Thin Kerf Circular Saw Norske Reversa Cut Blades Review

For years woodworkers relied on the best table saws or radial-arm saws for their most accurate motorcar-made miters and crosscuts. When miter saws first came along, they were crude affairs and non readily adopted by those who valued accuracy over portability. For task site carpentry, these tools were great time savers. Withal, it took quite a few years for woodworkers to open their store doors to these portable saws. To get the near out of these tools, you lot demand the best thin-kerf miter saw blades bachelor.

Today, a quality mod miter saw is the go-to tool for fine crosscutting, miter cuts, and chemical compound angle (simultaneous miter and bevel) cuts. And according to industry figures, 12-inch miter saws have overtaken ten-inch saws as the tool of pick for professionals. This holds true both on the job site and in the shop.

Editor'south Notation: Cheque out our best miter saw article for our top recommendations.

Why Use a Fine Terminate Blade?

To attain the smoothest miter saw cuts for article of furniture building, cabinetmaking, and trim work, y'all need a blade with a lot of teeth. A stock 12-inch bract typically has 32 teeth. A practiced trim blade commonly has 80. Nosotros opted for the finest-cut 90 to 100 tooth blades available to seek out the ultimate in miter saw results.

Blades with densely packed teeth make the smoothest cuts. Typically, these blades are limited to cutting hardwoods one-1/2 inches thick or less. With so many teeth engaged in a cut, at that place is a lot of friction. In addition, the small gullets of such closely-spaced teeth eject sawdust slowly. The deeper the cutting, the slower the progress and the greater the heat build-upwardly. You can only cut as fast as the blade allows. In deep cuts that may non be fast enough to outrun burning.

best thin kerf miter saw blades angled

Why Thin Kerf Blades?

While it'southward generally truthful that the thickest and near massive blades provide the most stability in a cut, heavy full-kerf blades are not best suited for the brusque on-and-off cutting activity of a miter saw. Bringing a lighter bract upwards to speed and apace stopping it with the motor brake is much easier on your saw. This lets users motion a little faster while cutting. Sparse blades also employ less power while cutting. This is great news for underpowered saws or guys on the job sharing a xx amp circuit with iii other trades.

Because of these benefits (and a somewhat lower toll), thin kerf miter saw blades are growing in popularity. The downside to these thinner blades is that they can deflect and wander in a cutting more easily. This peculiarly affects bevel cuts negatively. According to my blade sharpening consultant, this effect is exacerbated as these blades begin to deadening. That's the reason many industrial users don't use them.

ATB, ATB+R, ATAF, WTF?

To accomplish the smoothest miter saw cuts for furniture building, cabinetmaking, and trim work, you demand a blade with lots of teeth.

The beefcake of a miter saw blade is adequately elementary. Information technology's the alphabet soup of abbreviations that makes it seem so technical. For actress-fine crosscutting blades intended for solid wood (similar those in the test), alternating pinnacle bevel (ATB) designs are the best.

Different ATB designs may accept raker teeth, pointier high-bevel angle teeth, or angled confront teeth. All remain variants of the basic ATB which cuts the outside edges of the kerf first before scooping out the eye. This activity scores the woods before any fries are scraped out. It leaves the cleanest surfaces along the peak edges of the cut. Hi-ATB teeth with sharper angled tops score deeper to prevent chip-out in fragile materials such as veneered plywood and MDF.

What is a Raker Molar?

Rakers are symmetrical, flat-topped teeth that make clean out the woods between the grooves made past the right and left angled teeth. They are e'er set lower than the angled teeth. Rakers may exist placed between every ready or every other set of ATB teeth. Blades, therefore, designate them as (2+1) or (iv+1) respectively.

The last twist on ATB molar blueprint is the alternate face design. Also known as a shear face, the tooth is skewed with the tallest side forrad. This engages the wood at a sharper angle for a shearing cut along the side of the kerf.

Blade Beefcake Defined

  • ATB: Alternate Peak Bevel
  • Hi-ATB: Alternate Acme Bevel with High bevel angle teeth
  • ATB+R: Alternating Summit Bevel with Raker
  • ATAF: Alternating Top bevel and Alternate Face up angles

All the (Blade) Angles

The most relevant tooth angles to know are the rake (or hook) angle, the meridian bevel bending, and the face angle. The rake bending is the orientation of the face of the tooth in relation to a radial line drawn through the center of the blade (like the spoke of a bicycle). A molar parallel to this radial line has a 0-caste rake angle. Positive rake angle teeth take a more aggressive seize with teeth and cutting faster with less feed pressure.

Negative angle teeth make more of a scraping cut that is slower and requires more feed pressure. They reduce the likelihood of tear-out in the cut surfaces. Most actress-fine ATB crosscutting blades take very depression or negative rake angles for smoothen cutting.

Saw blade face, rake, and top bevel angles plus thin kerf

The top bevel angle is the angle across the elevation of a tooth when viewed directly on from the front. Bevel angles of thirty degrees and college normally constitute loftier ATB teeth. The steeper the teeth, the meliorate the scoring action on either side of the cut. This also results in the tip of the tooth dulling sooner. As well, the amount of unsupported carbide on a steep tip may crave a manufacturer to make it out of softer, more touch on resistant carbide that will slow even faster.

The face up angle is the angle of the tooth when viewed from above. Standard teeth are perpendicular to the blade plate while shear face teeth are skewed alternately to the left and right.

Other Sparse Kerf Blade Features

The story of a blade is pretty unproblematic: information technology'southward by and large nigh the teeth. But there are a few other features to consider. Blade coatings such as Teflon (PTFE), powder coating, or fifty-fifty chrome serve two functions. Too warding off corrosion, the slick surfaces don't allow pitch to attach equally hands and are quick to wipe make clean.


Tenryu filled vibration slot on a thin kerf miter saw blade
vibration slot

Noise suppression slots are the laser-cutting zigzags apparent in the plates of many blades. They are designed to capture vibration and blot the sound of a blade screaming through wood. Slots filled with polymer dampen blades more effectively than those left open. We could at to the lowest degree sample this when rung manually—I wasn't keen on listening for differences in use!

As far equally I'm concerned, all of the blades are capable of contributing to progressive hearing loss. To combat this, I wore ear protection while cutting. A downside of slotted blades is that perforated textile that gets bent out can't be aptitude back in without cracking (and thus ruining) the blade. One other complaint is that slotted blades tin can never again be flattened or tensioned during their serviceable life every bit solid plate blades can.

Testing the All-time Thin Kerf Miter Saw Blades

I used a 12-inch Hitachi C12FDH miter saw as my testing rig. This saw earned high marks in a past tool test I was involved in. I deliberately chose a non-sliding miter saw to eliminate any actress play in the saw's mechanism. That would brand it harder for me to analyze the cut results of the blades contained of the tool. Since I was testing on average trim-sized materials, the chop-action-only saw was the right tool for the job anyway.

To evaluate cut quality, I ran each blade through a excursion of crosscuts and miter cuts. Nosotros used a variety of materials of different dimensions and thicknesses. With cuts made in the same order and carefully labeled, I ended upwards with over xx individual sample pieces for each blade. I later scrutinized those under a raking light.

Testing Hardwoods

Hard maple and cherry provided me the finest view of scratch patterns and the all-time check of a blade's propensity for burning. The ring-porous structure of white oak immune the best evaluation of a blade's sharpness forth the end of a cut. Veneer-covered plywood and MDF strips accentuated clean cuts forth a kerf'southward top border. Lacquered beech, maple, and Baltic birch plywood fabricated it easy to await for chipping along a breakable finished edge.

Testing the best thin kerf miter saw blades

I also ran the saws through materials without regard to the resulting cutoffs just to rate the feed pressure and smoothness of cutting. Information technology as well helped me better characterize the overall experience of cutting with each blade. After the sawdust settled, I had the owner of a respected professional sharpening business come over to lend his expertise. I as well brought in a friend of mine who is a furniture builder and cabinetmaker of some acclaim. Adding these guys' opinions to mine made for a well-rounded take on these blades. I could write a volume…

Microscopic Inspection

Before and after testing I took microscopic photos of the sides, faces, and superlative edges of a few chosen teeth on each blade using a high-resolution USB microscope. I was trying to detect whatever early wear to use equally a predictor of edge longevity. Unfortunately, I didn't make enough cuts to come across any difference. My blade sharpening consultant estimated that each blade could likely crosscut 2,000 feet of hardwood trim earlier needing sharpening. That's a considerable amount of mileage—far more than I managed to put on each.

this braze shows little wear on the best thin kerf miter saw blades

All the same, the microscope gave me a great shut-up wait at individual carbide teeth and their brazes while educational activity me a lot nigh cutting tooth geometry.

the best thin kerf miter saw blades hold a perfect edge longer

Best Thin Kerf Miter Saw Blades Results

In general, it is condom to say that you can achieve an acceptably fine cut with any of these blades. This specially holds true with new blades. The quality of their construction and components volition become more evident equally each blade ages. About every blade comes with a dozen sharpenings worth of carbide. Some may not be worth the $250 investment that represents over their lifetime.

The apparent quality, advanced features, and exceptional cut performance of the Forrest, Freud, and Tenryu blades impressed us the about. They seemed to represent the best investments of lasting value a serious craftsman could brand. If you desire the best thin kerf miter saw blade, start there.

Thanks to Tim Lancaster of Precision Knife and Tool in Fort Collins, CO. for sharing his expertise on the finer points of saw blades.

And thanks to my friend and furniture artisan Peter Glass for sharing his perspective on evaluating cut quality in a variety of woods. www.peterglasswoodworks.com

Sawing Tips

Certain the saw and the bract practice near of the work, but being a careful saw operator is of import if you want to reach the smoothest and safest cuts. Here are a few essential tips.

Set up your saw for success.

It all starts with the debate. With a reliable straightedge, check that the left and right argue sections are coplanar—a lack of support on either side of your workpiece will lead to vibration and dangerous cuts. Next, bank check every few inches along the fence with a precise foursquare to make sure the fence surfaces are perpendicular to the saw's table. With the fence tightened in position, square the blade to the fence and calibrate the 0-degree marker on your miter scale to this position. And then practise the same with the bevel setting while squaring the blade with the saw's table. If the plastic insert at the centre of the table is not flush with the surrounding metallic surface, you must shim up the insert. If left uneven, curt or flexible stock will tilt downwards during a cut, binding the blade and burning the cut.

Brand a zero clearance cutting surface.

I have made nix clearance table inserts out of hardboard in the past, but it is fussy work to cut them to shape, and even harder to shim them affluent. Plus it still left the side of the work toward the fence unsupported and decumbent to splintery blowout. Now if I need the smoothest possible cuts, I attach strips of hardboard to the fence and to the table with double-sided tape, roofing just plenty surface area to fully back up the stock I am cut. The downside is that yous demand to replace the strips when y'all change the miter angle, just I find that I am unremarkably making either straight or mitered cuts for a project, rarely switching betwixt both.

Never allow the teeth impact the work twice.

Careless cutting technique is the crusade of the two biggest bug associated with miter saws: ragged edges at the elevation of a cut and small cutoff pieces sent airborne by the blade. Follow this simple communication to avoid both. When you consummate a cutting, hold the saw caput down until the blade comes to a full stop. Since the teeth are wider than the bract plate, no part of the saw blade should affect the piece of work as the saw winds downwards.

Information technology is only when the spinning teeth are brought back up into contact with the wood that the tiptop edge is raked upward and small cutoffs leaning against the bract are defenseless past the teeth and violently catapulted. If you have a substantial cutoff piece remaining you tin enhance the saw head with the blade in motion. Just slide the finished cut piece abroad from the blade start.

Best Sparse Kerf Blades Results

CMT blade

CMT Industrial Thin Kerf

Model: 255.096.12
The I.T.Chiliad. (Industrial Sparse Kerf) Fine Finish bract is part of the mid-form line from this Italian blade company.

  • Noise/vibration suppression: 3 open up slots, Fair dampening effect
  • Flatness: Very Expert
  • Cutting quality: Notable scratch lines and some irregular marks on end grain. The irregular marks seem attributable to vibration.
  • Price: $75.32

Summary: A decent, truthful Hi-ATB bract that can be found for a very good price online – mayhap the least expensive bract tested.

freud diablo

Diablo (by Freud)

Model: D12100X
The Ultimate Flawless Finish blade from Diablo-Freud's value-oriented construction product line.

  • Coating: aluminum-based PTFE
  • Noise/vibration suppression: 4 half-filled slots, Practiced dampening effect
  • Flatness: Good (maximum .003" dip near perimeter)
  • Cut quality: Light scratch lines and some irregular marks on end grain, more on miters. The irregular marks seem attributable to vibration.
  • Price: $54

Summary: With the nearly ambitious rake angle in the exam, this blade tended to take hold of at workpieces more than readily than other blades. The shear face up pattern is a nice feature for a blade in this low price range.

DeWalt DW7650 96T fine crosscut blade

DeWalt Woodworking

Model: DW7650
From DeWalt's top end Woodworking blade line.

  • Racket/vibration suppression: 3 open up slots, Very Good dampening consequence
  • Flatness: Proficient (maximum .002″ dip nigh center)
  • Cut quality: Lite scratch lines on end grain, more on miters
  • Price: $76

Summary: This classic styled uncoated blade has the largest carbide teeth by far – both thicker and taller than whatever others in the test. For the average overall results it posted, however, it is on the expensive side.

forrest ChopMaster Sig Line

Forrest Signature Line Chopmaster

Model: CM12905115
A premium product from the brand to be sure, only non their most expensive sparse kerf miter saw bract.

  • Noise/vibration suppression: None
  • Flatness: Very Expert
  • Cut quality: Very smooth. Slight called-for on some blood-red.
  • Price: $207

Summary: A quality heavy-duty blade with old-school sensibilities. Congenital to be serviced similar a classic automobile, the non-perforated blade plate can be re-flattened if it ever goes out of truthful. And though the plate thickness is listed equally .095", skin grinding done to flatten the plate sides mean that private blades may vary. Ours measured .088″. The blade is notably loud in use, merely the cutting results are among the very best. The highest-priced blade in the test.

freud LU74R012

Freud Industrial

Model: LU74R012
Named the Thin Kerf Ultimate Cutoff blade.

  • Coating: aluminum-based PTFE
  • Racket/vibration suppression: 8 half-filled slots, Very Good dampening consequence
  • Flatness: Skillful (maximum .003" dip virtually center)
  • Cut quality: Notable scratch lines on end grain
  • Price: $92

Summary: Good features and construction, but didn't wow us like its Hello-ATB brandmate. This blade features a special side grind with a tiny "bumper" along the border of the tooth designed to rub against the border of the cutting and burnish the forest smooth.

freud LU79R012

Freud Industrial

Model: LU79R012
Named the Sparse Kerf Ultimate Plywood & Melamine blade due to its Howdy-ATB molar grind.

  • Blanket: aluminum-based PTFE
  • Dissonance/vibration suppression: 8 half-filled slots, First-class dampening outcome with very slight vibration
  • Flatness: Very Skilful
  • Cut quality: Very calorie-free scratch lines on end grain, more on miters
  • Cost: $91

Summary: A real standout blade in the test and the favorite option of my furniture builder friend. This Hi-ATB shear confront blueprint combines loftier-operation, quality features, and a modest price – information technology's everything yous demand.

irwin marples

Irwin Marples

Model: 1807385
The Marples branding was recently dusted off past Irwin and put on their premium blade line.

  • Blanket: PTFE with aluminum
  • Noise/vibration suppression: 4 open slots, Poor dampening issue
  • Flatness: Fair (maximum .004" dip near center)
  • Cut quality: Very light scratch lines on end grain, only the bract left burns on the right side of all the miter cuts. The blade also left burns at the top of thick pieces to the left side which I believe is due to rubbing on the incredibly thick printed-on labels.
  • Price: $81.71

Summary: Kind of a hit or miss proposition, this blade does some things well, simply non enough to be as competitive as it could be.

tenryu pro

Tenryu Miter-Pro

Model: MP-305100AB
The Miter-Pro line is the make'due south more substantial thin kerf offering, designed for amend bevel cuts in trim work.
Coating: dull chromed

  • Noise/vibration suppression: v fully-filled slots, Fantabulous dampening effect with virtually no vibration
  • Flatness: Fair (maximum .005" dip near eye)
  • Cut quality: Very smooth – but the faintest scratch lines on end grain
  • Price: $155

Summary: Loftier tech and loftier performance sums up this premium shear face blade. The vibration suppression slots are filled all the manner through with a polymer to make the blade nearly vibration-free. Tapping the bract with a scrap of woods sounds similar borer on a countertop—the dampening effect is really amazing. On the pricy side though.

Tenryu Silencer SL-305100 blade

Tenryu Silencer

Model: SL-305100
1 of the brand new coated blades in the brand's less-expensive Silencer line.
Coating: PTFE

  • Racket/vibration suppression: 10 fully-filled slots, Excellent dampening effect with virtually no vibration
  • Flatness: Fair (maximum .004" dip near center)
  • Cutting quality: Very smooth – just the faintest scratch lines on finish grain, and the smoothest miter cuts of all
  • Price: $92.40

Summary: Like the pricier Miter-Pro, this bract shares the groovy cutting results and highly-effective vibration dampening technology. One downside – the tiny carbide teeth are only 2/3 the size of the boilerplate tooth in the test. That volition force this bract into early retirement subsequently a lot fewer sharpenings. However, this blade boasts amazing cut quality for the cost.

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Source: https://www.protoolreviews.com/best-thin-kerf-miter-saw-blades/

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