Table saw blades and Circular saw blades are both used to cut wood. Both have unique features that make them better to be applied in different circumstances. So, before you purchase either one, make sure you know what the difference between the two types of blades is. So, what is the difference between a table saw blade and a circular saw blade?
Table saw blades and circular saw blades are not the same. Table saw blades are bigger blades with a wider kerf that are found on table saws. Circular blades are smaller and thinner blades that can usually be found on circular saws, but they can be used on a table saw for certain applications.
There is a difference between a table saw blade and a circular saw blade, but why are they different? Despite their differences, can you swap the blades of a circular saw and use it on a table saw? Which type of saw is better, and why? All of these questions we explore below.
Table Saw Blades Vs. Circular Saw Blades: What’s Different?
There are multiple differences that distinguish a table saw blade from a circular saw blade. Below, we analyze two of these main differences.
1. Size Of A Table Saw Blade Vs. A Circular Saw Blade
Table saws blades are 10” in diameter and have a teeth range of anything between 24 – 80 teeth per blade. The more teeth on the blade, the smoother the cut. They also have a kerf of 1/8”, which is the width of the wood that is cut away when shaping the wood.
Circular saw blades are mostly 7¼” with smaller circular blades being 4 ½”. The number of teeth one can expect to find on these blades can range from anything between 14 and 40 teeth. The kerf of these blades can range from a low 1/16” up to 3/32”.
2. Application of the blades and their saws
Table saws blades
Table saw blades are used in table saws, which are stationary saws that are fixed to a table, and the workpiece is moved through the cutting blade by the operator.
Table saws are excellent if you wish to have a lot of accurate and ‘clean’ cuts to your work. This is, usually, in cases where you work with wood that must be assembled and require very precise clearances and accurate fits.
Unfortunately, table saws are not very portable and, thus, are only suited for – or most efficient in – larger workshops. It is important to note that with table saws you have to bring the work to the table (saw), and you cannot bring the table (saw) to the workpiece.
In summary, a table saw is a stationary circular saw that is fixed to a table with a slit in the table where the table saw protrudes from. Since you have a table to which your blade is fixed, you can adjust the cut depth of your saw by adjusting the height of your saw and how much it should protrude from the table.
Circular saw blades
Circular saw blades, however, are used on circular saws. Circular saws are portable saws that you can use wherever you wish, which is especially good if you are working with stationary woodwork. These saws are handheld saws that are not powered by a stationary motor but powered by batteries, an electric motor, or an electric cord.
Because circular saws do not require to be stationary, they are considered to be one of the most dynamic and versatile power saws that one can possess in a workshop.
The problem with these saws, however, is that they are not as accurate as a table saw. Table saws are firmly fixed where they are, whereas portable saws are subject to scenarios where you have to do the precision cutting yourself, as opposed to feeding a piece of woodwork into the blade in a controlled manner.
Can You Use A Circular Saw Blade On A Table Saw?
Now that we have explored the differences between table saws and circular saws, let us explore if you are able to use a circular saw on a table saw. Additionally, we are also going to look at the results you can expect to get if you do fit a circular saw on your table saw.
First, it must be mentioned that the arbor you find on a table saw is exactly the same as an arbor found on a circular saw. That means that you can, without any alterations or adapters, fit a circular saw onto a table saw.
Now, a valid question might be why you would want to put a circular saw onto a table saw? There are multiple answers to this question:
- A circular saw blade is much slimmer than a table saw blade – this holds for the thinner and smaller table saw blades as well. Due to the slimness of circular saw blades, they produce much less noise, and they create much less sawdust. Due to the decrease in sawdust, you waste much less wood.
- Another reason why you may want to resort to a circular blade is that they are less expensive, for the most part. If you are working with previously used wood, there might be nails in the wood that you cannot see. If this is the case, you might feed wood into a blade that can damage the blade with the nails. A circular blade is a good option if you want to do a ‘test run’ on your workpiece.
The results you get will most likely vary from person to person, blade to blade, the different wood pieces you use, and other minor factors. That said, some have tried using a circular blade on a table saw and got the following results:
- When it came to the cutting of oak wood, the rip cut came out very well. There were no loose strings on the surface of the cut, and it looked clean. On the other hand, the cross-cut did not come out very well, and it was not very clean.
- When it came to the double-sided melamine, the ripping did not turn out as well as it did for the oak wood. It was not very clean, and there were stubble surfaces where the cut was made.
- When it came to good quality plywood, the ripping turned out better than what it did compared to the double-sided melamine wood, but poorer than compared to that of the oak wood. The cross-cut, however, turned out very poorly and not very clean.
So, in summary, you can definitely use a circular blade on a table saw when you wish to cut wood. That said, it might not always give you the finish that you were looking for.
Which Is Better, Table Saws Or Circular Saws?
We have now explored the difference(s) between a table saw blades and circular saw blades, and we have looked if you can fit a circular blade on a table saw. Now, let us look at which type of saw, including its blade, is better to use. We will look at five metrics to make this judgment.
- When it comes to accuracy, table saws win by a large margin. Because the table saw blades are larger, they have the potential to give you cleaner cuts, and the possibility of the saw vibrating and causing you to cut skew is minimalized.
- When it comes to the service life of the saws, table saws last longer than circular saws.
- When it comes to price, table saws are significantly more expensive than circular saws.
- When it comes to convenience, table saws are more convenient if you have woodwork that can easily move to the table saw. If, however, you must have your saw taken to the woodwork, circular saws are much more convenient.
- When it comes to safety, a table saw will not accidentally cut you as you are carrying it, but you should be careful on how you feed the saw the woodwork. For circular saws, there is a permanent cover plate that ensures that half of the area of the blade is covered.
In conclusion, the better blade depends on the operator’s needs, the operator’s budget, and the type of woodwork that needs to be cut.
Conclusion
In conclusion, table saw blades and circular saw blades may not be identical, but they are similar. The table saw blade is bigger and used for a bigger machine, whereas the circular saw blade is smaller and used for a machine that can be carried around.
Whether you are going to want to purchase a table saw with a table saw blade or a circular saw with a circular saw blade would depend on your needs, but in the article above, we set out some relevant factors that can help you make your decision.
If you are torn, you can purchase both and use the circular saw blade on the table saw, provided take note of the results you can expect to get.
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