CMT 225.696.12 Non-Ferrous Metal and Melamine Saw Blade by CMT is an industrial-grade 12 in. circular saw blade engineered for heavy-duty cutting of aluminum, brass, copper, PVC, and other non-ferrous metals. With 96 Triple Chip Grind teeth and a -6 deg. negative hook angle, this blade delivers smooth, controlled cuts through thick-walled extrusions and dense non-ferrous materials without material grab or dangerous kickback. Whether you are ripping aluminum profiles on a table saw or crosscutting copper stock on a miter saw, this blade is built to handle demanding production environments.

Key Features

• 96-Tooth Triple Chip Grind (TCG) Configuration - the high tooth count and alternating TCG geometry produce clean, burr-free cuts in non-ferrous metals and melamine, reducing the need for secondary finishing work.
• -6 deg. Negative Hook Angle - the negative cutting angle keeps material pushed down and controlled during cutting, preventing the blade from grabbing or self-feeding into the workpiece for safer heavy-duty operation.
• 12 in. Diameter with 25.4mm Bore - sized for compatibility with radial arm saws, miter saws, table saws, and special saws that accept a standard 1 in. arbor, giving you broad machine flexibility.
• 0.126 in. Kerf / 0.098 in. Plate Thickness - the combination of a thin plate and controlled kerf width minimizes material waste and reduces cutting resistance, making it efficient on both thin- and thick-walled extrusions.
• Rated to 6,400 RPM - the high maximum speed rating allows this blade to be used at the full operating speed of most professional-grade saws, maintaining cutting performance without compromising safety margins.
• Industrial Xtreme Non-Ferrous and PVC Blade Design - purpose-built for aluminum, brass, copper, PVC, and non-ferrous metals rather than being a general-purpose blade, meaning the geometry and tooth spec are fully optimized for these specific materials.
• Hardmetal (HW) Tooth Material - the carbide-tipped teeth are formulated to withstand the abrasive and heat-generating properties of non-ferrous metals, extending cutting life in continuous-production applications.

Why This Product

• Built for thick-walled extrusions where general blades fall short - the product data explicitly rates this blade as excellent on thick-walled extrusions and good on thin-walled extrusions, making it the right tool for aluminum framing, copper tubing, and structural non-ferrous profiles that would dull or deflect a standard wood-cutting blade.
• Negative hook angle eliminates the dangerous self-feeding problem - when cutting metals and hard plastics, blades with positive hook angles can grab aggressively and create dangerous kickback situations. The -6 deg. geometry keeps the cut controlled, which is critical in shop environments processing aluminum or PVC regularly.
• Fits the machines already in your shop - the 12 in. diameter and 25.4mm bore are compatible with radial arm saws, miter saws, table saws, and special saws, so you are not locked into a single machine type or required to purchase new equipment.
• 96 teeth mean fewer passes and cleaner results on melamine and non-ferrous metals - the high tooth count is especially valuable when cutting melamine panels or sheet goods alongside metal stock, delivering edge quality that reduces chipping and surface defects without a dedicated machine for each material.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 225.696.12
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Diameter: 12 in.
• Bore Diameter: 25.4mm
• Number of Teeth: 96
• Tooth Grind: TCG
• Cutting Angle: -6 deg.
• Teeth Thickness (Kerf): 0.126 in.
• Plate Thickness: 0.098 in.
• Maximum RPM: 6,400
• Tooth Material: HW

Approved Applications

• Heavy-duty cutting of thick-walled aluminum, brass, and copper extrusions
• Cutting thin-walled non-ferrous metal extrusions
• Crosscutting and ripping PVC
• Melamine panel cutting
• Use on radial arm saws
• Use on miter saws
• Use on table saws and special saws

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials can the CMT 225.696.12 blade cut?

This blade is designed to cut aluminum, brass, copper, PVC, and non-ferrous metals. It is also suitable for melamine. The product data notes it is excellent on thick-walled extrusions and good on thin-walled extrusions.

Why does this blade use a negative hook angle instead of a positive one?

The -6 deg. negative hook angle is intentional for non-ferrous metal and melamine cutting. A negative hook angle keeps the material pushed down against the table or fence during the cut, preventing the blade from self-feeding into the workpiece. This makes cutting metals and hard plastics significantly safer and more controlled compared to a positive hook angle blade.

What machines is this 12 in. blade compatible with?

According to the product data, the CMT 225.696.12 is compatible with radial arm saws, miter saws, table saws, and special saws. The bore diameter is 25.4mm (1 in.), so it fits any of those machines with a standard 1 in. arbor. The maximum rated speed is 6,400 RPM - always confirm your machine does not exceed this rating before use.

What does TCG tooth grind mean and why does it matter for non-ferrous metals?

TCG stands for Triple Chip Grind. This tooth geometry alternates between a flat-top tooth and a higher trapezoidal tooth. The trapezoidal tooth scores the center of the cut first, and the flat-top tooth cleans up the edges. This pattern is well-suited to hard, brittle, or chip-prone materials like aluminum, brass, copper, and melamine, producing a cleaner cut edge with less burring than a standard alternate-top-bevel grind.