I don’t care how good your table saw is. Unless you buy the best table saw blades out there you are really shooting yourself in the foot in terms of performance potential. After all, a saw is only as good as its blade right?
In the list today I look at products that suit a wide range of different budgets. It really is all about finding the best product for your needs, and to that end, everyone will look for something that is a little bit different.
Whether you are a budget buyer or someone that looks for the best of the best no matter what there will be something on this list for you.
That being the case, read on for some table saw blade reviews!
Contents
Factors to Look for When Buying Table Saw Blades
You’ve read the reviews. But do you feel like you know what product is right for your needs? Choosing between eight great blades can be very challenging. This is especially true when you keep in mind how similar saw blades tend to appear at a glance.
If you feel overwhelmed I completely get it. Below you will find some buying considerations that should hopefully make the decision a little bit easier for you.
Size
As you probably noticed, most of the blades on our list today listed a size. You might also have noticed that that size was ten inches in almost every single instance.
Ten-inch saw blades are pretty standard for the simple fact that it is a suitable size for most applications. In general, you will be safe buying ten-inch blades but it is also always a good idea to consult the specifications of your saw before you make a final buying decision.
Some products will actually use large blades, and you want to make sure that the blades you buy are compatible with your gear.
Warranty
Saw blades will also come with warranties. In the event that something unexpected happens, you will be financially covered. In fact, many of the options on our list today featured lifetime warranties.
Let’s unpack what this means though, shall we? Some may presume it means that the company will replace the blade no matter what in the event that it breaks. Such is not the case. All saw blades go to Valhalla eventually. If your blade does die of natural causes chances are pretty good that the warranty won’t cover it.
However, if you take the blade out of the package only to have it warp or break after one or two uses, then you might find that the warranty can be of help.
Heat Protection
Table saws tend to get extremely hot. The motor on this tool is extremely powerful and when it spins the blades thousands of times per minute onto the surface of hardwood, the friction tends to rapidly increase the temperature of the metal.
Fortunately, many manufacturers are able to protect against this. As may have noticed, several of the tools on our list today feature specialty coatings that guard the blades against heat. This is a great factor to have at your disposal because it means that the blade probably will not warp even if you use it often.
What Kind of Cuts Can the Blade Make?
Of course, you will also want to make sure that the blade you get is capable of performing the types of cuts you need.
For example are you in need of something for rip cuts or cross cuts? Because they are essentially opposite in nature, some blades aren’t well suited for performing both.
Price
Saw blades usually are not extremely expensive. Often enough the average user will be able to find something suitable to their needs for under fifty dollars. If you are on a tight budget you may even be able to find something workable for under thirty.
It is the contractors that will need to be willing to fork over more dough. Blades that are fortified to work for long periods of time against very hard materials tend to cost more money.
However, the extra expense will be well worth it when you enjoy the clean cuts and solid results.
Number of Teeth
You may also have noticed that the number of teeth present on a blade can range significantly. Which is better? More teeth or fewer? You may be surprised to learn that better really isn’t the right word at all.
Blades with many teeth tend to be used for crosscuts. The extra teeth do well to smoothly transition across the grain of the wood without leaving behind nasty frays.
Fewer teeth will be needed to perform rip cuts. Consequently, these blades tend to be super fast. In short, both options are very good at what they do. Indeed, it will probably be to your benefit to stock blades with a variety of different teeth so that you are well equipped to handle whatever situations come up in your woodworking.
What Kind of Material do You Need to Cut?
The type of material you are working with has a big impact on what is demanded of the blade. For example, it is much harder to cut through hardwoods than it is softer ones. Similarly, some blades will perform miserably against wet woods while others will be equipped with a friction proof coating that makes I very good at working with pulpier woods.
Additionally, you may need unique blades for cutting laminate or other similar materials. This is yet another reason that most woodworkers will keep a wide variety of saw blades on hand so that they can be prepared for anything.
In any case, check the label before you buy a blade for a specific job. It can be dangerous to use the wrong type of blade so always be careful about your equipment!
Quantity
Blades are often bought by the pack. The more that you are able to buy at once, the more bang you tend to get for your buck. It’s the same rule that dictates its cheaper to by a ten pack of paper towels at the grocery store than it is a five-pack.
Even though you are paying more of an upfront cost, you ultimately save money in the long run.
That said, you may not want to buy a large pack of a blade you haven’t tried before. You want to make sure that you know what you can expect from the blade before you buy lots of it, right?
Compatibility
How compatible is the blade that you are considering? Does it work well exclusively with table saws, or can you also get some good performance out of your miter saw?
Moreover, is it recommended for use with a specific type of table saw? For example, some brands recommend that you use them with a compatible tool provided by the same manufacturer.
Coating
In certain situations you can find saw blades that are specially coated to work in a wide variety of settings, for example, some saw blades may be specially coated to cut moister wood stock. In this instance, the coating is actually serving several purposes.
For one thing, the coating may be helping you to work with damper, pulpier wood than regular blades simply does not do well with. It may also be helping your blade to resist the deterioration that naturally occurs from exposure to moisture.
Not everyone will need coatings of this nature but if you do tend to work with damper woods it will be handy to have on hand. The extra traction can make a huge difference in the ultimate quality of your work.
Best Table Saw Dado Blade
Top 10 Roofing Nail Guns
1. Forrest WW10407125 10-Inch Table Saw Blade
The Forrest blades are what you would call a high-end option. In addition to being extremely great at what they do they are also a pretty expensive set. Putting the issue of price aside though, the results you get here are pretty remarkable. The blade itself is optimized to run as quietly as possible.
Granted, most of the noise produced by saws comes from the motor, but any time you can reduce the noise output you are going to be well off.
The cuts are also incredibly clean. Naturally, that’s what everyone is looking for in a saw blade anyway. If you want to make perfectly flush cuts without the risk of excessive fraying, these will do well by you.
Finally, they are also just super sturdy. That’s good because it goes a long way towards helping to offset the huge price tag.
Additional Specification
- Best for: Top performance
- Size: 10-Inch
- Material: Carbide
- Weight: 2.18 pounds
- Number of Teeth: 40
What We Like:
What We Didn’t Like:
2. Overpeak 10 Inch 40 Thin Kerf ATB Table Saw Blades
The Overpeak is a very moderately priced product that tends to deliver clean results. The unit features a protective coating that guards against a variety of environmental factors. This means that if you encounter moisture or other issues, the blades should still fair well.
Of course, they also tend to produce very clean, flush cuts. The only issue I encountered was in the context of harder woods. Tough materials are going to wear the blades out relatively quickly. They are still durable, but there are limits to what they can do.
Still, for the average user that is working with moderate materials, you shouldn’t expect to encounter any problems.
Additional Specification
- Best for: Smooth & fast Cut
- Size: 10-Inch
- Material: Paper
- Weight: 1.78 pounds
- Number of Teeth: 40
What We Like:
What We Didn’t Like:
3. Diablo D1050X Combination Table Saw Blade
The Diablo set is great for the average user with moderate needs. It is specifically optimized to stand up well against heat. As you use your table saw, you will naturally produce tons of friction which rapidly increases the temperature of the blade. Left unchecked, this can warp the blade rendering it useless. Consequently, that can also jeopardize the quality of your cuts.
I also liked how silent the blades are. They aren’t going to produce a ton of excessive noise. All of this is enhanced by the fact that the set is very affordable. Buyers on a budget will find plenty to like.
That said, if you tend to use your saw on harder woods you may bump into some friction. Technically the blades can still be used but they will probably deteriorate fairly quickly.
Additional Specification
- Best for: Easy to use
- Size: 10-Inch
- Material: Carbide
- Weight: 1.78 pounds
- Number of Teeth: 50
What We Like:
What We Didn’t Like:
4. MIBRO 416381 8″ Carbide Stacking Dado Blade Set
Next, we have a great set of blades for beginner buyers that are trying to stick to a restrictive budget. The MIBRO is a moderately priced set of blades that are made out of quality carbide steel. The entirety of the fourteen-piece set is kept in a convenient hard-top carrying case.
It’s a great set for the beginner because there are things in this package that will help you to make cuts of every variety. However, experts may want to stay away. The steel isn’t quite tough enough for harder stock.
Additional Specification
- Best for: Easy to use
- Size: 8-Inch
- Material: Carbide
- Weight: 0.2 Pounds
- Number of Teeth: 24
What We Like:
What We Didn’t Like:
5. DEWALT 60-Tooth Crosscutting 10-Inch Saw Blade
Ah, DeWalt. The golden child of the tool world. The saw blades that we are about to look at are well suited for honoring DeWalt’s reputation in the tool game. In addition to being extremely sturdy, accurate, and effective, they also just stand up well to day to day use.
Like the last blades that we looked at they have been specifically treated to resist warping and other negative side effects that can occur when blades are exposed to excessive heat.
They are also really good at making ultra-fine cuts. You get sixty teeth here—all specifically optimized for precision. If accuracy is a key consideration for you (and of course it probably is) you are sure to appreciate the clean results that these blades produce.
My bottom line is that these blades are really good for day to day use. They are especially well suited for addressing the needs of the serious amateur that has a little bit of money to spend.
Unfortunately, though, they won’t be a very good fit for the buyer on the budget. It is a pricey set that won’t suit every budget.
Additional Specification
- Best for: Fast & Smooth cutting
- Size: 10-Inch
- Material: Carbide
- Weight: 1361 Grams
- Number of Teeth: 60
What We Like:
What We Didn’t Like:
6. Irwin Tools 1807368 Marples Laser Cut 10-Inch Blade
The Irwin Tools is a really solid budget-minded product. For a great price, you get a piece of gear that is versatile enough to work with a wide range of tools.
In addition to being suitable for table saws, it can also work very effectively with most miter saws. To that end, it will be a great piece of equipment for the buyer that needs good results at a moderate price.
The blades are also primed to reduce tension. As a saw activates the blade is put under a great deal of duress. Fortunately, the Irwin Tools blades should be able to handle it.
Unfortunately there are some problems, specifically for people that tend to work with harder woods. While they will hold their own against most materials, the blades do tend to leave marks on hard stock. Most of the time, the damage should not be permanent—nothing you can’t sand out anyway. Still, if you tend to work with harder woods you can expect to regularly have extra work on your hands.
Ultimately, it is a great product for the average user but some people will have issues.
Additional Specification
- Best for: General Purpose cutting
- Size: 10-Inch
- Material: Carbide
- Weight: 1.76 Pounds
- Number of Teeth: 50
What We Like:
What We Didn’t Like:
7. Bosch 10 In. 24 Tooth Daredevil Table Saw Blade
The Bosh is a great saw blade that comes from a great company. These blades are going to be compatible with both miter and table saws. While they can do a good job with anything from plywood to hardwoods, they are specifically optimized for low friction cutting. This will make them particularly well suited for working with problem materials such as wet, pulpy woods.
The blades have also been specially coated with a corrosion-resistant finish. Consequently, they shouldn’t bump into any problems with moisture.
I did bump into one problem area though. The blades don’t work very well when it comes to cutting laminate. In one instance, I even found that they began to start smoking after a few short seconds of cutting.
For regular day to day use there shouldn’t be much of an issue, but for some people, this may still be a disqualifying con.
Additional Specification
- Best for: Fast Ripping
- Size: 10-Inch
- Material: Carbide
- Weight: 1.25 Pounds
- Number of Teeth: 24
What We Like:
What We Didn’t Like:
8. Metabo HPT 115435M 10″ Table Saw Blade
Second, to last, we look at the Metabo. This unit is fairly simple but also very effective in its performance. The blades are designed to be extremely sharp and easy to clean. Thanks to the sharpness factor they should not struggle at all to make nice, clean cuts.
They are also fortified with a protective coating that is specifically designed to reduce heat. In other words, they should resist warping even if you wind up using your saw for a long period of time.
To ice the cake, the blades are also designed to be extremely easy to clean. This factor will both improve the overall life expectancy of the tool, and just save you the burden of an eventual headache.
Unfortunately, I did find that the product tends to fail when pitted against harder woods. The quality of the blade itself will rapidly deteriorate. Consequently, the overall quality of the cuts may also turn out to be somewhat lacking.
Additional Specification
- Best for: Laser-cut
- Size: 10-Inch
- Material: Tungsten
- Weight: 1.61 pounds
- Number of Teeth: 60
What We Like:
What We Didn’t Like:
9. TOMAX TCG Aluminum & Non-Ferrous Metal Saw Blade
We end the list with the Tomax. These blades are specifically designed to be a versatile and affordable product for the everyday user. While it won’t necessarily suit the needs of the professional it is a good straightforward product for the buyer on the budget.
One of my favorite aspects of these blades is simply the fact that they are designed to be easy to use and clean. The relatively low maintenance aspect will do well to suit the needs of the amateur do it yourself.
I also liked the fact that the units come with a lifetime warranty. This means that if you do run into any problems you should be covered.
Unfortunately, though, there are some limitations to what you can accomplish with these blades. Most notably, I found that they don’t work very well with laminates. The cuts will not be clean or relative, and the laminate can even damage the blade.
Additional Specification
- Best for: Cutting Plastic, Aluminum
- Size: 10-Inch
- Material: Carbide
- Weight: 2 pounds
- Number of Teeth: 80
What We Like:
What We Didn’t Like:
10. Amana Tool – 8-inch Carbide Tipped Dado Blade
The Amana Tool case is perfect for the expert craftsperson. The blades are extremely tough which will make them great for performing a wide range of cuts on even the hardest of materials. You also get a hard, durable case that will be great for transporting your blades.
The problem?
It’s also insanely expensive. For the money you wind up paying here you could easily by yourself a low-end saw. That means buyers on a budget are probably going to want to stay away.
Additional Specification
- Best for: Laser-cut
- Size: 8-Inch
- Material: Carbide
- Weight: 3.35 Grams
- Number of Teeth: 46
What We Like:
What We Didn’t Like:
Table Saw Dado Blade Comparison Chart
Name | Best for | Size | Material | Weight | Teeth |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Forrest WW10407125 Table Saw Blade | Top performance | 10-Inch | Carbide | 2.18 pounds | 40 |
Overpeak Table Saw Blades | Smooth & fast Cut | 10-Inch | Paper | 1.78 pounds | 40 |
Diablo D1050X Table Saw Blade | Easy to use | 10-Inch | Carbide | 1.78 pounds | 50 |
MIBRO 416381 Dado Blade Set | Easy to use | 8-Inch | Carbide | 0.2 Pounds | 24 |
DEWALT 60-Tooth Saw Blade | Fast & Smooth cutting | 10-Inch | Carbide | 1361 Grams | 60 |
Irwin Tools 1807368 Blade | General Purpose cutting | 10-Inch | Carbide | 1.76 Pounds | 50 |
Bosch Table Saw Blade | Fast Ripping | 10-Inch | Carbide | 1.25 Pounds | 24 |
Metabo HPT 115435M Saw Blade | Laser-cut | 10-Inch | Tungsten | 1.61 pounds | 60 |
TOMAX TCG Saw Blade | Cutting Plastic, Aluminum | 10-Inch | Carbide | 2 pounds | 80 |
Amana Tool Dado Blade | Laser-cut | 8-Inch | Carbide | 3.35 Grams | 46 |
Frequently Asked Question & Answered
Is more teeth on a saw blade better?
Nope! It really just depends on the type of cut that you are trying to perform. If you are cutting against the grain of the wood, you will need more teeth to produce cleaner results. However, blades that have a lot of teeth also tend to perform a little bit slower and degrade faster.
There really are pros and cons to both types, so the word “better†is not necessarily appropriate. The average word worker will probably want to keep a variety of different kinds of blades on hand to be ready for any situation.
How many teeth should a table saw blade have?
Again it depends on your intentions. Different projects will require different blades. A combination saw blade is a good all-purpose tool that can perform a wide range of different cuts.
Can you put a ten-inch saw blade on a nine-inch table saw?
No.
Selecting Table Saw Blades – Types, Uses and Buying Advice. Video credit Jonathan Katz-Moses.
Conclusion
Hopefully one of our tables saw blade reviews really spoke to you. However, the matter of deciding between ten really great products is never an easy one. While I am not interested in telling you what to do I would like to help you simplify the decision if I can. There are a couple of products on this I identified as having a broad appeal to a wide range of different buyers.
For example, are you the type of buyer that wants the best product they can get their hands on no matter how much money it costs? If that describes you, you’ll probably gravitate towards something like our top choice.
The Forrest WW10407125 Woodworker II 10-Inch 40 Tooth ATB .125 Kerf Saw Blade is a great all-purpose piece of equipment that will work well in most situations.
However, it is also a very pricey blade. If you need something that is a little bit more affordable, you’ll probably gravitate towards our runner up the product, the Overpeck 10 Inch 40 Teeth Circular Saw Blade Thin Kerf ATB Finishing Table Saw Blades.
Though fairly similar to our top choice, this unit is available at a fraction of the price. Of course, those are just a couple of quick picks that we identified as having plenty of value. The truth? All of the product’s on our list are really great at what they do. You just need to use this guide to find the one that is perfect for you.