Circular Saw - which blade

[ani_101]

So I bought a circular saw - A porter cable Nicd battery operated 6.5 inch one.

Which blade? Now I need to get some blades which would actually help cut the wood. The purpose of this saw was to help with building speakers - so primarily MDF (1/2 to 3/4 inch), maybe some birch ply and some hard wood like oak - these seem to have nice finish.

So, blade suggestion - how many tooth and what brands? Also any safety or handling or woodworking tip regarding circular saws would be highly appreciated!

[Chris Roemer]

So I bought a circular saw - A porter cable Nicd battery operated 6.5 inch one.

Which blade? Now I need to get some blades which would actually help cut the wood. The purpose of this saw was to help with building speakers - so primarily MDF (1/2 to 3/4 inch), maybe some birch ply and some hard wood like oak - these seem to have nice finish.

So, blade suggestion - how many tooth and what brands? Also any safety or handling or woodworking tip regarding circular saws would be highly appreciated!

Not sure of the pitch on my tablesaw blade, but for MDF (or PB) you really need the carbide tipped blade (I think the actual teeth are tungsten carbide steel) because of the glue/resins involved.

[AMC]

They make specific ply wood blades, use them for that purpose. Also, because you are using battery power, I would suggest the thinnest blade you can get, they cut easier, generally, and thus save battery power. Get the best you can afford, Ive never heard anyone say 'I wish I'd bought the cheaper blade', but I've heard the opposite (from my mouth). I found a Hitachi at the BORG or Lowes recently, nice thin kerf, carbide tipped, works real nice, and wasn't to much money.

More teeth = Smoother cut, think finish work
Fewer teeth = Faster cut, think framing, like house framing, not picture framing.

[Jay1]

Freud makes great blades, they're only a few bucks more then your average blade.

http://www.amazon.com/Diablo-D0641X-...3648638&sr=1-2

I have the 7.5" version of this blade, it's MUCH better then the stock blade on my Porter Cable saw.

[ani_101]

Thanks for the replies.

I'll definitely go for a higher grade blade (carbide tipped). How many tooth is ok? Is a 40 tooth blade good enough for most jobs - mdf and ply?

Or do i need to go higher?

[AMC]

MDF / Ply blades are different, they may have 100 teeth. For general use, 40 teeth seems good on these small cordless saws.

[zobsky]

Freud makes great blades, they're only a few bucks more then your average blade.

http://www.amazon.com/Diablo-D0641X-...3648638&sr=1-2

I have the 7.5" version of this blade, it's MUCH better then the stock blade on my Porter Cable saw.

+1 on the Freud finish blade. I use them on both my circular and table saw and they never disappoint.

[ttan98]

Hi,

Since this thread is about circular saw I am after to buy one as well. I am tossing up between a battery powered and main powered saw.

I don't need portability and I think the main powered ones will give me more torque hence will rip timber or MDF better.

Which one do you guys recommend?

[AMC]

If you don't NEED the portability, go for the corded version. It's not just a power thing, the cordless unit eat batteries. You spend more time charging then cutting. They are rather handy though, for the quick cut.

[arlis_1957@yahoo.com]

this one.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...SIN=B0000222WM

[cjmartiny]

+1 on the Freud finish blade. I use them on both my circular and table saw and they never disappoint.

Add me to the list of Freud lovers. Got one for the table/miter saw and LOVE it. great cuts for sure.

[patrickm]

So I bought a circular saw - A porter cable Nicd battery operated 6.5 inch one.

if it's not too late to return it, if you do go battery powered instead of corded, Lithium Ion is the way to go. I have two NiCD saws (one i bought years ago, and one i inherited) and after a couple years, the battery, which is still expensive, only holds a portion of the original charge. NiCD batteries need to be drained fully and then recharged fully to maximize their lifespan, which is not always convenient for saw use.

i think i used 40-tooth blades with decent luck on the cordless saws. 40-80 teeth on the table saw.

[ani_101]

if it's not too late to return it, if you do go battery powered instead of corded, Lithium Ion is the way to go. I have two NiCD saws (one i bought years ago, and one i inherited) and after a couple years, the battery, which is still expensive, only holds a portion of the original charge. NiCD batteries need to be drained fully and then recharged fully to maximize their lifespan, which is not always convenient for saw use.

i think i used 40-tooth blades with decent luck on the cordless saws. 40-80 teeth on the table saw.

The good part about porter cable is that the nicd and Lion battery packs are interchangeable. So i can upgrade later.

[ani_101]

If you don't NEED the portability, go for the corded version. It's not just a power thing, the cordless unit eat batteries. You spend more time charging then cutting. They are rather handy though, for the quick cut.

Not to mention the corded ones have more power and are cheaper

[ROTECH]

At work there is an 18v DeWalt Li cordless saw. I tried on 3/4 MDF and it was a bear.

Keep your battery saw in the house or the truck for small jobs. They are still handy.

+1 for a good ole corded saw. I have a $29.99 black n Decker that I use for mobile jobs and the thing rips! I use only Freud Diablo blades and have never looked back. For my 7-1/4 circular saw I use 60tooth fine, and for the table saw I have 80 and 100 tooth. I also like to keep a 40 (or 48) staggered kerf framing blade around because if you need to do dirty work like cutting scrap, it goes through nails if need be.

[ani_101]

I still haven't tried the cordless saw. Planning to order the Freud 40 tooth saw. Hopefully it should be good enough for MDF and birch ply. I am having a tough time finding higher toothed saw in 6.5 inch.