This tip is by Jodee at Inspire Woodcraft. Known for clear, no-nonsense woodworking advice, Jodee breaks down how blade height affects cut quality and what to consider for different materials and techniques.
Whether you’re a beginner or experienced woodworker, understanding how blade height changes the way your saw cuts can lead to cleaner edges, fewer mistakes, and a more enjoyable workflow.
Watch the full video and subscribe to Jodee’s channel:
Start with the Gullet: The General Rule of Thumb
A good starting point for most cuts is to set the blade so that the bottom of the gullet—the curved space between teeth—lines up with the top surface of your workpiece. This setup allows the blade teeth to enter and exit the wood at a clean angle.
When the teeth shear into the wood at an angle rather than scraping it directly, you get smoother cuts with less tear-out on the top face. This works across all common blade types: rip blades, crosscut blades, and general-purpose combination blades.
What Happens If the Blade Is Too Low?
Some woodworkers set the blade just barely above the surface of the board, believing it’s safer or more controlled. But with the teeth entering the material almost vertically, this causes more scraping than shearing.
The result? Chipped top edges and a rougher cut, especially if the blade is dull or the grain direction isn’t favorable. While the bottom of the cut may still look okay, the top will often suffer.
What Happens If the Blade Is Too High?
Raising the blade well above the board changes the angle of contact in the opposite direction. It allows the teeth to dive straight down, shearing the top edge very cleanly.
However, the trade-off is a much rougher bottom face. As the teeth exit the wood, there’s more risk of splintering or tear-out, especially if the board isn’t well supported.
Why the Gullet Rule Works Best
Setting the blade so the gullet is just above the workpiece creates a healthy balance. The teeth engage the wood at favorable angles from both top and bottom, reducing chipping and leaving smoother edges overall.
It’s not about finding a universal height—it’s about understanding how the blade contacts the material and adjusting as needed.
When You Should Break the Rule
There are a few situations where raising or lowering the blade beyond the standard gullet guideline makes sense.
1. Cutting Furniture-Grade Material
When working with boards that have already been planed and jointed, grain direction becomes more important. If the grain runs toward the blade, flipping the board so the grain runs away can minimize tear-out—without changing blade height.
2. Preserving a Rough or Reclaimed Surface
Sometimes you want to keep a weathered or live-edge surface intact. In these cases, raising the blade helps shear the edge cleanly, even if the board can’t be flipped due to surface irregularities.
3. Making Non-Through Cuts
For dados or other partial-depth cuts, raising the blade gives you straighter vertical sides and allows you to cut close to layout lines. This reduces the need for extra cleanup work.
4. Cutting Thin, Flexible Stock
Thin plywood or acrylic can flex or chatter during cuts. Raising the blade slightly changes the airflow and cutting dynamics, helping stabilize the material. It’s especially helpful when dealing with large sheets.
Don’t Forget Blade Quality
Blade height isn’t the only factor. The type and condition of the blade itself also affect cut quality. Sharp teeth, the right hook angle, and proper tooth geometry for your material all play a role.
Jodee points out that even with a budget blade, you can see big improvements in cut quality by dialing in the blade height properly. A zero-clearance insert can also reduce tear-out by supporting the wood fibers right up to the cut line.
Summary: Better Cuts Start with Better Blade Height
The takeaway from Jodee’s video is simple: understand how the blade enters and exits the wood. Start with the gullet aligned to the top of the material, then make thoughtful adjustments depending on your cut.
Avoid setting the blade too low, which leads to scraping. Be cautious when setting it too high, as it can cause tear-out underneath. Find the balance that works for your material, blade type, and project needs.
Support Jodee by visiting his online store here: https://inspirewoodcraft.com/collections/all.