Best Overall
Makita A-93681 10-Inch 80-Tooth Miter Saw Blade
Best Bang for the Buck
Neiko 10768A 12-Inch Carbide Saw Blade
Best for Plywood
Freud 10-Inch Ultimate Plywood & Melamine Blade
We may earn revenue from the merchandise usable on this Thomas Nelson Page and participate in affiliate program . con More ›
Most saws are typically deal with a budget blade , irrespective of thesaw case . Even thebest miter sawincludes a canonic woodcutting interlingual rendition — which is passable for chopping through depot - bought lumber , but the finished snub can be a turn unsmooth . These budget byword blades are n’t outfit to accurately saw thicker materials like hardwood , plyboard , laminate , etc .
But cutting these fabric becomes a breeze with the right saw blade , and there are many to pick out from . The challenge is knowing how to find fault the right one . This article offers a clear guide on how to pick out the respectable miter see sword for a motley of purposes .
How We Chose the Best Miter Saw Blades
Here at Bob Vila , we expend considerable clock time on research to ensure comprehensive coverage of a subject . My own scope is in technology , and after a change of career , I own my own woodshop for 11 year . I have firsthand experience of using miter saws with many different blade .
In improver to diameter , vane material and tooth structure are primal component and thus the master focus when snitch for a new mitre find out blade . manufacturing business reputation is of import , too . Big brand consistently produce high-pitched - timbre blade . crummy miter power saw blade are ordinarily a poor investment , but value - for - money options are useable , so I was careful not to overlook them .
Our Top Picks
It ’s meter to look at some real - cosmos example . The following brand come from top stigma and have proven lineament . Each intersection listed below includes a separate class so that you’re able to quick identify the best miter see brand for a particular range of tasks .
Choosing just one mitre saw leaf blade is something of a challenge , as many are quite use - specific . The Makita A-93681 takes the top spot because it offer excellent execution as a world-wide - role blade for hardwoods and softwoods , but the finish exceeds that of many competitors . This reduces the need for further planing or sanding .
In part that ’s due to the thin kerf of 0.091 inches , which allows great precision and minimal wastefulness . It ’s also a answer of the carbide - leaning tooth , which have been perfect to the equivalent of 600 - gumption abrasive . tooth are ATB patterns with a 5 - degree angle that helps clear-cut waste from the cut line .
The militant price should make it pop with both job site trade and DIY exploiter .
Get the Makita miter encounter leaf blade atAmazon , The Home Depot , orWalmart .
Many DIY user who buy a miter saw do so for cut storehouse - bought dimensioned lumber like 2x4s and board for decking . This is constantly some kind of deal . A fine finish to the cut is n’t call for , which is n’t something the open - grain structure of softwood lends itself to anyway .
Neiko ’s 12 - inch carbide - tip sword is ideal for this kind of cutting . The 80 teeth provide a perfectly satisfactory stopping point and decent preciseness . The blade is also project to cope with the warmth generate in high - productivity job site environs . This makes it a skilful option for cut frame for sectionalization walls or other construction - related work . While it is subject of cutting hardwood , it will wear upon much more quick .
Get the Neiko mitre joint saw brand atAmazonorWalmart .
Sigmund Freud is a leading maker of mitre saw blade , each of which is of exceptional character . The company relieve oneself its own carbide that includes atomic number 22 and Co , which results in very sharp , intemperately - wearing tooth . Sigmund Freud sword also have a proprietary Perma - Shield , a nonstick coating that scale down friction when reduce and get to the blades easy to clean .
Photo: istockphoto.com
This 10 - inch plywood and melamine blade has Hi - ATB teeth designed to slice through laminated surfaces with minimal chip or splintering . It also results in a very uncontaminating finish in hardwoods , making this a very various saw blade . Expansion slots are not strange , but the Freud vane also has optical maser - cut , anti - vibration slot to maximise blade stableness . These feature of speech serve maintain a clean-living baseball swing in materials with thin surface .
Get the Freud miter saw blade atAmazon .
Best for Composite/Plastic
Irwin 10-Inch Miter Saw Blade
This 10 - inch high - atomic number 6 brand steel from Irwin is very basic in aim but is effective nevertheless . While carbon copy steel is much hard than ordinary steel , it ’s not of as good quality as carbide , but it does keep the cost down .
The fragile 0.09 - inch kerf , gamey tooth count , and aggressive angle are gross for cutting through materials like OSB and veneer boards . This blade is also efficient at cutting the sort of plastics used for electric conduit , vinyl group fence berth , and similar materials . However , with no expansion time slot , it may need casual breaks to prevent overheating and blade buckle .
The majority of DIY users may not necessitate a blade like this very often , but the price is so lowly that it ’s an affordable supernumerary to keep handy for just - in - case occasions .
Photo: istockphoto.com
Get the Irwin mitre saw steel atAmazon .
Best Finish
Diablo D12100X Ultimate Polished Finish Saw Blade
in high spirits - calibre woodwork demands precision cutting and finer conclusion . This 100 - tooth ultrafine blade from Diablo is designed to deliver both .
The Diablo D12100X steel has a fine kerf of just 0.098 inches . The teeth are made of Freud ’s very own hard TiCo Hi - Density portmanteau word of carbide , titanium , and cobalt . The profile is also a Freud development called Axial Shear Face Grind ( ASFG ) that slice up flawlessly through Sir Henry Wood fibers . It leave a finish that is as smooth as surfaces that have been worked with 220 - grit emery paper .
As with most Freud mitre saw blade , this Diablo one is surface with clash - reducing Perma - Shield . It helps shrug off the gunk and resin often found in composite boards and , in conjunction with expanding upon slots , abbreviate heat energy buildup . Plus , the Diablo D12100X is compatible with miter saw and slide miter saws .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the Diablo miter saw blade atThe Home DepotorNorthern Tool + Equipment .
Best Twin Pack
DeWalt 12-Inch Construction Miter Saw Blade
DeWalt ’s two - steel pack offers the double-dyed solution for most DIY user and many tradespeople , too . One steel has 32 teeth and is mean as a speedy - cutting , cosmopolitan - purpose blade for chop through dimensioned lumber when burn finish is n’t specially important . The other has 80 teeth and is designed to produce a clean finish on both hardwoods and softwood .
Both blades have a all right kerf of 0.095 inches , which will provide expert accuracy and minimum waste . tooth are tungsten carbide tipped , with a 7 - arcdegree slant — a undecomposed compromise between speed and precision .
Expansion slots reduce heat and trembling , and there is also a nonstick coating . Given the competitive price , it ’s no surprisal that DeWalt ’s two - brand battalion is passing democratic and considered among the good 12 - inch miter see blade options .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the DeWalt miter saw leaf blade atAmazonorThe Home Depot .
Best Nonferrous Metal
Twin-Town 10-Inch Non-Ferrous Metal Saw Blade
Whether or not a miter saw can shorten metal is a common interrogative sentence . With this blade from Twin - Town , the answer is “ Yes ! ” ( within certain parameter , of course of instruction ) . It ’s great for cutting aluminum division , atomic number 29 pipes , small - diameter organisation bars , etc . This steel can also tackle a wide potpourri of plastics . It is n’t intended for cutting through satisfying metals of considerable heaviness . While no maximum is given , it ’s probable to struggle over about ¼ inch .
The tungsten carbide tooth have a damaging 5 - degree angle that adds strength and makes for good durability . The stabilizer vents are particularly authoritative in reducing heat buildup , which is more rapid when cut metals . Overall , this vane is an affordable , versatile selection for the DIY user and for site employment .
Get the Twin - Town miter joint saw blade atAmazon .
Photo: amazon.com
Also Consider
Forrest WW12487125A 12-Inch Woodworker II Saw Blade
Forrest focuses on producing miter saw blade for preciseness woodwork ; the tone is spectacular . Carbide for the tooth hail from specialist supplier C4 and is claim to be 40 percentage intemperate than normal carbide , which may extend its working life story up to three times .
The kerf is 0.125 inches , which is slight but not ultrathin . The tooth angle is 15 degree , which provides tight , belligerent cutting on multiple types of wood . With only 48 teeth , a fair coarse finish might be carry , but the opposite is dependable . The finish is so smooth that further planing or sanding is often unneeded .
Forrest steel are expensive , but while almost all other mitre saws blades are disposable , these can be resharpened . That said , it ’s not a line for the amateur , so this leaf blade is probable to attract to the professional rather than the DIY user .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the Forrest miter saw vane atAmazon .
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Miter Saw Blade
While a goodmiter boxis utterly capable of cut back one or two joints , most people select a powered mitre joint saw for convenience and speeding . These saws can be base in wood store and at business sites , often rise ona convenient stand .
One of the key reasons for their versatility is the variety of blade available , allowing users to maximize functioning with dissimilar materials . In this part , we cross what differentiate one blade from another .
Type of Saw
There are several types of miter joint saws : chemical compound mitre saws cut miters and bevels , slew mitre saws have horizontal track that increase ignore width , and slide compound mitre joint saw combine both . Most bevel on one side , but some can chamfer on both .
Each saw is named harmonise to the diam of its brand . Mini miter saws can be as pocket-size as 2 column inch , while turgid saws can be up to 15 inches . However , 10 - in and 12 - column inch blade are the most uncouth .
Types of Miter Saw Blades
Miter picture blades are mostly termed “ crosscut ” blades because they reduce across the fabric , not along it .
rip blades , for cutting quick along the grain , are a vulgar option fortable sawsbut that ’s not how a miter attend works . That said , some dual - purpose miter saw blade are describe as shortcut and rend .
A general - purpose miter saw steel is supply with the car when new . While general - purpose power saw brand can be serious all - arounders , they have their limits . With other type of blade , the description ordinarily throw a secure idea of the intent . The name might also come to to the eccentric of material to be turn out : a plywood leaf blade or a nonferrous metal vane . Other types of miter byword blades are suited to laminate and melamine . Blade material , thickness , and eccentric of teeth all have a major shock when it comes to performance , which will be see in particular in the travel along sections .
Photo: homedepot.com
Material
The consistence of a miter see blade is always made of steel . Nipponese steel is known for its character in blade production .
Steel rusts , so most miter saw blades are coated with a special substance to forestall erosion . High - last coatings may also disperse heat and leave a nonstick surface , both of which make for well-fixed cutting . Most steel are designed with slot reduce into the body , which wait like stretch question marks . These are cognize as expansion slots or stabiliser release ; they ’re there so the vane does n’t warp as it beget hot . elaboration slots may also reduce vane shaking , which can improve the finish .
dentition are generally make out from the same part of sword . Many have tungsten carbide tips that have been brazed ( weld ) on . These summit , often just called “ carbide , ” are harder than blade and appease sharp longer , thus improving leaf blade life .
Photo: lowes.com
Size, Thickness, and Kerf
The sizing of the blade should equalise the miter see . put a 10 - inch blade on a 12 - column inch saw is n’t a in force idea . It ’ll spoil the dynamics , probably wo n’t run at the think speed , and will reduce press clipping electrical capacity . It ’s also important to curb the spindle size ( in effect the hole in the middle ) as this is how it mounts onto the saw . Normally a 10 - inch blade has a ⅝-inch mandril sizing and a 12 - column inch blade has a 1 - inch arbor , though there are variations .
The thickness of the blade defines the size of kerf , or width of cut . A general - purpose miter saw blade is relatively thick and has a wide-eyed kerf . This is fine when chopping through dimensioned softwood from the DIY store , but not for preciseness woodwork with expensive hardwoods — that requires a thinner kerf . These are also better for laminate because narrow teeth get less surface chip .
Number of Teeth,Tooth Shape, and Configuration
The routine of teeth helps define the speed the byword will reduce and the finish . Generally speak , a leaf blade with fewer teeth cut quicker . A steel with more teeth leaves a smoother finish . A 30- or 40 - tooth blade is okay for chopping through 2×4 lumber quickly . A 100 - tooth leaf blade could pull up stakes a fine finish on dull hardwood .
The tooth bod and configuration also have a major wallop . Many crosscut blade have a tooth embodiment called Alternate Top Bevel ( ATB ) where the cutting border is on the rightfield of the tooth , then the left , for each consecutive tooth . Plywood and laminate blades may be High Alternate Top Bevel ( HATB or Hi - ATB ) , where in addition to alternate sharpness , the teeth also have a outrageous ( high ) cutting slant to minimise chipping .
combining blades ( for crosscutting and ripping blade ) immix ATB tooth with Flat Top ( FT ) teeth , usually at a ratio of 4 ATB to 1 FT . ultimately , threefold ( or Triple Chip ) teeth , which switch a magniloquent , lissome tooth and a flat tooth are frequently found on blade for plastic and nonferrous metal .
Photo: amazon.com
Gullet and Hook Angle
The gullet is the area between teeth . It helps macerate material to clear up from the leaf blade so the tooth do n’t clog in the cut . This would both slow down the steel and induce overheating . On combining blades , oesophagus are large to let for fast rip through softwood , which tend to produce a lot of sawdust . On shortcut miter adage sword , the esophagus are smaller because the textile is broken down into smaller man and blade bind is less likely . They can also bring home the bacon a degree of resistance during cut so user do n’t force the blade through too quickly and spoil what would otherwise be a clean finish .
Hook slant also impact provender charge per unit . On a rip or combination blade , there will be an aggressive forward thin ( an angle of around 20 degree ) that promotes degraded cutting . Crosscut miter saw blades tend to have shallow or even negative angles for slower , more precise cutting and , again , to permit for leaf blade cooling .
FAQs
The section above control a wealth of proficient and practical entropy to avail you decide on the near miter saw leaf blade ( or blades ) for your needs . However , during our enquiry , we find a number of questions from possible buyer that crop up quite often . you may find the answer to the most common unity below .
Q.How do I clean and maintain a miter saw blade?
Remove the leaf blade and rate it in a bowlful or tray . Use a diluted all - role household cleaner and a cleansing pad ( not a scourer ) . Use a toothbrush around the teeth . Work tardily so you do n’t slip and rationalise yourself . head off oven cleaners ; they can damage carbide tips .
Q.How many teeth should a miter saw blade have?
It depends on what you want to use it for , which is why it ’s common to have several dissimilar saw blades . The clause above suffice this query in more particular .
Q. Can I use a 10-inch blade on a 12-inch miter saw?
If the bower is the same size , it can be done . However , we would n’t recommend it . A 10 - inch see steel is usually designed to revolve faster , so the slower motor of the 12 - inch saw may not power it expeditiously . Also , the smaller diam steel will fall in a different position , reduce cutting capability .
Q. Can I use my miter saw to cut metal?
you may , but there are limits . You will surely need a metal - veer blade . Nonferrous blades cut Al , brass , and pig . sword - cutting blade are uncommitted , but they ’re not really suitable to the majority of miter saw . If you take to turn out brand regularly , then a dedicated metal - cutting mitre see is recommend .
Q. What blade should I use to cut hardwood flooring?
We would hint a vane with 80 or more teeth for a placid conclusion . Our top pick or a plywood leaf blade would become the labor .
Q. Are more teeth on a saw blade better?
Not necessarily . The number of teeth move the velocity of cut and the character of finish as discussed above .
Everything You Need for a Lush and Healthy Lawn
keep your supergrass immature and your plant thriving does n’t just take a green thumb — it start with the right tools and supplies .
Photo: amazon.com
