The Makita A-90956 16-5/16" 32T Carbide-Tipped Circular Saw Blade is a large-diameter circular saw blade built for cutting wood, beams, and timber with a compatible Makita saw. This is a circular saw blade designed for general purpose cutting and ripping in large wood stock. Model A-90956 uses a 16-5/16 inch blade diameter, a 1 inch arbor, and a 32-tooth carbide-tipped design aimed at users who need fast feed and dependable edge life in heavy framing material.

Where this blade makes sense is straightforward: it is built to move through big wood efficiently. The 32-tooth combination layout uses fewer teeth than a fine-finish blade, which reduces drag and helps the blade stay moving in rip cuts. If your work involves beams, timbers, or other thick wood where steady feed matters more than ultra-fine trim work, that tooth count is the right call. Makita also calls out smooth rip performance, so you get a practical balance of speed and finish instead of a blade that is too aggressive or too fine for the job.

The carbide-tipped tooth construction matters because this is the kind of blade that sees real workload, not occasional shelf-cut duty. Carbide teeth are there for longer service life and better wear resistance, especially when you are making repeated cuts in framing lumber or structural wood. Makita pairs that with an ATB tooth grind and a 20 degree hook angle, which helps the blade pull into the work cleanly and maintain productive feed in wood-cutting applications.

Makita also uses a thin kerf design on this blade. In practical terms, a thinner kerf means the blade removes less material on each pass. That helps reduce waste and lowers cutting resistance, which is useful on large-diameter saws where efficiency matters. The listed .109 inch kerf and .078 inch plate thickness support the goal here: smoother cutting with less unnecessary load while still keeping the blade suited to beam and timber work.

Compatibility is a key part of this product. This blade is specifically listed for use with the Makita 16-5/16 inch Circular Saw model 5402NA. The 1 inch arbor size is the fit point that matters, and the blade is rated for a maximum speed of 3,500 RPM. For a buyer, that means this is not a generic grab-anything blade. It is meant for a very specific class of large circular saw and should be matched accordingly.

If you are a framer, timber worker, general contractor, or serious DIY user working with oversized wood stock, this blade is aimed at you. It is not a finish blade for cabinetry and it is not trying to be. The value here is simple: a properly sized Makita circular saw blade for big wood, with carbide teeth, a feed-friendly 32-tooth pattern, and specs that line up with the Makita 5402NA platform.

Makita A-90956 16-5/16" 32T Carbide-Tipped Circular Saw Blade for Serious Wood Stock

This is the right blade for users running a big Makita saw on beams and timber and wanting clean, productive cuts without going to an overly fine tooth count.

• Who it's for: Contractors, framers, and woodworkers using the Makita 5402NA for large wood-cutting jobs.
• Why it stands out: The large 16-5/16 inch size, carbide-tipped teeth, thin kerf, and 32-tooth pattern give you a smart mix of speed, durability, and usable finish quality.
• Worth knowing: This is a purpose-built accessory, not a universal blade for every saw in the trailer. Check that 1 inch arbor and the intended saw fit before you buy.

• What kind of saw is this blade made for? It is listed for use with the Makita 16-5/16 inch Circular Saw model 5402NA.
• What materials is it designed to cut? This blade is intended for wood, including beam and timber applications.
• Is this blade better for ripping or fine finish work? It is geared toward general purpose cutting and ripping, with a 32-tooth design that favors smooth feed and lower resistance.
• What arbor size does it use? The arbor size is 1 inch.