The blade you own decides which holder you build: table saw blades want an organizer or a wall rack, a dado set needs a case with room for chippers and shims, and scroll saw blades belong in a tube.
The ideas range from a scrap-wood block with slots cut slightly wider than the blade’s thickness to a tabletop organizer and a wall rack, with a dado case, a scroll saw tube and a plastic blade case in between.
Match the holder to the blade type first, then to how much bench or wall space the shop can spare.
1. Table Saw Blade Organizer
Pull-out trays make a blade organizer the tidiest option for a shop that owns more than a couple of table saw blades.
Each blade gets its own flat tray, so nothing rubs against a neighbor and carbide teeth stay off each other.
I like building the trays slightly deeper than the thickest blade, which leaves room to write the blade type on the tray front. A full set of ripping, crosscut and combination blades then reads at a glance.
The cabinet sits on a bench or shelf, so it takes floor or counter space that a wall rack would not.
Saw blades don’t come cheap, so they deserve better storage between uses than a cardboard sleeve. This project stows 12 blades in pull-out trays.
2. Table Saw Blade Rack
Wall storage keeps blades in sight and off the bench, and a rack screwed to a pegboard is about the cheapest way to get there.
Hang it near the saw so a blade swap takes a few steps instead of a hunt through drawers.
Blades hang on the rack with their faces exposed, so dust will settle on them. I would keep the rack out of the line of sawdust and wipe blades before mounting them.
Mount into the pegboard hardware firmly, since several steel blades add real weight.
3. Dado Blade Case
A dado stack is many pieces: outer blades, chippers and shims, and they scatter easily. A dedicated wooden case holds the whole set together, so you never find yourself one chipper short mid-project.
Tape or glue a reference chart inside the lid listing which chippers and shims make which cut width. Skipping that chart means guessing every time.
Cut slots or dividers to fit each piece snugly, and add a latch so the lid stays shut when you carry it.
4. Scroll Saw Blade Storage Tube
Scroll saw blades are thin, small and easy to bend, so tubes beat a drawer full of loose packets. White PVC pipe sections set into a wooden block hold them upright and protected.
Label every tube with the blade type and size, as the tubes look identical once the blades are inside. Drill the holes in the block to match your pipe diameter for a snug fit.
This is also a good scrap-wood afternoon project that costs very little.
5. Wooden Block Saw Blade Holder
Slots cut into a wooden block are the simplest blade holder I can recommend, and a single afternoon with a saw and some scrap wood gets it done. Blades stand upright like records, which makes them easy to slide out.
Cut each slot a bit wider than the blade’s thickness, including the teeth, and deep enough that the blade stays steady. A 10-inch general purpose blade needs a block tall enough to hold a good share of its diameter.
Sand the slot edges so they do not catch carbide.
6. Protective Plastic Blade Case
Fitted plastic cases protect the teeth better than anything homemade, because each blade sits in a shaped shell with no contact on its edge. Most blades even ship in one, so keep the originals instead of tossing them.
Stack the cases in a bin with a lid and the whole collection stores neatly on a shelf. A white bin lets you spot the case colors quickly.
The downside is bulk. Cases take more room than racks, and labeling the outside is a must.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you oil a saw blade?
A light coat of oil on the plate can slow surface rust in a damp shop, but wipe it clean before cutting so it doesn’t smear onto your stock.
What it does say is to wipe dust off blades before you hang or store them, since a blade left with its face exposed collects sawdust.
A fitted plastic case also helps, because the blade sits in a shell and nothing touches its edge.
What is the best way to store saw blades?
For a shop with more than a couple of table saw blades, I like a cabinet with pull-out trays.
Each blade lies flat in its own tray, so carbide teeth never touch a neighbor. If you want something cheaper, a rack on pegboard near the saw keeps blades in sight, though dust will settle on them.
How do you make a simple saw blade holder from scrap wood?
Cut slots into a wooden block so blades stand upright like records.
