The CMT 255.096.12 ITK Ultra Finish Saw Blade is a professional-grade 12 in. circular saw blade engineered for ultra-smooth crosscuts and rip cuts in hardwood, softwood, veneered wood, melamine, MDF, and paneling. Built around a 96-tooth Hi-ATB 30 deg. grind geometry and a -5 deg. negative hook angle, this blade delivers glass-smooth surfaces with minimal tearout on miter saws, slide miter saws, stationary table saws, and portable table saws. For woodworkers and finish carpenters who demand tear-free edges on delicate veneered panels and laminate materials, the CMT ITK Ultra Finish blade provides the precision tooth geometry and rigidly controlled plate tolerances to make every cut count.

Key Features

• 96-Tooth Hi-ATB 30 deg. Grind - the high alternate top bevel geometry shears wood fibers cleanly at each tooth, producing ultra-fine surface finishes on hardwood, softwood, melamine, and veneered panels with virtually no splintering or tearout.
• -5 deg. Negative Hook Angle - the negative cutting angle slows the blade's aggressive bite into the workpiece, reducing the risk of kickback and giving the user exceptional control during crosscuts on miter saws and table saws.
• Tri-Metal Silver-Copper-Silver Brazing - the special tri-metal brazing process bonds carbide teeth to the plate with superior resistance to high stress and impact, keeping teeth secure even when cutting harder woods and composite materials.
• Precision-Straightened Blade Body - special straightening processes achieve exceptionally reduced flatness tolerances across the blade plate, delivering maximum stability and consistent kerf width cut after cut.
• Full Blade Balancing - every blade is balanced to minimize vibration during operation, resulting in smoother cuts, reduced operator fatigue, and longer bearing life in the host machine.
• 0.102 in. Kerf with 0.071 in. Plate - the thin plate and moderate kerf combination reduces waste material and motor load, making the blade well suited for corded miter saws and table saws operating at up to 6,400 RPM.
• 1 in. Bore Diameter (25.4 mm) - the standard 1 in. bore fits the arbors of the widest range of 12 in. corded miter saws and table saws without adapters.
• Optimized for 10 in. and 12 in. Corded Saws - CMT specifically engineered this blade for high-performance corded machines, ensuring the tooth count, geometry, and plate stiffness work together for the power levels these saws deliver.

Why This Product

• Woodworkers cutting melamine, veneered plywood, or MDF need a blade that will not chip or fray delicate face veneers - the 96-tooth Hi-ATB 30 deg. grind on this blade is purpose-built for exactly those ultra-finish applications where surface quality is critical.
• The -5 deg. negative hook angle combined with the high tooth count makes this blade a natural fit for miter saw and slide miter saw crosscut work, where controlled, smooth entry into the cut prevents chip-out on the underside of trim and molding.
• Tri-metal brazing and full blade balancing mean the carbide teeth stay secure and the blade runs true even under the higher stresses of harder domestic hardwoods and dense composite panel materials, reducing the frequency of resharpening or tooth loss.
• With a maximum rated speed of 6,400 RPM and a plate designed to stay flat within exceptionally tight tolerances, this blade is built to maintain accuracy over a long service life on stationary table saws and portable job-site table saws alike.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 255.096.12
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Diameter: 12 in.
• Number of Teeth: 96
• Bore Diameter: 25.4 mm (1 in.)
• Tooth Grind: Hi-ATB 30
• Cutting Angle: -5 deg.
• Kerf Thickness: 0.102 in.
• Plate Thickness: 0.071 in.
• Maximum RPM: 6,400
• Carbide Grade: HW

Approved Applications

• Ultra Finish ITK Xtreme crosscuts and rip cuts in hardwood
• Softwood cutting on miter saws and table saws
• Veneered wood and veneered panel cuts requiring chip-free edges
• Melamine board and laminate panel cutting
• MDF cutting with minimal surface tearout
• Paneling cuts requiring ultra-smooth finished edges

Frequently Asked Questions

What machines is this blade compatible with?

This blade is designed for use on miter saws, slide miter saws, stationary table saws, and portable table saws. It is optimized specifically for 10 in. and 12 in. corded machines.

What is the maximum safe operating speed for this blade?

The maximum rated speed is 6,400 RPM. Always confirm your machine's no-load RPM does not exceed this rating before mounting the blade.

Why does this blade use a negative hook angle?

The -5 deg. negative hook angle reduces the aggressive bite of the blade into the workpiece during the cut. This helps prevent kickback and gives the operator greater control, which is especially valuable when crosscutting on a miter saw or slide miter saw.

What materials can this blade cut cleanly?

This blade is rated for hardwood, softwood, veneered wood, melamine, MDF, and paneling. The 96-tooth Hi-ATB 30 deg. grind is specifically suited to materials where surface finish quality and chip-free edges are essential.