Jigsaw Blades: Which Features Should You Choose?

Often we purchase blades for the reciprocating saw without careful evaluation of the shape, the toothing, the material used by the manufacturer to make the profile. It's enough to have a solution for wood, to cut metal or any other material. Actually it's not enough to carefully evaluate this parameter (fundamental). The parameters to be observed are quite different and include:

• Shape and number of teeth.

• Blade profile.

• Material used.

If you want to make a precise and quality cut, so if you want to use the reciprocating saw at its best for your DIY or professional work, you must choose a blade by evaluating various aspects. And not just compatibility with a certain material.

Here's what you need to know to evaluate the type of toothing to use when working with this power tool. That is, an important tool when you need to cut with precision sheet metal and panels in wood, metal and plastic but also in drywall.

Blade material

Among the characteristics of the reciprocating saw blade that we must observe we certainly have the composition material of the product. Certainly, changing the type of structure that makes up the cutting element means you can count on a different solidity and more or less toughness. Basically we always focus on blades in steel HSS (high speed steel).

This condition allows you to get excellent results on all types of metal cutting. For special uses we can choose reciprocating saw blades in HCS (High Carbon Steel) that give excellent results for cutting plastics and wood. Are there other options?

A segmented BiM blade is perfect for particularly hard wood and metal, while those in Widia (cemented carbide, here a guide to deepen) are used for extreme applications in terms of temperatures reached: if you need to cut particularly resistant plastics, drywall panels and fiberglass it's worth investing in these solutions.

Distance between the various teeth

Another decisive parameter for getting a good result when evaluating the characteristics of the reciprocating saw blade: the distance between the teeth. This allows you to get different results. A larger number of millimeters between one element and another allows for fast but rough cuts, not suitable for finishing work and attention to detail.

Operation that must be performed with precision blades. With a larger number of teeth that have a smaller distance. And that allow you to advance slowly compared to a blade with few elements designed for cutting. When you choose your cutting tool, make sure that the characteristic of the reciprocating saw blade has an adequate length to perform the work.

It's right to remember this rule: for cutting soft materials it's advisable to use saws with a larger distance between two teeth, therefore a larger width. If you need to cut hard materials it's advisable to use a saw with a higher number of teeth.

Shape and arrangement of teeth

The characteristics of the blade for your reciprocating saws also concern how the saw's profile was made. For example, to get a free cut and avoid the blade getting stuck during work it's useful to choose a staggered blade.

Namely with teeth alternated to the right and to the left: in this way it's possible to speed up the cut and work well also when turning. If this blade is wavy we have a fine result, slower but less rough, perfect for obtaining greater precision.

The thickness of the blade has its role: for straight cuts it's advisable to use a tool with a larger parameter, while if you need to perform curves or circumferences you must use a thin solution that is not too demanding in terms of maneuverability.