Conical, Split, or Adjustable? Comparing the 3 Types of Scoring Blades.
Conical, Split, or Adjustable? Comparing the 3 Types of Scoring Blades.
What Does a Scoring Blade Actually Do?
A scoring blade is a small-diameter saw blade (typically 80–160 mm) mounted ahead of the main blade on a sliding table saw or beam saw. It rotates in the opposite direction to the main blade and makes a shallow cut (1.0–2.0 mm deep) on the underside of the panel before the main blade cuts through from above.
Without scoring, the main blade tears through the bottom laminate layer as it exits — causing chipping. The scoring blade pre-cuts that exit point cleanly, so both faces of the panel remain chip-free.
Key principle: the scoring blade kerf must be 0.1–0.2 mm wider in total than the main blade kerf. Too narrow = chipping persists. Too wide = visible score line on the finished edge.
Three Types of Scoring Blades
These are the standard scoring systems found on machines common in UK workshops — Felder K series, Altendorf F45, SCM SI series, and beam saws from Homag, Biesse and SCM Sigma.
1. Conical Scoring Blades
These have tapered (cone-shaped) teeth. The kerf width changes automatically based on how deep the blade cuts — raise it higher into the material for a wider kerf, lower it for a narrower one. No shims, no disassembly.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Adjustment range | 3.1–4.3 mm (sliding table saws, Ø 100–125 mm) / 4.4–6.0 mm (beam saws, Ø 150–300 mm) |
| Adjustment method | Blade height — no removal needed |
| Setup time | 1–2 minutes (height adjustment only) |
| Price range | £45–£120 |
| Typical diameters | 100–125 mm (sliding table saws) / 150–300 mm (beam saws) |
Advantages: Fast adjustment without removing the blade. Excellent cut quality on flat, stable panels — melamine and HPL laminates come out very clean. Longer tooth life than split blades due to the robust tapered geometry.
Disadvantages: Narrower adjustment range than split blades — if your main blade kerf falls outside the conical range, you're stuck. More sensitive to warped or bowed panels: on an uneven sheet, the varying contact depth means the kerf width changes across the cut, leaving inconsistent edges. Not ideal for workshops cutting a wide range of panel thicknesses.
Best for: High-volume panel processing where sheets are flat and the main blade kerf stays within the conical range. Common in beam saws (Homag, Biesse, SCM) running long batches.
2. Split Scoring Blades (Shim-Type)
The most common type. Two blade halves separated by shims (spacer rings) to set the kerf width. To change the width, you remove the blade from the machine, add or remove shims, and reinstall.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Adjustment range | 2.8–3.6 mm (standard shim set) |
| Adjustment method | Shims — requires removal from machine |
| Setup time | 5–15 minutes |
| Price range | £35–£90 |
| Typical diameters | 80, 100, 120, 125 mm |
Advantages: Lowest cost. Wide adjustment range covers most main blade kerfs. Universal — fits nearly all sliding table saws with a scoring unit (Altendorf, Felder, SCM, HOLZ-HER, Griggio).
Disadvantages: Slowest to adjust — every width change means stopping the machine, removing the blade, swapping shims, and re-checking alignment. In a workshop that changes main blades frequently (e.g. switching between 3.0 mm and 3.4 mm kerf), this costs real production time.
Best for: Small to medium workshops running the same main blade for long periods.
3. On-Machine Adjustable Scoring Blades (Dial System)
A mechanical dial or locking screw allows you to change the kerf width while the blade stays mounted on the machine. Loosen the lock screw, turn the dial to the desired width, re-tighten, and make a test cut — done.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Adjustment range | 2.8–3.6 mm |
| Adjustment method | Dial/screw — on the machine, no removal needed |
| Setup time | 30–60 seconds |
| Price range | £120–£350+ |
| Typical diameters | 100, 120, 125 mm |
Advantages: Fastest setup by far. No blade removal, no shims, no height guesswork. Adjustment in 0.1 mm increments gives precise kerf matching to the main blade. Pays for itself in workshops that change main blades frequently or run mixed production (different panel brands with different laminate thicknesses).
Disadvantages: 2–3× the price of a split blade. The adjustment mechanism requires cleanliness — dust and resin can contaminate the screw thread over time. Some cheaper models lose precision after repeated adjustments.
Best for: Medium to large production workshops with frequent blade changes. If you're running 2–3 different main blade setups per shift, the time savings justify the higher price within weeks.
Note: Altendorf offers its own patented RAPIDO system with hex-key adjustment (range 2.8–3.6 mm, 50 mm bore). RAPIDO is designed exclusively for Altendorf machines and is not interchangeable with universal adjustable scoring blades on 20/22 mm bores. See our RAPIDO scorer P37.120050024.000.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Conical | Split (Shim) | On-Machine Adjustable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjustment speed | 1–2 min | 5–15 min | 30–60 sec |
| Kerf range | 3.1–6.0 mm | 2.8–3.6 mm | 2.8–3.6 mm |
| Blade removal needed | No | Yes | No |
| Cut quality (flat panels) | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Cut quality (warped panels) | Poor | Good | Good |
| Price | £45–£120 | £35–£90 | £120–£350+ |
| Best for | Beam saws / flat stock | Budget / fixed setup | Mixed production |
How to Set Up a Scoring Blade Correctly
Depth: The scoring blade should cut 1.0–2.0 mm into the material — just enough to pre-score the bottom laminate layer. Going deeper wastes energy and accelerates wear without improving cut quality.
Width: Set the scoring kerf 0.1–0.2 mm wider in total than the main blade kerf. For a 3.2 mm main blade, target 3.3–3.4 mm on the scoring blade. Use a test cut on scrap material and inspect both edges under good light before running production panels.
Lateral alignment: The scoring blade must be centred exactly on the main blade's cutting line. Even 0.1 mm of lateral offset can show as a visible step on the cut edge.
Common Mistakes
1. Scoring too deep. Cutting 4–5 mm into the panel doesn't improve the edge — it just loads the small scoring motor unnecessarily and dulls the blade faster.
2. Ignoring lateral alignment. After every blade change, check that the scoring and main blade are centred on the same line. A quick test cut catches this in seconds.
3. Running a dull scoring blade. A worn scoring blade chips the laminate instead of cleanly pre-cutting it — defeating the entire purpose. Carbide-tipped blades typically last 3–6 months in production before needing resharpening.
4. Wrong kerf width. If you change the main blade and forget to re-adjust the scoring blade, you'll either get chipping (scoring too narrow) or a visible double line on the edge (scoring too wide).
2025/2026 Trend: PCD (Diamond) Scoring Blades
PCD (polycrystalline diamond) tipped scoring blades are gaining popularity in high-volume production. They cost 4–8× more than standard carbide, but last 15–50× longer — making the cost per cut significantly lower for workshops running 8+ hours per day. If you're processing more than 50 panels daily, PCD scoring blades are worth evaluating. We stock diamond scoring blades in both conical (DSB series) and split (DSC series) configurations.
Our Scoring Blade Range
We stock conical and split scorers in diameters from 80 to 300 mm, with bore sizes to fit all common sliding table saws (20 mm standard, with pin hole configurations for Altendorf, Felder, SCM and others) and panel saws (30, 45, 50 or 55 mm bores). All blades are manufactured by ITA Tools with fine-grain carbide tips.
Popular models:
- P36.100020020.000 — HM Conical Scorer D=100 mm, Z20 — £46.23
- P36.120020024.000 — HM Conical Scorer D=120 mm, Z24 — £48.33
- P37.100020020.000 — HM Split Scorer D=100 mm, Z10+10 — £58.00
Browse our scoring blade range:
For Sliding Table Saws
- P36 series — HM Conical Scorers for chip-free cutting on laminated panels
- P37 series — HM Split Scorers with spacer control for precise kerf adjustment
- DSB series — PCD Conical Scorers, up to 50x longer tool life
- DSC series — PCD Split Scorers, up to 50x longer life vs HM
For Panel Saws
- P36 series — HM Conical Scorers for undercutting laminated panels
- DSB series — PCD Conical Scorers, excellent lifetime/price ratio