Make Perfect Cuts With The Best Miter Saw Blades
A miter saw is a very useful power tool that is used to make different types of cuts, also called miter cuts, on various materials. It involves a mounted blade that is driven towards the material you want to cut or bevel, and it provides clean cuts with precision and accuracy. It also allows you to cut at different angles, thus making it one of the most versatile power tools out there.
However, a miter saw is no good if it doesn’t have the right kind of miter saw blade, which are available by the dozen in the market. Miter saws are popular among professionals and DIY enthusiasts, and you can use different types of blades for each purpose. Therefore, in this article we will be rounding up the best miter saw blades of 2021.
We have carefully inspected each and every miter saw blade before adding it to this list, and we will also share our buying guide with you, which would help you choose the best one for yourself.
Best Miter Saw Blades Buying Guide
What is a miter saw blade?
Since there is a difference between miter saws and other types of power saws, there is also quite a difference between their blades. Miter saws are generally used for achieving common cuts and bevels for both smaller and larger projects. Therefore, miter saw blades are specifically engineered for this purpose. They normally come in sizes between 10 inches and 12 inches, and they are typically made from carbon steel or carbide. They can also be used interchangeably with table saw blades since both of them are generally used for the same function.
However, a miter saw blade is designed to provide shorter cuts across the grain of the material without too much pull. Moreover, miter saw blades usually come with teeth ranging between 80 and 100.
Why do you need a miter saw blade?
As discussed above, miter saw blades are specially designed to provide clean and precise cuts, and they help you achieve a greater deal of accuracy in your work without leaving any rough edges in wood or other materials. The main reason for choosing miter saw blades is that although you may be able to use general saw blades with your miter saw, they won’t provide you with the level of accuracy that miter saw blades do.
Moreover, miter saw blades are much more durable and heat-resistant than other types of blades, and they are specially treated and coated to achieve this. Normally, most of the saw blades you will use tend to get overheated during operation, which causes them to warp very easily. On the other hand, you won’t have any such problem when you work with special miter saw blades.
Also, using the right type of blades keeps your miter saw from getting overburdened. As we discussed above, miter saw blades usually have 80 to 100 teeth, whereas general blades might only have up to 50 teeth. This means that the motor inside your miter saw will be overworked while cutting through thick material, and it would also cause the workpiece to get splintered in the process.
Therefore, if you want to achieve clean cuts with absolute precision, the best way to go about this is to install miter saw blades, and they will also last much longer than normal saw blades.
Things to consider before buying a miter saw blade
Before you go on to buy one of the miters saw blades that we have reviewed here, or any other model, make sure to go through the below-mentioned factors.
Materials
First of all, you need to know the type of materials you want to cut before you buy a miter saw blade for your workshop. As you may know already, you can get specialized miter saw blades that cut through certain materials. So you can get a separate wood cutting blade, as well as a separate metal cutting blade. Moreover, you can also get miter saw blades that you can use for different types of materials.
Make sure to determine the materials you will need to cut with your miter saw before you actually decide which miter saw blade you want to buy.
Teeth
The teeth present on the miter saw blades are responsible for providing the clean and precise cuts that you need. Generally, top-quality miter saw blades have 80 to 100 teeth, and they prevent any rough edges or splinters in the wood. Moreover, the type of teeth on the blade are determined by the material you have to cut, as well as the type of cut you are trying to achieve.
Moreover, another factor that comes into play while choosing the right miter saw blade is the step, which refers to the space between the blade’s teeth. Generally, the greater the step, the more refined the cuts will be.
Thickness
The thickness of the blade is usually measured in millimeters and it determines how deep or refined the cuts will be. Generally, you should look for miter saw blades that have a lower thickness, as they will be able to achieve more cutting depth.
Cutting depth
Cutting depth is another major factor that comes into play when you are choosing the right miter saw blade, and it depends on the thickness of the material you have to cut through. Generally, the larger the size of the saw blade, the more cutting depth it will be able to provide.
Type
There are numerous types of miter saw blades that you can choose from, each suited for performing different kinds of cuts. The common types of miter saw blades include crosscut miter saw blades, plywood or laminate miter saw blades, melamine miter saw blades, steel miter saw blades, and many others. Make sure to choose the right type of miter saw blade so that you can use them properly on your miter saw.
Bore
The bore is the small hole in the middle of the miter saw blade, and it is where the blade is attached to the miter saw. Each miter saw has a certain bore size, which actually narrows down your options for blades that can fit perfectly on them. For instance, if the miter saw has an attachment size of 30mm, you will need a blade with the same bore size.
Moreover, you can also find miter saw blades that come with reduction rings. These blades can be adjusted to fit on smaller diameters, so if you find a suitable miter saw blade with a bigger bore size, then you can make use of the reduction ring to make it fit.
Best Miter Saw Blade Worth Considering for 2021
DEWALT 10-Inch Miter Table Saw Blades
– Best Overall
The DEWALT 10-Inch Miter Saw Blades are made from high-quality and strong tungsten carbide material, which gives it exceptional durability. The blades each have 60 teeth on them, thus making them suitable to cut through various materials, including wood, plastic, metal, and many others. They have an arbor size of ⅝” and their thin kerf makes it easier to cut smoothly at a fast speed.
This miter saw blade can be used in both miter saws and slide miter saws, thus making them versatile and multifunctional. Lastly, they are also very easy to install in your miter saw.
- Comes in set of 2 blades
- Made from highly durable tungsten carbide
- Can cut through various hard materials easily
- Leaves a lot of splinters on wood
Makita A-93681 Tooth Miter Saw Blade
– Runner Up
The Makita Miter Saw Blade has a silver appearance and is made from hardened and hand tensioned steel, which makes it suitable for a wide range of cutting applications. It has 80 carbide teeth and a very thin kerf of 0.091″, along with a plate thickness of 0.071 that makes it suitable for crosscutting without splintering the wood a lot. Moreover, this miter saw blade can be suitably used to cut or make bevel cuts on hardwood, softwood and also plywood.
This miter saw blade is suitable for cutting through materials of various diameters and it works well with all types and brands of miter saws.
- Consists of 80 teeth for smooth cutting
- Suitable for use with hardwood or plywood
- Doesn’t work well on laminated wood
CRAFTSMAN 10-Inch Miter Saw Blade
– Honorable Mention
The CRAFTSMAN 10-Inch Miter Saw Blade comes as a set of 2 blades, both made from tensioned steel and containing induction-brazed carbide tips. Moreover, the saw blades are heat treated to make them stronger against warping or deformation. They contain precision ground teeth on them, which allow for smoother and more precise cuts on different types of materials. Moreover, these blade plates are corrosion resistant and can be used for a long period of time before you have to replace them.
These miter saw blades work with different brands and models of miter and table saws, so you don’t have to worry about using it properly with your saw.
- Contains precision-ground teeth for smooth and clean cutting
- Can saw through various hard materials
- Come in a packaging that is difficult to remove
Freud D1280X Diablo Tooth Saw Blade
– Contender
The Freud D1280X Diablo 12-Inch 80 Tooth Saw Blade is an Italian manufactured product that is made from the patented TiCo High-Density Carbide and Titanium. This material gives the miter saw blade a higher resistance and durability. Moreover, it also has a Perma-shield coating that makes it non-stick and heat-resistant, thus making it suitable for cutting through different types of materials, including wood, plastic, metal, etc. The blade also contains 80 razor-sharp precision-ground teeth, and its very thin laser cut kerf allows for clean and precise cuts.
Last but not least, there are also tiny laser-cut stabilizer vents present on this miter saw blade, which reduce the noise made during cutting and also dampen the vibration to a great extent. This results in overheat protection and eliminates the possibility of warping.
- Tri-metal brazed tips for impact resistance
- Has a non-stick and heat-resistant surface
- Suitable for cutting wood, metal, engineered wood, etc
- Tends to chip off after prolonged use
NEIKO 10768A 12” Carbide Saw Blade
– Also Consider
The NEIKE 10768A 12” Carbide Saw Blade is a handy blade that can be used for both miter and compound saws. It has a durable and refined construction, and is made from high-quality carbide material, along with carbide-tipped blades. This miter saw blade is specifically designed to cut through wood, and it provides a much cleaner and precise cut without any splinters or rough edges. This makes it suitable for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts.
This miter saw blade can be successfully used on miter saws that have a maximum speed of 5000 RPM and a 1-inch arbor. It also includes a 20mm arbor reducer that provides a proper fit for smooth and efficient cutting.
- Features sharp carbide-tipped blades
- Provides a clean and precise cut
- Can be used by professionals
- Only suitable for cutting wood
Miter Saw Blade FAQ
A: No it doesn’t. As long as the bore size of your miter saw blade matches the diameter of the miter saw, you can use the blade. Some brands also make universal miter saw blades that are suitable for miter saws of all brands.
A: Miter saw blades can last anywhere between 60 to 120 hours of continuous usage, and this depends on the quality and material of the blade.
A: Miter saws always turn in a clockwise direction, so when you are installing a new miter saw blade, make sure that the teeth are facing downwards to cut through any material. If you install the blade in the opposite direction, it can seriously injure you.
