By User:AllieCashel @timeAndDate(1278014580)
Whether you are working on building a shed for your backyard, making your own bed, or creating a wood sculpture, your woodwork is unique and there is no reason why your woodworking blades should be any less unique than your work. In your head, you probably have an image of what your final project will look likebut your blade right now may not be giving you the cut you're looking for. That being said, the blade you need does exist. Once you find the blade for you, and once you begin to expand your blade collection, you can add an interesting dynamic to your work: a dynamic that will turn your woodworking into everything you imagined it would be.
Choosing The Right Saw Blade
Even if you're working on a small woodworking art piece, using a saw is almost always the first (and occasionally most important) step in your project, so it's important that you find the right blade. Different saw blades have very different impacts on your project and on your wood, take a look at the following factors and their impacts to help you find the right saw blade for you and your project.
* '''Number of Teeth''' - In general, blades with more teeth make smaller, more precise cuts and blades with less teeth move quicker and give the wood more of a swept look.
* '''Gullet''' - The gullet is the space cut away from the blade plate in front of each tooth to allow for chip removal. It needs to be deep enough to make room for the large amount of material it has to handle, but some people prefer small gullets saying that it adds texture to their work.
* '''Tooth Configuration''' - The shape of the saw blades teeth and the way that they are grouped have a major effect on the way that the saw cuts the wood. Different tooth shapes determine whether or not the blade is best for ripping, crosscutting or laminating.
* '''Hook Angle''' - The angle that the blade rotates at has an impact on the way that it operates. Small angles move faster than bigger angles, but bigger angles tend to be preferred by beginners.
* '''Blade Width''' - If you will be cutting in circles, the blades width can prevent or enable you to do so. Thick blades are good for straight lines and thin blades are good for curves.
Don't forget to have different types of knives and blades to add small details to your work once you are finished with the big saw cutting!
Staying Safe
Using these blades can be very dangerous. Keep some of these safety tips in mind the next time you pick up one of your blades!
* Wear safety equipment, especially goggles.
* Don't have too much of your skin exposed, wearing long sleeved shirts and thicker fabrics can help keep your body protected from your work.
* Stay away from drugs and alcohol.
* Try to keep it to only one extension cord: you don't want to trip and fall.
* Use sharp blades and bits: they'll cut easier and you won't need to use too much pressure on the blade.
* Always work against the cutter.
* Always check for nails or other metal in and around your work space: they can add to the danger of your environment.
