I have a Chicago Electric 12″ compound miter saw, I have a Diablo~60 TPI blade that I use most of the time and the saw nor bade give me any problems, even on 4″ cedar. I am making a clock out of Birch and switched to an Irwin 100 TPI blade. It hasn’t been used all that much so it shouldn’t be dull, but it is bogging down and burning on both soft pine and the Birch. I grinds itself to a literal halt if you beard down too much, and burns the wood. Do I need a blade with 80 TPI, is 100 TPI too many? I know the saw isn’t much but a good blade compenates for some of the lack of quality. Thanks.
Discussion Forum
Get It All!
UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month.
Start Your Free TrialCategories
Discussion Forum
Digital Plans Library
Member exclusive! – Plans for everyone – from beginners to experts – right at your fingertips.
Highlights
-
Shape Your Skills
when you sign up for our emails
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. -
Shop Talk Live Podcast -
Our favorite articles and videos -
E-Learning Courses from Fine Woodworking
-
-
Replies
Blade selection is not just about the number of teeth. Rake, hook angle and a number of other factors determines the suitability for the task at hand. I suspect your 100 tooth blade is designed to cut plywood and laminate, not solid woods, which pose different challenges. I suspect the blade is unable to clear sawdust properly hence it binds and burns. Switch to a blade designed for a miter saw and for cutting solid wood, usually an ATB grind with an angle of 10-40 degrees and a minimal to negative hook angle, and 80-100 teeth will work best. Freud makes good blades at reasonable prices but there are other brands as well. I'm not familiar with the Chicago Electric brand, I believe it is a Harbor Freight brand but not certain, but it may work best with a thin kerf blade if the motor is not designed for standard blades.
Thanks so much for the thorough explanation, when I bought this blade I stopped reading at 100 TPI, it is for laminate. Now I know better, picking up the Freud or equivalent Monday. It is Harbor Freight, one of the few things I own from there but...
Not to offend you, because I think most of us have done it at least once, but the blade is installed correctly I assume? If the blade was reversed it would cause the symptoms you described as well.
:) far too thick skinned to be offended, I have done this, it has just been years ago. It was a laminate blade. Thanks for the reply.
Purchased a 72 T Freud blade made for a sliding trim saw. Works great, problem solved.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled