7 ¼-inch blade, you can make smooth cuts on materials up to 2 ½ inches thick.
8 ¾ inches?
While some manufacturers do make blades with an 8 ¾-inch diameter, they’re not common. These larger blades are designed for professionals who need the extra reach. For the average Joe, this size blade is overkill.
Can you use an 8-inch blade on a 7 ¼-inch saw?
Most circular saws are designed for either 7 ¼ or 10-inch blades. The only reason you might ever want to use an 8-inch blade with a smaller saw is if you’re cutting extremely heavy material, but there’s no reason to do this unless you need to.
How do you use a 7 ¼-inch blade?
The teeth on the DWE7480 are designed to cut through wood with nails, so it’s best not to use them on materials that don’t have any metal in them. With its small size and medium thickness, this blade is ideal for making smooth cuts on materials up to 2 ½ inches thick.
Conclusion:
I hope you find this article helpful in answering your question on “What size blade for circular saw”. If you have any questions, please let us know in the comment section below!