Last Updated on June 12, 2023 by Georgie Smith
The jigsaw is one of the most valuable and accessible power tools. It has a wide range of cutting applications. If you use it as recommended, it is user-friendly, harm free and most importantly, it offers incredible accuracy without requiring you to break the bank.
However, your jigsaw is only as good as the blade you use. Even with a toll that is versatile and that has numerous features, if the edge is not right, the tool will not be as helpful as you need. You will want the Best Jigsaw Blades for Plywood/Hardwood/Stainless Steel available for making easy, effortless cuts.
See Also:
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- Dewalt DW734 Vs. Ridgid R4331 Vs. Makita 2012nb: 2023 Reviews & Comparison
There are many different types of cutlasses and brands to choose from for various applications. These options, while great for the variety, you may get confused. The post will give you the valuable information on how to buy one for your next project.
Top 5 Best JigSaw Blades for Plywood/Hardwood/Stainless Steel:
Picture | Product Name | Features |
---|---|---|
Hitachi 725397 | – 5-year limited warranty – Carbide tipped – 6 teeth per inch | |
Bosch TC21HC | – Carbon steel material – High speed with a progressive tooth pitch | |
Bosch T30C | – 30-piece set – Convenient storage case – Clean cuts for any material | |
Bosch T30W | – High carbon steel construction – Multipurpose blades | |
Bosch T101B100 | – 100-piece pack – Offers precise cutting – Carbon steel construction |
BOSCH U12BC Multi-Purpose 12-Pc Jig Saw Blades For Fiber Cement Siding
Have trouble sliding your usual saw through abrasive materials or fiberglass? Relax, stop stressing yourself trying to find an easy way out. Drop that saw and grab this jigsaw from BOSCH . The saw is designed to give you excellence in cutting and last longer.
It has a 4-inch blade with 6 teeth per inch. This tool guarantees you a convenient cutting length. This site also ensures that you will have the speed you need to cut through anything without straining your muscle.
Interestingly, this jigsaw comes with a 5-year limited warranty. This warranty is to say, apart from its heavy-duty construction, it will also give you the freedom of usage. The sturdy material construction guarantees longevity and cutting strength, which is essential for any tool. Additionally, it is also water and corrosion-resistant.
Pros
- 5-year limited warranty
- Carbide-tipped for cutting strength and durability
- 4-inch long blade
- Corrosion and water-resistant
Cons
- It gives the rough cut to some materials
- Gets dull after a few uses
Buy from Amazon
Bosch TC21HC 21-Piece T-Shank Contractor Jig Saw Blade Set
With Bosch21-piece T-Shank contractor jigsaw blade set, you have the power to handle any cutting contract at ease. This blade set fits any jig saw that accommodates T-Shank blades. It provides you with precise cutting regardless of how sturdy the material you are cutting through is.
All the 21 pieces, are ideal for specific tasks, therefore ensuring that you will not be stranded while in the middle of the contract. Amongst the parts, you will have the right blade for plastic cuts, metal, plasterboards as well as cement bond particles.
All the blade pieces have a unique high-carbon steel construction. This feature guarantees you stability and precision in cutting. Therefore, making it ideal for straight cuts without the blade twisting. Additionally, the high-carbon steel is durable and will protect the blade from breaking.
Moreover, these blades come with a heavy-duty case that makes storage convenient and easy portability of the saw. It also has a progressive tooth design that guarantees appropriate speed on any material.
Pros
- A heavy-duty case for storage and portability
- Fits all T-Shank jigsaw
- Provides precision in all cuts
- Durable carbon steel construction
- High-speed cutting to any material
Cons
- They are not suitable for all every time use
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Bosch T30C 30-Piece T-Shank Wood and Metal Cutting Jig Saw Blade Set
The Bosch Jigsaw Company was founded in 1946. Since then, Bosch has continued to grow with innovation and the construction of blades to ensure that the entire customer demands get solved. Throughout the years, every cutlass comes with improved features compared to its predecessor. Therefore, making it the most trusted across the globe.
This 30-piece are interchangeable to ensure you get the appropriate blade for the job. All the edges have different sizes, which gives them the power to handle specific tasks.
Additionally, all the blades are high carbon steel for longevity and stability in cutting. This quality assures you that you will get precise cuts and the cutlass will not break or bend during the cutting process. Also, they come with a convenient case that ensures you store all your blades safe and ready for use. The case also guarantees that you can take the saw with you to where the job is comfortable.
Pros
- A comfortable case for storage and portability
- Heavy-duty steel construction
- Durable and precise cuts
- Corrosion and water resistant
Cons
- Slightly expensive compared to others
Buy from Amazon
Bosch T30W 30-Piece Woodworking Jigsaw Set
Any tool can help you achieve the results you want. However, having the right device at hand indicates you will get the job done accurately. The right tool also guarantees you that you will not overwork yourself to get the results. This feature is the assurance you get when you invest in this Bosch T30W 30-Piece Woodworking Jigsaw Set.
It gives you the confidence of getting the right blade for the job at hand. In pieces, there is a multipurpose blade, which guarantees you the power of cutting through any material.
Additionally, all the blades have a sturdy design to ensure precise results. The model also features top-notch material construction making it suitable for numerous uses. Once it is fitted correctly, the blade with not bend when cutting.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Convenient for multipurpose cutting
- Durable material construction
- Sturdy design for precision
Cons
- Does not have a high-end speed
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Bosch T101B100 Wood & Plastic Clean Cut 4″ x 10 TPI T-Shank Style Jigsaw Blades 100-Pack
Optimize your cutting by introducing this Bosch T101B100 Wood & Plastic Clean Cut 4″ x 10 TPI T-Shank Style Jigsaw Blades in your workshop. The blade provides you with the ability to cut through wood and plastic comfortably and effortlessly. You will not have to keep changing cutlasses every time you want to cut a different material.
Additionally, the many teeth pitch allows you to set speed depending on the material you are cutting.
Before settling for any tool, there are essential features that you will often consider. It includes longevity, stability, quality of service, and design. Therefore, if you are looking for a jigsaw blade that will give you excellence, here, you will have it all. The cutlass has a sturdy design with the most robust carbon steel construction. It offers you extended blade life and accuracy in your job.
Pros
- Highly durable
- Versatility and flexibility in cutting
- Strong blade construction
- Excellence in performance
Cons
- Has a slightly higher price tag
Buy from Amazon
How to Choose a Jigsaw Blade?
When you are buying a new jigsaw blade for your next project, there are several questions that you need to answer to ensure that you make the right choice for your project.
The Type of Materials You Cut
Apart from the types of blades, you may need to consider the kinds of materials you will cut. These cutlasses are made to cut both soft and hard materials. However, not every blade functions the same way.
It is critical to select edges appropriately by the materials they cut and how they cut it. Using the wrong cutlass will be costly. You will be unable to make the perfect cut, and your edge will brake among other things.
The most common applications include:
Metal:
If you are cutting angle iron and sheet pipes, a person needs to have a jigsaw blade made of a hardened alloy that has tightly grouped and teeth precision like those on a hacksaw. You can also go for carbon steel, copper, aluminum, or brass.
Wood:
Blades used for woodwork have large, sharp teeth that are widely spaced and are created exclusively for cutting through lumber. For more delicate woodcuts, you need to buy a cutlass with tightly spaced teeth.
Such an edge guarantees you a smooth finish. You need a narrow blade with plunging-type, sharp teeth for scroll work.
Plastic:
A multipurpose jigsaw blade is perfect for cutting all types of plastics. These prevent the plastic from chipping, melting or burning.
Soft materials: there are cutlasses made explicitly for materials like foam, carpet, leather, and rubber. These ensure that the cuts are damage-free.
Drywall and plaster:
These materials have to be cut with finesse to prevent crumbling, breaking or cracking.
Blade Fabrication
There are different types of materials that are used to make a jigsaw blade. The harder the teeth are, the more robust the items it can cut through. Before purchasing, you need to know what materials are used to make the blade and what applications it performs accurately.
The most common materials include:
High carbon steel:
HCS blades are made of iron with 0.55 percent-0.95 percent carbon and 0.30 percent-0.90 percent manganese. They tend to be flexible and can make precise cuts through soft materials. The problem is that they tend to be weak. Regardless, they are cheaper and the most common type available.
Bi-metal:
These blades get made from HSS and HCS. The body is often made of HCS and is much more flexible. Their teeth are from HSS which allows them to cut through tough materials. This combination is excellent, sturdy, and durable.
High-speed steel:
HSS does not accelerate the speed of cutting. They are not as flexible. While they are perfect for cutting through hard materials, they wear out quickly due to the heat produced in the process.
Tungsten carbide:
The blade is both tungsten and carbon. These two are bonded to a steel shaft and have grits. They are perfect for rough cuts and are the most expensive blades on the market. It cuts through the most robust materials.
The Size of the Blade
The size of the blade you buy will be determined by the material to cut and how you need to cut it. You need it to have a length that is at least one inch longer than the thickness of the material you are cutting. The breadth and width of the cutlass allow for maneuverability and flexibility.
Since these blades do not get supported at the bottom end, the more extended blades are thicker to keep them from bending. Thicker edges that are not wide are weak and great for clean cuts, intricate patterns, and sharp curves. If you buy the right size, making a hole will not be a daunting task.
The Blade Teeth
While the material of the blade supports the blade, it is the teeth that define the cuts. Most knives are marketed by how smooth or rough the slices are which is determined by the design of the teeth.
TPI of the Blade
The teeth on the cutlass get measured by teeth per square inch (TPI). If you are cutting hard materials, you need a higher TPI than people cutting softer materials. The teeth also affect, to large extent, the speed of cutting and the finesse of the cuts.
If the TPI is high, you will make smoother cuts and vice versa. Woodwork does well with blades that have a lower TPI because it thrives on rough cuts since you can sand the edges later.
The Types of Teeth
The teeth are ground or milled. Milled teeth last longer and are blunter. They are great for rough surfaces. Ground teeth, on the other hand, have a sharper edge and are pointy and they often wear out quickly.
They also have an excellent advantage and make slower cuts. There are also in different layouts. Here are some arrangements to look out for:
- Wavy: these teeth sets have an alignment that resembles a wave and are great for fine, straight cuts
- Taper: these are aligned in a straight design and are great for outstanding, slow cuts
- Reverse: they are aligned in the opposite direction to taper sets and are ideal for materials that chip quickly.
- Side: they are excellent for faster and rougher cuts
The Specialty of the Teeth Sets
Sometimes, when you need to cut through tough materials like ceramic tiles, you need a cutlass that has no teeth at all or finely ground teeth. These cut like a file rather than a saw.
Jigsaw Blade Types:
The types of jigsaw blades are divided based on the shanks. The shanks are uniquely compatible with some models of jigsaws. Checking the manual of your saw will allow you to know the type of shank you need. The shanks are in two categories:
T-shanks
These are the most commonly used shanks. Changing the cutlass is quick and easy. This type of blade does not need more than a simple button to replace the blade. T-shank substitutes for a U-shank jigsaw.
U-shanks
These are manually fastened using a locking screw. They are unpopular because changing their blade is difficult.
Are They Interchangeable?
Yes. Some models are compatible with multiple shanks. However, standard jigsaws only accept one type.
Do Bosch Jigsaw Blades Fit Black and Decker/DeWalt/Makita?
Yes. However, you will have to look for the perfect model for your jigsaw. Black and Decker often use universal fittings with no bayonets which fit most of the other brands too.
When to Change Jigsaw Blade?
After extended use, your jigsaw blade is bound to wear and tear. It will lose its ability to make precise cuts. The installed blades need to be sharp to ensure that your job gets correctly done. If your jigsaw blade is blunt, you sharpen it.
However, after grinding it for a while, the teeth will dull. You will know this because they will look rounder and weary; worn-out blades make it a struggle to cut correctly. If your jigsaw is making rough and poor-quality cuts, you need to change it.
How to Replace
What you need:
- A blade
- The jigsaw
- Allen key
Depending on the model of blade you use, there are two methods of installation. These are:
The tool-less way
For this method, your jigsaw can automatically release the blade from the clamp. You need to:
- Get the new blade
- Loosen the lever: read from the user manual since different manufacturers have different methods
- Remove the cutlass carefully
- Insert the rapier and make sure the teeth are facing away from the jigsaw
The manual process
- Loosen the screw holding the blade shank using your Allen key
- Once the screw is out, remove the rapier from the clamp
- Insert the new rapier
- Retighten the screw.
FAQs:
Q: How do I know whether the rapier will be durable?
A: Well, if you buy a blade meant for the jobs you will be doing, it should give you years of service. You also need to buy from a reliable manufacturer.
Q: How do I know which brands will fit my saw?
A: The blade you buy must be the same type as your previous rapier for you to have the perfect fit, regardless of the manufacturer and brand.
Q: How do I know it is the right choice?
A: Research is paramount when buying products. Know the material used to make the blade, and what other customers thought of the rapier. It guarantees that your choice will be excellent.
Wrapping up
Choosing the Best Jigsaw Blades for Plywood, Hardwood or Stainless Steel is difficult. You will have to conduct intensive research and learn about the rapier types, the types of cuts made and the sizes of the blade.
As a user, you also have to think deeply about the jobs you will be doing with the rapier. You may need one or more blades if you cut through both hard and soft materials. With the right information, you can never go wrong.
Did you enjoy this article? Do you know a couple of people who need new rapiers for their jigsaws? If yes, then recommend and share this article with them on social media. Help them make the right choices.