How to choose the right miter saw blade for you!

There are many types of saw blades on the market. Various sizes and what seems like a never ending selection of different types of blade, choosing a miter saw blade can be difficult.

Hopefully you can use this page as a resource to help you make a more educated decision!

What Is The Best Miter Saw Blade

The best miter saw blade depends on what size blade your miter saw requires, and what type of material you will be cutting. The correct size blade is crucial, however, you can often use a general use blade type for your miter saw.

Different Sizes Of Saw Blades

The most common size of miter saw blades are 10 inch and 12 inch. You’ll be able to tell what size you need by measuring the blade, or reading the label on the old one. Miter saw blades can also come in small sizes such as 7’1/4 inch, so ensure you are buying the correct size.

Miter saw blades are not one size fits all. While some people can safely use a smaller blade on a larger saw, you will generally want to use an appropriate sized blade on your saw.

Can You Use A 10 Inch Blade On A 12 Inch Miter Saw

Yes, you can use a 10 inch blade on a 12 inch miter saw, provided the arbor (where the blade attaches to the saw) will fit the blade. If the arbor doesn’t match your miter saw blade you may be able to purchase an adapter. You should never use a larger blade than your saw is designed for.

Types of Miter Saw Blades

Not all saw blades are designed to cut the same material, or in the same fashion. The most common blades are typical wood blades. These will make for easy cuts through common lumber and building material. You can get a lot done with a basic miter saw blade.

If you are doing precision trim work, you might want a blade with a higher tooth count to a more refined cut and less tear out. You can check out Dewalts selection of circular saw blades here, though it’s important to note that not all these blade are meant for miter saws.

Can I Use A Circular Saw Blade On A Miter Saw

Yes, miter saws are made for use with circular saw blades. Similarly, table saws, miter saws and skill saws all use the same family of saw blade. These blades can often be interchanged depending on your project requirements. Interchanging blades between saws is a great way to get the most from your blades.

What Is The Difference Between A Table Saw Blade And A Miter Saw Blade

There is little difference between table saw blades and miter saw blades. Both saws use a larger family of saw blades known as circular saw blades. As the material cut by both saws is similar, you can usually swap blades between saws, provided the sizes match.

What Kind Of Material Are You Cutting

The material you are cutting largely defines the blade you will need to use. If you are cutting laminate flooring you can purchase what’s called a “melamine” blade. These types of blades are designed for composites and non-fibrous material.

If you are only cutting common lumber and occasional trim, the standard blade that came with your miter saw will likely be more than enough to meet your needs.

If you only planned on making a couple dozen laminate flooring cuts, I wouldn’t even recommend buying a blade just for that. Your standard blade will do, and you won’t notice much if any difference between blades for a small number of cuts.

What Is The Best Blade For Cutting Trim

The best saw blade for cutting trim will be a thin blade with a tooth count of 80-100. This type of blade will yield a precision cut with little tear out. When selecting a blade for trim work try to find a blade with a thin kerf for better results.

You can still cut trim with a standard blade you might cut lumber with, however, the results will not be as refined. You must decide if you want to purchase a new blade for a better result.

Choosing The Correct Miter Saw Blade

Once you’ve found what size your miter saw is, and what blade type is required for the material you are cutting, the hard part is over! Choosing the best miter saw blade for your saw now depends on the best deal you can find either online or at your local hardware store.

See what deals you can find. Not all blades are of equal quality, but none of the blades you’ll find at Home Depot are junk. Personally I’m a big fan of Diablo miter saw blades, as they’re quality blades for a fair price.

How Many Blades Should You Have?

Typically one miter saw blade will be enough. Unless you frequently find yourself switching between cutting wood and cutting aluminum, one blade will suffice. Even still if you are cutting another material so often, you want another blade, you should consider a saw better suited to the material. Metal is much easier to cut with a cut off saw.

Just because a miter saw is able to cut through a material doesn’t mean it is the ideal tool. You can also seriously shorten the lifespan of your saw by cutting through material that isn’t meant to be cut by a miter saw.

When Should I Change My Miter Saw Blade

You should change your miter saw blade when you begin to notice the teeth becoming dull. Sometimes cleaning your blade can extend the lifespan. If you notice the blade is bent, has missing teeth, or is no longer flat, replace your miter saw blade immediately.

How many Teeth Should A Miter Saw Blade Have

Normal miter saw blades will have a tooth count of 60-80. Lower tooth count blades of 50-60 are best for rough cuts to lumber. A precision blade for trim work will typically have a tooth count of 80-100. Therefore, miter saw blades should have between 60-80 teeth.

Is more teeth on a saw blade better

Saw blades with more teeth will produce finer cuts, with more precision and less tear out. Trim and detail work is usually performed with a high tooth count of 100+. High tooth count is not needed for rough lumber such as a 2×4, and cuts will take longer with more teeth.