How to Choose : Jig Saw Blades

All of our jig saw blades are Bi-metal

Bi-metal blades are made from two or more types of metal. This allows the blade to combine the best properties of both carbon steel and high speed steel in one blade. Bi-metal blades last longer than the other two types. The teeth are hard, while the blade is flexible.

Teeth per inch (TPI)

The number of saw teeth per inch of blade primarily changes how fast the saw cuts.

Blades with fewer teeth cut faster than blades with a lot of teeth best used for when speed is more important then a clean cut.

A blade with a lot of teeth per inch will leave behind much cleaner surfaces near the cut were a clean finish is needed. Each tooth takes a much smaller bit out of the material. This reduces tearout and makes ridges less pronounced

The TPI of reciprocating saw blades ranges from 5 to 24.

5-8 TPI range are best used for making rough cuts in wood. Pruning blades often have a very low TPI.

8-14 TPI blades are capable of cutting wood and the occasional nail. Demo blades fall into this category.

14-24 TPI is the range of metal cutting, PVC cutting and finish cut blades. The blades cut slowly, but leave being a very smooth edge.

Variable TPI blades : A blade that has a different tooth density at different points along the blade is called a variable tooth blade. A 10-14TPI variable tooth blade has a 10 TPI area for fast cutting, and a 14 TPI area for fine cutting. The operator can position the blade in such a way that most of the cutting is done by the area of the blade with the optimum tooth density. A variable tooth blade can be used like two different blades without having to change the blade.

Variable Tooth blades are not inherently better than standard blades. If you want to avoid frequent blade changes and are in hurry, a variable tooth blade is a good choice.