Blade Selection
Choosing the correct blade for the job is essential for the safe and efficient use of your table saw. Ignoring this important step could result in dam- age to the saw and serious injury to the operator. Documented below are the most common saw blades and their uses.
1.Rip Blade: Used for cutting with the grain. Rip blades have 30-40 teeth, flat-top ground tooth profile and large gullets to allow for large chip removal. See Figure 32.
Figure 32. Ripping blade.
2.Cross-cut Blade: Used for cutting across the grain. Cross-cut blades have 60-80 teeth, alternate top bevel or steep alternate top bevel tooth profiles, small hook angle and a shallow gullet. See Figure 33.
Figure 33. Cross-cutting blade.
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3.Combination Blade: Used for cutting with and across the grain. A compromise between a rip blade and a cross-cut blade, a combination blade will typically have 50-60 teeth, an alternate top bevel and flat or alter- nate top bevel and raker tooth profile. The teeth are arranged in groups of five. The gul- lets are small and shallow within the groups of five teeth, similar to a cross-cut blade; then large and deep between the groups, like a ripping blade. See Figure 34.
Figure 34. Combination blade.
4.Plywood Blade: Used for cutting plywood or veneers. Plywood blades have 60-80 teeth, a steep alternate top bevel tooth profile and very shallow gullet. See Figure 35.
Figure 35. Plywood blade.
G5959Z 12" Left-Tilting Table Saw
