Milwaukee Tool has added a 6-1/2 inch size to its NITRUS Carbide framing and demolition circular saw blade line. The company positions the 24 tooth blade as a single blade for carpenters and remodelers who move between tearing out old material and making clean cuts in new wood. Milwaukee’s pages do not show a publication date or a shipping date, so check a retailer before planning a purchase.

What Milwaukee lists

According to the Milwaukee product page, the catalog number for a single blade is 48-40-0650. A 2-pack is 48-40-0652 and a bulk 10 pack is 48-41-0650. The press release gives these specs:

  • Diameter: 6-1/2 inch, carbide tipped, 24 teeth
  • Maximum speed: 10,000 RPM
  • Plate thickness: 0.04 inch, listed as a thin kerf blade
  • Hook angle: 18 degrees
  • Arbor: 5/8 inch with a diamond knockout (product page)

The product page says the blade suits softwoods, hardwoods, plywood, OSB, LVL, PSL, LSL and OSL, as well as wood with nails or screws, shingles, and wet or treated lumber. It is listed for both corded and cordless circular saws. A 7-1/4 inch version also appears on Milwaukee’s site.

The durability claims

Milwaukee says the welded carbide teeth stay sharp across many materials and that the blade is equipped to handle more than 400 nails, more than 50 screws and more than 120 feet of shingles. It also describes cool-cutting diamond vents that reduce heat buildup and help keep cuts straighter, and it markets the blade as the fastest cutting and longest lasting in its class. These are the maker’s own claims. The product page includes a promotional comparison against a competing blade, but we have not seen independent test results, so treat the figures as a starting point rather than a verdict.

Price and availability

Milwaukee lists USD prices of $24.97 for one blade and $49.97 for the 2-pack. The bulk 10 pack is listed at $24.97 per blade. The Canadian product page on milwaukeetool.ca shows the same 6-1/2 inch, 24 tooth blade with carbide teeth and a Where to buy button, but it does not show a price in Canadian dollars or name retailers. Canadian pricing and stock have not been announced on the pages we read.

What it means for you

A 6-1/2 inch blade fits the compact circular saws many cordless platforms use, so it is mainly of interest to people who run those saws for framing, decking and remodel work. The pitch is fewer blade swaps when a cut hits a hidden nail. Whether it lasts as long as the claims suggest will depend on your saw, your material and how often you hit metal.

Who it suits

  • Professional framers and remodelers: the main target. Strengths are the nail and screw rating and a blade that handles demolition and finish cuts. Check the claim against your own mix of work, and keep a finer blade for trim.
  • Serious DIYers: useful for deck and shed projects with reclaimed lumber. Confirm your saw takes a 6-1/2 inch blade with a 5/8 inch arbor.
  • Crew and fleet buyers: the 2-pack and bulk 10 pack are the sizes to look at. Ask your supplier for Canadian pricing first.
  • First time buyers: a 24 tooth blade is a rough cutting design, so it is not the choice for smooth cabinet work.