Share
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @johnhefer2. It's fantastic to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about saw blades.
It is worth noting first that there are actually a few different saws sold under the DeWalt 18V XR Brushless circular saw name. There is a 184 mm version, a 165 mm version, and a smaller 115 mm trim saw, so the exact blade you need will depend on which model you have.
For cutting white melamine cleanly and achieving a more professional finish, you want a blade with a high tooth count and a thin kerf. More teeth means a finer cut with less chipping, and a thin kerf reduces tear-out while also being easier on a battery saw. Melamine is very unforgiving, so a coarse framing blade will almost always chip the surface.
As a guide, if you have the 184 mm saw, a 60 tooth fine finish blade is a good choice, something like the Irwin 184 mm 60 tooth Marathon blade. If you have the 165 mm model, a 60-tooth finish blade, such as the Diablo 165 mm Ultra Finish blade, is well-suited. If you are using the smaller 115 mm trim saw, it typically already comes fitted with a very fine tooth blade that is designed for this kind of work.
Technique also plays a big role in the quality of the cut. Applying masking tape over the cut line on both faces of the board helps support the melamine surface and reduces chipping. Setting the blade depth so the teeth only just clear the underside of the board also makes a noticeable difference, as it changes the angle at which the teeth exit the material and reduces breakout.
Using a sharp, fine-tooth blade along with careful setup will let you achieve very clean cuts in melamine, even with a cordless circular saw.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
