Saw Blades - Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some tips for beginners and frequently asked questions about carbide tipped saw blades. If you have a question that isn’t answered in this FAQ please contact us. 

When crosscutting veneered plywood I use a combination blade with mixed results. Is there a blade available that will crosscut ply without chipping the edge of the veneer?

Answer: As you’ve discovered, the veneer face on plywood is fragile and prone to chipping, especially when crosscutting. The solution is a trim blade such as Amana no.610800. These blades have an alternate top bevel (ATB) and a high tooth count for splinter-free crosscuts, even on fragile veneers.

I’m starting a framing business and I need a blade suitable for cutting smooth, perfect miters in picture frame stock. Can you recommend a blade?

Answer:For a perfect, gap-free fit on mitered stock your best option is a specially designed miter blade such as Amana Tool no. MS10800. This blade features an alternate top bevel (ATB) tooth grind along with a raker tooth, a 2 degree negative tooth angle, and a high tooth count. It’s the perfect choice for tight miters.

When I rip large quantities of stock the motor on my contractor tablesaw frequently overheats and continually shuts down. Is there a saw blade that will prevent overheating? I’m presently using the combination blade that came equipped on the tablesaw when I purchased it.

Answer: Many contractor tablesaws are simply underpowered. You can reduce the strain and overheating by switching to a thin-kerf blade or a ripping blade. Thin-kerf blades require less horsepower simply because they remove less stock.

Can I mount a good combination on my tablesaw and use it for all cuts?

Answer: That depends upon the types of materials that you typically cut. For most ripping and crosscutting the Amana Prestige general purpose saw blade is a great choice. It cuts smoothly and cleanly in a variety of softwoods, hardwoods, and sheet stock such as veneered plywood and MDF.

However, there are times when it’s best to use a specialty blade. For example, if you sometimes rip large quantities of dense hardwood, such as maple or oak, it’s a good idea to use an Amana ripping blade. The large gullets and flat top grind will efficiently rip dense hardwood without overheating the motor on your tablesaw.

I’m using a special melamine blade on my tablesaw but the bottom surface of the melamine is still chipping slightly. Is there anything that I can do to achieve a perfect, chip-free cut?

Answer: Melamine is a hard, brittle plastic which is easily chipped when it is cut to size. The Amana melamine saw blade is specially designed with a sharp 25 degree alternate top bevel to cleanly shear the hard surface. However, to prevent chipping on the underside of the stock it is important to use a zero-clearance throat plate to support the melamine right up to the edge of the cut.