The CMT 226.080.12 Metal and Steel Dry Cut Saw Blade is a 12-inch, 80-tooth industrial circular saw blade engineered for clean, burr-free cutting of metal and steel without coolant or cutting fluid. Designed for demanding job-site and shop applications, this dry-cut blade tackles channels, studs, angles, plates, pipes, and rods with precision - making it a go-to choice for electricians, ironworkers, and fabricators who need fast, accurate ferrous metal cuts on a circular saw, miter saw, or chop miter saw.

Key Features

• Flat with Alternate Chamfer (FWF) Tooth Grind at 8 deg. - this tooth geometry is specifically engineered to shear through metal and steel cleanly, producing burr-free results without the need for coolant, saving time on post-cut cleanup and deburring.
• 80 Teeth - the high tooth count delivers smooth, fine finishes on metal cuts, reducing edge roughness and minimizing rework when cutting structural steel components like studs, angles, and flat plates.
• 0 deg. Cutting (Hook) Angle - a neutral hook angle controls the blade's aggression during the cut, preventing the blade from grabbing or chattering on steel stock and producing a more controlled, safer cutting action.
• 0.087-inch Kerf Thickness with 0.071-inch Plate - the thin kerf design removes less material per pass, reducing friction and heat buildup during dry cutting, which extends blade life and keeps the workpiece cooler.
• Maximum 2,000 RPM Rating - the blade is rated for the lower RPM ranges typical of dedicated metal cutting saws and chop miter saws, ensuring safe, optimized performance on the machines it is designed for.
• 25.4mm Bore Diameter - the standard 1-inch bore fits directly onto circular saws, miter saws, and chop miter saws commonly used for steel cutting, with no adapter required for compatible arbors.
• HW (Hard Metal / Carbide) Tooth Material - carbide-tipped teeth maintain their cutting edge far longer than standard steel teeth when working through hard metals, reducing the frequency of blade changes on the job site.
• Industrial Dry Cutter Classification - built to the demands of industrial-grade dry cutting applications, this blade is appropriate for production environments and heavy-duty trade use where consistent performance and durability are required.

Why This Product

• No coolant required for metal cutting - this blade is purpose-built as a dry cutter, meaning you can cut steel channels, studs, pipes, and rods on a standard miter saw or chop saw without setting up a coolant system, making it practical for field work and job-site use.
• Versatile across structural steel profiles - the 80-tooth FWF grind handles a wide range of steel forms including angles, plates, pipes, and rods in a single blade, reducing the need to switch blades between different workpiece types.
• Designed for machines tradespeople already own - with a 12-inch diameter, 1-inch bore, and 2,000 RPM maximum rating, this blade is compatible with circular saws, miter saws, and chop miter saws already common on metal fabrication job sites, requiring no specialized equipment.
• Thin-kerf geometry reduces heat in dry-cut applications - the 0.087-inch kerf paired with the 0 deg. hook angle minimizes friction and heat during coolant-free steel cutting, which helps preserve both the blade and the workpiece edge quality over repeated cuts.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 226.080.12
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Blade Diameter: 12 in.
• Number of Teeth: 80
• Bore Diameter: 25.4mm
• Tooth Grind Type: Flat with Alternate Chamfer (FWF) - 8 deg.
• Cutting Angle: 0 deg.
• Kerf (Teeth) Thickness: 0.087 in.
• Plate Thickness: 0.071 in.
• Maximum RPM: 2,000
• Tooth Material: HW (Hard Metal Carbide)

Approved Applications

• Cutting metal channels and studs
• Cutting steel angles
• Cutting steel plates and flat bars
• Cutting pipes and rods
• Compatible machines: circular saw, miter saw, chop miter saw
• Industrial dry-cut ferrous metal cutting applications

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this blade cut metal without coolant or cutting fluid?

Yes. The CMT 226.080.12 is classified as an industrial dry cutter circular saw blade. Its FWF tooth geometry and thin-kerf design allow it to cut metal and steel - including channels, studs, angles, plates, pipes, and rods - without any coolant or cutting fluid required.

What machines is this blade compatible with?

This 12-inch blade is designed for use on circular saws, miter saws, and chop miter saws. It has a 25.4mm (1-inch) bore diameter and is rated for a maximum of 2,000 RPM, which corresponds to the operating speeds of dedicated metal-cutting miter and chop saws.

What does the FWF tooth grind mean, and why does it matter for metal cutting?

FWF stands for Flat with Alternate Chamfer, with an 8 deg. sharpening angle. This tooth geometry is engineered specifically for cutting metal and steel, producing clean, burr-free cuts. The 0 deg. cutting (hook) angle keeps the blade from grabbing the workpiece, resulting in a controlled, smooth cut through structural steel profiles.

What is the difference between the kerf thickness and the plate thickness on this blade?

The kerf thickness (0.087 in.) is the total width of material removed during the cut, determined by the carbide tooth tips. The plate thickness (0.071 in.) is the thickness of the steel blade body itself. The difference between these two measurements is what keeps the body of the blade clear of the cut, reducing friction and heat during dry metal cutting.