Hey everyone! I recently got my hands on my first tracksaw, and it came with a 165mm 48-tooth blade. I'm curious if this blade is suitable for ripping some 2cm (a bit over 3/4 inch) oak boards. Would it be risky to use a brand new blade like this, or should I consider getting a dedicated 24-tooth or lower tooth blade for rip cuts instead? Thanks for the advice!
3 Answers
Totally depends on the blade type. If it's a combination blade, it might do the job, but rip blades generally perform much better for this kind of work. If you're cutting over 30m of oak, investing in a rip blade will pay off in the long run!
I really recommend getting the proper rip blade if you plan on doing a lot of ripping. The 48-tooth combo blade should handle a few cuts okay, but for longer or more frequent ripping, a dedicated rip blade will give you way better results. Use your current blade for cross-cuts or other projects!
You should be fine using your 48-tooth blade for ripping. It's not gonna cost you much to replace if it dulls, and you can always use it for other cuts later on. Just keep an eye on the burn marks; a rip saw might do a cleaner job, but give it a shot first!