Can You Use a Metal Blade to Cut Wood?

“Can I use a metal blade to cut wood?” Honestly, you would be surprised at how often questions like this are asked.  It makes sense, if you are embarking on a project, and have a saw with a blade engaged, doesn’t it make sense just to start to cut?  Well, sometimes it does, but other times it may not.

Yes, the response to this inquiry is a bit confusing as it’s not a straightforward yes or no answer. To tell the truth, you may be able to use your metal blade to cut wood, but you need to do some research before you actually start to work.

You see, certain blades that are designed to cut metal can cut wood, and in certain cases, they would be perfectly adequate.  But, that does not mean that they are always your best option. Some blades designed to cut metal and blades created to cut wood are different. Because metal is a more dense material, the blades used to cut it have more teeth per inch. At times, these blades would work for wood cutting, particularly when you want a very smooth finish.

That said, diamond blades, the gold standard for cutting metal, are not appropriate for those working with wood. Because wood is so much softer than metal, these incredibly strong blades are a poor choice for work of this type.

High Quality Blades

There are a host of high-quality circular saw wood blades available on the market today. Depending upon the job at hand, you would have a number of options from which to choose. And, many of these are reasonably priced.

If you are wondering whether the metal cutting blade you have is appropriate for wood, you should carefully review the product specifications. When you purchased your blade, the accompanying paperwork likely provided a list of materials it is appropriate for cutting. If wood is listed,  then you can use the blade you have.  However, if it is not, you may want to avoid using it for this purpose. You could damage the blade and your saw and ruin the materials with which you are working.

Taking the time to ensure you have the appropriate tools and components for the project at hand is an important first step to successfully completing a job. You can refer to the documents you may have on hand, or the internet, to get additional information regarding the uses for specific blades.