Chances are, you will dig deep into your pocket to get a new table saw, but unfortunately, it will still come with a blade that doesn’t meet your expectations. You might also utilize the blade until it can’t work properly anymore.
When you find yourself in this situation, you will come to your senses and decide to upgrade your blade, you will discover that there are lots of blades on the market some you even didn’t know before.
So to help you know the type of blade you need read this handyman guide to know the blades that every woodworking enthusiast needs.
The blades that every woodworking enthusiast needs
There is no mentioning of models and brands here, we will just look at the different types of blades that are good for woodworking and carpentry. The first question to ask yourself is “how much should I spend”, and this depends on your budget.
Of course, if you spend a little more you will get a better blade. Priced, high-quality blades mean better overall performance. So, what are the most essential blades that every woodworker needs? Below are some of the blades that have to be in your workshop.
Spot good quality at a glance
Good quality blades never scrimp on steel or carbide. They are created to last long and their teeth can be resharpened as many times as possible. Poor-quality blades mostly have thin, stamped steel plates. A sign of a noisy blade and old technology is the presence of expansion slots that end bluntly in open holes.
50-Tooth Combination Blade
A 50-tooth combination blade is among the blades that an enthusiast woodworker needs. This is a half crosscut and half rip blade with 40 closely spaced and alternately beveled similar to a crosscut blade. It also has 10 widely spaced FTG (Flat-topped) teeth faced by large gullets similar to a rip blade. These blades do most of the woodwork tasks, however the 40-tooth all-purpose blades are better.
40-Tooth general purpose blade
Always consider a blade that can do it all. A good versatile blade should crosscut and cut through most hardwoods with clean results and a lot of precision. It is even supposed to handle cross-cutting on double-sided plywood. Chances are, some splinting may occur on the outer veneer, but most proficient woodworkers can get the job done with only a good general purpose blade.
8” stack dado blade kit
Without a dado blade set, be sure you will be missing on the plentiful abilities of our table saw. This is the most perfect blade for woodworkers who are looking forward to build furniture and cabinetry with various types of notches, rabbets, and joints that need grooves. This is because this special set of blades can be fit together to make wider grooves in the wood. For pieces of furniture that need to come out square and true, use dado saws.
24-Tooth ripping blade
For all advanced woodworkers, owning any 24-tooth ripping blade is a must. You will be surprised to find out how much energy and time you will save when using this blade to cut numerous boards to width. These blades are best applied when edge-gluing panels especially when prepping the edges of boards. This is the best option especially when you feel like you are tired with a general-purpose blade. This ripping blade leave clean straight splines in the wood something that other blades won’t do.
FAQs
What is the best blade for a table saw?
A 40-tooth general-purpose blade is the most ideal choice for any woodworking enthusiast. This a half crosscut and half rip saw. This is a good versatile blade that can crosscut and cut through most hardwoods with clean results and a lot of precision.
What is the best blade for ripping hardwood?
A rip blade is the most ideal blade for ripping hardwood. This blade is specifically made for ripping through wood fibers meaning that it will slice through hardwood easily and leave behind clean edges. These blades usually have 10 to 40 FT teeth, although it is relatively a small number, it will slice through grain quickly.
What is the most important tool in a woodshop?
Table saw
Of all the most important tools in a workshop, a table saw is the most versatile and useful tool. It is best at making straight cuts, with the addition of jigs; this saw can be made to numerous tasks with a lot of precision and repeatability.
What does a first-year apprentice carpenter do?
During your period of on-the-job training, most of the tasks you will be doing as an apprentice will include: Ordering and choosing timber and other materials, taking measurements, cutting, and putting together materials.
Do you need an apprenticeship to be a carpenter?
Completing a four-year apprenticeship program will usually make you to be certified as a carpenter. Eligibility for certification includes having more than four years of on-the-job experience, industry courses in woodworking, and maybe some high school or college courses.
Conclusion
Choosing a versatile blade is a daunting task because the degree of difference in cut quality between blades is very small. There are many general-purpose blades available on the market, but your priority should be avoiding cheap low-quality blades.
The saw blade industry is very competitive, so don’t worry about how much you will spend on a blade. Choose good-quality and versatile blades that match with your pocket. Most general-purpose blades on the market cost around $45 to $100. The higher the price, the higher the quality and performance and vice versa.
