Good 7-1/4 saw blade

Stan in Oly, WA

Well-known Member
What's a good quality 7-1/4" circular saw blade for work which isn't quite finish carpentry, but requires finer cuts than framing? Like cutting trim in a garage or shop building, where you want it to look good, but it's not your living room. I used to use Matsushita thin kerf blades for that kind of work, but I can't find them anymore. At today's prices, they would probably cost about $25 to $30 now. I haven't been too impressed with the supposedly mid range blades I've tried in the last couple of years, but I don't want to have to go to a $60 blade either, when it might see a certain amount of less than totally careful use.

Thanks,

Stan
 
I've used a 24 tooth Freud Diablo for the last several years. Northern Tool lists it for $9.99 item #23258. Seems like I got mine at a big box so they might be common.
 
Stan,
I'm not so sure that more teeth, means a better cut, especially when it comes to 10 inch blades. I found the old school 10 inch molly steel, non carbide 10 inch blade that works best. Not to mention, I can sharpen them in less time than it takes me to remove and put blade back on saw. I think this blade only has 28 teeth. I use it on table saw and my 10 inch power miter. It's my favorite 10 inch blade. Bought 6 of them for around $11 each off amazon.

I couldn't find a 7 1/4 inch molly blade, but I did find a carbide dewalt blade that is very thin, very little drag. I even found a smaller dewalt blade for cordless. You can really see the difference the thin blade makes.

The B&D pirahnas make a very good cut too.
 
The best blade I have found is a 40 tooth Red Diablo blade. It cuts as though the wood was coated with plastic, either cross cut or rip. I use it in all 10" saws.
 
Stan are you going to use the blade in a Skillsaw? If so than the quality of the cut might depend more on the skill of the operator or the condition of the saw bottom. When I want a really good cut with a Skillsaw I use a clamped on strait edge. Hold the saw down with a little extra pressure to reduce vibration. I also use 7 1/4 inch blades in little table saws a lot. It improves everything about the saw except its depth of cut. I have purchased upper end Froid blades and had mixed results. I would say use an Irwin Marathon or Piranha in 24 tooth. Or any good thin carbide blade.

carpenter
 
Thanks, Ben. Those 36 tooth, thin kerf Matsushitas are the ones I was talking about. I've got the last one I own on my Makita hypoid drive saw right now, but it's not in very good shape. I'm happy to learn they're still available. I'll probably give the Diablo a try, too. They're certainly easier to find.

Stan
 
I'll try one of those Piranhas, George. They're not expensive. Thanks. By the way, the reason piranha is spelled with the n before the h is because it's a Portuguese word. The nh is the Portuguese version of the Spanish n with the tilde (~) over it. So, it's pronounced piran-ya. I learned to speak some European Portuguese (not the very different Brazilian variety) a long time ago, and spent a few months in Portugal. It seems like another life, now.

Stan
 
Right now, I've got more good 10" blades than saws good enough to put them on. If I get that situation straightened out, and ever need another good blade, I'll try one of those. Thanks.

Stan
 
Thanks. I agree about the quality of the cut being largely dependent on the skill of the operator. I'm pretty good, though. For some reason, I often seem to end up working under such unfavorable conditions that I've come to consider it a luxury to have two sawhorses and a clean piece of plywood to work on. I'll bet I've made more cuts holding my hypoid gear (worm drive variant) saw in one hand and the work piece in the other than most people. It sounds like it would be dangerous, but actually, you don't know the half of it.

Stan
 
Another vote here for Diablo blades. I replaced the factory blade in my Dewalt 6-1/2" circular saw with a Diablo. It saved the battery life and reduced splintering. I have used them in a miter saw with good results as well.
 
I thought it was a typo, George. I only wrote about the Portuguese spelling because I thought it was a mildly interesting aside that wouldn't offend anybody. I'm a good speller, but I consider it a freakish capability---sort of like being able to say what day of the week any date is (which I'm glad to say I can't do). I make it a point not to correct anybody's spelling because I think it's something that generally doesn't matter, and I apologize for seeming to be doing that.

I've got some great memory pills that I'd strongly recommend. They're expensive but they're 100% effective. I can't think of what they're called right off the top of my head, but I'll let you know as soon as I can remember where I put the bottle.

Stan
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top