Width sets the radius
The back of the blade has to swing inside the kerf, so a wide blade cannot follow a tight curve. Roughly: 6 mm (0.24 in) follows a 20 mm (0.79 in) radius, 10 mm (0.39 in) about 40 mm (1.57 in), 13 mm (0.51 in) about 60 mm (2.36 in). Forcing a wide blade round a tight curve twists it, and it breaks.
Teeth per inch sets the thickness
Keep at least three teeth in the cut. Too few and the blade grabs and wanders; too many and the gullets pack with dust and it burns instead of cutting. Fine pitch for thin stock, coarse for deep resawing — which is why one blade cannot do both.
When bi-metal is worth it
On reclaimed timber and pallets. A carbon blade’s teeth shatter on a hidden nail; a bi-metal blade welds an HSS edge onto a flexible back and survives it. On clean new timber it is unnecessary.
This does not replace your machine’s manual. Guards, riving knives and safe working procedures differ between machines, and the manufacturer’s instructions for yours take precedence over anything written here.
What comes up most often
How do I know the right blade length?
It is fixed by the machine and printed in the manual, usually on a plate on the saw. A blade 20 mm (0.79 in) out will not tension.
Last reviewed 2026-08-12
