Depending on what kind of work you need, you can either use the blade that comes with the saw or change the blade. Look for a saw with a spindle lock, which allows easy wheel changes. When choosing a blade for your saw, keep blade size in mind. Circular saws most often take 7 ½ inch blades, and less popular sizes include 5, 6 ½, 8, 10, and 12 inches. The more teeth a blade has, the more precise the cutting job will be, but it also takes longer to make the cut. For example, a blade with 24 teeth finishes rougher than a 48-tooth blade. Check the blade included with your saw and understand the types of jobs it can and can’t do. If you need to do a job that is beyond your blade’s capacities, you should purchase a different blade with more teeth. Make sure your new blade fits the range of sizes your saw allows. Another difference between blades is the material. You will most commonly see carbide blade options. A carbide contains carbon and one other ingredient. Known for its hardness, tungsten carbide saws have great wear and impact resistance. On the other hand, an abrasive disc, uses no teeth but instead spins fast to cut through sharp materials. Since an abrasive chop uses no teeth, it can be done faster than a cut with a blade. Chop saw abrasive disks typically stay within 14-15 inches.