Fit comes first
- Diameter on the saw's nameplate: 7-1/4 in on most full-size saws, 6-1/2 in on many battery saws and on the plunge saws here. Small saws with other sizes take only their own size.
- Arbor. 5/8 in round with a diamond knock-out on most 7-1/4 in blades; diamond only on DEWALT's worm drive; 20 mm on the plunge saws.
- Speed rating at or above the saw's — DEWALT's track saw needs 6,000 rpm or more.
- Kerf, on a saw with a riving knife. Milwaukee's 2831 needs a kerf of at least 0.063 in and a plate no more than 0.051 in. A thin-kerf blade under the limit will bind on the knife.
Five blades from the makers' documents
| Blade | Size | Teeth | Kerf | Made for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee 48-40-0720 | 7-1/4 in, 5/8 in with diamond knock-out | 24 | Thin | Framing |
| Milwaukee 48-40-0740 | 7-1/4 in | 24 | Thick | Framing; described as 'optimized for the most powerful cordless saws' |
| Milwaukee 40-tooth in pack 48-40-0725 | 7-1/4 in | 40, ATB | Not stated on the page | Finish cuts, to minimise tear-out |
| DEWALT DWS520 kit blade | 6-1/2 in, 20 mm | 48 | Not stated on the page | The kit page calls it an ultra fine finishing blade; the saw's manual calls the supplied blade a combination blade |
| Makita XPS01 kit blade | 6-1/2 in | 55 | Ultra-thin | The plunge saw it ships with |
Each row is the maker's own description; DEWALT's kit page and manual describe its supplied blade differently, and both are shown. Milwaukee's 'straighter cuts' claim for the 0740 is its own and untested here. Not a ranking.
Equipment notePaid link
7-1/4-in 24T framing circular saw blade, 3-pack
Milwaukee 48-40-0720, 3-pack
Milwaukee's 48-40-0720 from the table above, here as a three-pack: a 7-1/4 in, 24-tooth thin-kerf framing blade on a 5/8 in arbor with a diamond knock-out.
Paid link — BenchRoot may earn a commission if you buy through this link.
Choosing by the work
| Work | What to look for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Framing lumber | About 24 teeth on 7-1/4 in | Fast cuts where the edge does not show |
| Plywood and veneered sheet | Fine-tooth: 40 or more on 7-1/4 in, 48 or more on 6-1/2 in, ATB | DEWALT says a fine-tooth blade for plywood; ATB slices the face fibres |
| Finish crosscuts in solid wood | 40 teeth or more, ATB | Milwaukee's finish blade is made to minimise tear-out |
| Pitchy, green or treated lumber | A coated blade | DEWALT suggests anti-stick coated blades where build-up is heavy |
| MDF | A fine-tooth blade whose maker lists MDF | None of the documents reviewed covers MDF; check the blade maker's list of materials |
Tooth counts here are guides from the blades described, not makers' rules.
On a plunge saw, the blade that ships with it is matched to its riving knife; a replacement must meet the same kerf and plate limits. On a battery saw, a thin kerf asks less of the motor, which is why blade makers pitch them at cordless saws. Kerf, plate and tooth grinds are explained in blades, and keeping a blade sharp and clean in blade care.
Before buying a blade
- Diameter and arbor match the saw
- Speed rating at or above the saw's
- Kerf and plate within the riving knife's limits, if the saw has one
- Tooth count for the work: about 24 for framing, 40 or more for plywood and finish
- Made for wood, as the saw's manual requires
- Coated, if you cut pitchy or treated lumber
Saws are compared in choosing a saw and choosing a plunge saw; the family is mapped in the circular saw guide.
Sources
Specification-based: each blade is described by its own maker, and each fit rule by the saw maker's manual. Performance claims are the makers' and were not checked. No blade was tested and none is ranked.
- 1.
48-40-0720 7-1/4" 24T Framing Circular Saw Blade. Milwaukee Tool.
Used for: A 7-1/4 in, 24-tooth thin-kerf framing blade, 5/8 in arbor with diamond knock-out, cobalt-infused carbide.
- 2.
48-40-0740 7-1/4" 24T Thick Kerf Framing Circular Saw Blade. Milwaukee Tool.
Used for: A 7-1/4 in, 24-tooth thick-kerf framing blade Milwaukee describes as 'optimized for the most powerful cordless saws', with the maker's claim of straighter cuts.
- 3.
48-40-0725 7-1/4" 24T and 40T Framing and Fine Finish Circular Saw Blades (2 pack). Milwaukee Tool.
Used for: A pack of a 24-tooth framing blade and a 40-tooth ATB finish blade meant to minimise tear-out.
- 4.
DWS520CK 6-1/2 in. (165 mm) TrackSaw Kit with 59 in. and 102 in. Track. DEWALT.
Used for: The DWS520 kit's 6-1/2 in, 20 mm-arbor, 48-tooth blade, described as an ultra fine finishing blade.
- 5.
XPS01PTJ 36V (18V X2) LXT Brushless 6-1/2" Plunge Circular Saw Kit. Makita.
Used for: A 55-tooth ultra-thin-kerf carbide-tipped blade (B-57071) supplied with the XPS01 kit.
- 6.
DWS520 Heavy-Duty Track Saw, Instruction Manual. DEWALT.
Used for: Plunge-saw blades of 6-1/2 in (165 mm), 20 mm bore, rated 6,000 rpm or higher; a combination blade supplied with the saw; a fine-tooth blade for plywood; the riving knife's blade-body and kerf rule; anti-stick coated blades where build-up is heavy.
- 7.
M18 FUEL 6-1/2" Plunge Track Saw, Cat. No. 2831-20, Operator's Manual. Milwaukee Tool.
Used for: Kerf at least 0.063 in and body no more than 0.051 in for a 0.055 in riving knife; a 20 mm arbor.
- 8.
DWE574, DWE575 7-1/4" (184 mm) Circular Saws, Instruction Manual. DEWALT.
Used for: Only blades for wood; arbor hole shape matched to the saw; the rotation arrow.
- 9.
DWS535B Heavy-Duty 7-1/4" (184 mm) Worm Drive Circular Saw, Instruction Manual. DEWALT.
Used for: Diamond-arbor blades only on a worm-drive saw; the blade's speed rating at or above the saw's.
About this buying guide
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