Plywood blade for circular saw - worth it?

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Plywood blade for circular saw - worth it?

Postby Squigie » Fri Sep 06, 2019 11:33 pm

I'm asking because I don't know. I've lived my life as a simple bumblehead, using what I had available.

But I was reminded today that special "plywood" blades do exist, with somewhat different tooth/blade geometry.

Are they worth it with plywood?

Would I get any improvement - or is there any benefit - over a standard "general purpose" blade?

(My saws currently have 40T in them; but I do have 80T, up to 110T on hand, for various saws. No "plywood" blades, however.)
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Re: Plywood blade for circular saw - worth it?

Postby lfhoward » Sat Sep 07, 2019 12:01 am

I bought a circular saw and a plywood blade for my build. Used it once on the first day for one straight cut. I ended up using my jigsaw for everything, both wood and metal. It was slower but I liked that I had more control over a cut. The jigsaw was 1000 times more useful for the project in hindsight.
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Re: Plywood blade for circular saw - worth it?

Postby wysedav » Sat Sep 07, 2019 2:31 am

I’d say no. Use a good 24 tooth general purpose blade. If you need a splinter free cut you can do a few tho gs. If not one side is showing put the good side opposite the saw. If two side need to be good run tape where you are going to cut. If you want perfect you can scribe the cut with a utility knife prior to cutting with the circular saw. If you have money to spend you can get a track saw, they have plastic inserts to minimize the chip out. Also they make it super easy to get accurate cuts.

Good luck.
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Re: Plywood blade for circular saw - worth it?

Postby swoody126 » Sat Sep 07, 2019 6:38 am

i have found Freud Diablo bades to work quite well for cutting plywood

they are carbide tipped and cut a very thin kerf w/ minimal splintering

they're rather inexpensive when compaired to some/most

i get them @ the local flea mkts for <$20ea for the 12" and less for the 7.25"

i keep a 7.25" diablo mounted on my el cheapo/folding 10" table saw for most of my plywood cutting

on the table saw the 7.25" blade cuts like a warm knife thru soft butter

the local saw shop can sharpen them 1-2x and then i just replace them

sw
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Re: Plywood blade for circular saw - worth it?

Postby RJ Howell » Sat Sep 07, 2019 6:40 am

I've been a 'skill saw' carpenter for years. I have plywood blades, yet rarely use them. Make a couple saw sleds, one for cross-cut, one for length. It just a piece of 1/2 plywood (or use what you have). The base you cut 3" wider than the saw base, running edge 2 plus inches wide (this must be straight). Glue and screw the runner on the base and make a saw pass on you new saw sled. Gives you the edge of cut for alinement, protects from splintering and easy to use. I still do score the cut edge on plywoods that are thin layered (most cheaper veneers)..
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Re: Plywood blade for circular saw - worth it?

Postby tony.latham » Sat Sep 07, 2019 9:16 am

Are they worth it with plywood?


I have one I used on a project using cherry plywood. The stuff's veneer was as thin as a cat's hair and had a problem with tear-out.

I don't have much of a problem with Baltic birch with my multi-purpose blade and haven't needed it for my current build. A little dab or two of Elmer's wood filler and it's fixed.

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Re: Plywood blade for circular saw - worth it?

Postby Squigie » Sat Sep 07, 2019 2:26 pm

Thanks, guys.

I still need to order wood, but figured I'd ask while I was thinking about it.

I'm off to do some more work on a bedroom "remodel" (beyond a face lift - I had to re-drywall, repair wiring, replace all fixtures and outlets, and replace 100% of trim and baseboards). But I think I'll be saving the oak door frame to rip down for the frame of the TD floor. It's well-aged (57+ years), straight and tight grained, free of staples, and the perfect thickness ... but no longer useful as a door frame.

I've gotta start somewhere...
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Re: Plywood blade for circular saw - worth it?

Postby twisted lines » Sat Sep 07, 2019 5:36 pm

If you don't like it for wood, they really cut aluminum very nice :thumbsup:
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