What is a reason to place a 12 tooth carbide blade out of service?

A 12 tooth carbide blade is designed for specific cutting applications, and having three teeth missing significantly compromises its functionality and safety. The design and tooth count of the blade are critical for maintaining proper cutting action and stability during use. Missing teeth can lead to uneven cutting, excessive vibration, and potentially catastrophic failure while in use, which poses risks to the operator and surrounding personnel.

In contrast, while an 24 tooth blade with eight missing teeth would also be ineffective, the specific question addresses the 12 tooth blade. Meanwhile, issues like a center hole being out of round can affect alignment but do not immediately render the blade unusable as long as it still functions to some degree. Likewise, while a chipped blade may indicate a need for maintenance, it does not automatically necessitate taking it out of service unless it is affecting performance significantly.