CMT ITK Non-Ferrous and Laminate Saw Blade - 12 in., 96 Tooth is a professional-grade TCG circular saw blade engineered for clean, burr-free cutting in aluminum, copper, brass, plastic, fiberglass, laminate flooring, and melamine. Designed for use in cordless, circular, and miter saws, this 12 in. blade delivers the precision and stability that demanding non-ferrous and composite material applications require. With a -6 deg. negative hook angle and 96 triple chip grind teeth, it controls material feed and prevents grabbing, making it a reliable choice for high-volume cutting of sheet goods and non-ferrous metals alike.

Key Features

• Triple Chip Grind (TCG) Tooth Geometry - alternating flat and chamfered teeth shear through non-ferrous metals, laminates, and composite materials cleanly without chipping edges or tearing surface finishes, so finished cuts require minimal cleanup.
• -6 deg. Negative Hook Angle - pulls the blade back into the cut rather than aggressively feeding forward, preventing climb-cutting and grabbing when working with aluminum sheet, plastic panels, and laminate flooring.
• 96 Teeth - a high tooth count produces fine, splinter-free crosscuts in melamine and laminate flooring, reducing the risk of tearout on face veneers and surface films.
• Tri-Metal Silver-Copper-Silver Brazing - a special tri-metal brazing process bonds carbide teeth to the blade body, allowing them to handle high stress and impact especially when cutting harder composite materials and non-ferrous alloys.
• Special Straightening Process for Blade Body Flatness - the blade body is processed to exceptionally reduced tolerances, and balancing is performed on every blade, delivering maximum stability and vibration-free performance at the saw.
• HW (Tungsten Carbide) Tooth Material - hardmetal carbide tips hold a sharp cutting edge longer when slicing abrasive materials like fiberglass and copper, extending blade service life between sharpenings.
• 25.4 mm (1 in.) Bore Diameter - standard arbor size fits cordless, circular, and miter saw spindles directly without adapters, saving setup time on the job.
• 0.102 in. Kerf / 0.071 in. Plate - the kerf-to-plate ratio minimizes waste and reduces load on the motor while maintaining a stable, guided cut through dense non-ferrous and laminated panels.

Why This Product

• The -6 deg. negative hook angle paired with 96 TCG teeth makes this blade specifically suited for non-ferrous metals and laminated sheet goods - materials that chip, grab, or tear with a standard wood-cutting blade - delivering controlled, professional results on every pass.
• The tri-metal silver-copper-silver brazing process is engineered to withstand the high stress and impact of cutting harder composite materials and non-ferrous alloys, providing a blade that holds up under repetitive production cutting conditions.
• Blade body flatness achieved through special straightening processes and balancing on every unit means less vibration at the saw, which translates directly into straighter cuts and less deviation over the full length of a sheet or workpiece.
• With a 6,400 RPM rating and compatibility with cordless, circular, and miter saws, this blade is versatile across multiple machine types - useful for shops and contractors who need one blade to move between different setups when working with aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, copper, brass, laminate flooring, and melamine.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 254.096.12
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Diameter: 12 in.
• Number of Teeth: 96
• Bore Diameter: 25.4 mm (1 in.)
• Tooth Grind Type: TCG (Triple Chip Grind)
• Kerf Thickness: 0.102 in.
• Plate Thickness: 0.071 in.
• Cutting Angle: -6 deg.
• Maximum RPM: 6,400
• Tooth Material: HW (Tungsten Carbide)

Approved Applications

• Aluminum cutting
• Copper and brass cutting
• Plastic and fiberglass cutting
• Laminate flooring cutting
• Melamine cutting
• Non-ferrous metal cutting
• Composite panel cutting

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of saws is this blade compatible with?

This blade is designed for use with cordless saws, circular saws, and miter saws. The 1 in. (25.4 mm) bore diameter fits standard arbor spindles on these machine types without requiring a reducer bushing.

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 and laminate cutting. A negative hook angle reduces the tendency of the blade to climb or grab the workpiece, which is especially important when cutting aluminum, brass, copper, and plastic panels. It provides a more controlled, safer cut compared to a positive hook angle.

What is TCG (Triple Chip Grind) and why does it matter for non-ferrous materials?

TCG stands for Triple Chip Grind. This tooth geometry alternates between a flat-top tooth and a chamfered (trapeze) tooth. The chamfered tooth scores and pre-breaks the material while the flat tooth clears the chip. This pattern is well suited for non-ferrous metals, laminates, and melamine because it shears material cleanly without edge chipping or tearout on face surfaces.

What is tri-metal brazing and how does it affect blade durability?

Tri-metal brazing uses a special silver-copper-silver layered brazing process to bond the carbide teeth to the blade body. This method allows the teeth to handle high stress and impact, particularly when cutting harder composite materials and non-ferrous alloys, providing a stronger and more resilient tooth bond compared to standard single-layer brazing.