The CMT ITK Sliding Fine Finish Saw Blade - 14 in. x 1 in. Bore, 96-Tooth ATB is engineered for demanding crosscut applications where surface quality is the top priority. Designed for use on sliding compound miter saws and stationary or portable table saws, this 96-tooth alternate top bevel blade delivers exceptionally clean edges in hardwood, plywood, veneered wood, melamine, MDF, and molding. With a thin 0.110 in. kerf and a precision-ground ATB 15 deg. tooth geometry, this CMT fine finish blade minimizes material waste and produces glass-smooth cuts that require little to no sanding or secondary finishing.

Key Features

• 96-Tooth ATB 15 deg. Grind - the high tooth count combined with an alternate top bevel geometry at 15 deg. shears wood fibers cleanly on both the top and bottom face of the workpiece, dramatically reducing tearout on hardwood, melamine, and veneered panel cuts.
• 0.110 in. Kerf / 0.071 in. Plate Thickness - a thin kerf design removes less material per pass, reducing strain on the motor and generating less dust and waste during long production runs.
• 7 deg. Hook (Cutting) Angle - a positive but controlled hook angle keeps the blade feeding smoothly through dense hardwoods and composite materials while maintaining stability and preventing the blade from grabbing during sliding miter cuts.
• Tri-Metal Silver-Copper-Silver Brazing - the special tri-metal brazing process used to attach each carbide tooth handles high stress and impact, especially when cutting harder woods and composite material, extending overall blade life between sharpenings.
• Special Straightening Process for Blade Body Flatness - the blade plate undergoes a dedicated straightening process to achieve exceptionally reduced tolerances in flatness, which translates directly to consistent, vibration-free cuts and accurate dimensioning across long work sessions.
• Balancing on Every Blade - each saw blade is individually balanced to guarantee maximum stability at speed, reducing wobble and contributing to a smoother, safer cutting experience.
• HW (Hardmetal / Carbide) Tooth Material - tungsten carbide tipped teeth stay sharp longer than standard steel, making this blade a reliable choice for repetitive finish cuts in hardwood, MDF, and composite panel materials.
• 5,500 RPM Maximum Rating - rated to 5,500 RPM, this blade is matched to the operating speeds of 14 in. sliding compound miter saws and heavy-duty table saws used in professional shop and jobsite environments.
• 1 in. (25.4 mm) Bore Diameter - the standard 1 in. arbor bore fits the most common 14 in. sliding miter saw and table saw spindle sizes, making installation and blade changes straightforward.

Why This Product

• Woodworkers and finish carpenters who need chip-free results on melamine, veneered panels, and hardwood trim will find the 96-tooth ATB geometry purpose-built for that outcome - fewer passes to a finished surface means faster project completion.
• The ITK Xtreme series is specifically optimized for sliding compound miter saws, where the extended travel of the saw head places extra lateral stress on the blade - the special straightening and individual balancing processes directly address this demand.
• Tri-metal carbide brazing makes this blade a durable investment for shops that regularly cut harder composite materials and dense hardwoods, where cheaper blades lose tooth integrity quickly under repeated impact loads.
• With a 0.071 in. plate and 0.110 in. kerf, this blade is well suited for production environments where reducing dust output, motor load, and material waste across dozens of daily cuts adds up to measurable efficiency gains.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 253.096.14
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Diameter: 14 in.
• Bore Diameter: 25.4 mm (1 in.)
• Number of Teeth: 96
• Tooth Grind: ATB 15
• Kerf Thickness: 0.110 in.
• Plate Thickness: 0.071 in.
• Hook (Cutting) Angle: 7 deg.
• Maximum RPM: 5,500
• Tooth Material: HW (Hardmetal Carbide)

Approved Applications

• Fine finish compound sliding cuts
• Crosscuts in hardwood
• Plywood and veneered wood panel cuts
• Melamine cutting
• MDF cutting
• Molding cuts

Frequently Asked Questions

What machines is this 14 in. CMT ITK blade compatible with?

This blade is designed for miter saws, sliding compound miter saws, stationary table saws, and portable table saws. It features a 1 in. (25.4 mm) bore diameter and is rated to 5,500 RPM to match the operating requirements of 14 in. sliding miter and table saw platforms.

Why does this blade use an ATB 15 deg. tooth grind instead of a flat-top or TCG grind?

The alternate top bevel (ATB) grind at 15 deg. is optimized for fine finish crosscutting. The angled tooth tips score both faces of the material as they enter and exit the cut, which dramatically reduces chip-out and tearout on sensitive surfaces like melamine, veneered wood, and hardwood - making it the right geometry when surface quality is the primary goal.

What does tri-metal brazing mean and why does it matter for carbide tooth retention?

Tri-metal brazing uses a special Silver-Copper-Silver layered bonding process to attach the carbide teeth to the blade body. This method allows the teeth to handle high stress and impact - especially when cutting harder woods and composite material - resulting in longer tooth life and a reduced risk of tooth separation under demanding cutting conditions.

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

The kerf thickness (0.110 in.) is the width of the slot the blade cuts through the material - determined by the width of the carbide teeth. The plate thickness (0.071 in.) is the thickness of the steel body of the blade itself. The difference between these two dimensions provides the side clearance that prevents the plate from rubbing against the cut walls, reducing friction and heat during use.