Choosing the Right Saw Blade Part 1

Selecting the correct size of saw blade for your project is one of the best ways to help ensure your success in sawing. Saw blades come in a range of cuts, depending on the distance between the teeth, or teeth per inch. Jewelry tool suppliers offer blades ranging from the finest, #8/0, then #7/0, #6/0, etc., to 0 and larger blades (#1, #2, and beyond for the largest sizes).

Finer blades are easier to use, but slower. Coarser blades cut faster but remove a wider path. The best guideline for deciding on blade thickness is to choose a saw blade with two or more teeth for the thickness of the metal being sawed. If you use a coarser blade with fewer teeth, it will bind and be difficult to use.