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Do you keep seeing 6-1/2-Inch circular saw blades, but know nothing about them, other than size? Let’s clear things up.
Below, we’ll outline their best uses, along with the top-rated blades in this category.
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At a Glance: Our Top Picks for 6 1/2" Circular Saw Blades
- OUR TOP PICK: Makita B-57342
- RUNNER-UP: Norkse Tools NCSBP210
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: CMT P06036 ITK Plus
- BEST 6 1/2 DIAMOND CIRCULAR SAW BLADE: Norske Tools NCSBP281
- BEST 6 1/2 METAL CUTTING CIRCULAR SAW BLADE: Oshlun SBF-065048
Comparison of the Best 6-1/2 Inch Circular Saw Blades
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Best Budget Option  |
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| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
Pros and Cons of 6 ½ Circular Saw Blades
So, why choose a 6-1/2 vs 7 1/4 circular saw? Since we are talking about size, the advantages would relate to its ease of use. The disadvantages come down to its versatility.
Pros
Ideal For Lighter-Duty
This blade size can perfectly tackle all the light-duty chores you might need around your house and backyard. Especially if you’re just starting out, going for larger blades won’t make much sense to you. The 6-1/2-inch profile will serve you well.
Lightweight & Easy To Maneuver
Experienced users confirm it feels hugely different to handle a 7-1/4-inch or an 8-1/4-inch blade after working with a 6-1/2-inch model. Avoid unnecessary strains and use this smaller size however you need. Its profile can still tackle a wide range of chores.
Will Better Face Any Arbor Runouts
The size of the blade can impact the quality of your cuts once any runout occurs in the arbor of the saw. With a smaller blade like the 6-1/2-Inch model, the runout will be less pronounced.
Cons
Somewhat Limited Cutting Versatility
A 6-1/2-Inch blade facilitates slightly lower cut depths. You won’t be able to use it for making a 45-degree bevel cut, for instance. Still, for the majority of cutting chores with a circular saw, you won’t need that much versatility.
Review of the Best 6 ½ Inch Circular Saw Blades
Knowing the benefits of a 6-1/2-inch circular saw blade will only make you more curious about your options. To kill the suspense, here are the top products currently on the market.
Best Overall:
Makita B-57342
PROS
CONS
Our Review
This upgraded blade from Makita is a top choice for anyone interested in cutting wood, MDF, or laminate materials using a circular saw. Thanks to its new design with a narrow kerf, it can facilitate with up to 140% more cuts than the standard Makita blade for cordless circular saws.
With this blade, operators should enjoy minimum vibrations and quieter cutting. It is all possible thanks to the laser-cut slots and the high-grade carbide tips. With the latter, you're also getting increased durability. The blade is coated in fluorine and boasts a thin kerf, so it will catch fewer residues on the pitch.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
With less drag, more cuts per battery charge, and the quality that Makita is famous for, how could it not stand out? To top it off, this blade is fully hardened! Made of steel plates, expertly hand-tensioned, it basically screams for perfect, high-quality cuts.
Runner-up:
Norkse Tools NCSBP210
PROS
CONS
Our Review
Looking for a circular saw blade to cut steel and other metals with it? Consider this Norske model. Coming from an innovative manufacturer, this 6-1/2-inch blade with 48 teeth is quite versatile. From steel roofing to metal siding and many other activities in between, you'll find plenty of uses for it.
Dependable and designed for easy and safe operation, it's a very close competitor to our best overall selection. It comes with a 0o hook angle that facilitates lower overfeeding or jamming chances. And it cuts effectively, thanks to the modified triple chip grind and the C6 micro-grain carbide tips.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
As a 5/8 inch bore with diamond knockout circular saw blade, it does an excellent job at cutting through all kinds of steel pipes and studs. Built with lots of teeth and with a ripping profile – the triple chip grind modification – it kind of gives you the feeling that it chews steel.
Best for the Money:
CMT P06036 ITK Plus
PROS
CONS
Our Review:
Do you need smooth finish crosscuts on wood? Then you’re going to love this CMT blade. It easily cuts OSB sheets, plywood, and even wet lumber. The secret, of course, consists of its unique ground teeth. It also helps that it lacks the annoying pitch build-up and that it comes with a special shield coating against corrosion.
What you get is a 6-1/2-inch circular blade with 36 teeth and a 20o hook angle. The kerf thickness is 0.069, whereas the plate thickness is 0.039 inches and the overall design is a thin-kerf with industrial SinterHip Hi-Density carbide. It’s a mouthful, but it basically means long-lasting cutting performance.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
To put it simply, it’s a saw blade that reduces material waste, and that puts minimal strain on the saw. It provides industrial-quality performance cuts without breaking the bank. Plus, it is built to last, with a heavy-duty steel plate and high-density industrial carbide teeth.
Best 6 ½ Diamond Circular Saw Blade:
Norske Tools NCSBP281
PROS
CONS
Our Review
For HardiePlank and Cemplank cutting, this 6-1/2-inch circular saw blade from Norske is a winner. The 4 PCD teeth design is quite decent for handling a wide range of fiber cement products and the extra-large gullet design will not only facilitate material removal but also minimize dust.
The polycrystalline diamond carbide blade ensures both resistance and longevity. You can expect it to cut faster and with minimal vibrations, especially thanks to the anti-vibration and expansion slots from its design. All in all, it is a top-rated PCD circular saw blade that you wouldn’t want to miss.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
This is a really sturdy blade, made of a material of extreme hardness and with impressive abrasion-resistant qualities. It cuts with little vibrations and minimal dust. And chances are you will find it available for a very attractive price.
Best 6 ½ Metal Cutting Circular Saw Blade:
Oshlun SBF-065048
PROS
CONS
Our Review
Yet another option for metal cutting, the Oshlun circular saw blade cuts a lot more than mild steel. It’s a 6-1/2-inch 48 teeth blade with triple chip tooth grind and a 5/8-inch arbor, diamond knockout. You can use it with copper, aluminum, or brass. And you should expect nothing less than a smooth experience.
The cutting diameter is sized at 6.5 inches, and the circular blade weighs 9.6 ounces. Made of C-6 carbide, professional-grade, and titanium, it fits many corded or cordless saws with a maximum RPM of 4,6000. What’s more, it features laser-cut expansion slots that dampen vibration and facilitate thermal expansion or contraction.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
This blade isn’t made of sheer carbide, but rather a formulation of C-6 micro grain carbide and titanium. And so, it lasts longer and it cuts faster, while making as little sparks as possible. That is not to say you won’t have to use a face shield for your protection, but it is still a top-notch accessory. One you can use to cut through all kinds of metals.
Best DeWalt 6 ½ Circular Saw Blade:
DeWalt DWA161240
PROS
CONS
Our Review
This is the new DeWalt DWA161240 6-1/2-inch circular saw blade with 40 teeth. It weighs only 7.7 ounces and measures 7.78 x 0.4 x 8.34 inches. And it is optimized for both corded and cordless saws. Its longevity and value for the money are highly appreciated, though the design plays a major role in superior customer satisfaction.
More specifically, the blade is made of high-density tungsten carbide. On the outside, it features a tough anti-stick coating that significantly reduces friction. Plus, it comes with a reinforced shoulder that gives it a higher impact resistance. This will come in handy when cutting wood with nails trapped in it!
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
DeWalt’s newest DWA161240 6-1/2-inch circular saw blade comes with patented body slots that significantly reduce the vibration levels. Coupled with its thin kerf, it is guaranteed to provide you with an exceptional user experience. When it comes to framing and crosscutting, you’ll hardly find a better option.
In summary, here are the best 6-1/2 Inch Circular Saw Blades:
- Best Overall: Makita B-57342
- Runner-up: Norkse Tools NCSBP210
- Best for the Money: CMT P06036 ITK Plus
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
Going through the reviews of the best-rated models, you must have noticed how a few key aspects keep coming up. Whether you’ll go for one of these or you’ll pick a different model, you’ll want to consider the following details before you buy.
Corded or Cordless Compatibility
Some blades will only work with corded circular saws. Others are specifically designed for cordless models. The best ones should, of course, be compatible with any of these two models. And it is certainly a detail you want to take into account.
Slot Design
The shape and the position of a slot on the blade have certain effects. Like low-vib and noise for anti-vibration slots, or reduced noise and warping for expansion slots. Yet the most effective ones are the plugged expansion slots. They prevent warping, and they reduce vibrations and noise.
Carbide Tips
When the teeth of the circular saw blade end with carbide tips, you’re getting a lot more power and versatility from that blade. Carbide tips are, usually, application-specific. And you can expect them to be oversized to allow multiple sharpening through time.
Tooth Grinds
The main types of tooth grinds are Triple Chip Grind, Alternate Bevel Top, Flat Top Grind, High Alternative Top Bevel, and Alternate Bevel Top + Raker. The least prone to wear and the most effective for balanced cutting of solid surface materials is the Triple Chip Grind tooth style.
Benefits of Investing in a Quality 6-½ Inch Circular Saw Blade
Wondering how much is it worth paying for a 6-1/2-inch circular saw blade? Considering that you get what you pay for, the benefits of investing in a quality blade are hard to overlook. To name a few:
Superior Quality of Cuts
Before anything else, you should know that the quality of your cuts is significantly impacted by the quality of the saw blade you’re using. If it’s imperative that you get smooth, accurate cuts, you should settle for nothing less than a top-quality blade.
Less Strain On The Operator
Picking a blade with a poor tooth design for challenging cutting materials, you’re guaranteed to work super hard to get the work done. Triple-Chip designs, though a bit more expensive, are exponentially more effective for fast-cutting, and the least prone to wear.
Increased Durability
The slots also play a major role in preventing the warping and the premature wear of the blade. If a model with plugged expansion slots is out of your budget, consider those with standard expansion slots. They are still better than those with only anti-vibration slots.
Conclusion
A saw will only serve you as well as its blade will allow it. If you’re looking for 6-1/2-inch circular saw blades, pick a high-quality model to reap the maximum benefits. From Makita to DeWalt or Norkse, you do have plenty of options. And now, you also know what features make a world of difference. So, you have pretty much everything you need for a smart investment.