Blades & Bits

When advising students how to put together their own shops, I tell them to spend half their power tool budget on top-notch blades and bits. A mediocre table saw with a dynamite blade will cut a lot better than a dynamite table saw with a mediocre blade. And I aspire to take my own advice; I rarely skimp on blades and bits.

Bandsaw Blades

Starrett Band Saw Blades

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Starrett Intenss PRO-DIE Bi-Metal Band Saw Blade - 05 Ft. 04-1/2 in., 1/2 x .025 x 10-14/P - 99186-05-04-1/2
Starrett Intenss PRO-DIE Bi-Metal Band Saw Blade - 05 Ft. 04-1/2 in., 1/2 x .025 x 10-14/P - 99186-05-04-1/2

Great band saw blades for all manner of band saw operations. They are available in any size with your choice of tooth profile and pitch.

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POWERTEC Bandsaw Blades Assortment

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POWERTEC 59-1/2 Inch Bandsaw Blades Assortment for Woodworking, Band Saw Blades for Sears Craftsman, B&D, Ryobi, Delta and Skil 9" Band Saw, 3PK (13604)
POWERTEC 59-1/2 Inch Bandsaw Blades Assortment for Woodworking, Band Saw Blades for Sears Craftsman, B&D, Ryobi, Delta and Skil 9" Band Saw, 3PK (13604)

Assortment of 3 (59 1/2") blades for the Wen 9" Band Saw.

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Tablesaw Blades

Freud 10” General Purpose Blade

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Freud LU84R011: 10" Combination Blade
Freud LU84R011: 10" Combination Blade

This is our go-to table saw blade for most crosscuts and occasional rips – 50 teeth, limiters to control the depth of cut, ATB&F grind (alternate-top-bevel on the crosscut teeth, flat on the rip teeth), positive rake for the cutting angle. The kerf is 1/8” (3 mm) wide.

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Freud 10" Thin-Kerf Rip Blade

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Freud LU87R010: 10" Thin Kerf Rip Blade
Freud LU87R010: 10" Thin Kerf Rip Blade

When doing a lot of ripping, we switch to this blade – 24 teeth, all ground flat, limiters to control depth-of-cut, positive rake cutting angle. The thin kerf (just .094” or 2.4 mm) helps us squeeze out as many usable boards as possible from wide stock.

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Scroll Saw & Jig Saw Blades

Olson Precision Ground Scroll Saw Blades 12 tpi

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Olson Saw PG45502 Precision Ground Scroll Saw Blade, TPI-12,9 Reverse
Olson Saw PG45502 Precision Ground Scroll Saw Blade, TPI-12,9 Reverse

Six precision-ground scroll saw blades, 12 teeth per inch with the bottom 9 teeth reversed. I've found these to cut reasonably fast and leave a smooth surface in hardwoods and hardwood plywood. These are what I used tp cut the lantern faces shown in “Making a Halloween Lantern”.

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Bosch 20 tpi U-shank Jig Saw Blades

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Bosch U101AO3 5-Piece 3-1/4 In. 20 TPI Clean for Wood U-shank Jig Saw Blades
Bosch U101AO3 5-Piece 3-1/4 In. 20 TPI Clean for Wood U-shank Jig Saw Blades

Five 3/16" wide by 3-1/4" long jig saw blades with a (fairly) universal U-shank. If you're going to cut the faces in the Halloween Lantern (see “Making a Halloween Lantern”) this is what I recommend. Leaves a very smooth surface and is small enough to create fairly intricate shapes.

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Drill Bits

3/8” x 12” Aircraft Drill

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Irwin 62124 3/8" X 12" Aircraft Extension Straight Shank Drill Bit
Irwin 62124 3/8" X 12" Aircraft Extension Straight Shank Drill Bit

If you live in America and/or use fractional drill sizes, this is the drill you need to make “pocket dowel” joints – dowel joints made with a pocket hole jig.

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Irwin 1/8” x 6” Aircraft Drill

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Irwin Tools Hanson 66708 IRWIN 66708 Hanson 1/8" x 6" Aircraft Extension High Speed Steel Straight Shank Drill Bit (66708)
Irwin Tools Hanson 66708 IRWIN 66708 Hanson 1/8" x 6" Aircraft Extension High Speed Steel Straight Shank Drill Bit (66708)

This is the bit you need to make pilot holes when using a pocket hole jig. Depending on the species of wood you’re working, pilot holes may be necessary to prevent splitting.

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Dewalt Pilot-Point Drill Bit Set

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Dewalt DW1969 29-Piece Pilot Point and Drill Bit Set
Dewalt DW1969 29-Piece Pilot Point and Drill Bit Set

This is our favorite set of bits for drilling metal. The “pilot points” are less likely to drift when entering the stock, and less likely to lock up when exiting. Expensive but worth it.

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Rocaris Wood Plug Cutter Set (8 pcs)

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Rocaris 8pcs Wood Plug Cutter Drill Bit Set Straight and Tapered Taper Cutting Tool Cork Drill Bit Knife 6mm 10mm 13mm 16mm
Rocaris 8pcs Wood Plug Cutter Drill Bit Set Straight and Tapered Taper Cutting Tool Cork Drill Bit Knife 6mm 10mm 13mm 16mm

This set of plug cutters offers 4 standard (round) cutters and 4 toothed cutters in four sizes: 5/8", 1/2", 3/8", and 1/4".

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Countersink/Counterbore Drill Bit Set (12 PCS)

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EZARC Countersink Drill Bit Set, 12 PCS Counter Sink Drill Bit Adjustable, #4, #6, #8, #10, #12, Magnetic Extension bit Holder for Woodworking with Storage Box
EZARC Countersink Drill Bit Set, 12 PCS Counter Sink Drill Bit Adjustable, #4, #6, #8, #10, #12, Magnetic Extension bit Holder for Woodworking with Storage Box

This set of bits will cut counter- sinks and counterbores for #4, #6, #8, #10, and #12 flathead wood screws. Features 2-flute cutters, hex shanks, and a magnetic extension bit holder.

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