When you’re working on any DIY project, you sometimes have to make cuts in a variety of materials.
Initially, radial arm saws and circular saw blades were the go-to tools for such applications. But miter saws - both sliding and compound miter saws - have proven to be equally capable.
A miter saw blade can make a variety of cuts; be it miter cuts, crosscuts, or rip cuts. And some of these blades can be used in multiple power tools ranging from circular to miter and table saws.
That said, getting a new miter saw blade is daunting. There are a plethora of choices to pick from, which can make finding the perfect one a bit difficult. To help you with this selection, here are reviews of the 5 best miter saw blades.
Reviews of the Best Miter Saw Blades
Check out these top-rated miter saw blades:
1. DEWALT DW3128P5 12-Inch Miter Saw Blade: Best Overall
Have you been searching for a well-rounded miter blade? If you have, consider the Dewalt DW3128P5 12-inch 80-tooth blade.
One of its biggest selling points is the fact that it offers exceptional value for money. For the price, you get not one but two high-quality blades. So if one gets damaged, you’ll have a new blade on standby for replacement.
However, the blades don’t have an identical tooth count. The first one has a high tooth count of 80 while the second only has 32 teeth. The 80-tooth blade is suitable for precision work. However, the second one tends to produce rough edges.
The tougher tungsten carbide tips used in its design are another point worth mentioning. Thanks to this material, the blade stays sharp for a much longer period. To add to this, the blade has a thinner kerf, which translates to a faster cutting process.
Pros
Cons
2. Concord Blades WCB0538T040HP: Best Budget Option
If you’ve been looking for the most affordable miter saw blade, then check out the Concord Blades WCB0538T040HP. Coming in at a low price, this tool gives you room to buy several pieces without breaking your bank.
Another feature that makes this blade stand out is that it’s available in different sizes. The version we’re reviewing here is 5 ⅜ inches in size and has 40 blade teeth.
However, if you want very smooth finishes, then there’s a 14-inch that comes with 120 teeth. Essentially, you can go as big or small as you’d like.
When you invest in the Concord Blade, you’ll never have to worry about durability. This is because each of their blades is made using pro-quality steel alongside titanium carbide tips.
Furthermore, this blade runs at speeds of up to 11,000 RPM. This helps you get your cutting projects completed within a short amount of time. Even better is the fact that each blade has a thin kerf, helping to minimize waste and produce a clean cut.
The ultra-thin kerf and ATB tooth configuration make this blade fit for cutting laminates, engineered wood flooring, and solid wood.
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Cons
3. Makita A-93681 Mitersaw Blade: Best for Fine Woodworking
Want to buy the best miter saw blade for woodworking? Look no further than the Makita A-93681 model.
The primary reason why we recommend it for fine woodworking projects application is its ability to achieve a very smooth finish.
It achieves this by using an ultra-thin kerf of just 0.091 inches, which significantly enhances your accuracy. We also like that it has a plate thickness of 0.071 inches, resulting in very little sawdust and subsequently less waste.
In addition, the micro-grain carbide teeth are honed to the equivalent of 600-grit abrasive. So whether you’re dealing with plywood, hardwood, or softwood, you’re guaranteed of getting razor-sharp cuts.
Featuring expertly hand-tensioned steel saw plates, this miter saw blade is as durable as they get.
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Cons
4. Freud LU79R007 Blade: Best for Melamine and Plywood
Do most of your projects involve slicing through plywood and melamine? If they do, you’ll be pleased with the performance of the Freud LU79R007 10 Inch 80 tooth blade.
As highlighted (later in this guide) cutting plywood and melamine is very tricky because of the materials’ tendency to chip. Freud understands this, which is why they designed a tool specifically for this application.
The LU79R007 model constitutes a high-alternating top-bevel tooth configuration with a high number of small-sized teeth facing both right and left. These traits enable the blade to make smooth crosscuts with splinter-free finishes.
Better yet, it is equipped with laser-cut stabilizer vents. These slots provide enough room for the blade to expand without warping, in case it gets too hot.
Another thing you’ll love about the the10-inch 80-tooth blade entails the tungsten carbide material. Freud has used its very own TiCo high-density carbide material, which enables the blade to retain its sharp cutting edge much longer.
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Cons
5. DEWALT DW7114PT Miter Saw Blade: Best for Trim Work
If you’re looking to buy the best miter saw blade for trim work, check out the Dewalt DW7114PT.
This blade has a decent number of teeth, making it suitable for doing trimming tasks. The version we’re reviewing here has 40 teeth. But if your projects require a high precision level, you can purchase the 60-tooth model. Though it also comes in a 24-tooth unit, we don’t recommend this for trimming as it produces cuts that are a bit rough.
Another feature that sets this blade is the presence of an exclusive blade plate. This plate includes some very sharp and optimized carbide tips that minimize tearing or splintering.
The design of this plate is another element you’ll appreciate. It reduces vibrations while also improving the quality of cuts. This is what makes the Dewalt miter blade ideal for trim, pre-fabrication, and moldings.
Pros
Cons
What to Consider When Buying the Best Miter Saw Blades
Here are some of the blade features you should focus on:
Intended Use and Type
Before anything else, you should think about the cutting applications you’ll be using the miter saw blades for.
More specifically, consider the materials you’re looking to tackle with your miter saw. Is it wood, metal, plastic, or veneer? Based on this, there are three different kinds of saw blades:
General-purpose miter saw blade
As you might have guessed from the name, this blade is multifunctional. Essentially, it can be used to handle most cutting tasks.
That said, this blade has its fair share of limitations. It’s not unusual to discover that it can’t slice through certain materials.
Ripping miter saw blade
Have you ever tried to rip lumber? If you have, there’s a good chance that you encountered a small amount of feed resistance.
If this is the task you’re looking to undertake, you’ll want to invest in ripping blades designed especially for this task. Coming in at 10 inches and equipped with 24 teeth, this saw blade helps to minimize feed resistance; hence, providing a seamless cutting experience.
Crosscut miter saw blade
If your projects require you to cut across the wood grain, then a crosscut blade is just what you need. This task is too difficult for other saw blades, but when you use a crosscut blade, you’ll find it incredibly easy.
Laminate or Plywood miter saw blade
We’ll admit that plywood isn’t the easiest material to slice through. The cutting process often leads to chipping and cracking of the veneer on the wood’s backside.
Cutting plastic laminate is equally difficult to cut. Because it’s so thin, it’s susceptible to forming cracks or chips as you cut.
Taking this into consideration, cutting these two materials requires a special kind of blade. The laminate/plywood miter blade contains a triple-chip design along with multiple teeth. These traits allow you to cut the material safely.
Melamine blade
One of the most popular choices of material for making cabinets, melamine is a tough wood to slice through. This stems from the fact that both sides of the wood have some sort of coating.
Given its nature, the most suitable miter saw blade should have a high number of teeth so as to make clean and precise cuts.
Non-ferrous miter saw blade
If you're looking to cut non-ferrous material, the stock blades in ordinary saws just don't cut it. You need saw blades designed to tackle materials, such as aluminum, brass, and copper. This is where a non-ferrous miter saw blade excels.
In some instances, manufacturers design blades for specific types of miter saws. So you'll want to check the piece of machinery you have at hand and choose a suitable saw blade. Just to recap, there are three main varieties as follows:
- Sliding miter saws - this saw blade has sliding capabilities, enabling it to cut wider stock.
- Compound miter saws - in this case, the saw blade can perform both miter, compound, and bevel cuts.
- Sliding compound miter saws - this saw blade combines the functions of a sliding & compound miter saw into one.
Teeth
Another feature you’ll want to pay attention to entails the carbide teeth of the miter saw blade. More specifically, be keen on these three factors:
Count
One question you should ask yourself is, how many teeth does the blade have?
It’s important to the tooth count because it determines the speed at which the saw blade runs and the finish of the cut.
In that regard, the higher the tooth count, the slower the blade will be. However, a blade with more teeth is ideal for smooth cutting.
So if you’re looking to slice through 2x4 lumber in a timely fashion, a 30- or 40-tooth blade works well. However, if you want to leave smooth finishes on very dense hardwood, look for one with 80 to 100 teeth.
Shape and Configuration
Once you’ve determined what tooth count works for you, look at their shapes. The shape of the teeth has a massive impact on the blade’s suitability for laminates, ripping, and cross-cutting.
While you're at it, check the quality of the resulting grind. Some saw blades rely on an axial shear face grind that facilitates a smooth cutting motion and prevents resistance in the stock.
ATB
If you’d like to use the blade to make crosscuts, then the most suitable shape is known as Alternate Top Bevel (ATB). What makes this blade special is the fact that the cutting edge is positioned on the right of the tooth, followed by the left.
High Alternate Top Bevel
Plywood and laminate blades are constructed a bit differently. Not only do the teeth have alternate edges but also an ultra-steep cutting angle. More popularly referred to as High Alternate Top Bevel (HATB), this design helps to minimize chipping.
Flat Top (FT)
Yet another common shape is the flat top tooth design. This is found on saw blades used to rip soft and hardwoods.
In this case, there’s no risk of the wood splintering or chipping. This makes the flat tooth design perfect for either raking or cutting chunks of material out of the lumber.
Combination
If you’re looking to handle projects where you’ll be performing both crosscuts and rip cuts, then consider a combination blade.
Combination blades usually have teeth positioned in sets of five. This arrangement comprises 1 FT and 4 ATB teeth. Furthermore, there’s a big gullet between the sets of teeth to complete the structure.
Triple
The last tooth design that you’re likely to come across is the triple chip. This is very efficient at cutting tougher materials, ranging from plastics to laminates and MDF.
In this case, the teeth take turns between a flat raking tooth and a higher trapeze one. This configuration is well-suited for non-ferrous materials like copper.
Blade Material
We’ve already learned that the shape, count, and configuration of the teeth are crucial. But so is the material used in the blade’s construction.
On that note, miter saw blades are usually made of steel, especially carbon steel. Carbon steel is a blend of iron and carbon, and it's revered for its longevity and cutting efficiency.
One drawback of steel is that it’s susceptible to rusting and corrosion. As such, you’ll want to make sure that the steel blade has an extra layer of coating to minimize these risks.
More advanced blades constitute a high-end coating that helps with heat dispersion, which makes for easier cutting.
Blade Size and Compatibility
Important to keep in mind is that the size of the blades should always correspond to that of the miter saws. So if you have a 12-inch miter saw, you’d look for a 12-inch blade. Similarly, if you have a 10-inch miter saw, then look for a 10-inch blade.
Matching the blade to the size of the miter saw guarantees an optimal performance. If you use the wrong-sized blade, there’s a good chance that it won’t run at the planned speed and it will have a reduced cutting depth.
Cutting Depth
The size or diameter of the blades determines their cutting capacity. The bigger the blade, the wider and deeper it can cut.
In that regard, a 10-inch model can cut 2x6 lumber at 90° and a 2x4 lumber at 45°. By comparison, a 12-inch can handle bigger stock. It can cut 2x8 lumber at 90° and 2x6 at 45°.
Gullet and Hook Angle
The gullet is simply the gap between the blade’s teeth. Its role is to provide space through which waste material falls; hence, preventing the teeth from clogging up in the middle of cutting. Clogging would not only cause the blades to cut slowly but also heat up.
On combination-style blades, the gullets are particularly big. This factor makes it possible to rip softwoods faster, which tend to produce a ton of sawdust.
With crosscut miter blades, the gullets are much smaller in size. The reason for this is that the material is being broken down into smaller pieces, which minimizes the risk of blade binding.
To add to this, the smaller gullets provide a nice level of resistance during cutting. This way, an operator isn’t tempted to push the blades through too fast- an action that can jeopardize the cleanliness and smoothness of the finish.
Bore
If you’re keen, you’ll notice that each miter saw blade includes a hole at the center. Referred to as the bore, this is the point where the blade attaches to the miter saw.
Other manufacturers refer to it as a mandrel or blade mount. But we’ll stick with 'bore' as it’s the most common.
Typically, 10-inch saw blades come with a ⅝-inch arbor whereas the 12-inch models contain a 1-inch arbor. However, these aren’t universal measurements so you’ll want to check the miter saw you have currently. Determine the size of that attachment spot and find a blade with similar bore size.
Extra Features
Even though they’re not mandatory, there are a few other features you should look for when buying miter saw blades. These include:
Stabilizer vents
It’s not unusual for miter saw blades to produce a significant amount of heat. This heat can not only cause the blade to expand but it can also dull the teeth too fast.
To combat this, you’ll find some blades having squiggly lines and holes drilled into their bodies. These are referred to as stabilizer vents. They’re integrated to allow the blade ample room for expansion without risking warping. Some stabilizer vents even help with noise reduction.
Also crucial to note is that there are different types of these vents: laser-cut and stamped varieties. Overall, the laser-cut models offer better performance than the stamped ones. they result in more sophisticated and thinner blades.
Kerf width
One other feature you should check is the width of the kerf. Usually, the blade’s thickness determines the kerf width, which is also the width of the cut.
The kerf width varies depending on the type of miter saw blade you buy. For instance, a general-purpose blade tends to have a thick and wide kerf. This works just fine for cutting pre-shaped softwood from your local hardware store.
But if you’re planning to do so fine woodworking with more pricey hardwoods, the best blade is one that has a thin kerf. This is because a thin-kerf blade has narrower teeth, which minimize surface chipping.
FAQs
What blade should I get for my miter saw?
Miter saw blades aren’t universal.
So the specific blade that works for your saw will depend on several factors such blade’s thickness and material, bore size, cutting depth as well as gullet and hook angle. Once you figure out these specifications, you should be able to find a blade that fits your miter saw.
Is it better to have more teeth on a miter saw blade?
Unfortunately, there’s no clear-cut answer to this question as it depends on the intended outcome.
Blades with more teeth are slower but provide much smoother cuts. On the other hand, blades with fewer teeth work faster but they yield rougher cuts with more splinters and chips.
Can a 10-inch blade be used in a 12-inch miter saw?
Yes, it can, but this comes with one caveat. This is the fact that arbor holes have to be of the same size. That said, you’ll have to be careful as 12-inch miter saws have more powerful motors that spin blades faster.
However, the vice versa isn’t true. Essentially, you cannot put a 12-inch saw blade on a 10-inch miter saw. For one, the blade won’t fit and two, the motor won’t provide enough power to spin the blade.
What miter saw blade to use for trim?
When you’re cutting trim, the end goal is to achieve very smooth cuts. For this reason, you’ll want to go for a blade with a high teeth count, anything between 80 and 100+ teeth. This blade will cut the trim more accurately, producing a very smooth finish.
As for the size of the blade, first, consider the thickness of the boards you’ll be working with. For thick boards, a 12-inch blade works best. But if you’re dealing with very thin boards, then a 10-inch blade is the most suited.
How long does a miter saw blade last?
If you’re using it continuously, you can expect the blade to last between 60 and 120 hours. The specific duration will depend on the blade’s quality and the material used in its build.
Are table saw and miter saw blades the same?
No, they aren’t. Their working mechanisms vary significantly.
With a miter saw, the exposed section of the blade moves away from you as it spins. In the case of a table saw, the section responsible for cutting is at the top. Because of this, the blade rotates towards you.
Wrap Up
Want to buy the best miter saw blades? Check out the Dewalt DW3128P5 Miter Blade.
This kit actually includes two different-sized blades. And yet it’s cheaper than other blades, giving you maximum value for your investment.
Each of the blades is carbide tipped, enabling them to retain their sharpness for longer. It also has a thin kerf, which yields very fine cuts. The manufacturer has also included a carrying bag for easy portability.