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Tip
#27
Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Table Sawing
(continued)
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Pg. 1-3, Pg
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Selecting
the Right Blade
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Saw
Blades
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Select
the right blade for the job. There are thousands of blades
available for your table saw...primarily, in one of the following
four configurations:
(A)
Combination
Blades will perform both crosscutting and ripping
operations on hardwoods, softwoods, plywood and composite
boards. Although they're not the best blade for all
jobs, they are the most economical alternative, providing
you're willing to compromise a bit on performance.
(B)
Rip
Blades have fewer teeth than a Crosscut Blade with
deeper gullets. They are designed for making the smoothest
cuts when ripping boards with the grain of the wood.
They should NOT be used for making crosscuts across
the grain of the wood.
(C)
Crosscut
Blades have a lot of teeth and are designed for making
the smoothest cuts when crosscutting straight or diagonally
across the grain of the wood. They should NOT
be used for making rip cuts with the grain of the wood.
(D)
Thin
Kerf All-Purpose Blades are recommended for use when
you want to maximize the lumber you have or are cutting thick
or tough woods. These blades will take a thinner saw kerf
(usually about 3/32"), which saves your wood and reduces the
strain on your table saw's motor.
Hollow
Ground Blades (not shown) are often referred to as
“Planer Blades”. They're made to be thinner near
their centers than at the outer edges to provide more clearance
while making the cut. As a result, they will make super-smooth
cuts when crosscutting or ripping small amounts of stock off
a board. They should be reserved for finish cuts only and
not be used for making heavy sizing cuts.
Plywood
Blades (not shown) are made for sawing plywoods, paneling
and veneers. They offer lots of very fine teeth (often, up
to 200) to minimize splintering and fraying when cutting thin
or layered woods and can be used with equal results when crosscutting
or ripping these thin materials.
NOTE:
For more in-depth information about Table Saw Blades and their
uses, visit our July/August,
2001 issue of Hands-On, Shopsmith's on-line woodworking
magazine.
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