CMT Ultra Finish Plywood and Melamine Saw Blade - 12" x 1" T96 Hi-ATB is a professional-grade circular saw blade from CMT, precision-engineered for ultra-clean crosscuts through 2-sided laminated panels, veneered plywood, melamine, and chipboard - without requiring a scoring blade. With 96 Hi-ATB teeth and a high alternate top bevel grind of 38 deg., this blade delivers mirror-quality cut surfaces on even the most demanding laminate and composite sheet goods. Built with premium laser-cut harmonic steel and protected by CMT's signature Orange Shield non-stick PTFE coating, it is purpose-built for professional woodworkers, cabinetmakers, and millwork shops who depend on consistent, splinter-free results across high-volume daily use.

Key Features

• 96-Tooth Hi-ATB Configuration (38 deg. grind) - the high alternate top bevel tooth geometry produces exceptionally fine, chip-free cut edges on melamine, laminates, and veneered panels, eliminating the need for a scoring blade on double-sided laminated material.
• Orange Shield Non-Stick PTFE Coating - protects the blade body against corrosion, rust, and resin build-up, reducing friction and blade drag during cuts so the blade runs cooler and lasts longer through extended use.
• 2 deg. Hook Angle - the shallow cutting angle controls the feed rate and reduces the tendency to grab or self-feed, improving operator control and cut quality on fragile laminated surfaces.
• Kerf Thickness of 0.126" with a Plate Thickness of 0.087" - the wide kerf-to-plate ratio provides blade stability and reduces flex during long rip and crosscut passes, contributing to straight, accurate cuts with minimal vibration.
• 1" Bore Diameter (25.4mm) - fits the standard 1" arbor found on most stationary table saws, miter saws, radial arm saws, and circular saws, making it broadly compatible with professional shop equipment.
• Maximum 6,400 RPM Rating - rated for high-speed operation on powerful cabinet saws and sliding compound miter saws, ensuring the blade performs safely and efficiently at the speeds these machines deliver.
• Precision Mirror-Finish Sharpening - every tooth is ground to a mirror finish for reduced heat build-up, cleaner surface contact, and a longer interval between resharpenings.
• Laser-Cut Harmonic Steel Body - provides consistent blade tension, dampens vibration during cutting, and maintains dimensional stability under repeated thermal cycling in production environments.

Why This Product

• Eliminates the need for a scoring blade on laminated panels - the 96-tooth Hi-ATB geometry at 38 deg. produces clean, chip-free cuts on both faces of 2-sided melamine and laminated chipboard in a single pass, saving setup time and reducing machine complexity.
• Versatile across multiple machine types and materials - compatible with radial arm saws, miter saws, circular saws, table saws, and special saws, and capable of cutting solid wood, moldings, veneered plywood, melamine, laminates, and chipboard, making it a single blade solution for a wide range of shop tasks.
• Built for sustained production use - the Orange Shield PTFE coating, harmonic steel body, and precision tooth sharpening work together to extend service life and maintain cut quality over heavy daily use, reducing downtime and resharpening frequency.
• High-RPM rated for demanding equipment - with a 6,400 RPM maximum rating, this blade is suited for high-powered stationary and sliding saws used in professional cabinetry and millwork production environments.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 210.096.12
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Diameter: 12"
• Number of Teeth: 96
• Bore Diameter: 25.4mm (1")
• Tooth Grind Type: Hi-ATB 38 deg.
• Kerf Thickness: 0.126"
• Plate Thickness: 0.087"
• Hook Angle: 2 deg.
• Maximum RPM: 6,400
• Blade Material: HW (Hardmetal / Carbide-Tipped)
• Coating: Orange Shield Non-Stick PTFE Coating

Approved Applications

• Crosscuts in solid wood and moldings
• Cutting 2-sided laminated panels without a scoring blade
• Cutting melamine and laminate sheet goods
• Cutting veneered plywood and chipboard
• Fine finish work on laminated cabinet components and millwork

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this blade require a scoring blade when cutting double-sided melamine panels?

No. The 96-tooth Hi-ATB geometry with a 38 deg. grind is specifically designed to produce clean, chip-free cuts on 2-sided laminated panels in a single pass, eliminating the need for a scoring blade during crosscut operations.

What machines is this blade compatible with?

This blade is compatible with radial arm saws, miter saws, circular saws, table saws, and special saws that accept a 12" blade with a 1" (25.4mm) bore arbor and operate within the 6,400 RPM maximum rating.

What materials can this blade cut?

This blade is designed to cut solid wood, moldings, melamine, laminates, veneered plywood, and chipboard. It is optimized for achieving ultra-fine finish results on laminated and composite panel materials.

What does the Orange Shield PTFE coating do for the blade?

The Orange Shield non-stick PTFE coating protects the blade body against corrosion, rust, and resin build-up. It also reduces friction and heat generation during cutting, which helps extend the blade's working life and maintain consistent cut quality over time.