Choosing the correct jigsaw blade for a project can be a difficult task. A person may find that one jigsaw blade can easily cut through pine lumber, yet that same blade struggle when attempting to cut through oak. Many different types of blades create such frustrations, as they are used for different projects, and that a person must make the decision of which type of blade to use before the person pulls the trigger on the saw.
Jigsaw blades come in many different types and are not universally applicable to all type of projects. Each blade has codes stamped into the blade that reveal the type of tooth on the blade, the materials of the blade, and the type of project that the blade is intended for. These markings may be difficult for a new woodworker to understand.
However, by understanding the different families of blades that are available, a person can begin to stop guessing at which blade to use and actualy begin to work with there tool. The paragraphs that follow will describe the types of blades that are available.
Common Types of Jigsaw Blades to Use
1. High-carbon steel blades
High-carbon steel blades are used for cutting softwoods, plywood, and particleboard.
These types of blades is flexible enough to allow the blade to endure the twisting that may occur when cutting thick pieces of particleboard, and that the blades tend to stay sharp long enough to cut through a project of any decent size. High-carbon steel blades have teeth that are milled from a single piece of steel, which makes these blades inexpensive but still provide for a good cutting experience. A person can identify high-carbon steel blades by the color of the shank of the blade (which is typically colorless) and by the springiness of the blade when pinched between a persons fingers.
These types of blades are usually included with a saw purchase, and for a good reason. They are the best blade to use for cutting plywood shelves or other interior wood projects, as they dont need to be changed every ten minute during cutting. However, high-carbon steel blades may cause issues if they are used to cut hardwoods and laminated flooring.
Using a high-carbon steel blade on hardwood may lead to the buildup of heat with the blade, which causes the teeth of the saw to become dull. A dull high-carbon steel blade will emit the smell of burned wood, as well as create a glazed cut. However, aside from this downside to high-carbon steel blades, they are still the best blades to use for most projects.
2. Bi-metal blades
A person should ensure that they have a half-dozen of each type of blade available for their projects. Bi-metal blades are designed to fix the issue of high-carbon steel blades losing their sharpness with constant use on hardwood projects. Bi-metal blades contain high-speed steel for the teeth of the blade, which resist heat, and the remainder of the blade is made out of high-carbon steel, which is flexible and can take more side-loads on the blade.
A weld line near the shank of the blade, as well as the appearance of the teeth (which appear to be harder and smaller than the remainder of the blade), can identify the two materials. Many demolition projects use bi-metal blades. For instance, they are used to cut through reclaimed lumber pieces that may contain hidden screws, or for cutting pieces of wood that is near concrete structures.
Bi-metal blades cost more money than high-carbon steel saw blades, but over time, a person will have to purchase fewer of these blades. Although the edge created by bi-metal blades is not as sharp as blades made of only high-carbon steel, the toughness of the blade is an improvement in function. Professionals have a few of these blades in their tool kit at all times.
3. High-speed steel blades
High-speed steel blades are used for cutting materials like aluminum, mild steel, plastic, and wood. High-speed steel blades are made of a single piece of tool steel, as well as are hardened throughout the blade. The teeth for these blades are small, with between 24 and 36 tooth per inch of blade, as opposed to the blades made with high-carbon steel which may have 60 teeth per inch.
Instead of cutting through wood with choppings of wood with the teeth of the saw, the teeth of the high-speed steel blade will slice into the material. If a person has ever attempted to cut aluminum with a high-carbon steel blade, they understand how high-speed steel blades are stronger and better for such projects. However, the downside to high-speed steel blades is that they are brittle.
High-speed steel blades will break if any lateral pressure is placed upon them. Therefore, they are best used for cutting tasks that require the saw to make straight cut. Additionally, high-speed steel blades may cost more money than other blades, but they may be required for certain projects.
For instance, cutting metal ducting, plastic pipe, or thin sheets of metal will be easier with a high-speed steel blade.
4. Carbide-grit blades
Carbide-grit blades are similar to high-speed steel saw blades, but the teeth are replaced with a strip of tungsten-carbide particles. The strip will allow the saw to cut through materials such as ceramic tile, cement board, fiberglass, thin stone, as well as metals.
However, the carbide-grit blades will not work with materials such as hardened tool steel. Carbide-grit blades will allow for cutting through porcelain tile, for instance, without causing any chip in the tile. However, the cutting speed of carbide-grit blades is slow.
Therefore, a person cannot rush the saw while it is running. The downside to carbide-grit blades is that the edges created by the saw are not smooth, and additional time with a file will be required to complete projects using these type of blades. For these reasons, a person should best keep carbide-grit blades in a toolbox for projects that require cutting of tile or fiberglass.
5. Specialty wood blades
Specialty wood blades come in two different type. The first type of specialty wood blade features Japanese-style teeth on the blade that allow the blade to cut the wood when the blade is pulled across the wood. The teeth will create a polished edge on hardwood projects.
Additionally, the other type of specialty blade features teeth that are facing the opposite direction from the movement of the blade, which will allow the blade to cut the wood during the downstroke of the saw. These types of blades are useful for cutting delicate veneers and laminated countertops, as they will not create splinters on the project. These specialty wood blades are more expensive and may take more time to complete projects with them.
However, they are very useful for projects that require fine detail.
6. Knife-edge blades
Knife-edge blades are similar to saw blades, but are instead made more like a serrated bread knife. Knife-edge blades do not have teeth on the blade, but do have a wavy edge to the blade.
These blades are used for cutting projects like insulation, leather, cardboard, and foam board. For instance, if a person watches another person use a jigsaw to cut a fiberglass batt, the blade may tear the batt apart. Therefore, using a knife-edge blade will allow for easier cutting of these type of projects.
Knife-edge blades indicate that jigsaws can be used as a knife. Additionally, the blade is the portion of the saw that provides the saw’s intelligence. If a saw has a person change the blade, the saw changes.
A carpenter that only has high-carbon steel blades will only be using 30% of the saw’s potential.
7. Scrolling blades
Scrolling blades are the narrowest in size and the tightest in turning radius of any type of blade. Scrolling blades are usually less than a quarter inch in width, and have teeth on both sides of the blade.
Therefore, these blades can turn in a circle with a radius of only 2 inches in diameter. People use scrolling blades for intricate designs on projects such as dollhouse projects, signs, and decorative trim. However, scrolling blades are fragile.
Any lateral pressure on a scrolling blade may result in the breakage of the blade. Therefore, scrolling blades are used for intricate projects that require a blade with the ability to turn in a circle, such as a jigsaw project that features vines on top of a mahogany panel. When first installed in a saw, a scrolling blade may allow for the saw to change directions quick.
This saws ability to change directions quickly is one of the features that makes the saw more effective. Therefore, a person should keep scrolling blades in a saw for projects that require detail in their cuts, but otherwise replace them with a sturdier blade when the saw has to make straight cuts. By understanding the different families of blades, a person may save money on the purchases of blades for their workshop.
However, more importantly, understanding the different types of blades will change the way that a person approaches their projects. Instead of using one blade for every type of project, people will understand each type of blade, the way that each blade works, and in what projects they can best be used. Thus, a person will experience a change in the way that they use their jigsaw saw.
When a person’s blade starts to move away from the line that they have cut in the project, or when the project begins to smell of smoke, the person should stop the saw. Instead of struggling with the project, and forcing the blade to continue, the solution is to consider the type of blade that may be used for that particular project. A person should consider purchasing each of the different types of blades, as they will find it to be worth the cost.
If a person can find the correct blade for the project, and if the person allows the blade to work at the correct rate, the pieces will fit together as they should.
