Woodworkers have long relied on table saws or radial arm saws for precise miter and crosscuts. Miter saws, however, offer portability and time-saving benefits for job site carpenters. To maximize the potential of these tools, it’s crucial to use the best thin-cut miter saw blades.
Why Use Finishing Inserts?
To achieve the smoothest miter saw cuts in furniture making, cabinet making, and trim work, a blade with a high tooth count is essential. Stock blades typically have 32 teeth, while a good pruning blade may have 80 teeth. For the ultimate miter saw performance, we recommend blades with 90 to 100 teeth.
Densely serrated blades produce the smoothest cuts, but they are primarily suited for cutting hardwoods up to 1-1/2 inches thick. The abundance of closely spaced teeth creates friction and slow wood chip removal. When making deep cuts, the blade’s speed might not be sufficient to prevent burning.
However, heavy-duty blades designed for stability are not ideal for miter saws. It’s more efficient to use lighter blades with faster acceleration and motor brakes. They consume less power, making them suitable for underpowered saws or shared circuits.
Thin blades have gained popularity due to their advantages, including cost-effectiveness. Nevertheless, they are more prone to deflection and shifting during cuts, especially when they dull. This is why many industrial users prefer other options.
ATB, ATB+R, ATAF, WTF?
Miter saw blades may appear technical, but their construction is relatively straightforward. For fine crosscutting in solid wood, the alternating top bevel (ATB) design is the best option. It cuts the outer edges of the notch first and then removes wood chips from the middle, achieving a clean finish.
ATB designs can feature different tooth variations, such as helical teeth, high-bevel teeth, or beveled teeth. These variations enhance the cutting performance of ATB blades. For instance, high ATB teeth prevent chipping in materials like veneered plywood and MDF.
Raker teeth are flat-topped teeth positioned between the left and right sloping teeth. They clear wood between the grooves formed by the ATB teeth. Rakers can be placed between each set or every other set of ATB teeth to improve blade performance.
The alternating face design is another twist in the ATB tooth design. It angles the teeth with the highest side facing forward, creating a shear cut along the sides of the cut.
Blade Anatomy Defined
- ATB: Alternate Top Bevel
- Hi-ATB: Alternating Top Bevel Teeth with High Bevel Teeth
- ATB+R: Alternating top bevel with rake tines
- ATAF: Alternating Apex and Alternating Face Angles
All (Blade) Angles
Understanding certain tooth angles is crucial for assessing blade performance. The rake angle refers to the orientation of the tooth flank relative to a radial line drawn through the center of the insert. Positive rake teeth provide a stronger bite, lower feed pressure, and faster cutting speeds. Negative rake teeth scrape through the material slowly, requiring more pressure but reducing surface tears.
The top bevel angle is the angle across the top of the tooth when viewed from the front. Higher bevel angles yield better scoring on both sides of the cut but result in faster tooth dulling. The amount of unsupported carbide on steeper tips may necessitate a softer carbide that dulls more quickly.
The face angle is the angle of the tooth when viewed from above. Standard teeth are perpendicular to the blade plate, while shear face teeth slope alternately left and right.
Additional Thin-Kerf Blade Features
While the performance of a miter saw blade largely depends on its teeth, there are other features worth considering. Blade coatings, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), powder coating, or chrome, serve two purposes. They prevent corrosion and facilitate quick and easy cleaning by reducing adhesion.
Noise suppression slots, prominently seen on many blade plates, absorb vibrations and minimize blade noise. Polymer-filled slots are more effective in dampening vibrations than open slots. This feature ensures a quieter cutting experience.
It’s worth noting that all blades can contribute to progressive hearing loss. To protect your hearing, wearing ear defenders while cutting is essential. Grooving blades, unlike solid plate blades, do not flatten or strain over their lifespan.
Best Thin-Cut Miter Saw Blades Tested
To evaluate the performance of thin-cut miter saw blades, we conducted tests using a 12″ Hitachi C12FDH miter saw. This non-sliding saw eliminated any extra play in the mechanism, allowing for a clear analysis of the cutting results.
The test involved various materials, including hard maple, cherry, white oak, veneered plywood, MDF, lacquered beech, maple, and Baltic birch plywood. The cuts were meticulously examined for scratch patterns, burn marks, smoothness, and chip formation.
To ensure comprehensive results, we sought the expertise of a professional knife sharpening business owner and a reputable furniture maker and cabinetmaker.
Best Thin-Cut Miter Saw Blade Results
Overall, all the tested blades can achieve acceptably fine cuts, with newer blades exhibiting higher quality. However, as blades age, their construction and components become more apparent. Each blade has a limited number of sharpenings, and their longevity should be factored into their value.
The top performers were the Forrest, Freud, and Tenryu blades. They impressed us with their cutting performance, advanced features, and overall aesthetic quality. These blades offer lasting value and are highly recommended for serious craftsmen seeking the best thin-cut miter saw blades.
Special thanks to Tim Lancaster of Precision Knife and Tool for sharing his expertise in saw blade detailing, and to Peter Glass, a furniture craftsman, for providing insights into wood cut quality.
Sawing Tips
While a good saw and blade are crucial, being a conscientious saw operator is equally important for achieving smooth and safe cuts. Here are some key tips:
Set the saw up for success
- Ensure the fence sections are coplanar, providing adequate support for the workpiece.
- Check that the fence surface is perpendicular to the saw table.
- Align the blade with the fence and table at 0 degrees and the desired bevel setting.
Create zero-gap cut surfaces
- Attach strips of cardboard to the fence and table using double-sided tape to fully support the stock being cut.
Never let the teeth touch the workpiece twice
- Lower the blade until it comes to a complete stop after each cut to prevent ragged edges and flying debris.
Best Thin-Kerf Blade Results
Our testing revealed the following standout blades:
CMT Industrial Thin Cut
- Model: 255.096.12
- Noise/vibration suppression: 3 slots, average damping effect
- Flatness: Very good
- Cut Quality: Some irregularities and scoring on end grain
- Price: $75.32
- Summary: A decent, true Hi-ATB blade at an affordable price.
Diablo (Freud)
- Model: D12100X
- Coating: PTFE on Aluminum
- Noise/vibration suppression: 4 slots, good damping effect
- Flatness: Good
- Cut Quality: Slight scratches and irregularities on end grain
- Price: $54
- Bottom Line: Grips the workpiece well, providing a clean cut and good value.
Dewalt Woodworking
- Model: DW7650
- Noise/vibration dampening: 3 slots for very good damping
- Flatness: Good
- Cut Quality: Minor scratches on end grain
- Price: $76
- Bottom Line: High-quality blade with smooth cutting results.
Forrest Signature Collection Chopmaster
- Model: CM12905115
- Noise/Vibration Suppression: No
- Flatness: Very good
- Cut Quality: Very smooth cuts with minor burning
- Price: $207
- Summary: A premium blade known for its exceptional cutting performance.
Freud Industrial
- Model: LU74R012
- Coating: PTFE on Aluminum
- Noise/vibration suppression: 8 slots, very well damped
- Flatness: Good
- Cut Quality: Marked lines on end grain
- Price: $92
- Bottom Line: Good build quality, but lacks standout features.
Irwin Marples
- Model: 1807385
- Coating: PTFE with aluminum
- Noise/vibration suppression: 4 slots, poor damping
- Flatness: Fair
- Cut Quality: Minor scratches on end grain, burning on miter cuts
- Price: $81.71
- Summary: Falls slightly short of expectations.
Tenryu Miter-Pro
- Model: MP-305100AB
- Coating: Matte chrome
- Noise/Vibration Suppression: 5 slots, excellent shock absorption
- Flatness: Fair
- Cut Quality: Very smooth with minimal scratches on end grain
- Price: $155
- Summary: High-tech, high-performance blade with excellent vibration damping.
Tenryu Silencer
- Model: SL-305100
- Coating: PTFE
- Noise/Vibration Suppression: 10 slots, excellent shock absorption
- Flatness: Fair
- Cut Quality: Very smooth with minimal scratches on end grain and bevels
- Price: $92.40
- Bottom Line: Excellent cut quality and vibration damping at an affordable price.
Please note that prices mentioned are approximate and subject to change.
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on testing and expert opinions. Prices and availability may vary.