Sawing though things is not as easy as you may have seem on TV. If you want to smoothly and efficiently cut through a material with a saw, then choosing the right cutting surface is an absolute must. Whether you are engaging in a professional or a DIY project, here are several useful tips for choosing a saw blade for any job:

Decide Between Rip Cutting and Crosscutting

Traditional saw cutters can be largely divided into two primary types: the rip cutters and cross cutters. Rip cutters have a limited number of teeth, but the space in between each tooth is quite deep. These saws are designed to cut very quickly. Rip cutter saws are fast, but don’t expect clean finishes.

A cross cutting saw on the other hand has chisels or carbide kerfs that cut wide. These saws can cut left and right easily, so that the final cut is smooth. However, unlike rip cutters, cross cutters aren’t as fast. But that can really depend on the material you choose.

If you are buying a modern saw, you will see combo products with both rip and cross cutting surfaces. These tools are intended to bring together the speed of rip cutters and the smooth finish of cross cutters. You can purchase these saws with varying numbers and sizes of teeth. The finish will depend on the amount of teeth available. Keep in mind that some combo cutters leave clean finishes, but others are still abrasive.

Choose the Blade for the Material

Cutting tools are specifically designed for certain types of material. Therefore, the blade you choose must be suited to cut through the material you have in mind. For example, if you need to cut through hard material like ceramic, concrete, and certain types of stone, you can consider a Canberra diamond blade. This type of cutting tool is both sharp and abrasive enough to get through hard material that may possibly have aggregates.

Specific types of cutting tools like Canberra diamond blades are a must for professional-level jobs. However, if you need a saw for at-home, DIY projects, you can consider an all-purpose blade. Also known as combination blades, this type of cutting tool is perfect for woodworking and similar types of jobs. Combo tools are limited in application in professional settings, but for other uses these are well suited.

Consider the Quality

Quality of cutting tools don’t just refer to how well made they are. The quality also refers to suitability for a job. Professional quality blades are designed for serious construction work. These cutting tools are durable and have efficient cooling system. On the other hand, general purpose cutting tools are designed for household use. These tools are not as powerful as the professional versions and will be much safer to use. When choosing a cutting tool, seriously give thought to the quality as well.

Maintenance Matters

Spending a lot of money on a cutting tool for a saw would only go to waste if you can’t properly maintain what you purchase. Some speciality blades may have very specific maintenance requirements. Therefore, don’t forget to check these out to make sure you get a good value product for your money.

Use the above tips liberally to choose the right type of blade for saws and cutting tools of any kind.