What can happen if the "set" of a saw blade is incorrect?

If the "set" of a saw blade is incorrect, it can lead to the blade bending during use. The "set" refers to the way the teeth of the blade are positioned; they can either be angled outwards or inwards. When the set is improper, it can cause the blade to encounter excessive resistance, increasing the chance of bending. This bending can compromise the accuracy of the cut and may even damage the blade itself or the material being cut.

In contrast, while an incorrect set could theoretically influence the smoothness of the cut or the performance of the dust collector, those issues are not as directly related to the physical integrity of the blade during operation as the bending issue is. The saw's speed of cutting and its binding capability are also influenced by several other factors, making them less straightforwardly impacted by the blade's set. Thus, the risk of bending due to incorrect set is a primary concern when assessing the performance and safety of a saw blade.