Smooth Cutting with the Best Jigsaw Blades
The quality and strength of all cutting tools lie in the blades. The sharper the blades of a cutting tool, the better it can cut. One such cutting tool is the saw which is actually used quite frequently. There are different types of saws available in the market, and each one has its uses. A jigsaw is known to offer excellent cutting performance which is why we’ve put together a list of our favorite jigsaw blades in 2021. If you intend on using a jigsaw in your shop, it is vital to have the perfect blades for it.
You can use a jigsaw to cut different objects in various shapes, including stencil designs. You can also cut a range of materials from it like metal, aluminum, and much more. From cutting masonry material to metal pipes, the jigsaw can handle it all.
Best Jigsaw Blades Buying Guide
You will find some resemblance of a jigsaw blade with the traditional hand saw blade rather than the circular saw blade. It is known for its slow reciprocating motions that cut through wood efficiently. The quality and features of the blade define how smoothly and efficiently you can cut through an object with it. We’re here to help you choose the right one to invest in.
What Features to Check Before Buying a Jigsaw Blade?
Blade count
The blade count is the most crucial thing to check before buying a jigsaw blade. A set can have a low number of blades like 10, or it can be as high as 50 or 40. Although the number of blades does not have any link with the cutting efficiency of the blades, it affects the flexibility of the set. The more blades you have in the set, the more versatile your jobs can be. There is usually a tradeoff between price and blade count. Thus, when buying the jigsaw blades, make sure to get a box that has the most blades at a reasonable price.
Blade teeth
The rating of blades is given in terms of their teeth per inch. A higher rating on a blade suggests that it has more teeth. Usually, you will find blades with 30 or 20 TPI (Teeth per Inch). A higher number of teeth offer better performance because it can cut through the object more effectively.
Carrying case
You will mostly find jigsaw blades nicely arranged in carrying cases. The case is handy, especially if you are going to transport your tools from one place to another. It is also ideal to have a carrying case for safety because the blades are sharp, and it can be dangerous to keep them lying around. The lifespan of the blades is also affected by the case. Tools catch rust and dust very easily, so you need to store them in a proper place. If your blades already come in a durable and safe case, you don't have to worry about storage.
Warranty
Whenever we buy a product, we wish for it to last long. Thus, durability is always a key factor to consider when purchasing any product. The warranty does somewhat guarantee the durability of a product. The more extended the warranty, the less you have to worry about your product. In case your blades get damaged real soon, you can always claim their warranty. Thus, when buying a jigsaw blade, look for at least a 1 or 2 year-long warranty. Some of the brands also offer a three years warranty for customer trust and satisfaction.
Blade material
The material used for making a jigsaw blade defines its strength and quality. Various materials are used for making a jigsaw blade, such as bi-metal, high-speed steel, carbide, and high carbon steel. Each of these materials has its advantages:
- Carbide blades are an ideal choice if you are looking for blades to cut materials other than wood. You can use these blades for stainless steel, tile, or even glass.
- High carbon steel is best for cutting through objects that are made of a soft material. It is best to use these blades for softwood, soft plastic, or fiberboard.
- High-speed steel blades are for cutting non-ferrous metals. The abrasive resistance offered by the high-speed blades makes it a perfect option for copper and aluminum.
- The bi-metal blade is a combination of a high-speed blade and a carbon steel blade. It can cut through hard metals and is long-lasting.
Blade length
As you would have observed, blades vary in length. Longer blades can provide deeper cuts, and they can bend easily. If you have a blade with a long length and low TPI, you can still expect great results as the blades have more surface for cutting.
Blade width
Similar to the length of the blades, the width of the blades also varies. It can either be 3/8 inch or ¼ inch. A blade having a wider length of 3/8 inch is best suited for cutting gradual curves. On the other hand, a thin blade with ¼ inch is perfect for cutting tighter curves. The best blade width depends on the requirements of your project.
Tooth direction
There are two directions in which a tooth can point; upwards or downwards. A jigsaw blade with standard tooth direction (pointing upwards) will cut on the upstroke. Thus, splintering will occur on the top of the board, and tear-out is on the back of the board.
On the other hand, a reverse tooth direction (pointing downwards) will cut on a downstroke, and you won't have to flip the board over.
Blade shanks
When we went through the list of our top jigsaw blades, we mentioned T-shank, and now it's time to look closely at it. There are three types of shanks: T-shank, bayonet shank, and U-shank.
A bayonet shank is no longer used in jigsaw blades. If you have a bayonet shank blade, it is probably time for you to change it. Companies moved towards a U-shank that clamps the blade in a secured position with the help of screws. You will need some basic tools to change the blades. These days, U-shank is also outdated, so blades made with it are relatively budget-friendly.
Most of the top jigsaw blades are using a T-shank design these days. A T-shank is a standard style and has become the favorite of most users. The small wings hold the blade in place and offer the user a comfortable grip. The best thing about these blades is that a button push is all it takes to change them.
The Best Jigsaw Blade Models of 2021 in Detail
Bosch Jigsaw Blade
– Best Overall
If you buy a jigsaw blade, you would want it to be compatible with most types of jigsaws. This blade by Bosch is compatible with 90% of jigsaws, including Dewalt, Makita, Hitachi, Porter-cable, Metabo, and many more. The company prioritizes the ease of use as the blades provide maximum stability and grip with their T-shank design.
The set comprises 10 pieces only, which is mostly not enough for the users. However, these ten pieces are designed to perfection, which enhances their durability. The pieces are also arranged in a plastic case that provides a storage facility.
- Highly durable and reliable blades
- Compatible with 90% of jigsaws
- Extreme grip and stability
- Only ten pieces might not be sufficient
DEWALT Jigsaw Blade
– Runner Up
One of the most popular brands that deal with making power-packed tools is Dewalt. Dewalt DW3742C blades are considered the most reliable and durable option available in the market. The excellent build quality guarantees the long lifespan of the jigsaw blade. To further enhance customer trust, the company offers an extended three-year warranty on the blades.
The set comprises a total of 14 pieces that offers versatility to the users. The blades vary in size as some are 4 inches long while others are 3 inches long. Dewalt has also taken care of the storage as the pieces are nicely packed in a carrying case.
- Highly durable and reliable kit
- Extremely sharp blades that offer excellent performance
- Flexibility in the sizes of blades
- The number of blades could have been more than 14
Cozzmts Jigsaw Blade
– Honorable Mention
Cozzmts may not be as popular as other brands mentioned in our list, but they do create great tools. The company makes various types of blades, and users love their jigsaw blades for being budget-friendly. Even though the set is lower in price compared to its competitors, it delivers 20 great blades. While the number of pieces may not seem a lot to some users, it is enough for most tasks.
The company offers decent build quality, and for customer satisfaction, they offer a 30-day warranty which is definitely less compared to what other brands offer. The carrying case of the blades is also lightweight and portable.
- It comprises a lot of blades considering its price
- Lightweight and portable carrying case
- Offers a reliable build quality
- Only 30-day warranty
MRCGTCE Jigsaw Blade
– Also Consider
This is the set with the highest number of pieces on our list. No doubt that a large number of pieces will ensure that all your tasks and projects are completed without any issue. The blades are made of good quality materials like high-speed steel and high carbon steel. High carbon steel is 50 times better than standard carbon so it can easily cut through heavy material. To get the best results, experts recommend that you should lubricate your blades before using them.
The T-shank design of the blades ensures that you can use the blades with a variety of jigsaws from different companies. Furthermore, the blades come in a durable case to have organized and safe storage. This jigsaw blade will also last long enough if you don’t put it under heavy pressure.
- Comprises of 50 pieces
- T-shank design provides ease of use
- It comes with a durable carrying case
- It cannot last long under heavy pressure
Here is the most expensive jigsaw blade set on our list. Festool is a popular brand known for making the best tools. The set comprises 25 pieces; 20 of these pieces are perfect for wood while the other five are universal pieces. All the blades are made from premium quality high carbon steel. Furthermore, the blades are multi-colored, so once you can distinguish what color represents, you can quickly sort it from the case.
- Blades are multi-colored making them easily distinguishable
- 20 out of 25 pieces are made explicitly for wood
- Excellent quality and durability
- You can use it for shallow depths only
Best Jigsaw Blades FAQs
A: You can use jigsaw blades to cut through various materials, and tile is one of them. All you need to do is buy the right blade for the job. Carbide blades are most suitable for cutting ceramics and tiles. Other than carbide blades, blades with abrasive diamond can also efficiently cut through tiles.
A: There is no definite answer to this question because a blade's lifespan depends on its quality, usage, and many other factors. A jigsaw blade eventually wears down, and you can feel that it is losing its cutting ability. Mostly when people use the blade repeatedly, it loses its sharpness. However, you can always sharpen the jigsaw blades. Ensure that you don't force your blades to work if you can feel a prominent cutting resistance.
A: The material of a jigsaw blade defines how and where you can use it. All the materials used for making jigsaw blades have their pros and cons. Thus, to decide which material is the best, you need to consider your task. The material of the object that you are going to work with defines which blade material is the best.
