The scene with saw teeth is quite significant. This is because you need to select the teeth count and design based on the type of cut you’re making.
Therefore, having a good understanding of teeth count is very important. And for this reason, today we will address the teeth of saw blades in detail.
So, let’s dive into the teeth count, design, and types of saw blades today, particularly regarding the teeth count.
Contents
Basic Aspects of The Saw Blade
Alright, let’s take a moment to really dive into the core features of a saw blade, shall we?
Think of this as a mini-lecture exploring the essential attributes that define any saw blade. It’s quite a fascinating topic, so let’s get started!
Tooth Geometry: The saw teeth’ shape, angle, and size determine how well they cut. Different designs are used for tasks like straight cuts or detailed work.
Tooth Set: How much the teeth stick out from the blade. It widens the cut, making it easier for the saw to move through the material.
Tooth Count: The number of teeth on a saw blade.
You may want to read: Saw Blade Selection According To Tooth Count (Which One Is For You?)
Tooth Pitch and TPI: Tooth Pitch is the space of one tooth’s tip from another. TPI is the number of teeth per inch. More teeth (high TPI) give a smoother cut but are slower; fewer teeth (low TPI) cut faster but rougher.
Gullet Size and Shape: Gullets are spaces between teeth that are important for removing chips. Larger gullets can handle more material, improving cutting in thick materials.
Tooth Hardness: Harder teeth stay sharp longer but can be more brittle. This affects how long the saw can cut effectively without needing sharpening.
Tooth Angle: The angle of teeth affects how the saw cuts. Steeper angles cut faster, while shallower angles are better for precise, clean cuts.
Tooth Relief Angle: This angle on the tooth’s backside influences how the saw interacts with the material, affecting heat buildup and cutting ease.
Kerf Width: Kerf is the thickness of the cut made by the saw. It depends on the tooth set and blade thickness, affecting how much material is removed with each cut.
Want to know more about saw blade kerf? Take a look at our easy-to-understand article, ‘Thin Kerf vs Full Kerf Blades.‘ It’s full of great tips that can help with your projects!
Let’s Discuss the Tooth Design and geometry of a Saw Blade
We will delve into tooth design, tooth count, and TPI (Teeth Per Inch).
We won’t be discussing the types in isolation, as the tooth design and count essentially create the different types.
Moreover, we won’t address gullets and angles separately because these elements will become clear to you as part of the tooth design discussion. So, let’s move forward.
Flat Top (FT)
These are your go-to for rip cuts, especially when you’re cutting along the wood grain.
Oh, in case you wanna know, we have a article on rip cuts and cross cuts. You must give it a read!
Why Is It Effective? The design is simple yet effective. It chisels through wood fibers with ease, prioritizing quick material removal. It’s not about a polished finish but about efficiency and speed.
Alternate Top Bevel (ATB)
Picture a blade where each tooth is angled, one slanting right, the next left. This creates a sharp point on each tooth.
Ideal For: These teeth shine when it comes to crosscuts, where you need to cut across the grain of the wood.
Why Is It Effective? The angled edges act like knives, slicing cleanly through the wood. This reduces splintering and tearing, giving you a neater finish than what you’d get with a rip-cut-focused blade.
Combination Tooth (Comb)
A strategic mix of Flat Top and ATB teeth in a repeating pattern. For instance, you might see four ATB teeth followed by one Flat Top tooth.
Ideal For: Versatile enough for both ripping and crosscutting, this design is a solid all-rounder for general woodworking.
Why Is It Effective? By blending two tooth types, it strikes a balance between aggressive cutting and clean finishing. It’s like having two blades in one, adaptable for different tasks.
Interested in exploring more about blade types? Check out our article ‘Rip, Crosscut, Combination Blades: A Comparative Guide’ to understand and make the best choice for your woodworking needs
Triple Chip Grind (TCG)
This design alternates between a trapezoidal tooth and a flat raker tooth. The trapezoidal teeth have a two-step design, giving them a distinctive look.
Ideal For: Perfect for hard, abrasive materials – think laminates, dense hardwoods, and even some metals.
Why Is It Effective? It’s all about durability and smooth cutting in tough materials. The trapezoidal teeth rough-cut the material, while the flat teeth clean it up, reducing wear on each tooth and enhancing the blade’s lifespan.
High Alternate Top Bevel (Hi-ATB)
Similar to the ATB but with a steeper angle on each tooth, making them sharper.
Ideal For: Superb for cutting delicate surfaces like veneers, melamine, or fine cabinetry.
Why Is It Effective? The increased angle offers a finer, gentler cut, minimizing the risk of chipping on brittle or prone-to-splinter materials. It’s about achieving a clean, smooth finish on surfaces where every imperfection shows.
Hollow Ground (HG)
In this design, the sides of each tooth are ground inward, creating a concave shape and a thinner blade.
Ideal For: Great for precise, delicate cuts in materials like plywood, chipboard, and laminates.
Why Is It Effective? The thinner blade reduces friction and binding, allowing for smoother, more controlled cuts. It’s particularly helpful in reducing burning and chipping, providing a clean cut with less effort.
Summing Up
| Tooth Design | Primary Use |
|---|---|
| Flat Top (FT) | Rip cuts, cutting along the wood grain |
| Alternate Top Bevel (ATB) | Crosscuts, cutting across the wood grain |
| Combination Tooth (Comb) | Ripping and crosscutting, general woodworking |
| Triple Chip Grind (TCG) | Hard, abrasive materials like laminates |
| High Alternate Top Bevel (Hi-ATB) | Delicate surfaces like veneers, melamine |
| Hollow Ground (HG) | Precise cuts in plywood, chipboard, laminates |
TPI & Tooth Count – Explained With Comparison
TPI (Teeth Per Inch):
TPI is the count of teeth in a one-inch segment of a saw blade. It’s a density measure, indicating how closely packed the teeth are on the blade.
The higher the TPI, the cleaner and finer the cut. Blades with a high TPI (14 to 36) are ideal for cutting tougher materials like metal, while lower TPI (6 to 20) is suitable for softer materials like wood.
Fine-toothed blades (more than 10 TPI) make very clean cuts but cut slower and remove less material per stroke. Coarse-toothed blades (3 to 7 TPI) cut faster but with a rougher finish.
The length of the blade also affects the TPI’s impact. For instance, a 6-inch blade with a TPI of 12 will produce a finer finish than a 12-inch blade with the same TPI.
Tooth Count:
Tooth Count refers to the total number of teeth on the saw blade. For example, a circular saw blade may be described as having 24 teeth or 40 teeth.
The Tooth Count determines the type of cut and is influenced by the cutting task. Fewer teeth are required for ripping (cutting along the grain), while more teeth are used for crosscutting (cutting across the grain).
A general-purpose blade, which can handle both ripping and crosscutting, strikes a balance between these two.
The choice of tooth Count depends on the material thickness and the specific cutting task. For a smooth cut, the number of teeth engaging the material should be no more than four and no less than two.
Remember that most of the circular blades you’ll find in the market are categorized based on tooth count. Lengthwise items are usually classified according to TPI (Teeth Per Inch). The same principle applies to sizes as well. Circular blades are available according to their diameter, while lengthwise blades are sorted based on length.
Saws with Their Best Available TPI and Their Uses
Table Saw Blades Comes With Tooth Count
Tooth Count Range: Generally, table saw blades range from 24 to 80 teeth
Lower Tooth Count (24-40): Ideal for general woodcutting tasks. These blades can quickly cut through wood but may leave a rougher finish. They are often used for ripping, where the cut is along the wood grain.
Medium Tooth Count (40-60): These blades strike a balance between speed and finish quality, suitable for crosscutting and some finer woodworking tasks.
Higher Tooth Count (60-80): Used for ultra-fine cuts, especially in hardwoods or when a very smooth finish is essential. These are often used for finish carpentry or cabinetry work.
Considerations: The choice of TPI for a table saw also depends on the blade diameter, material thickness, and the type of material being cut. A higher TPI blade may be necessary for cutting denser materials or making more precise cuts.
Band Saw Blades – TPI
TPI Range: Typically between 2 to 24 TPI.
Lower TPI (2-6): Best for re-sawing and rough cutting, especially in thicker materials. These blades can remove much material quickly but won’t leave a smooth surface.
Medium TPI (6-14): A good all-purpose range for various woodworking tasks, balancing cutting speed with finish quality.
Higher TPI (14-24): Ideal for cutting thinner materials or when a very smooth finish is required. These are often used for detailed work in fine woodworking, as well as for cutting metals.
Considerations: Band saw blade selection also depends on the machine’s capabilities and the radius of cuts (for curved cutting). Smaller, finer teeth are better for intricate or curved cuts, while larger teeth are better for straight, fast cuts.
Scroll Saw Blades – TPI
TPI Range: Scroll saw blades typically range from 15 to 30 TPI.
Lower TPI (15-20): These blades are better for cutting thicker materials or for more aggressive, faster cuts. They’re useful for quickly shaping pieces but may leave a rougher finish.
Higher TPI (20-30): Ideal for intricate, detailed work, especially in thinner materials. These blades make smoother, more precise cuts, essential for delicate patterns or fine woodworking.
Considerations: The choice of TPI in scroll saw blades also depends on the intricacy of the design and the type of material. Higher TPI blades are often preferred for detailed wood, metal, or plastic work, providing a smooth finish with minimal splintering.
Circular Saw Blades – Tooth Count
Tooth Count Range: The TPI for circular saw blades usually falls between 24 to 80 TPI.
Lower Tooth Count (24-40): These are common for rough-cutting wood, including framing and decking. They cut fast but don’t leave a very smooth finish, making them suitable for construction work.
Medium Tooth Count (40-60): A good choice for general-purpose woodworking, balancing cutting speed and surface finish.
Higher Tooth Count (60-80): Used for fine, precise cuts, particularly in hardwoods or when a smooth finish is required. These are excellent for finishing carpentry, cabinetry, cutting veneer, laminates, and metals.
Considerations: When selecting a circular saw blade, consider the material thickness and the desired cut quality. Higher TPI blades are essential for finer work and harder materials, while lower TPI blades are suitable for quicker, rougher cuts in softer materials.
Reciprocating Saw Blades – TPI
TPI Range: Generally, from 3 to 24 TPI.
Lower TPI (3-11): Ideal for fast, aggressive cuts in wood, especially during demolition work or rough cutting.
Medium TPI (10-14): Versatile for wood and metal, suitable for renovation projects.
Higher TPI (14-24): Best for metal cutting and finer woodworking tasks, providing smoother finishes.
Considerations: The cut material (wood, metal, or a combination) and the desired finish quality are key factors in choosing the TPI for a reciprocating saw blade.
Jigsaw Blades – TPI
TPI Range: Ranges from 6 to 36 TPI.:
Lower TPI (6-10): Great for fast, rough cuts in wood.
Medium TPI (10-20): Suitable for various materials, balancing speed and finish.
Higher TPI (20-36): Excellent for fine, precise cuts in metal and smoother cuts in wood and plastics.
Considerations: The choice depends on the material’s thickness and the required precision of the cut. Higher TPI blades are preferred for more detailed and finer work.
Miter Saw Blades – Tooth Count
The design of miter saws is specifically tailored for crosscutting, which necessitates blades with a higher tooth count. This is because crosscutting typically requires blades that have a greater number of teeth.
Tooth Count Range: Generally between 40 to 100 TPI.
Medium Tooth Count (40-60): Good for general woodworking and trim work, offering a nice balance.
Higher Tooth Count (60-100): Perfect for ultra-fine cuts in wood and moldings, especially where a smooth, clean finish is essential.
Considerations: Miter saws are often used for precise, clean cuts in woodworking, so a higher TPI is usually preferred for the best finish.
Coping Saw Blades – TPI
TPI Range: Usually between 12 to 20 TPI.
Standard Range (12-20): Suitable for detailed work in woodworking, such as trim, molding, and intricate cuts.
Considerations: The TPI in coping saws are designed for precision and control, especially for hand-operated, intricate cuts. The choice of TPI will depend on the material’s hardness and the complexity of the cuts.
Summing Up
| Saw Type | Tooth Count/TPI | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Table Saw Blades | 24-80 Tooth Count | Woodcutting |
| Band Saw Blades | 2-24 TPI | Rough Cutting |
| Scroll Saw Blades | 15-30 TPI | Detailed Work |
| Circular Saw Blades | 24-80 Tooth Count | Carpentry |
| Reciprocating Saw Blades | 3-24 TPI | Demolition |
| Jigsaw Blades | 6-36 TPI | Versatile Cuts |
| Miter Saw Blades | 40-100 Tooth Count | Fine Finishes |
| Coping Saw Blades | 12-20 TPI | Intricate Cuts |
Follow Our series of articles that we’ve covered on saw blade tooth count:
24 Tooth Saw Blade – Uses, Application, Other Attributes & Specs
40 Tooth Saw Blade – Uses, Application, Other Attributes & Specs
60 Tooth Saw Blade – Uses, Application, Other Attributes & Specs
80 Tooth Saw Blade – Uses, Application, Other Attributes & Specs
90 Tooth Saw Blade – Uses, Application, Other Attributes & Specs
100 Tooth Saw Blade – Uses, Application, Other Attributes & Specs
We’ve discussed major saws that should provide you with enough knowledge of saw blade teeth.
We’ve reviewed saw blade teeth and how they’re used. Remember, when picking a blade, think about your job.
Before choosing the teeth per inch (TPI), how many teeth, and the blade’s shape, think about what you’re cutting, why you’re cutting it, and the kind of cut you need. This will help you pick the right blade for your work.