How many teeth for a table saw blade?

[Restoration man]

I bought a Dewalt DW745 table saw about 2 years ago and cant believe how much I use it now instead of struggling with a hand held circular saw. It came with a 24 tooth blade and I want to buy a spare but not sure how many teeth I should get?

I put a 60 tooth blade on my DW777 Mitre saw for finishing work I was doing but have left it on and now use it for everything. I think more teeth should cutter faster and leave a better finish but the difference I have noticed is very subtle. I got a good finish with the 24 tooth.

Not sure of the effect on a table saw though which I use nearly 100% of the time for rip cuts. The cost difference is nothing really should I go up the tooth count or stick with 24 teeth?

Thanks

 

[Deleted member 174758]

For rip cutting a ripping or FT (flat tooth format) should be used. These blades have deep gullets and cut quickly, and safely, but the quality of finish isn't the best. Best used on solid woods, NOT sheet materials. On a 10in/250mm blade you are typically looking at 12 to 28 teeth, so in answer to your question, yes, I'd stick with 24 teeth

For cross cutting solid wood you're best off looking for a cross cut blade, which will generally be of ATB (alternative top bevel) format. These have smaller gullets, so they won't clear cutting swarf anywhere near as efficiently as a rip blade. On cross cuts they work fine - on rip cuts they tend to bind in cut and can kick back on solid timbers. If ripping with them on a 10in/250mm saw I'd not exceed 42 teeth, or possibly 48 teeth. This type of blade can be excellent for ripping plywood and breaking-down chipboard and MDF

For coated sheets, e.g. MFC (melamine-faced chipboard) a more specialised blade should be chosen: either a high angle ATB or (better?) a triple-chip grind (TCG) blade. The TCG blade will certainly stay sharp longer, but generates quite a bit of pushback and so should be used with caution - and LONG push sticks.

Choosing the correct type of blade makes a lot of difference to ease of use, quality of cut - and operator safety

 

[Restoration man]

Thanks for your detailed response. Ill stick with the original 24tooth blade and just buy another DeWalt one as they are reasonably cheap.

Cheers

 

[FortJefferson]

I bought one of these last year.

http://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/...Circular Saw Blade Fine Finish 254 X 30 X 80T

I'm so impressed with it, I've just bought another for a spare. The finish is superb. I made some windows out of sapele, and I've not had to sand anything.

 

[Himaginn]

The amount of time it takes to change a blade, it's worth having a couple of alternatives.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

I bought one of these last year.

http://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Dewalt Dt1041 Qz 5035048099803 Extreme Circular Saw Blade Fine Finish 254 X 30 X 80T

I'm so impressed with it, I've just bought another for a spare. The finish is superb. I made some windows out of sapele, and I've not had to sand anything.

That blade will work well for cross cutting stuff like MDF, but for ripping anything other than thin (6mm) MDF sheet it will just clog up and you'll end up scorching the cut edges - try it on a rip of 12ft of 4in pine and see what I mean. It will also cut very, v e r y s l o w l y