The best circular saw will only cut as good as its blade. This makes the circular saw blade the single most important part of any circular saw. In this section of our circular saw review, we will have a look at circular saw blades and important accessories you might want to review before you decide on which saw blade to buy.
When you evaluate a circular saw it’s a good idea to have a look at important accessories. Some accessories like saw blades are somewhat generic, since you will be able to use a circular saw blade from any manufacturers on any saw, as long as size and hole diameter are matching.
Circular Saw Blade Review
Let’s have a detailed review at what kind of circular saw blade sizes and tooth shapes as well as which accessory make sense for a professional woodworker in today’s workplace:
What circular saw blade to use for …?
Important in all aspects of woodworking, is which blade to use for cutting what material. The table below offers a detailed circular saw blade review about the most common type of carbide circular saw blades as well as which cutting direction and material they are used for. The shown tooth shape is a front view of tct circular saw blades, with the darker part being the carbide tip of the tooth.
| Type of Blade | Circular Saw Blade Review Usage and Application |
Tooth Shape | Approx. Number of Teeth on 6-1/4″(~160mm) Circular-Saw-Blade |
Approx. Number of Teeth on 8-1/4″ (~210mm) Circular-Saw-Blade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard Circular Saw Blades |
Rip cut circular saw blade with few number of teeth. Fast cuts along the grain. Rough cuts. |  |
14 Tooth | 18 Tooth |
Universal Circular Saw Blades |
Cross and rip cuts in wood, panels and soft plastics. Regular in cutting speed and splintering. | |
28 Tooth | 36 Tooth |
Fine Tooth Circular Saw Blade |
Cross cuts in solid hardwood and softwood. This kind of carbide circular saw blade cuts plywood and other sheet goods. Not to be used for rip cuts – blade starts heating. Fine cut with low splintering. |
|
48 Tooth | 60 Tooth |
Laminate Circular Saw Blade |
If you are asking what saw blade to use for laminate flooring …this is the one. When cutting laminated materials such as kitchen counter tops since the flat tooth shape makes it very difficult to be used in solid soft- or hardwoods. Excellent splinter-free cut in plywood, laminate flooring and other boards. |
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48 Tooth | 60 Tooth |
Aluminum Non-Ferrous Circular Saw Blade |
Its backwards (negative) shaped teeth of those carbide circular saw blades allow cutting nonferrous metals such as aluminum as well as plastics. Interesting saw blade for on site work such as kitchen cabinet installers or drywallers, where cutting aluminum with a circular saw is sometime a good option. | |
56 Tooth | 72 Tooth |
In the saw blade market you’ll find countless universal circular saw blades. You’re not bound to only the blades of the circular saw manufacturer. One of the major considerations when you decide on buying any circular saw is that blade diameter and the blade holes diameter follow a universal standard so you will be able to obtain blades from other suppliers in your region or country.
Circular Saw Parts and Accessories: Circular Saw Dust Extraction and Dust Collection
Pulling a hose along with his circular saw is not what a craftsman really wants doing. However, if you find yourself on site installing kitchen cabinets, cutting floors, or reshaping doors you might find yourself needing an adequate dust extraction system.
This is why it’s very important to check the type of dust hose adapter or connector that goes with your saw in order to guarantee a perfect circular saw dust collection. Some power tool companies equip there circular saws with movable hose connectors allowing the ridgid hose to more easily follow the saw during the cut. Others only offer small rigid adapters to connect the hose.
Whatever circular saw you think of buying, be certain you check how you would connect a dust extractor system properly. Since their seems to be not much of a standard hose size for power tools, some circular saw models come with very small connectors. Other manufacturer offer adapters as part of their circular saw spare parts program. That means a need of hose adapters so that your vacuum hose will fit.
| Small Dust Hose Connector |
Large and Solid Dust Hose Connector |
Integrated Dust Hose Connector |
|---|---|---|
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| Example of a very small and rather short dust extraction connector on a Makita circular saw. Makes it very difficult to firmly connect any hose. | Dewalt circular saw with a removable dust extraction fitting. Right in size for most shop vacuums the hose is held firmly. If not needed it can be detached from the saw to allow better visibility. | Another way of integrating the dust extraction connector into compact saw design. On this Festool circular saw, the large and solid dust extraction connector allows you to attach the hose perfectly without disturbing visibility to the line of cut. |
Circular Saw Parts and Accessories: Carrying Case
Most circular saws, especially at the low-price point, are sold without carrying case. This might not be a problem for DIY type users, but professional woodworkers will need a carrying case.
There was a day when you’d only have one saw lying on your bench. Today you’re likely to have a number of saws and other power tools and a place to store all those little accessories and saw blades properly.
Rip fence, extra circular saw blades, dust extraction hose, or guide rail clamps, and nowadays, there are many tidbits that go with a circular saw. If you are considering any circular saw, make sure it comes with an adequate decent carrying case.
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Analyzing which circular saw blade is the right for you and examining vital accessories for any professional woodworker, we will now sum up this circular saw review series with the best circular saw comparison chart… |  |
| Back to part 7 of… | This is part 8 : Circular Saw Blade |
Read on with part 9 of… |
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