How to Change a Table Saw Blade

On this page (12 sections)

1. Unplug the saw and gather the right wrench
2. Remove the throat plate and guard as the manual shows
3. Lock the arbor and loosen the nut
4. Take off the old blade and clean the flanges
5. Fit the new blade with the arrow in the right direction
6. Tighten the nut and check the blade turns freely
7. Put the guard and throat plate back in place
8. Check the setup before the first cut
9. Blade-change mistakes to avoid
10. Blade changes and the rest of your setup
11. Which blades to compare before you change
12. Change the blade with the saw unplugged

Here's how to change a table saw blade: unplug the saw, use the wrench your manual names, fit the new blade with its arrow in the right direction, then tighten the nut and check the blade turns freely. The steps differ a little by model, so follow the manual for each one.

This guide explains how to change a table saw blade in order, and it sends you to the manual wherever the model matters. Take your time, and don't rush the nut or the guard.

Unplug the saw and gather the right wrench

Unplug the saw before you touch the blade or the arbor. Keep the plug in your sight until the blade is tight and the guard is back in place.

Gather the wrench the manual names for your model. Saws often come with a set of wrenches stored on the saw, so check there first.

Remove the throat plate and guard as the manual shows

Remove the throat plate and the blade guard only as far as the manual shows. Some saws release the guard with a lever or a knob, and others need a wrench.

Note where each part sat before you move it, so it goes back the same way. Keep the small parts together in a dish or tray.

Lock the arbor and loosen the nut

Many saws have an arbor lock or a way to hold the blade still while you loosen the nut. Use it only as the manual describes.

Loosen the nut by turning it in the direction the manual shows. Keep your hands clear of the blade's edge while you work.

Take off the old blade and clean the flanges

Lift the old blade off the arbor, along with any washers and flanges, and set them aside in the order you removed them. Wipe the flanges with a dry cloth so the new blade sits flat.

Check the blade's diameter and arbor size against the manual before you fit a new one. A blade outside the saw's listed range should not go on the saw.

Fit the new blade with the arrow in the right direction

Fit the new blade so the arrow on the blade matches the rotation arrow on the saw. On most table saws, the teeth at the top point toward the front of the saw.

Our table saw blade direction guide explains the arrow check in more detail.

Tighten the nut and check the blade turns freely

Fit the washers and the nut in the order the manual shows, then tighten the nut firmly without overtightening. Use the level the manual describes, and don't use a longer wrench to force it.

Turn the blade by hand before you plug the saw back in. It should turn freely, without rubbing on the throat plate or the guard.

Put the guard and throat plate back in place

Reinstall the throat plate and the blade guard the way they came off. Check that the riving knife is set as the manual describes, since it sits behind the blade.

Make sure every part locks in place before you run the saw. If a part doesn't sit right, take it off and check the manual's steps again.

Check the setup before the first cut

Check the blade height and the fence against the manual before you plug the saw back in. Make a test cut on scrap wood, and stand clear while the saw comes up to speed.

If the saw sounds different or the blade wobbles, turn it off, wait for the blade to stop, unplug it and check the arbor and nut again.

Blade-change mistakes to avoid

Most blade-change problems come from skipping a step, not from the wrench. Watch for these mistakes:

• Changing the blade with the saw still plugged in.
• Tightening the nut before the washers are in the order the manual shows.
• Fitting the blade with the arrow pointing the wrong way.
• Skipping the turn-by-hand check before the first cut.
• Using a blade that doesn't match the saw's diameter or arbor.

How to change a table saw blade in order

Work through the steps in the same order each time: unplug, remove the guard, loosen the nut, swap the blade, tighten, reassemble and check. A set order makes it harder to skip a step, and the manual sets the order your model needs.

Blade changes and the rest of your setup

A blade change is one part of the saw's setup, so keep the other parts in mind. Our how to use a table saw walkthrough covers the order for the whole setup, and our table saw kickback guide covers the guard and riving knife in more depth.

For a sled or a dado set, which need different blades and setup, see our table saw dado blade guide.

Which blades to compare before you change

Before you buy a new blade, compare the tooth count and the pattern for the cuts you make most. Our best table saw blades roundup compares five 10-inch blades by those numbers.

Check the arbor size and blade diameter on the blade's package against your saw's manual before you order.

Change the blade with the saw unplugged

Unplug the saw, use the wrench the manual names and fit the blade with its arrow in the right direction. Tighten the nut firmly and check the blade turns freely by hand.

Wear eye and ear protection when you test the saw, and keep your hands clear of the blade path.

Frequently asked questions

How do you change a table saw blade?

Unplug the saw, remove the throat plate and guard as the manual shows, and loosen the nut with the wrench it names. Fit the new blade with its arrow in the right direction, tighten the nut and check the blade turns freely before you plug the saw in.

What wrench do I need to change a table saw blade?

The manual names the wrench for your model. Some DeWalt saws use a metal N506977 wrench, and other brands use their own, so don't substitute one that doesn't fit the nut.

How tight should a table saw blade nut be?

Tighten the nut firmly, but don't overtighten it. Use the level the manual describes, and check that the blade sits flat and turns by hand before you start the saw.

Do I need to unplug the saw to change the blade?

Yes. Unplug the saw before you touch the blade, and keep it unplugged until the blade is tight, the guard is back in place and the blade turns freely by hand.