Updated 3/8/2023
At the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, powerful circular blades with teeth along their circumference were employed in sawmills.
These machines harnessed steam and water power to cut timber like never before!
The contemporary circular saw blades we see today are scaled-down, electrical versions of those saws.
Different types of circular saw blades are designed for different materials. Provided the correct blade is used, circular saws will cut a wide range of items, including:
- Chipboard
- Hardwood and softwood lumber
- Manufactured panels and plywood
- Laminate flooring
- Plastic laminate
- Light-gauge steel
- Aluminum
- Vinyl siding
- Wood siding
- Natural stone
- Plexiglass
- Concrete pavers and blocks
- Quarry tiles
- Terra cotta roof tiles
- Ceramic tiles
- ABS and PVC plumbing pipes.
In this guide, however, we’ll talk about the best circular saw blade for cutting chipboard.
But before that, let’s take a look at some insights into chipboard material and choosing a blade for cutting it.
*Disclosure: This site earns commission from Amazon for qualifying purchases*
Choosing the Right Circular Saw Blade for Chipboard
Also known as particleboard, chipboard is part of the same family of engineered wood as plywood.
However, it’s produced either from wood shavings, wood chips, and even sawdust that are bound together using a binder or synthetic resin and then molded into boards.
Here are the most important things to consider when choosing a circular saw blade for chipboard:
1. The type of tooth and the gullet: Depends on the type of cut desired. Larger gullets lead to faster cuts.
2. The thickness of the blade
3. The blade material
4. The number of teeth on the blade
5. The number of revolutions/minute
6. The bore size or the diameter of the hole in the middle of the blade, measured in millimeters
7. The depth of the cut not only depends on the diameter of the blade but also on the type of circular saw used
When it comes to circular saws, most come with a standard blade that’s 7¼-inch in diameter and a motor that draws between 8 and 15 amps of power.
The saws typically feature an automatic brake that stops the blade circulation when you release the trigger switch.
When the blade stops, the dust collection ports that send the dust to a vacuum hose or onboard bag also come to a halt.
The installed blade is certainly one of the most critical components of a circular saw.
The same circular saw can be used to cut different types of material but the blade you choose should be right for the material.
A blade that works for chipboard won’t be much useful for concrete and vice versa.
Since we’re concerned about chipboard cutting, we’ll only look into wood-cutting blades.
Wood-Cutting Blades
While wood-cutting blades come in varying styles, the main differences among them are associated with their quality of cut, which depends on the number of teeth they contain.
Blades carrying 20 to 40 teeth are used for basic carpentry work that doesn’t require a smooth cut. Most wood-cutting blades are either plywood blades or construction blades.
Construction blades comprise of fine-cutting blades that normally contain at least 40 teeth. The teeth comprise deep gullets that carry away sawdust and wood chips.
When doing rough work, the quality of the cut is not a priority.
Yet, if a cleaner cut is important, you should cut the board from the backside because the blades cut in the anticlockwise direction.
The cut is clean when the tooth enters the material; when it exists, it may splinter the surface. The goal is to have the cleanest cuts visible.
Plywood blades, in contrast, are composed of high-speed steel and carry a much greater number of teeth than those on construction blades.
There can be over 160 teeth on a single plywood blade. Since the teeth are small, the blades render cleaner cuts on both sides of the material.
Not only does this generate a lesser amount of dust but also produces straighter cuts because of the higher number of teeth.
Most home centers and hardware stores offer two blade types: carbide-tipped and high-speed steel.
Carbide-Tipped Saw Blades
When it comes to cutting chipboard, nothing beats carbide-tipped saw blades. These are blades with carbide tips that have the power to cut as much as 50 times longer than all-steel blades.
Chipboard and other types of hardwood can easily dull steel blades. Carbide-tipped saw blades are ideal for cutting MDF boards, plywood, and more.
- Rockwell 4-1/2 inch 60T HSS Saw Blade
- 60 teeth and thin kerf for fast and smooth cutting
- For cutting wood, plastic, aluminum, metal and drywall
- For use with the RK3441K Rockwell Compact Circular Saw
Keep in mind that sharpening these blades can be a challenge. But since they won’t dull too easily, you won’t need to sharpen them often.
High-Speed Steel (HSS) Blades
These are inexpensive blades that tend to dull quickly, requiring frequent sharpening. But don’t worry, as they’re easy to sharpen.
They are primarily used to cut solid wood. Rarely used with circular saws, HSS blades are commonly used with log saws for cutting firewood.
Best Circular Saw Blade for Chipboard
Based on the considerations and choices discussed above, the Twin-Town Saw Blade is the best circular saw blade for cutting chipboard.
This 60-teeth blade not only delivers faster cuts but also leads to fine finishing for chipboard, plywood, hardwood, and softwood.
- Real industry quality level with Non-stick coating surface, C4 construction grade tungsten carbide teeth provide maximum resistance for 3X longer life
- Ideal for ripping & crosscutiing in softwood, hardwood, chip board and plywood with fine finishing
- For use on Miter Saws and Table Saws, Max RPM 6,000
- 2.5mm thin kerf design for fast cut and smooth cutting action allows extremely durable with minimal material waste
- Laser cut stabilizer vents trap noise and vibration keeping the blade cool and reducing blade warp
Its blade is made of tungsten carbide tips with C4 construction grade. The 1.8mm thin kerf design facilitates smooth cutting and generates limited waste material.
As you rip through the chipboard, the blade’s laser-cut stabilizer vents will trap the noise and vibrations, keeping the blade cool when reducing the warping.
Key Features
o Best for ripping and cross-cutting chipboard
o Teeth made of tungsten carbide tips
o Max RMP: 300
o Length: 25 Inches
o Laser-cut stabilizer vents minimize noise and vibrations
o 8mm thin kerf design leads to fast and smooth cuts
o Expansion slots allow for straight cutting
Wrapping it Up
Now that you know what aspects to consider when purchasing a circular saw blade, you are in a much better position to make a rational decision.
We recommend the Twin-Town Saw Blade, the best circular saw blade for cutting chipboard.
Until next time, keep on sawin’!
