Blades & Discs Guide: Saw Blades, Cutting Discs, Grinding Discs & Diamond Blades

Blades and discs determine cutting and grinding performance as much as the tools powering them. At Rock Bottom Northampton, we stock over 1,800 blades and discs from leading manufacturers including Faithfull, DeWALT, IRWIN, Draper, and LENOX. Based in Northampton NN4 7BF, we supply professional tradespeople with comprehensive cutting and grinding accessories for all materials and applications.

This guide examines blade types, disc specifications, and selection criteria ensuring optimal cutting performance. With Faithfull providing 390 blades and discs, DeWALT offering 321 cutting accessories, and IRWIN contributing 169 professional blades, you'll find the right cutting solution for any application.

Circular Saw Blades

Circular saw blades cut wood, metal, plastics, and composites, with blade selection critically affecting cutting speed, finish quality, and blade longevity.

TCT Circular Saw Blades

Tungsten carbide tipped (TCT) blades maintain sharpness far longer than standard steel blades, justifying higher initial costs through extended life and superior cutting performance. Carbide tips resist heat and abrasion that would rapidly dull steel blades. Professional tradespeople overwhelmingly choose TCT blades for their durability and consistent cutting quality.

Tooth count dramatically affects cutting characteristics. Blades with 24-40 teeth cut quickly but roughly, suitable for structural work, rough carpentry, and applications where speed matters more than finish. Blades with 60-80+ teeth deliver smooth finishes for visible edges, fine joinery, and applications where surface quality matters. Medium tooth counts (40-60) balance speed and finish for general purpose work.

Tooth Configuration and Geometry

Alternate top bevel (ATB) teeth feature angled tips that slice cleanly across wood grain, ideal for crosscutting and general purpose use. Triple chip grind (TCG) teeth combine flat-top and chamfered teeth handling abrasive materials like chipboard, MDF, and plastics without rapid dulling. Flat top grind (FTG) teeth rip efficiently along grain, removing material quickly when dimensioning timber.

Hook angle affects cutting aggression—positive hooks pull aggressively into material cutting fast, negative hooks cut more controllably preventing grabbing in tricky materials. Expansion slots reduce heat distortion maintaining blade flatness during sustained cutting.

Blade Diameter and Bore Size

Blade diameter must match saw specifications. Common sizes include 165mm for compact saws, 190mm for standard circular saws, and 216-250mm for sliding mitre saws. Oversized blades create safety hazards and may not fit guards. Undersized blades reduce cutting depth and may run at incorrect speeds damaging blades or creating poor cuts.

Bore size (arbor diameter) must match saw spindles. Common bores include 16mm, 20mm, and 30mm depending on saw type and power rating. Reduction rings allow using larger bore blades on smaller arbors though not all combinations work safely—verify compatibility before use.

Reciprocating Saw Blades

Reciprocating saw blade selection determines what materials can be cut and how quickly work proceeds.

Wood Cutting Blades

Aggressive teeth cut quickly through construction lumber, dimensional timber, and demolition work. Coarse tooth patterns (6-10 TPI) remove material rapidly. Finer teeth (10-14 TPI) provide smoother cuts in finished lumber or when cutting near materials requiring protection. Nail-embedded wood blades resist damage when cutting through fastener-contaminated materials during demolition.

Metal Cutting Blades

Fine teeth control cutting in steel, aluminum, and other metals. Bi-metal construction combines flexible spring steel bodies with high-speed steel teeth, resisting breakage while maintaining sharp cutting edges. TPI ranges from 14-24 depending on material thickness—thicker materials need coarser teeth preventing tooth stripping, thin materials require fine teeth ensuring multiple teeth contact material simultaneously.

Specialist Reciprocating Blades

Carbide-grit blades tackle masonry, tile, and other abrasive materials. Rather than teeth, abrasive particles bonded to blade edges grind through hard materials. Flush-cutting blades eliminate offset between blade and saw housing, cutting right up to perpendicular surfaces. LENOX contributes 82 professional reciprocating blades to our range covering all cutting applications.

Jigsaw Blades

Jigsaw blade selection affects cutting speed, finish quality, and blade longevity across varied materials.

Wood Jigsaw Blades

High-speed steel blades suit general wood cutting. Carbon steel blades cost less for light-duty work. Progressive tooth patterns combine coarse and fine teeth reducing vibration and improving finish. Down-cut teeth minimize surface splintering on visible faces. Fast-cut blades use aggressive teeth trading finish quality for cutting speed in rough work.

Metal and Plastic Blades

Bi-metal blades with fine teeth handle ferrous and non-ferrous metals. TPI around 20-24 suits most metal cutting. Slower speeds prevent overheating and tooth dulling. Special blades for plastics, laminates, and composites feature tooth designs preventing melting and chipping in synthetic materials.

Angle Grinder Discs

Angle grinders accept various disc types transforming single tools into versatile cutting and surface preparation equipment.

Cutting Discs

Thin cutting discs slice through steel, stainless steel, and other metals quickly with minimal material removal. Thickness affects cutting speed and disc life—thinner discs (1mm) cut fastest but wear quickly and break easily, thicker discs (3mm) last longer but cut slower and remove more material. Reinforced discs include fiberglass mesh improving strength.

Metal cutting discs use aluminum oxide abrasive. Stainless steel requires dedicated discs preventing contamination causing rust. Stone and masonry discs incorporate different abrasives suited to non-ferrous materials. Never use metal-cutting discs on masonry or vice versa—abrasive types differ and incorrect usage causes disc failure.

Grinding Discs

Grinding discs remove material from surfaces, shape metal, and prepare surfaces for welding or finishing. Depressed center designs allow grinding at angles. Various grit grades from coarse (24-36) for rapid material removal through medium (60-80) for general grinding to fine (120+) for finishing work.

Durable grinding discs maintain profiles longer through harder bonding agents. Softer bonds release abrasive particles more readily, staying sharp but wearing faster. Material being ground affects disc selection—ferrous metals need different specifications than aluminum or stainless steel.

Flap Discs

Flap discs combine cutting and finishing operations using overlapping abrasive flaps. They remove material slower than grinding discs but deliver better finishes, eliminating separate grinding and sanding steps. Zirconia flaps last longer and cut faster than aluminum oxide in steel grinding. Ceramic flaps handle stainless steel without loading.

Wire Wheels and Brushes

Wire wheels remove rust, paint, and coatings from metal surfaces. Crimped wire provides flexible brushing action, twisted wire increases aggression. Cup brushes suit flat surfaces, wheel brushes handle edges and profiles. Brass wire prevents ferrous contamination on stainless steel and aluminum. Steel wire tackles heavy rust and scale on ferrous metals.

Diamond Cutting Discs

Diamond discs cut masonry, tile, stone, and concrete through industrial diamond particles bonded to disc edges or surfaces.

Segmented Diamond Discs

Gaps between cutting segments allow cooling and debris clearance. These discs cut fastest but leave rougher edges. Suitable for construction cutting, brick cutting, and applications where edge quality doesn't matter. Wet cutting or periodic blade cooling prevents overheating extending blade life.

Continuous Rim Diamond Discs

Continuous rims deliver smoother cuts in tile and stone where visible edges require quality finishes. They cut slower than segmented designs but produce chip-free edges. Water cooling proves essential preventing rim damage from heat—most tile saws include water systems specifically for continuous rim blades.

Turbo Diamond Discs

Turbo segments compromise between segmented and continuous designs, cutting faster than continuous rims while delivering better finish than standard segments. Serrated rim patterns improve cutting speed and cooling. Versatile discs suitable for both construction cutting and finished work.

Specialized Cutting Accessories

Multi-Tool Blades

Oscillating multi-tools use various blade types for cutting, scraping, and grinding. Wood blades for cutting architrave and skirting boards. Metal blades tackle nails and pipes. Carbide-grit blades cut tile and grout. Scraper blades remove adhesive and old finishes. Blade mounting systems vary between brands—verify compatibility when purchasing.

Abrasive Cutting Wheels

Abrasive cut-off wheels mounted in chop saws handle heavy metal cutting in workshops. Reinforced construction withstands high speeds and forces. Proper guard use and PPE prove essential—wheel failures cause serious injuries. Replace worn wheels before reaching minimum diameter markings.

Blade and Disc Safety

Cutting accessories operate at high speeds creating serious injury risks if misused or improperly maintained. Always wear safety glasses protecting against flying particles and disc fragments. Face shields provide additional protection for heavy grinding or cutting operations.

Inspect blades and discs before use checking for cracks, missing teeth, or damage. Damaged blades can fragment catastrophically during operation. Never exceed rated speeds marked on discs—overspeeding causes disc failure. Ensure blade guards function correctly and remain in place—removing guards creates extreme danger.

Mount blades correctly ensuring arbors fully engage and locking nuts tighten securely. Use appropriate blades for materials being cut—incorrect blade selection causes poor performance or dangerous conditions. Allow blades to reach full speed before contacting material and never force cutting—let blades cut at their designed pace.

Maximizing Blade and Disc Life

Quality blades and discs represent investments warranting proper care maximizing their working life. Clean blades after use removing resin buildup that reduces cutting efficiency. Purpose-made blade cleaners dissolve accumulated pitch and resin restoring cutting performance.

Store blades carefully preventing damage to cutting edges. Blade cases or wall-mounted racks keep blades organized and protected. Avoid dropping blades onto hard surfaces—impacts can crack carbide tips or create undetectable damage causing later failures.

Proper cutting technique extends blade life. Avoid binding by supporting materials correctly. Cutting too slowly allows heat buildup dulling blades prematurely. Excessive feed pressure overloads blades causing tooth damage. Let blades cut at their designed speed with appropriate feed rates matching material and blade type.

Why Buy Blades & Discs from Rock Bottom Northampton

We stock over 1,800 blades and discs from leading manufacturers including Faithfull (390 products), DeWALT (321 cutting accessories), IRWIN (169 professional blades), Draper (120 items), and LENOX (82 specialist blades). This comprehensive range covers all cutting and grinding requirements for professional trades.

Our competitive pricing makes quality cutting accessories accessible without compromising performance or safety. Trade professionals benefit from bulk purchase options on consumable items. Free click and collect service provides immediate availability when projects cannot wait for blade delivery.

Expert advice helps you select appropriate blades and discs for specific materials and applications. Our staff understand cutting accessory specifications and can recommend suitable products ensuring successful cutting operations.

Shop Blades & Discs at Rock Bottom Northampton

Visit our Queensbridge showroom in Northampton NN4 7BF to see our blade and disc range and discuss your requirements with knowledgeable staff. We can advise on blade selection and specifications appropriate for your specific cutting applications.

For contractors requiring regular blade and disc supplies, contact us about trade pricing and account options. We supply cutting accessories to professionals across Northampton and surrounding areas.

Contact Rock Bottom Northampton

Rock Bottom Northampton Ltd
Artisans' House
7 Queensbridge
Northampton
NN4 7BF

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Sunday & Bank Holidays: Closed

Phone: 01604 720272
Email: sales@rockbottomnorthampton.co.uk
Web: www.rockbottomnorthampton.co.uk

From circular saw blades to diamond cutting discs, Rock Bottom Northampton provides the cutting accessories that deliver professional results. Quality blades and discs at competitive prices, with expert advice ensuring optimal cutting performance.