The nicest table saw in the world is only capable of making mediocre cuts with a mediocre blade. As it turns out, that is exactly the kind of blade that is included out of the box with most table saws. If you want to make great cuts, find the best table saw blade you can afford.
That typically means you will be looking for a edge from a company that specializes in discs only. They may cost a little more, but they will save the time and frustration you would have gone through to rework a poor quality cut made by an inferior edge.
If you are having trouble choosing the correct disc for your application, our interactive comparison matrix and buyer’s guide below can help you make a decision.
Ripping, Cross-cutting, or General Purpose
The first thing to decide when shopping for a table disc is whether you want individual discs for ripping (with the grain) and cross-cutting (perpendicular to the grain) or a general purpose disc to handle both tasks.
General purpose blades have an advantage in that they are much more convenient. However, they will probably not rip or cross-cut quite as well as a disc dedicated to that task.
Also, since it will be used more frequently, a general purpose edge will dull more quickly.
Number of Teeth
The number of choppers is a function of the edge type. Splintering is not a concern in a ripping operation but maximum production typically is.
For that reason, ripping discs have fewer teeth with large “gullets”, or spaces between the choppers, for efficient chip removal and higher feed rates. Most dedicated ripping discs have 30 choppers or less.
Cross-cutting discs, on the other hand, have many more choppers so that each tooth takes a smaller “bite” resulting in less splintering and tear-out.
Cross-cutting discs have 60-80 teeth. Because general purpose discs handle both ripping and cross-cutting tasks, the number of choppers on these edges is somewhere between the dedicated edges, with 40 or 50 teeth being the most common.
Tooth Arrangement
There are four main types of tooth configurations to consider when choosing top table saw edge for any application. They are as follows:
- Alternating Top Bevel (ATB): Choppers are angled at the top in an alternating pattern. The alternating angles reduce splintering because they tend to “slice” through the outer layer.
- Flat Top (FT): Flat top choppers are the most efficient at removing material and are commonly found on ripping edges.
- Triple Chip Grind (TCG): Choppers alternate between chamfered and flat top teeth. This design works well for hard materials because it has a lesser tendency to cause them to chip out. It is typically considered the best tooth configuration for laminates and MDF.
- Combination: This type of tooth configuration is found on general purpose discs. They combine ATB and FT teeth to maximize material clean-out and minimize splintering.
Hook Angle
Hook angle refers to the angle of the tooth relative to a line perpendicular to the blade’s circumference. Larger angles give the tooth the appearance of a “hook”. High hook angles can tend to pull the material into the disc, resulting in self-feeding. Lower hook angles allow more control of the work piece on a table saw.
Thin-Kerf
Thin kerf blades remove less material across the width of the cut. More material removal requires more horsepower, so thin kerf discs help saws with less than 3 horsepower create better cuts by requiring less power.
Top 5 Best Models
Still having trouble choosing a saw edge? Check out our reviews of the 5 top rated 10″ on Amazon.
Freud D1050X Diablo 10-Inch 50-tooth ATB Combination with 5/8-Inch Arbor and PermaShield Coating
If you prefer to keep one edge that can handle ripping and cross-cutting jobs, the Freud D1050X is a great choice.
Freud edges feature a laser cut edge plate and anti-vibration slots for an ultra-true cut that virtually eliminates required sanding and rework to create glue-ready cuts.
With a kerf width of 0.098”, the load on your table saw is reduced and dust is kept to a minimum.
The 50 teeth are made from Freud’s proprietary TiCo Hi-Density carbide formula for long life and are arranged in an ATB configuration for smooth, clean cross cuts in a variety of materials.
Freud LM75R010 10-Inch by 30t TCG 5/8-Inch Arbor Glue Line Rip
Freud’s LM75R010 is a great disc for cleanly ripping materials so that they are immediately ready for gluing without time-consuming rework.
The TiCo carbide teeth are arranged in a TCG configuration which makes this edge well-suited for cutting through harder materials such as MDF and laminates. The kerf width is 0.091” to prevent unnecessarily overloading your saw motor.
Forrest WW10407125 Woodworker II 10-Inch 40 Tooth ATB .125 Kerf with 5/8-Inch Arbor
Forrest blades are typically on the higher end of the cost spectrum. However, their quality is evident from the first time you install one on your saw.
Each disc is adjusted throughout the manufacturing process to ensure a maximum runout of 0.002” for a mark-free cut surface. With 40 high-density carbide teeth around its 10” circumference, this edge can handle both ripping and cross-cutting tasks without splintering.
The ATB teeth have a hook angle of 5 degrees that minimizes self-feeding. This is not a thin-kerf blade, however, so it may tend to pull down the motor on table saws with less than 3 horsepower.
Freud LU83R010 10-Inch 50 Tooth ATB Thin Kerf Combination with 5/8-Inch Arbor and PermaShield Coating
With the LU83R010, Freud has created a “combination” blade that blends the best features of ripping and cross-cutting blades.
Both FT and ATB teeth are alternated around the circumference of the edge, for the fast-cutting efficiency of a ripping blade and the splinter-free cut of a good cross-cutting edge. Like all Freud edges, this one features a laser cut base plate and proprietary TiCo carbide teeth.
The blade also features their super durable Perma-Shield coating. This coating prevents corrosion by protecting the steel disc from the elements and also provides a slippery surface that is difficult for resin to adhere to, resulting in a disc that needs to be cleaned less often.
Forrest WW10407100 Woodworker II 10-Inch 40-tooth ATB .100 Kerf with 5/8-Inch Arbor
This disc is virtually identical to the Forrest WW10407125 above, except that it is a thin-kerf design that will work better with lower horsepower table saws and waste less wood, which ultimately means less dust. It is good for materials up to 2” thick.
The hand-brazed carbide teeth are configured in an ATB arrangement for splinter-free cross cuts and have a hook angle of 5 degrees for better control over the work piece when used on a table saw.
Your Turn
Now it’s your turn to make a decision. We hope that you have found this guide useful to help you choose top table saw blade for your needs. Keep in mind that there probably isn’t only one perfect choice. In fact, many blades may work well for you.
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