I'm using a DeWalt 10 inch table saw and recently bought a 180 tooth blade that was supposed to be great for plywood. However, I've found it really hard to push material through, and it leaves nasty burn marks on the edges of the plywood. I even had to take off the riving knife because the kerf was so narrow that it was getting stuck. I've now switched to a DeWalt 80 tooth blade, and it's working like a charm! I'm curious if anyone else has faced similar issues with the 180 tooth blade and why it didn't perform well for me. I've been following tips from woodworking videos to get the best cuts, but things just haven't gone the way I hoped.
3 Answers
The 180 tooth blade is super fine, and while it’s great for really delicate materials, it might not be the best choice for plywood. If you only saw 'plywood' on the packaging without specifics, it might have been marketed poorly. I'd recommend saving that blade for melamine or something similar instead.
The lack of carbide on the 180 tooth blade can make it wear out quickly, and it's probably too fine for thicker materials like plywood. If it’s meant for ultra-thin cuts like pegboard or wall paneling, it could be a poor fit for your needs. Definitely keep that blade for lighter materials.
Yeah, I noticed there’s no carbide. At least now I know why it didn't work out for plywood!
Yeah, the 180 tooth blade is definitely more suited for materials like melamine or chipboard. I use an 80 tooth blade too, and it does wonders for most plywood cuts. A good combo blade (like a 60 tooth) can give you excellent results without the burn marks.
That's really helpful! I might just go for the 80 tooth blade for everything, seems like a good choice.
Thanks for the tip! It makes sense now. I guess I’ll just reserve it for lighter tasks.