October 4, 2023
Are you spending time trying to figure out why your present radial arm saw blade seems to be pulling itself through your cut? Well, it may be because you’ve failed to outfit your radial saw with the appropriate blade. It will be good to note that radial arm saws necessitate a different type of blade than the table saw. So, it will be helpful to be clear about that.
A radial arm saw, of course, is a very versatile tool. Woodworkers love this tool for it is effective in cutting different types of materials. Equipped with the right blade, you can effectively use the radial arm saw for crosscutting as well as for making bevel, miter, and rip cuts.
The Best Radial Arm Saw Blades in the Market Today
The radial arm saw blades come in different varieties and brands. Given this fact, you will surely get confused when purchasing your blades. Hence, to facilitate the selecting process for you, we have listed here the most recommended radial arm saw blades in the market today:
Last update on 2024-09-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1) Oshlun SBW-100060
This is the best blade for crosscutting. The Oshlun SBW-100060 is engineered for cutting softwood and hardwood. You can also use it to cut plywood. The good thing about this blade is that it features carbide tips that consist of ground micro grain for precision cutting. It also provides a thin kerf which is perfect for precise cutting.
It also comes with an added safety feature like the negative hook angle. If you need a smooth cut for your crosscutting jobs, you can always rely on this blade if you want to achieve great crosscutting results.
The general features of this blade include a C-4 carbide of high grade. Its thin kerf, of course, as mentioned earlier, allows for fast cuts. It also features a specialized (hardened and tensioned) steel plate along with a ground steel plate.
Pros:
- It is a durable blade with carbide tips.
- It comes with added safety feature.
- It gives you precise straight-cut and crosscutting.
Cons:
- You should go slow with it, given its tooth count.
2) Freud 10″ x 60T Thin Kerf LU91R010
Freud 10″ x 60T Thin Kerf LU91R010 comes with 60 teeth. It is also 10″ in diameter. Its teeth are wrought, facing left and right, with a 5-degree angle. This feature prevents it from cutting too aggressively. This feature also allows you to push the material down for precise and smooth feeding.
This blade also has thin kerf and necessitates less power to make accurate cuts. It is perfect for cutting up to 2 3/4″thick materials. You can also use this blade to cut laminated materials.
This blade is pre-tensioned and well-balanced. It features slots (anti-vibration for lessening chatter and for creating a clean finish. Moreover, its tips are made of high-density carbide to deal with different version types of cuts. It also features Perma-Shield coating for lessening friction. This coating also reduces overheating.
Pros:
- It has Perma-Shield to prevent overheating.
- It deals with all types of challenging cuts.
- It creates a refined and precise cut.
Cons:
- You have to go slow with its 60 narrowly positioned teeth.
3) Freud LU72M018 18″ General Purpose Blade
Freud LU72M018 18″ General Purpose Blade is a perfect choice if you are looking for a blade for your radial arm saw to cut most type of wood without changing the blade frequently. This blade is a general-purpose one and can handle different types of material up to 3 1/2″ thick when crosscutting and up to one inch when ripping.
It features a blade with 66 teeth, and it is perfect for crosscutting softwood and thick hardwood. It also features a positive hook angle for easy feed and quick cutting. Moreover, it provides a wide kerf that ensures stability. Its arbor size is one inch, and its diameter is 18 inches.
This blade has a silver-ice finish and features carbide tips. The thickness of the blade is around .118″. This blade grinds at an alternate top bevel with its 66 teeth. This blade will do a great job with veneer plywood, giving you a flawless top finish with a few splintering at the bottom.
This blade, of course, doesn’t wobble and looks like it will resist corrosion and is easy to clean. Overall, this blade is an excellent choice for crosscuts and rip cuts.
Pros:
- It is corrosion-resistant and easy to clean.
- It provides maximum performance with its carbide tips (high-density).
- It excels in crosscutting hardwood and softwood.
Cons:
- Its positive hook angle feature causes more aggressiveness.
- It leaves a bit of bottom side splintering if not been handle carefully.
4) Concord Blades ACB1400T100HP
It’s another good option if you’re looking for a blade for your radial arm saw for different purposes and applications.
It is a carbide saw blade made of standard aluminum. Its teeth are wrought in titanium carbide and can cut ferrous metals and aluminum. It can also cut through plastic materials, fiberglass, and PVC tubing. Featuring a grind (triple chip). It can indeed come up with a superior finish.
On my part, I have used it to cut some aluminum deck railing sections, and it did fine. It may not be good for ripping lengthwise square stock, but it will do perfectly with cutting 3/4″ stocks. Hence, just like any blade, you should use it as directed on its manual. Its size, of course, is large enough at 14 inches, while its teeth number at 100.
Pros:
- It can cut various material types.
- It is not that aggressive with its negative hook angle.
Cons:
- It is not fit for making rip cuts.
5) DEWALT 10-Inch DW3106P5
If you are looking for a 10-inch diameter blade, you can check out the DEWALT 10-Inch Miter / Table Saw Blades. This set of two blades features a slim kerf blade, allowing for fast and incisions. Moreover, it is great for cutting plywood, softwood, and hardwood. You can also use these blades for chipboard. Besides, these blades have been created using computer balancing to ensure fewer vibrations. This feature improves the quality of cuts.
Another great feature of these blades is their tungsten carbide that ensures longevity. The arbor size of these two blades is the standard 5/8 inch. The first blade has 60 teeth for crosscutting, while the other has 32 teeth for general purposes.
Pros:
- The blade stays sharp longer with its tungsten carbide.
- It also has reduced vibrations.
- Its thin kerf ensures fast cuts.
Cons:
- The blade quickly dulls compared to blades of other brands.
6) CMT 219.080.10
If you are desirous of fine cuts, you should check out the CMT 219.080.10. Like Freud 10″, this one is designed for both miter and radial arm saw. This saw blade performs well and can produce smooth and straight cuts. You can use it for cutting softwood, hardwood, laminates, and plywood.
The CMT 219.080.10 comes with a non-stick coating (PTFE) to prevent it from heating intensely. This saw blade also contains micro-grains of brazed carbide. Moreover, the teeth feature negative hook angles. This design helps prevent climbing and splinting. Besides, this saw blade comes with expansion slots for noise and vibration mitigation.
Pros:
- Allows for easy cutting of plywood, hardwood, softwood, and laminates
- Not prone to pulling or grabbing
- Doesn’t vibrate or heat much
Cons:
- Relatively noisy
Essential Factors to Consider When Selecting a Blade for Radial Arm Saw
To zero in on the ideal radial arm saw blade, you need to be cognizant of some essential factors that would lead you to the right blade. Below are these crucial factors that can help you zero in on the right blade for your radial arm saw:
Blade Size
The market is awash with different types of blades. You will find blades of different sizes likewise. So, you need to know which size is appropriate for your radial arm saw. Smaller radial arm saws, of course, necessitate smaller diameter blades. The size range of radial arm saw blades is from 8 inches to 12 inches. So, make sure that you choose a blade that suits your saw well.
Blade Teeth
When choosing a blade, it will also help to look at the blade teeth. Remember that the blade’s effectiveness in cutting will likewise depend on which type of material you will cut. Moreover, radial arm saws are used for cutting woods and metals. Ideally, a blade with 40 to 60 teeth can manage to cut smoothly and efficiently. But it will be advisable to settle for blades with more teeth to ensure that you can do the cutting work well.
Arbor Size
The arbor size of the blade should also match the saw’s size. Besides, the standard arbor size is 5/8 inches. The arbor is the shaft that protrudes from the saw assembly. It is the motor shaft that allows for the blade mounting. The arbor hole, of course, is the center hole of the blade. Hence, when you choose a blade, you need to know the shaft’s diameter so that the blade you are going to buy will fit perfectly with the shaft.
Material You Will Cut
Of course, when cutting materials, the hardness of the materials will affect the effectiveness of the radial saw in cutting through the material. It will be good to note that every material has its specific molecular structure. Hence, it is but logical that different materials need different blades.
Blades come in different hardness, thickness, and teeth number likewise. So, when cutting through hardwood, you will need an appropriate blade for the type of material you are working on. More hard materials, moreover, require blades with fewer teeth. You can also go for a universal blade that is engineered to cut through all types of materials.
Arbor Hole Size
Most radial arm saws have a standard arbor size which is usually 5/8 inches. So, you will usually buy a blade with an arbor hole of 5/8 inches to fit the shaft of the standard radial arm saw. The arbor hole is in the middle of the blade. If the arbor hole is beyond or smaller than the standard, chances are, it will not fit into the shaft of the radial arm saw.
You can also buy blades that feature a reduction ring so that you can adjust the standard hole to a smaller diameter shaft. Hence, if the blade has a larger arbor hole, you can still use it if it has a reduction ring.
What Kind of Cut Would You Like to Achieve?
When cutting materials, you can either opt to make a precise cut or a rough cut. To achieve the type of cut you would like to have, you should be mindful of the number of teeth of the blade. Remember that the greater the number of the teeth of the blade has, the cleaner and more precise the outcome of the cut will be. If you are sawing against the grain, you might as well use a 24-toothed blade.
If you want a neat cut result, you should go for blades whose number of teeth ranges from 48 to 72. Another rule when cutting is that you should keep at least three of the blade’s teeth biting onto the wood or material you are cutting. You can adjust the radial arm saw’s depth if you notice that fewer than three teeth strike or hit the workpiece.
Depth and Width of the Cut
Another thing you must consider when choosing a blade is the depth and width of the cut that you would like to achieve. The cut depth, of course, depends on the material’s thickness. So, before you choose a blade, it will help to determine the deepest cut that you will make on the material.
If you want to cut window frames, then you can go for 65-mm depth. But if you need more depth, you need a blade capable of more range. You will need a larger diameter blade for your radial arm saw.
The thing is, radial arm saw can only fit one specific blade size. So, it is impossible to utilize different saw blades. Moreover, the radial arm saw has a fixed maximum cutting width.
Conclusion
The radial arm saw is one highly recognizable power saw among the power saws out there. It is handy for DIYers and professional woodworkers. However, many people don’t know precisely what the purpose of the radial arm saw is. You can utilize it for timber framing, fine woodworking, building furniture, and other DIY projects. It can do different cuts, but it is not the most powerful and versatile power saws you can get hold of.
To optimize the use of a radial saw, you need to equip it with the best blade you can get hold of in the market today. Its efficiently depends more on the type of blade you will equip it. So, the abovementioned most recommend blades for the radial saw will surely come in handy for you and other woodworkers who are seeking the best blades for their radial arm saws.
Jason is a 40-year-old woodworker, carpenter and author who have been involved in the woodworking and woodcraft industry with 17 years of experience. He is expertise in technical aspects, woodcraft and furniture building projects.