Plywood and sheet goods are among the most common materials woodworkers cut, but they can be surprisingly hard on blades. The many layers of veneer, alternating grain directions, and potential glue lines mean a blade designed for solid lumber often produces tear‑out, splintering, and rough edges when cutting plywood. That’s why a **blade made specifically for plywood and sheet goods** can make a big difference — smoother cuts, fewer chips, less sanding, and cleaner work overall.
This guide walks through the best table saw blades you can buy for plywood, melamine, laminated boards, and other sheet materials. Every blade below is linked to Amazon with your affiliate ID (ff42‑20), so you can check current pricing, reviews, and sizes that match your saw — most commonly 10″ or 12″ diameters.
Why You Need a Special Blade for Plywood
Plywood isn’t like solid wood. It’s made of alternating layers of wood veneers glued together. When your blade cuts across the surface, those layers can cause tear‑out if the tooth pattern isn’t optimized. A blade with a higher tooth count, non‑skip tooth design, and anti‑chip geometry is ideal for plywood because it:
- Produces cleaner edges with minimal splintering.
- Reduces sanding and finishing work.
- Handles veneer and laminate without tearing up the surface.
- Runs cooler on sheet goods, prolonging blade life.
Blades that work well in plywood often have features like more teeth (higher TPI), special grind angles, and anti‑chip tooth groups that slice cleanly instead of tearing.
How to Choose the Right Blade for Plywood
Before you scroll the blade list, here’s how to pick one that suits your cuts:
- Tooth Count (TPI): Higher numbers like 60–80 teeth on a 10″ blade give smoother edges on plywood and laminates. Lower tooth counts are faster but rougher.
- Tooth Geometry: Anti‑chip tooth (ATB or combination with ATB) helps slice rather than rip layers.
- Kerf Width: Thin kerf blades require less power and produce less waste — nice on lightweight saws and thin plywood.
- Blade Coating: Some blades have protective coatings that resist pitch and resin build‑up, which is helpful with plywood glues.
- Brand & Build Quality: Premium carbide and ground teeth stay sharp longer and produce better finishes.
Best Table Saw Blades for Plywood
The following blades are grouped by use — from premium finish choices to value options and versatile multi‑purpose blades that also handle plywood well.
1. Freud LU83M010 Non‑Skip Tooth Blade — Premium Smooth Cuts
If you want one of the smoothest finishes you can get on plywood straight off the saw, the Freud LU83M010 is a standout. Its non‑skip tooth design means every tooth cuts wood fiber cleanly, reducing splintering and tear‑out on veneer faces.
- Best For: Plywood, melamine, veneered boards, laminate panels.
- Pros: Very smooth cut finish; less sanding required.
- Cons: Slightly slower than lower‑TPI blades due to tighter tooth spacing.
This blade excels when cutting thin plywood or high‑quality cabinet panels where surface quality matters most.
2. Diablo D1086X High‑Quality Plywood Blade — Great Balance
The Diablo D1086X is designed with a high tooth count and advanced steel body for vibration control. It’s a popular choice for plywood and other sheet goods because it gives clean edges and holds up well under frequent use.
- Best For: Plywood, MDF, melamine, laminated shelving.
- Pros: Smooth finish with minimal chipping; strong carbide teeth.
- Cons: Pricier than basic blades but worth it for finish quality.
Diablo blades are known for staying sharp and running cool, which helps when making repeated cuts in plywood stacks.
3. Makita A‑93685 Plywood & Sheet Goods Blade — Excellent Finish
Makita’s A‑93685 blade is engineered for plywood and other sheet materials. The high tooth count and design geometry help reduce tear‑out, and users often find the finish good enough that sanding is minimal.
- Best For: Shop environments with frequent plywood cuts.
- Pros: Great edge quality; pairs well with featherboards for even cleaner cuts.
- Cons: More focused on plywood than ripping solid wood.
If your work involves a lot of cabinetry parts, drawer bottoms, or laminated panels, this blade delivers predictable smoothness.
4. Forrest WW10507110 Woodsman Plywood Blade — Premium Performance
The Forrest Woodsman blade is often recommended by professional woodworkers for its exceptionally smooth finish on plywood and veneer work. Its tooth geometry and high‑quality carbide make it excellent for finish cuts.
- Best For: Fine cabinetry and high‑end woodworking.
- Pros: Extremely clean edges; takes roughness out of even cheap plywood.
- Cons: Premium price tag.
If you want finished edges with minimal sanding — especially on decorative plywood — this blade is worth the investment.
5. DEWALT DW3128P5 Fine‑Cut Saw Blade Pack — Value Set
The DEWALT DW3128P5 comes in a multi‑blade pack with a high tooth count option that’s great for plywood and other sheet goods. It’s a good choice if you want backups or multiple blades for different saws without spending too much.
- Best For: Woodworkers wanting good plywood performance at a value price.
- Pros: Multiple blades in one set; decent finish on plywood.
- Cons: Not as refined as premium premium‑grade blades.
This pack gives you flexibility and value if you make plywood cuts often and don’t want to rely on a single blade.
Blades That Work Well on Plywood & Other Sheet Materials
These blades are not strictly plywood‑only but work well on plywood as part of a general workshop blade lineup.
Freud D12100X Ripping Blade
The Freud D12100X is designed for ripping but its build quality and tooth geometry also make it capable of handling plywood cleanly when you need to rip sheet goods lengthwise. It won’t be as smooth as a dedicated plywood finish blade, but it’s a solid choice if you want one blade for ripping solid lumber and plywood with acceptable quality.
- Best For: Jobs that mix ripping and plywood trimming.
- Pros: Strong performance on plywood and solid wood alike.
- Cons: Bite is more aggressive; not as smooth as high‑TPI finish blades.
Diablo D1080X Combination Blade
Combination blades like the Diablo D1080X balance ripping and crosscutting performance. While not strictly a plywood blade, its design gives smooth edge quality on plywood and is a great everyday blade if you want versatility plus decent plywood performance without changing blades constantly.
- Best For: Mixed shop use where plywood is just one of many materials.
- Pros: Versatile and capable across tasks.
- Cons: Not as smooth as dedicated plywood finish blades.
Features to Look For in Plywood Blades
- High Tooth Count (TPI): Blades with 60–80 teeth cut plywood smoother than blades with fewer teeth.
- Anti‑Chip Tooth Geometry: Tooth shapes like ATB (Alternating Top Bevel) help slice veneer layers cleanly instead of tearing them out.
- Thin Kerf: Thin kerf blades remove less material, reduce load on the motor, and often leave cleaner edges.
- Carbide Quality: Good carbide stays sharp longer, especially when cutting plywood glues and compounds.
- Coating: Some blades have protective coatings to resist pitch and resin buildup, keeping cuts cleaner longer.
Tips for Cutting Plywood Cleanly
- Use a Zero‑Clearance Insert: This supports the plywood edges right up against the blade, minimizing tear‑out at the bottom of the cut.
- Slow, Steady Feed: Don’t rush plywood cuts — let the blade do the work at a consistent pace.
- Support the Material: Use outfeed support or rollers so the plywood doesn’t sag as you push through.
- Featherboards Help: Featherboards keep the board flat against the fence and table surface for cleaner cuts and safer operation.
Final Thoughts
For the cleanest edges on plywood and sheet goods, dedicated high‑TPI blades like the Freud LU83M010 or the Diablo D1086X deliver very smooth results with minimal sanding. Mid‑range options like the Makita A‑93685 give great performance at a shop‑friendly price, and bundles like the DEWALT DW3128P5 pack value and flexibility.
Matching blade choice to the finish quality you need — and pairing it with proper setup like a zero‑clearance insert — will make plywood cuts cleaner, faster, and more enjoyable. Browse the Amazon links above to find blades that fit your saw size and project demands.