Common Saw Blades Reference
Why this matters
Wrong saw blade = ruined material + ruined blade + lost time. Wood blade in metal = teeth strip. Metal blade in wood = burn marks + slow cut. Tile blade in lumber = wandering cut. The tech with the right blade for the job works faster + cleaner. This is the field card.
Tooth count (TPI = teeth per inch)
Low TPI (3 - 6 TPI): aggressive, fast-cutting, rough edge. Framing lumber, demo, fast cuts.
Medium TPI (7 - 14 TPI): general purpose. Most everyday work.
High TPI (18 - 32 TPI): smooth finish, slow cut. Sheet metal, thin materials, fine cuts.
Rule: minimum 3 teeth in the workpiece at any time; too few = chatter; too many = clogged + slow.
Circular saw blades (7-1/4" residential standard)
Combination (50-tooth): balances rip + crosscut.
Plywood / paneling (60-80 tooth): minimizes splintering.
Diamond grit edge (no teeth): hard tile, masonry, concrete (with appropriate saw).
Demo blade (12 - 14 tooth abrasive): cuts through nails + screws; ruins fast on clean wood. Rough cuts only.
Sizes: 6-1/2" (cordless) + 7-1/4" (standard) + 8-1/4" (worm-drive) + 10-1/4"+ for beam saws.
Miter / chop saw blades (10" - 12" common)
Crosscut (60-80 tooth ATB): clean crosscut in lumber + finished material.
Finish trim (80-100 tooth): very clean cut on crown molding + trim.
Negative-hook tooth: required for steel + non-ferrous metal cutting on mitering saws.
Reciprocating saw (Sawzall) blades
Wood (6 TPI): framing demo, fast rough cut, pruning.
Wood + nails (5 - 8 TPI bi-metal): cuts through hidden nails without dulling.
Metal (14 - 18 TPI bi-metal): pipe, conduit, sheet metal, light steel.
Fine metal (24 - 32 TPI): thin sheet metal, thin tubing.
Demolition (special carbide-tipped): cuts nails, screws, light masonry, plaster.
Plaster cutting: dedicated abrasive blade for plaster + lath.
Common length: 4" (tight spots), 6" (general), 8 - 12" (deep cuts).
Jigsaw blades
Wood (6 - 10 TPI): standard cutting in plywood, lumber.
Metal (14 - 32 TPI bi-metal): thin steel, aluminum.
Tile (carbide grit): ceramic + porcelain (slow).
Down-cut / up-cut: down-cut prevents tear-out on top surface (laminate, finished work).
Scrolling (narrow blade): tight curves.
Hacksaw blades (manual)
Wood-cut (4 - 10 TPI): lumber.
Metal (18 - 32 TPI): steel pipe + bar stock.
Pipe-cutting (32 TPI standard): standard plumbing.
Always cut on the push stroke (pull on backstroke); blade installed teeth-forward.
Tile + masonry blades
Wet tile saw (10" diamond): porcelain + ceramic + glass tile. Cools with water.
Dry-cut diamond (4-1/2" angle grinder): concrete, masonry, tile in field.
Continuous rim (no segments): tile + glass; cleanest cut.
Segmented rim: concrete, brick, masonry; faster.
Turbo rim (jagged segments): middle ground between continuous + segmented.
Hole saws (bi-metal)
Wood + thin metal: standard bi-metal hole saw. 3/4" - 6" common.
Carbide-tipped: thicker metal + cast iron.
Diamond hole saw: porcelain tile, glass, concrete (wet-cut).
Common blade applications by trade
HVAC: sheet metal - bi-metal recip 18 TPI OR snips; ductwork - high-tooth metal blade; refrigerant copper - tubing cutter (not saw). Plumbing: PVC - standard recip OR PVC saw 8 - 14 TPI; copper - tubing cutter (preferred), recip 24 TPI if needed; cast iron - chain pipe cutter OR diamond blade; nipple - hacksaw OR tubing cutter. Electrical: EMT/IMC - tubing cutter OR hacksaw; cable raceway - recip metal blade; drywall - drywall OR keyhole saw; cable tray - bi-metal recip. Roofing/framing: lumber - 24-tooth circular OR 6 TPI recip; plywood deck - 24-tooth circular; shingle - utility knife OR roofing snips; metal flashing - sheet metal snips. Painting: trim removal - pull saw OR multi-tool; wall opening - drywall saw OR oscillating multi-tool.
Carbide tipped vs HSS
Carbide-tipped (TCT): harder; longer life; 3 - 10x life of HSS; brittle if dropped.
HSS (High-Speed Steel): tougher; more flexible; sharpens; doesn't chip on impact.
For service tech: carbide on materials, HSS where versatility + durability needed.
Speed (RPM) + feed rate
Wood cutting: 3,500 - 5,000 RPM circular saw; high feed rate.
Metal cutting: 1,200 - 2,500 RPM; moderate feed; cooling fluid for stainless.
Masonry / tile: 3,000 - 5,000 RPM; slow feed; water cooling.
Don't force: let the blade do the work; force = chatter + dull + injury.
Common saw blade mistakes
Wood blade in metal (teeth strip). Metal blade in wood (slow + burns). Forcing dull blade (broken blade + injury). Wrong speed for material (overheating; warped blade). Skipping kickback safety (binding circular saw + kickback). Using damaged blade. Skipping safety glasses + hearing protection. Cutting toward body. Working without push stick (table saw narrow cuts).
Blade life + replacement
Carbide-tipped: 200 - 500 cuts in lumber; 50 - 200 in metal. Sharpen 1 - 2 times before retirement.
Bi-metal recip: 20 - 100 cuts per blade depending on material.
Diamond: 100s of cuts; lasts months to years.
Replace when:
- Visible damage (chipped teeth)
- Heavy resistance during cutting
- Burning material instead of cutting
- Cuts wandering
Safety
PPE: safety glasses ALWAYS; hearing protection on power saws; cut-resistant gloves for material handling (NOT for moving blade; can grab glove).
Kickback prevention (circular saw): blade guard functional; align cut; don't pinch blade in cut.
Stable workpiece: clamped OR secured; not held by hand alone.
Power cord: kept clear of cutting line.
Body position: not in line of blade kickback path.
Truck stock (common service trades)
7-1/4" 24-tooth carbide circular (3); 7-1/4" 60-tooth carbide finish (1); recip 6" + 8" wood 6 TPI; recip 6" + 8" wood-with-nails 5 TPI; recip 6" metal 18 TPI; bi-metal hole saw assortment (1" - 4"); jigsaw blades wood + metal assortment; hacksaw + 18 TPI blade; tubing cutter (1/4" - 1-1/4").
References
- ANSI B7.1 (Safety code for grinding wheels + blades)
- Manufacturer technical data (Diablo, Bosch, Milwaukee, DeWalt, Lenox)
- OSHA 1926.300 series (Power Tools)
- Manuall internal: Common Drill Bits, PPE Selection by Task