Need to replace your old miter saw blade? Or can’t understand which one will be perfect for your saw?
Relax!
A little bit of research can help you with all the vital information about miter saws. It also can save you time and money in the long run!
I know!
This is the most tedious and time-consuming part of choosing any power tool.
That’s why I’m here with my experience to help you to get out of the tiresome process.
Guess what!
I’ve included the essential features of a good quality miter saw blade with top-rated products these days.
If you are looking for new miter blades! In the article, we are discussing here the blade type, size, thickness, tooth type, and how to change a miter saw blade.
So!
Let’s start…
Things to Check Before Choosing
There are plenty of options available when buying a miter saw blade. But for having accuracy and precision in your workpiece, you need the best miter saw blade.
If you are aware of a few basic things, you’ll be able to get a nice and smooth finishing for your project. For me, the basic features of a good quality miter saw blade are-
Blade Type
For buying the best quality miter saw blade, you should know about the different types of blades available in the market. And definitely choose the one that goes with your project. Available types of blades are-
Reciprocating Saw Blades
They are perfect for your reciprocating saw. You can cut wood, drywall, metal, and many other materials with them.
Circular Saw Blades
These blades are ideal for tilting. You can use them for cutting wood, masonry, and metal.
Fine Cut Blades
These blades are perfect for wood, plywood, core plywood, laminated chipboards, and many other materials.
Course Cut Blades
These blades are great for softwoods, hardwoods, and boards.
Very Coarse Cut Blades
These types of blades are the best choice for hard materials such as metal or masonry.
Blade Material
Though most of the saw blades are made of steel, you’ll find different types of blades made with different types of materials. Blades made with steel are pretty much expensive, but they are also durable.
Another common material used to make saw blades is carbide; they are also long-lasting but expensive.
You‘ll also find saw blades made of industrial diamond grit. You can easily use them for masonry tilting and ceramic.
Size & Thickness
Checking the size and thickness of the blade are also important.
If you want to cut your working piece sharper and faster, go for the thinner blade.
If you want a blade that can cut through any metal, you must choose a thicker blade, and they also last for a long time.
The usual length of miter saw blades is from 5- 12 inches, and each size is designed to perform a specific type of saw. It is better to check the documents of your saw to know about its right size.
Type of Teeth
You also need to check the tooth type of the blade before buying.
If you want large cuts, pick the miter saw blade with fewer teeth. But if you want small and smooth cuts, look for a blade with more teeth.
Type of Your Saw
While buying a miter saw blade, you must consider the type of your saw. Every saw requires a specific type of saw blade.
No matter if you’re cutting plastic, hardboard, plywood, or other material, if you get the right blade for your saw, you’ll be able to finish your projects smoothly with perfection.
Editor’s Selected Miter Saw Blade for Hardwood, Trim, and Moulding
In this article, you’ll get to understand the simplest miter saw and table saw blades available in the market. We’ll be supplying you with all the knowledge that you simply will get to examine the blade before getting it correctly.
Freud 12-Inch Diablo Ultra Fine Circular Saw Blade (D12100X)
| Size | 12 inches, 0.091 plate thickness, 3.0 mm kerf thickness, and 100-tooth |
| Type | Diablo Ultra Fine Circular Saw Blade |
| Arbor | 1’’ |
| Maximum RPM | 6000 |
| Applications | Wood and wood composites |
This blade is our top choice for its performance and how effortless every cut gets with it. Once it is installed, your saw motor and the cutting material will be saved by this blade. It saves your machine’s power by performing a lot with less energy and saves the material by wasting less material during cuts.
This blade stays silent and vibration-free during operation. So, precise cuts are guaranteed even on the most rigid oak or pine wood and whether the cut is trim or angled. Some even use this blade to cut aluminum too.
You don’t have to sharpen this blade much; one sanding goes for a month even after demanding applications daily. The price is high for this blade, but I can’t say it’s overpriced. Because, for twice the performance and longevity, no one won’t bother to pay twice for this blade.
Things We Liked
- Draws less amperage;
- Vibration-free;
- Perfect for hard materials;
- Needs little maintenance.
Things We Didn’t Like
- No cons.
DEWALT – 12 in. Cross-Cutting Tungsten Carbide Miter Saw Blade – 2 Pack (DW3128P5)
| Size | 12-inch, 80-teeth; and 2nd one 32 teeth |
| Type | 2 PCs tungsten carbide saw blades |
| Arbor | 5/8’’ |
| Maximum RPM | 6000 |
| Applications | Any hard and softwood material |
There are two blades of different types; hence this package is the most versatile one among all the saw blades we have reviewed in this list. Both are 12-inch blades, but one has 80 teeth for more delicate cuts and another one with 32 teeth for trim work. Both are durable and backed by an extended warranty.
The 80T blade works wonderfully while cutting hardwoods. It produces less vibration and cuts without chipping or damaging the material. Such blades are suitable for home renovation projects where you need an excellent blade to tolerate materials of different hardness and density.
On the other hand, the 32T blade comes with a wedged shoulder to eliminate breakage risk. This combo pack is convenient for projects where you need to trim large boards before making fine cuts. One pack will be enough for the entire project.
Things We Liked
- Affordable;
- Versatile use;
- Comes with a case;
- Long warranty offered.
Things We Didn’t Like
- Can not be sharpened many times.
Concord Blades 12-Inch 120 Teeth TCT General Purpose Saw Blade (WCB1200T120HP)
| Size | 12 inches, .071 plate thickness, .3.0 mm kerf thickness, and 120-Teeth |
| Type | Titanium Carbide ATB Teeth Blade |
| Arbor | 1’’ |
| Maximum RPM | 4450 |
| Applications | General Purpose Hard & Soft Wood |
This one is a universal blade for 12 inches saw with a 1-inch arbor. Whether you own a miter saw, table saw hand saw, or chop saw, this beast works wonders with all of them. It leaves fine cuts on any material, and those cuts are virtually chip-free. This can be a useful material for making your trim work stress-free.
As per the advertisement, as this blade is titanium made, it should last for longer than tungsten blades. But I can’t assure you that my review is only based on its performance, which is satisfactory. If you are on a budget or just need an all-purpose blade for your saw, this is the blade that meets all those requirements.
Things We Liked
- Compatible with a wide range of saws;
- Universal cutting capacity;
- Affordable.
Things We Didn’t Like
- May not be long-lasting.
Freud 12″ Ultimate Cut-Off Blade (LU85R012)
| Size | 12 inches, 0.116’’ kerf thickness and 96-Teeth |
| Type | ATB Grind Blade |
| Arbor | 1’’ |
| Maximum RPM | 7000 |
| Applications | For cutting soft/hardwood |
You can never have enough of this blade. It is best at cutting soft and hardwoods and fair enough for other materials like laminate and plywood. The tips of the blade have side grinders that polish the material as it cuts. So, no need for sanding to smooth out after the cuts; the cuts are already glass smooth.
Laser-cut slots eliminate any possibilities of vibration that can affect the accuracy of this blade’s performance. Besides, this blade is coated with Perma-Shield which works as a shield against corrosion and pitch. It is one of the most expensive blades on our list, making this blade suitable for professionals.
Things We Liked
- Eliminates the need for stabilizing;
- Polishes the material as it cuts;
- Vibration-free.
Things We Didn’t Like
- Expensive.
Freud Diablo 10-Inch 50-Tooth ATB Combination Saw Blade (D1050X)
| Size | 10 inches, 0.98’’ kerf thickness and 50-Tooth |
| Type | ATB Combination tungsten Miter Saw Blade |
| Arbor | ⅝’’ |
| Maximum RPM | 7,000 |
| Applications | versatile |
It’s the best all-rounder 10-inch blade on our list. Everything is possible on every woody material with this little beast, from ripping to shaving or fine cutting. Its iconic 5-tooth composition makes everything possible with one accessory.
The best thing about this blade is, it saves your time of changing blades for projects where you need to change blades uncountable times; installing this blade can save you from downtime, maximizing your efficiency.
It is affordable, hence from beginners to professionals, everyone can have this in their collection. The blade is long-lasting, nonsticky, and creates almost no noise and no vibration. No reason should keep you from buying this versatile saw blade.
Things We Liked
- Versatile;
- Budget-friendly;
- Durable;
- Shock resistance.
Things We Didn’t Like
- No cons.
Makita Micro Polished Miter Saw Blade (a-93734)
| Size | 12 inches |
| Type | 100T micro-polished miter saw blade |
| Arbor | 1’’ |
| Maximum RPM | 5,000 |
| Applications | For fine-cutting wood, hardwood |
Each Makita blade is handmade with care and tested before being supplied to stores. So, the reliability is beyond comparison. This 12 inches blade has ATAF (Alternate Top and Alternate Face) tooth design for ultra-precision cutting. If you are using this for the first time, you may notice burning on cuts if you feed this blade too slowly.
The price of this blade may seem too expensive for some, but you will get what you pay for. It makes flawless cross-cutting that doesn’t need any polishing or sanding anymore. Whether it is a crosscut for moldings or a rip cut for flooring wood, any trace of cutting will vanish after joining the parts with glue.
Makita provides factory sharpening service for blades, even if it is from a different manufacturer. I suggest sharpening this blade (which will require less often) from them every time. You will feel the difference; your blades will be better than new ones.
Things We Liked
- Ultra-precision cutting’
- A delight to use;
- Quiet.
Things We Didn’t Like
- Expensive.
Makita-10-Inch Micro Polished Miter saw Blade (A-93681)
| Size | 10 inches, .071 plate thickness, .091″ kerf thickness, and 80-Tooth |
| Type | Micro-Grain Carbide Teeth Blade |
| Arbor | ⅝’’ |
| Maximum RPM | 5870 |
| Applications | Hardwood, Softwood, and Plywood |
This is a universal blade that leaves a clean finish on any woody materials from hard to softwood or laminate boards. This blade is best for your money because, at this price, you will never get a blade that is as long-lasting as this blade and cuts wood like butter.
For beginners, a single Makita blade will suffice for all cutting demands, even on various materials. For a professional, the durability will amaze you; you may not need to use separate blades to cut softwood.
The micro-grain tip of this blade is different from other blades because of its ATAF technology. The tip head is also tilted 5 degrees; I can’t explain its purpose, but I noticed the innovative tip creates a lot of dust during operations.
Things We Liked
- Budget-friendly blade;
- Stays quiet throughout the cut;
- Suitable for any type of wood material.
Things We Didn’t Like
- Creates a lot of dust.
CMT 8-½ -Inch ITK Sliding Compound Miter Saw Blade (253.060.08)
| Size | 8-½ inch, .055 plate thickness, 0.087 kerf thickness, and 60-Teeth |
| Type | Titanium Carbide ATB Teeth Blade |
| Arbor | ⅝’’ |
| Maximum RPM | 8500 |
| Applications | For cutting plywood, soft/hardwood, and two-sided laminates |
It’s hard to find professional blades for small sale saws. This tungsten blade from CMT is one of the toughest blades that resist the abuse of commercial-grade applications. The tooth is also placed in a unique combination of 1FTG+2ATB manner so that this blade can perform accurately for a longer time.
For any critical wood materials, including conventional hard and softwoods, two-sided laminating and melamine boards are also compatible with this blade. One blade serves all purposes. Its performance is not noise-free but creates tolerable humming.
Even from beginner-level saws, professional-level performance can be expected if an A-class blade is installed. Install this blade and let this perform miracles for you for endless applications.
Things We Liked
- Comes in a case;
- Needs sanding less often;
- Durable finish;
- Cuts precisely.
Things We Didn’t Like
- No cons.
Forrest DH10807100 Melamine and Plywood Cutting Saw Blade
| Size | 10 inches, 0.109’’ kerf thickness, and 80-Teeth; |
| Type | HI-A/T thin kerf melamine and plywood cutting saw blade; |
| Arbor | 5/8-Inch |
| Maximum RPM | 20° Face Hook for easy feed; |
| Applications | For fine cutting soft/hardwood. |
Each Forrest blade is handmade with care and tested before supplying to stores. So, the reliability is beyond comparison. This 10-inch blade has a 20-degree face hook, meaning feeding this blade is easier. If you are using this for the first time, you may notice burning on cuts if you feed this blade too slowly.
The price of this blade may seem too expensive for some, but you will get what you pay for. It makes flawless cross-cutting that doesn’t need any polishing or sanding anymore. Whether it is a crosscut for moldings or a rip cut for flooring wood, any trace of cutting will vanish after joining the parts with glue.
Forrest provides factory sharpening service for blades, even if it is from a different manufacturer. I suggest sharpening this blade (which will require less often) from them every time. You will feel the difference; your blades will be better than new ones.
Things We Liked
- Suitable for rip and crosscuts’
- Satisfaction guarantee and full refund;
- Sharpening services;
- Quiet.
- Longer life;
Things We Didn’t Like
- Expensive.
Hitachi 10” Fine Finish VPR Miter Saw Blade (115435)
| Size | 10 inches, 0.109’’ kerf thickness and 60-Teeth |
| Type | Fine Finish VPR Miter Saw Blade |
| Arbor | ⅝’’ |
| Maximum RPM | 5800 |
| Applications | For ripping and trimming soft/hardwood |
The advertisement says this blade is a jack of all trades, from ripping to cross-cutting anything and so on. But you need a blade with more than 80 teeth and a thin kerf for a subtle finish, from my experience. With 60 and thicker kerf, you can only rip different wood materials. So, I recommend this blade only for those purposes only, not for fine cuts.
The tooth is large, made with c3 carbide, and brazed with tri-metal. So, this blade can handle industrial-level abuse and can be re-sharpened many times (you will need that a lot). For the price, it is the right blade for not-so-fine work.
Things We Liked
- Can handle severe resharpening;
- Cheap price;
- Thick and durable.
Things We Didn’t Like
- Not a high-quality blade.
How to Change a Miter Saw Blade
If your blade’s teeth have been covered with resin or leave scorch marks after use, you just need to change the blade immediately.
For changing your miter saw blade, you can follow these steps-
Unplug the Saw
Before doing any repair or cleaning, you should unplug your saw to avoid any kind of accident.
Retract Blade Guard & Loosen the Screw
If your saw comes with a plastic blade guard, you need to retract that manually.
You should also look for the screw that secures the blade guard in place and loosen them to remove the blade from the saw.
Press Blade Locking Pin
In modern saws, you’ll find a blade locking pin in different locations. If your one has a pin, press or engages it, this will help you remove the blade easily. If your blade doesn’t have any, skip this step.
Turn the Bolt That Holds the Blade
Now you need to turn the blade holding bolt with a hex wrench. You can use silicone-based lubricant spray on the bolt if it gets stuck or holds the wrench in place and tap gently with a hammer.
Mount the New Blade
Now time to set the new blade in your saw. But be careful while handling the new saw as it is sharp.
To mount the new one, you need to follow the reverse process of unmounting the old blade. Tighten the bolt, release the pin and tighten the blade guard screw.
And voila!!
You’ve successfully replaced your old miter saw blade.
Now enjoy working with it.
FAQs
What Type of Saw Blade is Ideal for Ripping?
Different types of saw blades are made for different types of cutting operations. For ripping, choose a blade that has flat top teeth. This type of blade is perfect for ripping both soft & hardwoods.
Which Circular Saw Blade is Good to Use?
To have a clean cut with less sawdust, you should choose the one with high speed. This type of blade produces less wastage.
Which TPI Should I Prefer?
The blade with a higher TPI can provide a nice and smooth finish on the edges of your cutting material. They also produce less sawdust.
Can You Use a Miter Saw for Cutting Metal?
You can easily use your miter saw for cutting metal if you get the right blade for the saw. And to know about the right blade for your saw, check the package.
Conclusion
That’s all about buying a new miter saw blade.
Think this information will help you choose the right blade for your miter saw. Because only with the right saw blade you’ll be able to achieve the goal of perfection.
But whatever it is, don’t forget to wear your safety gear while dealing with any power tool. This precaution will save you from any unwanted accidents.
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About This Writer
Hello, I am David Rowan. I am a professional contractor with 10 years of experience in home building, different tools used, construction, home remodeling, and other home improvement work. I have already built many custom homes and continued to do several woodworking projects along with how to deal with all categories of tools.