Best Reciprocating Saw Blades for Wood, Metal, and More

If you want precise cuts in your construction and manufacturing projects, the perfect way is to choose the appropriate and best reciprocating saw blades or their lightest version, the saber saw blade. Regardless of the material, you should always go for an accurate blade. It offers you endless advantages, including less time, more efficiency, more precision, and increased shelf life of your saw.  

In this article, you will read about various types of blades that differ in materials from metals to wood to masonry. You will also know why it is important to consider TPI in saw blades. At the end of this guide, you will gain confidence and decide on the best reciprocating saw blades perfect for your project. 

Reciprocating Saw Blades: What They Are & When to Use

Define Reciprocating Saw Blade (Previously Known As Jigsaw/Recip Saw Blades)

Reciprocating saws are also called jigsaw blades or best reciprocating saw blades. They incorporate a specific type of blade, i.e., a reciprocating saw blade. Manufacturers also call it a push-and-pull blade because it moves back and forth. This movement enables saw blades to penetrate different materials and cut them precisely. 

When you compare saber saws with other types, it is a surprising fact that the saber saws always stand out in the market. The reason lies in their push and pull forces that are perfect for accurate cuts. This specific feature makes them applicable to vast, intense tasks.

Important Uses

Reciprocating saw blades hold application in a variety of tasks. These include DIY creative tasks, manufacturing, construction, deconstruction, creating wood-made objects, and plumbing. The variety of uses is due to the specific back-and-forth movement, cutting through materials in a perfect manner. 

Right Reciprocating saw blade cuts tough materials such as metal, masonry, cast iron alloy, and trees’ boughs and twigs. Handlers consider them perfect for these tasks, as they play multiple roles in the selective removal of trees’ components, cutting through wood, handling plumbing activities, making wood furniture, etc. You can consider saw blades for your construction task as well as for home remodeling.

Blade Compatibility with Modern Saber Saws

The blade industry always accepts innovation. It has introduced new saber saws that can work with multiple saber blades at one time. They can adjust blade length and blade width according to a specific material. Wider blades, like shorter ones, are more rigid and provide more stability compared to narrower blades.

If you require a tungsten carbide blade to cut through marble or a metal blade to penetrate metals, the saber saws align with all blade types. With modern inventions, you can expect that soon you can change one blade for another without any tools. It will allow you to remain more efficient and perform professional cutting through various materials in less time. 

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Saber Saw Blade Basics

Multiple Roles in Demolition, Plumbing, Carpentry

Saber saws are mandatory equipment for construction, deconstruction, plumbing, renovation, or wood-based object designing. 

• Demolition Work: Demolishers consider saber saws blade work accurate for stripping wall paints, deconstructing wooden objects, and cutting through water pipes. They are perfect to traverse cutting wood, metal, plastic, and masonry. 
• Plumbing: Plumbers easily use the right reciprocating saw blade in indoor and outdoor plumbing activities. They use push-and-pull saws for plastic polymer polyvinyl chloride, cast iron alloys, and copper and zinc rusted pipes. 
• Carpentry: Carpenters understand the importance of saber saws in making wooden objects, such as furniture, cabinets, or DIY wooden objects. Blades fit accurately in narrow spaces and make precise cuts.

Materials For Which Reciprocating Saw Blades Are Designed

Saber saws align with a large variety of materials. Each one is designed for a specific material for your ease. Let’s discuss some of them.

• Carbon Steel Blades: They are appropriate for materials like plastic, plastic polymers, and wood.
• Bi-Metal Blades: Due to the combination of simple steel and high-carbon steel, bi-metal blades are elastic and long-lasting. They are accurate for thick and thin metal cutting.
• Carbide Grit Blades: They are perfect for precise cuts in hard cement, stones, and masonry bricks.
• High-speed Steel Blades: They are suitable for your iron alloy cutting projects. You can use these blades for cast iron, metal sheets, and hard metals. Their plus point lies in their ability to withstand the toughness and retain the strength and shelf life of these materials.

Why Consider TPI (Comparing Speed vs. Smoothness of Blade Cuts)

TPI (teeth per inch) is a phenomenon by which you can check the precision of the blade’s cut. If you want to understand the use of an appropriate saber blade in a specific condition, you must know the TPI. It will help you take the right decision for your complex task, ensuring a balance between optimal speed and smoothness of cuts.

If there is low TPI (ranging from 3 to 6 TPI), you can use this range for demolition projects, cutting down trees, and removing specific branches of trees. It will allow you to cut material quickly, as it does not require accuracy.

You can use high speed steel teeth (ranging from 10 to 14 TPI) when dealing with metal, cast iron, and polyvinyl chloride cutting. Blades with more TPI allow you to handle cutting with more care and precision. As a result, you make a smooth cut with high accuracy.

TPI Chart For Saber Saw Blade 

Specific TPI Ranges for Specific Materials

• 3–6 TPI: Perfect for Wood, Pruning, and Rough Cuts

TPI ranges on the lower side, such as 3-6 TPI, are used for achieving cuts in materials quickly. This range suits those materials that do not require precision and smoothness, instead require a fast speed. 

These materials include wooden objects and trees’ branches and roots (pruning). For this purpose, users go for demo blades with violent teeth. They make rough cuts at a maximum speed within a minimum time. 

• 6–10 TPI: Suitable for Wood with Nails and Rough Carpentry

TPIs that range from 6 to 10 incorporate blades called carbide-tipped or carbide-focused blades. They are used for achieving durable cuts in materials. They are perfect for hard materials fitted in wood or thicker woods. 

Carpenters also call these TPI blades carpenter blades. They use these saber saw blades for informal or rough carpentry activities. The incorporated carbide teeth in these blades allow them to withstand hard and tough materials. 

• 10–14 TPI: Accurate for PVC and Softer Metals

TPIs that range from 10 to 14 include bi-metal blades. They suit all those materials that demand a smooth, plus clean cut. They are appropriate for polyvinyl chloride pipes, plastic pipes, and soft metals. 

There is a combination of basic steel and high-carbon steel in these blades. It allows them to hold elasticity and firmness while cutting materials. Thus, you can use these TPI blades for plastic, plastic polymers, and aluminum.

• 14–18 TPI: Best for Steel and Thin Metals

TPIs from 14 to 18 use metal blades. They are perfect for traversing through thin metals and steel. The smooth, yet aggressive teeth of these blades cut through these materials in a precise way. As a result, the users make a perfect, smooth cut. 

Metal blades are suitable when you are handling precise metal cutting tasks. You can also use them for cast iron alloys, aluminum sheets, and thin metal sheets.

• 20–24 TPI: Appropriate for Sheet Metal and Precise Cuts

TPIs ranging from 20 to 24 incorporate fine-cut blades (also called smooth-cut or precise-cut blades). Handlers use these blades for cuts that demand maximum accuracy and evenness. These are accurate to use for sheet metal or thick metals.

This high range of TPIs holds applications for activities that require clean, smooth, and accurate cuts, such as thick metal, complex plastic, or sheet metal. If you use an inappropriate blade for these tasks, you might end up damaging your product.

Best Reciprocating Saw Blades by Material

1. Wood Cutting

• Characteristics: Low TPI range, violent blade teeth, and lengthy blades

In wood cutting, you will require carbide-tipped deconstructing blades. These blades have a low TPI (ranging from 3 to 6) with violent, tearing teeth. Woodcutters use this blade to make uneven cuts in wood where accuracy is secondary. Being lengthy is a plus point, as long blades can penetrate thicker woods and make deeper cuts.

• Recommended Blade: Carbide-tipped/Carbide-focused demolition blades

If you want to achieve maximum wood cutting within a limited time, use carbide-focused demolition blades for this purpose. These blades with violent teeth can withstand the density and thickness of woods and serve the purpose.

2. Metal Cutting

• Specific Features: High TPI range, bi-metal or carbide-grit blades

When cutting metal, you will require bi-metal blades with a higher TPI (ranging from 10 to 18). They are a combination of basic steel and high-carbon steel. They possess elasticity and increased resistance to wear and tear. Thus, they are suitable for cutting sheet metal, steel, and softer metals like aluminum. You can also use carbide blades for harder materials.

• Recommended Blade: Best metal cutting blade for saber saw

If you require perfect, long-lasting blades for tough tasks like cutting metals, bi-metal blades are suitable. They exhibit the elasticity of steel and the toughness of high-carbon steel. These properties make them appropriate for cutting metals, both soft and hard.

3. Cast Iron Cutting

• Characteristic Features: Strong carbide grit or carbide-tipped blades

For cutting cast iron alloys, you will require blades with maximum strength and increased life. You can use carbide-grit or carbide-tipped blades with aggressive teeth. They are perfect for handling the thickness and depth of cast iron alloys. They retain their performance even in handling the toughest materials.

• Recommended Blade: Best blades reciprocating for cast iron

For cutting cast iron alloys, the right blade is the carbide blade with grits or tipped teeth. These grits and violent teeth help you make cuts in tough blade materials. They will also handle complex tasks with accuracy.

4. Masonry Cutting

• Specific blades made for penetrating masonry and concrete

If you require blades for penetrating masonry, marble, tiles, stones, and concrete, there are specific Reciprocating saw blades. These blades possess either carbide grits or sturdy diamond grit blades. Diamond Particles can traverse tough materials with maximum accuracy and performance. As a result, the materials will also retain their shape. 

If you want specific blades for marble, fiber cement, bricks, and cement, use masonry cutting blades in saber saws for accurate cutting.

Pro Tips for Optimizing the Performance of Blades

Align Blade Length to Material Thickness

When you choose a saber saw for your specific task, choose carefully. You must match the standard lengths of the blade according to the density of the material. 

• Longer Blades: Suitable for denser and thicker cutting materials, including metal sheet, metals, and wood
• Shorter Blades: Appropriate for making accurate cuts in plastic, plastic polymers, and thin metals

Use Speeds According to Materials

You must match the speeds according to the materials. 

• Higher Speed: Recommended for rough cutting, especially in woods, as they require less accuracy
• Slower Speed: Suitable for metal and cast iron cutting to achieve the maximum performance and accuracy

Use a Lubricant When Cutting Hard Metals

When cutting hard metals, you must use high-quality oil or a lubricant. It will make the cutting process smoother and increase the performance. Lubricant offers many advantages, including lessening friction and preventing materials from sticking to the blade. As a result, decreased friction will prevent steel and carbide blades from dulling and rusting.

Change Blades Before They Dull to Protect the Saber Saw

If you wish to optimize the working of your saber saw, change the blades if they get old. An old, dull blade will require more energy from the saw, thus minimizing its efficiency. If you replace the dull blade with a new, sharper one, it will protect the dignity and strength of the tool.

Recommended Reciprocating Saw Blades Brands & Kits

Authentic Blade Brands

Suppose you know all the basics of working with the standard reciprocating saw blades and which to use in which condition. But if you have bought it from a low-quality brand, all your knowledge is in vain. So, you must know some authentic brands that offer all types of Reciprocating saw blades. 

Some known brands include Johnsontools, Milwaukee, Bosch, and DeWalt. Among all of them, Johnsontools stands out in the market. It offers a variety of reciprocating saw blades types, such as bi-metal blades, carbide-focused blades, grit blades, and steel blades. If you require blades for both formal and DIY projects, you can also consider other brands. 

Multi-Material Saber Saw Blade Kits

If you require multiple blades for different projects, you must go for multi-material reciprocating saw blade kits. They include a vast range of Reciprocating saw blades, including for metal, cast iron, wood, plastic polymers, and masonry.

If you are a contractor working on multiple aspects of construction, deconstruction, and engineering, this kit is a must. You just have to open the kit and choose the blade according to the specific condition. It will help you perform maximum work within the assigned time.

Focus on Durability, Efficiency, and Cost-Effectiveness

Initially, buying top-notch reciprocating saw blades might put a burden on your pocket. With passing time, when you test their efficiency and notice their longevity, you will realize it’s worth investing in. If you choose an authentic brand and the right material, you will save your own time and money.

Blades having a higher TPI range are often more expensive. These include carbide-grit and bi-metal blades. Remember that these expensive blades have a long life and require minimal replacements if you handle them with care. Your careful handling will determine their running speed and efficiency.

FAQs

1. What is the life of a reciprocating saw blades?

The life of a reciprocating saw blade depends on multiple factors. These include the material on which the blade is to be applied, the frequency or speed of usage, and the careful handling of blades. Bi-metal blades usually have a longer life with less replacement cost. In contrast, carbide-focused blades offer a long life when you use them to traverse cast iron alloys and harder materials. 

2. Can I Use the Same Saber Saw Blade for Wood and Metal Cutting?

There are some reciprocating saw blades that can serve for both metal and wood cutting. For instance, you can use bi-metal and steel blades for dual cutting. But experts recommend that you use the particular blade made for a specific material. It will help you achieve maximum accuracy and performance while cutting.

3. What is the Optimal TPI Range for Penetrating Nails in Wood?

If you require blades to traverse nails in wood, you should consider the TPI range of 6 to 10. These include the carbide-grit or carbide-focused blades with violent teeth. They can handle tough materials like nails, no matter how deeply embedded in the wood. 

Wrapping Up!

The appropriate selection of a reciprocating saw blade holds immense importance in cutting materials. It is mandatory if you want to make accurate, smooth, and efficient cuts in your multiple projects. Regardless of the dense materials, you must know which type of blade and TPI rating align with which specific material.

Are you a professional carpenter, contractor, demolisher, engineer, blade manufacturer, or DIY creator? The above guide is for you! Contact us for more details.