CMT 296.160.56H Non-Ferrous Metal and Melamine Saw Blade is a 160mm, 56-tooth circular saw blade engineered for clean, burr-free cuts in aluminum, copper, brass, hard plastics, and melamine-coated sheet goods. Built around a Triple Chip Grind (TCG) tooth geometry with a -6 deg. negative hook angle, this blade is purpose-built for demanding cutting tasks where surface quality and material control are critical. Compatible with miter saws, radial arm saws, table saws, and squaring machines, it brings industrial-grade performance to a compact 160x20mm format that fits Festool and other metric track saws.

Key Features

• Triple Chip Grind (TCG) Tooth Geometry - alternating flat and chamfered teeth shear through non-ferrous metals and laminated panels without grabbing, chipping, or leaving burrs, resulting in smooth, finished edges that require minimal cleanup.
• -6 deg. Negative Hook Angle - slows the tooth's engagement with the workpiece, preventing the blade from self-feeding or climbing, which improves operator control and reduces the risk of kickback in non-ferrous metal cutting applications.
• 56 Teeth - a high tooth count means more cutting edges contacting the material per rotation, delivering fine, precise results in dense aluminum profiles, brass stock, copper sheet, and melamine-faced board.
• 160mm Diameter with 20mm Bore - compact metric format compatible with metric track saws, miter saws, and table saws, making it a direct-fit blade for professional portable sawing setups.
• Pin Hole Configuration 2/6/32 - accommodates machines with pin-hole arbor flanges, ensuring secure blade seating and accurate, vibration-free rotation during the cut.
• 0.087 in. Kerf Thickness - a controlled kerf width minimizes material waste while maintaining enough blade body rigidity for consistent, straight cuts through thick non-ferrous stock.
• 0.063 in. Plate Thickness - a thinner plate reduces resistance through the cut, lowering heat buildup and extending blade life when cutting heat-sensitive materials like plastics and aluminum.
• HW (Carbide) Tooth Material - tungsten carbide tips maintain their edge longer than standard steel teeth, making the blade cost-effective for repeated industrial use on abrasive non-ferrous metals and laminates.

Why This Product

• The TCG tooth form paired with a -6 deg. negative hook angle makes this blade specifically designed for non-ferrous metals and melamine - materials that chip, grab, or delaminate when cut with standard wood-cutting blades.
• With 56 teeth packed into a 160mm diameter, this blade delivers a high tooth-per-inch ratio that produces finish-quality cuts in aluminum extrusions, copper sheet, and melamine panels directly from the saw - reducing or eliminating secondary finishing operations.
• The 160mm x 20mm metric format offers broad compatibility with compact and portable professional saws, including metric track saws and slide miter saws, without requiring adapters or specialized arbors.
• Carbide (HW) tooth construction means the cutting edges hold up through repeated passes in abrasive non-ferrous metals, delivering consistent performance over a longer service interval compared to bi-metal or standard steel alternatives.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 296.160.56H
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Diameter: 160mm
• Bore Diameter: 20mm
• Pin Hole: 2/6/32
• Number of Teeth: 56
• Tooth Grind: TCG (Triple Chip Grind)
• Cutting Angle: -6 deg. Negative
• Kerf Thickness: 0.087 in.
• Plate Thickness: 0.063 in.
• Tooth Material: HW (Tungsten Carbide)

Approved Applications

• Cutting aluminum extrusions, sheet, and profiles
• Cutting copper and brass stock
• Cutting hard plastics and composites
• Cutting melamine-coated panels and laminates
• Ripping and crosscutting on miter saws, radial arm saws, table saws, and squaring machines

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials is this saw blade designed to cut?

This blade is designed for cutting non-ferrous metals including aluminum, copper, and brass, as well as melamine-coated panels, hard plastics, and laminates. It is not intended for cutting ferrous metals such as steel or iron.

Why does this blade use a negative hook angle?

The -6 deg. negative hook angle reduces the tooth's tendency to bite aggressively into the material. This controlled engagement prevents the blade from self-feeding, minimizes grabbing, and improves safety and cut quality when working with non-ferrous metals and laminated materials.

What machines is the 160x20mm format compatible with?

The 160mm diameter and 20mm bore make this blade compatible with metric track saws, miter saws, slide miter saws, radial arm saws, table saws, and squaring machines that accept a 160mm blade with a 20mm arbor. The 2/6/32 pin hole configuration also supports machines with pin-hole arbor flanges.

What does TCG tooth geometry mean and why does it matter for melamine and metals?

TCG stands for Triple Chip Grind. The tooth pattern alternates between a flat-top tooth and a higher chamfered tooth. The chamfered tooth pre-scores the material edge while the flat tooth clears the chip, resulting in clean, splinter-free cuts on melamine surfaces and burr-free edges on non-ferrous metals - both of which are prone to chipping or tearing with standard ATB or rip geometry blades.