February 16

Best 7 1/4 Circular Saw Blades That Are Easily Replaced

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I had been in search of a sharp blade for my circular saw for a long time. But I wasn’t sure about its size.

That’s when I started researching on the internet, only to find that the most common and versatile blade size is 7 1/4 inches. Next, I found myself in another dilemma of choosing the best 7 1/4 circular saw blades from the range of options available in the market.

It wasn’t easy, but I was determined. So, I started asking around for suggestions and advice from my neighbors (who knew more about tools and accessories than me). And within no time, I found the ideal blade for my saw.

Howdy! I’m Stacy Smith. And today, I’m here with detailed reviews of 5 high-grade 7 1/4-inch blades for circular saws. I’ve also included a buyer’s guide to assist you in your selection process.

Let’s begin.

DEWALT Circular Saw Blade, 7 1/4 Inch, 60 Tooth, Wood Cutting (DWA171460)
IRWIN Tools MARATHON Carbide Corded Circular Saw Blade, 7 1/4-inch, 24T (24030)
Freud D0740A Diablo 7-1/4 40 Tooth ATB Finishing Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor, Diamond Knockout, and PermaShield Coating
Makita B-61656 7-1/4" 24T Carbide-Tipped Max Efficiency Circular Saw Blade, Framing
OVERPEAK 7-1/4inch Circular Soft&Hard Wood Cutting Saw Blade 60 Tooth Saw Blades with 5/8-Inch Arbor and PermaShield Coating
DEWALT Circular Saw Blade, 7 1/4 Inch, 60 Tooth, Wood Cutting (DWA171460)
IRWIN Tools MARATHON Carbide Corded Circular Saw Blade, 7 1/4-inch, 24T (24030)
Freud D0740A Diablo 7-1/4 40 Tooth ATB Finishing Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor, Diamond Knockout, and PermaShield Coating
Makita B-61656 7-1/4" 24T Carbide-Tipped Max Efficiency Circular Saw Blade, Framing
OVERPEAK 7-1/4inch Circular Soft&Hard Wood Cutting Saw Blade 60 Tooth Saw Blades with 5/8-Inch Arbor and PermaShield Coating
$16.44
$9.99
$17.95
$10.38
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DEWALT Circular Saw Blade, 7 1/4 Inch, 60 Tooth, Wood Cutting (DWA171460)
DEWALT Circular Saw Blade, 7 1/4 Inch, 60 Tooth, Wood Cutting (DWA171460)
$16.44
IRWIN Tools MARATHON Carbide Corded Circular Saw Blade, 7 1/4-inch, 24T (24030)
IRWIN Tools MARATHON Carbide Corded Circular Saw Blade, 7 1/4-inch, 24T (24030)
$9.99
Freud D0740A Diablo 7-1/4 40 Tooth ATB Finishing Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor, Diamond Knockout, and PermaShield Coating
Freud D0740A Diablo 7-1/4 40 Tooth ATB Finishing Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor, Diamond Knockout, and PermaShield Coating
$17.95
Makita B-61656 7-1/4" 24T Carbide-Tipped Max Efficiency Circular Saw Blade, Framing
Makita B-61656 7-1/4" 24T Carbide-Tipped Max Efficiency Circular Saw Blade, Framing
$10.38
OVERPEAK 7-1/4inch Circular Soft&Hard Wood Cutting Saw Blade 60 Tooth Saw Blades with 5/8-Inch Arbor and PermaShield Coating
OVERPEAK 7-1/4inch Circular Soft&Hard Wood Cutting Saw Blade 60 Tooth Saw Blades with 5/8-Inch Arbor and PermaShield Coating
-

Top 5 7 1/4 Circular Saw Blades Reviews

1. Dewalt DWA171460

Dewalt DWA171460

Dewalt is a leading manufacturer of power tools and accessories capable of tackling the toughest worksite conditions with ease. That’s why I decided to try out the DWA171460 circular saw blade from the brand, and I wasn’t let down.

Product Highlights

The 60T blade from Dewalt is optimized for both corded and cordless circular saws, so you need not think twice about it being compatible with your power tool. It’s made using high-density tungsten carbide for toughness. As such, it’s resistant to wear and corrosion, making it a reliable option for the long-run. 

It also comes with a tough anti-stick coating to reduce friction while cutting woods and other shelving materials. This helps ensure smooth and precise cuts without any blade marks or jagged edges. And you can rest assured that it will retain its sharpness throughout its cutting lifetime. 

What’s more, it features reinforced shoulders for impact resistance in nail-embedded woods. It can rip through anything and everything without causing hand fatigue while keeping you protected from accidental injuries.

What’s There To Like About It?

I had been looking for a sharp and durable blade for my circular saw for a long time till I stumbled upon this one from Dewalt. It’s been over a year since I bought it, and I don’t have any complaints about its cutting performance.

You can cut a variety of materials with ease, including laminated shelves and hardwood. In fact, it features patented body slots that work with its thin kerf design to ensure a seamless user feel.

What’s There Not To Like About It?

There’s nothing that I didn’t like with regards to its quality and cutting performance. However, I feel that the positioning of its teeth could be better. They are not designed with the correct pitch angle; as a result, the wood gets lifted against the base of the saw while in use.

Pros and Cons of Dewalt DWA171460

Pros

  • Anti-stick coating
  • Durable and wear-resistant
  • Ensures impact resistance
  • Patented body slots reduce vibration
  • Optimized for corded and cordless saws

Cons

  • Teeth not positioned well
DEWALT Circular Saw Blade, 7 1/4 Inch, 60 Tooth, Wood Cutting (DWA171460)
  • Made from high-density tungsten Carbide for toughness, wear-resistance, and long life
  • Tough coat anti-stick coating reduces friction and gumming
  • Thin kerf design for smooth cuts

2. Irwin Tools Marathon

Irwin Tools Marathon

Next, I’ll be introducing you to the Marathon 7-1/4-inch 24T carbide blade from Irwin. It’s specifically designed to get framing, ripping, and deck jobs done smoothly within no time.

Product Highlights

The Irwin Tools Marathon Blade comes with construction-grade carbide teeth that are guaranteed to deliver a longer blade lifespan. Even the plate is fully hardened to run more accurately and longer, so you can rest assured of its long-term cutting performance.

Moreover, it comes with an innovative heat vent or expansion slot design to reduce vibration. This further adds to the durability of the blade and allows you to make straight and precise cuts. In fact, you’ll also be able to slice through materials with ease, thanks to its silicone coating.

It reduces pitch and resin build-up, making the cutting process smooth even while ripping through pressure-treated lumber. What’s more, each of its 24 carbide teeth is thin, featuring a kerf design. This helps ensure a faster and cleaner cutting action as less material gets removed.

What’s There To Like About It?

The best part about this durable 7-1/4-inch saw blade is that it’s built for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts like me. It ensures a clean and efficient cutting performance, while the carbide tips are impact-resistant for safe use.

What’s more, I loved the blade’s unique shoulder design as it put more support behind each of its teeth. This helped ensure consistent chip removal, and I didn’t face any hand fatigue.

What’s There Not To Like About It?

I didn’t come across any significant drawback related to this blade while using it for cutting wood. But it’s important to mention that it tends to heat up quite easily. So, it’s better to avoid using it for extended durations. Take breaks in between so that it doesn’t burn the material.

Pros and Cons of Irwin Tools Marathon

Pros

  • Expansion slot design
  • Doesn’t warp or dent with time
  • Faster and cleaner cutting action
  • Easy to use
  • Long-lasting

Cons

  • It tends to heat up
Sale
IRWIN Tools MARATHON Carbide Corded Circular Saw Blade, 7 1/4-inch, 24T (24030)
  • CSB MARATHON 7-1/4" 24T BULK DISPLY T
  • CSB MARATHON 7-1/4" 24T BULK DISPLY T
  • CSB MARATHON 7-1/4" 24T BULK DISPLY T

3. Freud D0740A

Freud D0740A

Now it’s time I reviewed the Freud D0740A - my go-to finishing blade for ripping and slicing through softwood, hardwood, plywood, and fascia wood. It ensures smooth and precise cuts with its laser-cut kerf design.

Product Highlights

The Freud D0740A is designed to make the process of cutting wood and other shelving materials quick, easy, and precise. It’s a finishing blade that offers a smoother edge than framing blades, making it the perfect choice for jobs that require ripping or for making finished crosscuts. 

Furthermore, it comes with thin 0.59-inch kerfs between each of its 40 ATB (alternate top-bevel) laser-cut teeth. This enables you to have more control over the blade’s position to provide ease of feed. As a result, it maximizes both the cutting accuracy and your work efficiency, allowing you to complete woodworking tasks in less time.

And adding to your smooth user-experience is Freud’s laser-cut stabilizer vents that reduce noise and vibrations during operation. It also reduces friction and the possibility of warping, which, in turn, helps in extending the blade’s cutting life.

What’s There To Like About It?

The Freud D0740A has been a great addition to my workshop as it’s designed to fit a variety of circular saws. I could use it even with my cordless saw to make razor-sharp cuts through wood while making a shelving unit for my toolshed. 

But that’s not even the best part; this blade’s hardy teeth are protected by Freud’s exclusive shock-resistant TiCo Hi-Density Carbide formula. This helps protect them from wear and tear, maintaining sharpness up to 4 times longer than standard carbide.

What’s There Not To Like About It?

There’s no doubt that this blade can efficiently help crosscut both plywood and hardwood. But its 40T variant is better at ripping through hardwood. You should probably invest in its 60T variant if you’re more focused on cutting ultra-thin plywood. I tried it and felt an improvement in the overall experience. However, for versatile use, the 40T blade is your best bet.

Pros and Cons of Freud D0740A

Pros

  • Maximizes cutting efficiency and accuracy
  • Laser-cut stabilizer vents
  • Durable and shock-resistant
  • Provides clean cuts with smoother edges

Cons

  • 60T variant is better for cutting plywood
Sale
Freud D0740A Diablo 7-1/4 40 Tooth ATB Finishing Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor, Diamond Knockout, and PermaShield Coating
  • Product Type:Saw Blade
  • Item Package Weight:0.181 Kilograms
  • Item Package Dimension:0.762 cm L X18.288 cm W X21.59 cm H

4. Makita B-61656

Makita B-61656

Moving on, the Makita B-61656 is a 24T carbide-tipped ultra-thin kerf framing blade that perfectly fits cordless circular saws. It’s designed to reduce the load put on the tool during use for a smooth and efficient cutting experience.

Product Highlights

I’ll begin by highlighting the ultra-thin kerf design (0.057 inches) of this 7-/1/4-inch 24T blade from Makita. It’s specifically engineered to provide a reduced swing width for smoother material removal with less cutting resistance. 

And thanks to its special ATAFR (alternate top alternate face with racer) carbide-tipped teeth, you can make fast and precise cuts. In fact, it’s one of the most optimal and efficient cutting solutions out there. It can deliver up to 70% more cuts per charge and 70% faster cutting compared to standard blades.

Coming to durability, you’ll be pleased to know that the blade comes with high-grade tungsten carbide tips angled at 23 degrees to enhance its lifespan. Additionally, it features a shock-resistant coating to reduce pitch build-up while cutting or ripping wood.

What’s There To Like About It?

If you ask my opinion, Makita offers the next generation of power tool accessories. And this circular saw blade from the brand proves my statement. It helped me cut through a variety of materials with utmost precision and ease. 

I don’t even have any complaints of hand fatigue as it’s designed with slimmer tip bottoms to lower cutting resistance. As a result, I could make faster, smoother, and more cuts to get my woodworking tasks done in no time.

What’s There Not To Like About It?

This saw blade from Makita is the perfect option for general construction applications. It helps ensure efficient ripping and crosscutting, but unfortunately, it binds quite easily during use due to kickback, so I’d suggest you be careful while cutting materials using this blade. Also, it’s only suitable for cordless circular saws and not corded models.

Pros and Cons of Makita B-61656

Pros

  • Efficient cutting performance
  • Ultra-thin kerf design
  • ATAFR carbide-tipped teeth
  • Reduces pitch build-up
  • Lower cutting resistance

Cons

  • Bends easily due to kickback
  • Not for corded circular saws
Sale
Makita B-61656 7-1/4" 24T Carbide-Tipped Max Efficiency Circular Saw Blade, Framing
  • Up to 70% more cuts per charge compared to standard blades
  • Up to 70% faster cutting compared to standard blades
  • Ultra-Thin 0.057" kerf reduces the load put on the tool

5. Overpeak Carbide Blade

Overpeak Carbide Blade

Before concluding this list, I’d like to highlight the features of this 60T carbide blade from Overpeak, a leading company that produces more than 10 million saw blades every year. So, let’s get right to it.

Product Highlights

The 4-sided grinded 60T blade from Overpeak is made using hard tungsten carbide and features a PermaShield coating. As a result, it slides through wood like butter to ensure fast and precise cuts, thereby improving work productivity. In fact, the cut it leaves is so smooth that you might think it has been sanded by a 600-grit sandpaper. 

You won’t even have to bother about chipping while cutting softwood as it can cut straight and realistically. So, you’re bound to enjoy a seamless woodworking experience with this premium-quality blade that has undergone strict quality checks.

What’s more, it’s one of the most durable options on the list as it comes with a cutting life five times longer than the others. Even after several cutting applications, it will not warp or become dull.

What’s There To Like About It?

A sharp and durable saw blade can definitely improve your work efficiency. And that’s something Overpeak helped me achieve. Its unique cemented carbide teeth can pierce wood like butter for a smooth and fast cutting experience.

I could cut a wide range of materials, including softwood, with precision. It left no cracks in the wood, and the edges of each cut piece looked as if someone had just polished them.

What’s There Not To Like About It?

The only aspect in which this saw blade needs improvement is versatility. I noticed that its arbor hole is a bit too small to fit all types of circular saws. You’ll need to make sure that your model is compatible with it. Otherwise, you might just end up wasting money.

Pros and Cons of Overpeak Carbide Blade

Pros

  • Provides straight and smooth cuts
  • Improves work productivity
  • Four laser-cut stabilizer vents
  • 5x longer cutting life

Cons

  • Small arbor hole

Buyers Guide

Now that you’ve gone through the reviews of my top 5 recommendations, it’s time for you to make a choice. But selecting the best saw blade from a handpicked list of excellent options isn’t that simple, right? 

That’s why I’ve gone ahead and created this buyer’s guide to help you a bit more in your selection process. Here I’ll be explaining the factors that should be considered while buying 7-1/4-inch circular saw blades. Keep reading to know more. 

1. Type

Note that circular saw blades are categorized into different types based on their number of teeth and the job that they do. So, it’s important to know all about the four different types of blades before making a purchase. This will help you determine which one is most suited for the task at hand.

a) Demo Blades

These blades come with only fourteen teeth; as such, they are capable of cutting faster than any other blade type. However, you’ll get rougher cuts. I’d suggest using demo blades for cutting thicker materials.

b) Framing Blades

Framing blades are the most common types of circular saw blades. They have twenty-four teeth and strike a decent balance between cutting efficiency and smoothness. The only downside is that they’re not ideal for making crosscuts.

c) Sheet Good Blades

Sheet good blades come with forty teeth, and they can cut through thin plywood with ease unless it is ultra-thin like veneered plywood. However, you’ll have to be ready to compromise on cutting efficiency. 

c) Finishing Blades

Keep in mind that finishing blades are not really ideal for making efficient cuts. They come with sixty or eighty teeth to help in woodworks that require a smooth finish. You can use them to rip through the grain of the wood, and leave cuts that don’t look rough.

2. Arbor Size

Make sure you check the arbor size of the blade to ensure that it’s compatible with your circular saw. You can easily get options with 5/8-inch and 7/8-inch arbor holes, depending on the model you have. Also, try to opt for a blade that easily fits both corded and cordless saws.

3. Durability

You obviously wouldn’t want a blade that will eventually become dull after just a few uses. That’s why it’s essential to check its build quality. Opt for a unit that’s made using high-density tungsten carbide for enhanced toughness. 

It should also be resistant to wear and come with a longer cutting life than standard blades. Remember, a durable blade will remain sharp for a long time, saving you from the hassle of getting it frequently replaced.

4. Stabilizer Vents

Check whether or not the blade you wish to buy comes with stabilizer vents. The slots on the blade’s surface help reduce vibrations and noise while cutting, making it safer to use. Moreover, they allow you to make quick, smooth, and precise cuts effortlessly.

You’ll also be pleased to know that these vents reduce friction along with the possibility of warping or bending while ripping through different types of shelving materials. This, in turn, improves the longevity of the circular saw blade.

5. Ultra-Thin Kerfs

Next, I’ll introduce you to the concept of kerf. It’s basically the thickness of the cut any saw blade is capable of making. This depends on several factors, including the blade’s width, set of teeth, the blade's stability, and the amount of material taken out from the side after the cut. 

Remember, an ultra-thin kerf blade with a slim and narrow base will reduce the load applied on the tool, reducing hand fatigue. It will also help you cut along straight lines to achieve clean and precise cuts with ease. That’s not all; it improves work productivity by enhancing cutting efficiency, allowing you to get the task done in no time. 

6. Blade Coating

Popular brands like Freud and Makita coat their circular saw blades in a special non-stick solution. This helps the blade slide through materials, including hardwood, plyboard, and laminate. It also reduces friction and binding, which thereby reduces kickback, preventing accidental injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here I’ll be addressing some of the frequently asked questions related to 7 1/4-inch circular saw blades. So, let’s get going.

1. What Is The Most Popular Circular Saw Blade Size?

The most commonly used circular saw blade size is 7-1/4 inches. It can cut through different types of wood in a single pass. On the other hand, 5-3/8-inch saw blades can cut through any 2-inch lumber in one pass at 90 degrees but require two passes at 45 degrees.

2. Which Circular Saw Blade Makes The Smoothest Cut?

Ideally, blades with densely-packed teeth make the smoothest cuts. However, they are limited when it comes to cutting hardwoods that are 1-1/2 inches thick. This is because these blades have too many teeth engaged in cutting, which leads to friction. And as a result, the small gullets of the closely-spaced teeth eject sawdust.

3. How Deep Can A 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw Cut?

Standard circular saws using 7-1/4-inch blades can handle cutting at a maximum depth of 2-1/2 inches.

4. Is More Teeth On The Circular Saw Blade Better?

The number of teeth on any saw blade helps determine its speed, type, and cut finish. Now, blades with a fewer number of teeth tend to make faster cuts, while those with more teeth help ensure a finer finish. And the gullets between the teeth remove chips from the material.

5. Who Makes The Best Circular Saw Blades?

Popular brands like Makita, Freud, Dewalt, Bosch, and Irwin, which are leading manufacturers of tools and accessories, make the best circular saw blades.

My Final Recommendation

With that, I’ve reached the end of my guide to the best 7 1/4 circular saw blades. So, now all that’s left for me to do is bid you adieu.

But before heading out, I’d like to help clear any doubts that you might have in regards to your purchase. For that, I’ll be highlighting my favorites in different categories.

The Dewalt DWA171460 is the best in terms of cutting performance, durability, and user feel. However, you may even consider the Irwin Tools Marathon Blade to make straight and clean cuts on lumber. 

That’s all from me for now. I’ll be back with more reviews on tools and equipment. Till then, take care and stay safe! 


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