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circular saw blades
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Circular saw blades come in many different types and sizes to suit different applications. Sizes range from 3" to 16", but 5 3/8" to 7 1/4" are the most common. Among the main types of blade are:
- Steel blades. These are inexpensive and work well for cutting softwood. They are quickly dulled, however, by hardwood.
- High-speed steel blades. These are harder than steel blades and stay sharper longer.
- Carbide blades. These have carbide tips attached to their teeth. They are more expensive than other blades but stay sharp much longer – typically 20 times longer – than steel or high-speed steel.
- Tile-cutting blades. These are specially designed for cutting ceramic tile. Better tile-cutting blades have diamond-tipped blades.
- Masonry blades. These are made of abrasive material for cutting concrete, brick, cinder block, and other masonry materials.
Use this table to help select the blade you need.
| Type | Features | Uses |
| Ripping | Have few teeth and a large gullet for good chip removal | Cutting with the wood grain |
| Crosscutting | Have many teeth (48 or more) and a small gullet for a smooth cut | Cutting across the wood grain |
| Combination | Usually have a series of four to five teeth similar to a crosscut divided by a large gullet | Cutting with or across the grain and miter cuts |
| Plywood | Usually made from high-strength steel with many fine teeth (100 or more) | Cutting plywood or other sheet goods |
| Hollow ground | Ground thinner in the body than the teeth to prevent binding | Making smooth cuts across the wood grain |
| Dado | Manufactured as stacked, one-piece or two-piece adjustable units | Cutting grooves and dados in dimensional lumber and sheet goods |
| Thin kerf | Have thin profiles for easier cutting and less material waste | Cutting dimensional or engineered lumber |
| Abrasive | Compatible with most circular saws of the same diameter as the blade | Cutting masonry, tile or steel |
| Diamond | Diamond-tipped blades | Cutting glass, concrete, or ceramic materials |
Source: Lowes
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