Six Types of Circular Saw Blades
Steel
One of the most common types of circular saw blades is the steel variety. These blades are very inexpensive. However, steel circular saw blades are only suitable for cutting softwood. If you use them to cut hardwood, they will dull quickly. There are also high-speed steel blades that are harder than normal steel designs, so they will last longer.
Carbide
One of the next types of circular saw blades is carbide. The teeth of these blades are tipped with carbide. These circular saw blades are more expensive than steel and high-speed steel blades. However, they are much more durable. In most cases, carbide blades will last up to 20 times longer than steel blades.
Diamond
There are also circular saw blades that have teeth tipped with diamond. These blades are used to cut materials other than wood or metal. Diamond-tipped circular saw blades can be used to cut through concrete, glass, and ceramic materials.
Ripping
One of the next types of circular saw blades is the ripping variety. These blades are designed to cut through wood in the direction of the grain. Ripping circular saw blades usually have a large gullet and few teeth. This makes them remove chips very easily.
Crosscutting
There are also crosscutting circular saw blades. Unlike the ripping design, a crosscutting blade is designed to cut across the grain of the wood. These circular saw blades will also have a lot of teeth and a small gullet. This will allow the blade to produce a smoother cut.
Combination
One of the final types of circular saw blades is the combination variety. These blades combine the features of ripping and crosscutting designs. They usually have up to five teeth separated by a large gullet. These circular saw blades can be used to cut across or with the wood grain.
These are some of the different types of circular saw blades. Steel blades are inexpensive and suitable for cutting through softwood. If you need to cut through glass, ceramics, or concrete, then you should use diamond-tipped circular saw blades. Combination blades are useful if you want to cut with or through the wood grain.
