An effective machine can be half the battle when you want to accomplish smooth cuts using a jigsaw. However, you’ll still have a hard time cutting if you’re using the wrong blade for the task at hand.
The good news is that jigsaw blades are sold individually. So it’s very easy to find the right one for your project without necessarily having to replace the entire jigsaw.
In the guide, we’ve reviewed the best jigsaw blades currently available. Each one is suited for a specific job so be sure to read the pointers in the guide to help you make a more informed decision.
Reviews of the Best Jigsaw Blades
1. Diablo DJT20S T-Shank Jig Saw Blade Set: Best Overall
Want to invest in a jigsaw blade set that delivers an excellent performance all-round? If you do, you’ll be pleased to learn about the Diablo DJT20S T-Shank Blades.
Included in the package is a set of 20 versatile, high-performance blades. More specifically, the manufacturer has provided a nice assortment of blades. This, in turn, allows you to tackle any sort of cutting project you encounter.
There are bi-metal blades that do an excellent job of cutting nail-embedded wood. You’ll also find high-carbon steel blades for cutting softwoods and high-speed steel for slicing through metal.
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Cons
2. DEWALT DW3742C Jigsaw Blades Set with Case: Best for Hardwood
Are you looking to buy the best jigsaw blades for hardwood? If you are, you’ll love the Dewalt DW3742C 14-piece set. This blade includes different types of blades, including ones that tackle hardwood exceptionally well.
To be more precise, the set comprises two units each of seven blade types. For hardwood, you’ll want to use the 4-inch HCS blades. And, if you encounter a project that involves metal-cutting, simply switch to the 3-inch BiM blades.
The TPI on these blades varies significantly. Some blades have just 6 teeth for every inch while the ultra-smooth tools contain as many as 32 teeth per inch. You’ll also find a back-cutting blade perfect for laminates and a more slender wood blade for making tight curves.
If you don’t anticipate needing that many blades, you can opt for the set with fewer pieces. Choose between the 5-, 8-, and 10-piece sets. Important to note though is that each of the blades has a T-shank design.
As mentioned in the title, the set comes with its own carrying case. This makes for easy portability while also enhancing the user’s safety.
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3. 50 Piece Contractor Jigsaw Blades Set by MRCGTCE: Best for Plywood
When tackling plywood, you can’t use just any jigsaw blade. The right blade should have a decent number of teeth and the MRCGTCE is an excellent example.
It includes 6 different sets of blades, designed for a variety of applications. One of the sets contains five 3-inch 21TPI teeth. These are the best jigsaw blades for plywood as they perform clean cuts without leaving any splinters.
And since there are different kinds of blades, plywood isn't the only material you can cut. The rest of the blades can be used for wood chopping, plastic cutting as well as cutting metal. That said, the metal-cutting blades need a bit of refinement to improve their efficiency.
Another thing we like about the MRCGTCE Contractor Blade Set is its compatibility. Their blades are designed to fit snugly in the Dewalt and Bosch range of jigsaws. And the blades come with their own storage case.
With 50 blades included in the package, the MRCGTCE is among the most affordable jig saw blades. Thus, it's a great option for homeowners who rarely do more than slice wood or thin metal.
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4. BLACK+DECKER Jigsaw Blades Set: Best U-Shank Design
If you’re the kind of individual who likes to stick with the good old-fashioned u-shank blade, Black & Decker has got you covered. Their Jigsaw Blade Set comprises an assortment of u-shank style blades.
Though not as popular as their T-shank counterparts, these blades help you save money. You get a whopping 24 blades for a very low price tag.
And the best part is that the set includes different types of blades. This means that it’s just as good for slicing through metal as it is for cutting tight curves in wood.
That said, the manufacturer is quick to note that they don’t provide any warranty. So if any of the blades get damaged within a short time, you’ll have to replace or fix them from your own pocket.
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5. MTP 10x T101AO 3" T-shank Jig Saw Blades: Best for Cutting Curves
Planning to buy the best jigsaw blades for cutting curves? If you are, then you can’t go wrong with the MTP T101AO jigsaw blades.
As you might have guessed, the set includes 10 different blade types. Each blade is 3 inches long and contains a silver metallic finish.
More importantly, these blades provide splinter-free cuts. This is one of the key reasons why they’re highly recommended for cutting curves.
Another reason why we consider this the best jigsaw blade is its compatibility. Unlike other blades that only work with specific brands, these blades fit just fine in any T-shank jigsaw. Whether you have a Dewalt, Bosch, Makita, Hitachi, Metabo, or Milwaukee jigsaw, the blade is guaranteed to fit.
Pros
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What to Look For when Choosing the Best Jigsaw Blades
Intended Use
The first thing you should account for is the application(s) that you’ll be using the jigsaw blades for. This will help you narrow down your selection, especially in terms of material and blade count. This brings us to our next point:
Material
Jigsaw blades are constructed from one of four different types of materials:
High-carbon steel
Abbreviated HCS, the high-carbon steel is among the most affordable choices of material for making jigsaw blades.
A high-carbon steel blade is typically used to make wood-cutting blades but isn’t tough enough for metal-cutting jobs.
Some manufacturers try to incorporate cobalt to make it hard enough for specific applications. But the best use for it is cutting soft materials, such as softwood, fiberboard, and plastic.
High-speed steel blades
HSS is a lot harder than its high-carbon steel counterpart. As such, it can be used to slice through metal with ease. That said, it's important to note that HSS blades are best used on non-ferrous metals - the likes of aluminum and copper.
That said, keep in mind that HSS blades tend to be fragile. Consider buying from reputable brands so that you’re certain of getting a quality high-speed steel blade.
Bi-metal
The bi-metal features a combo of the high-carbon and high-speed steel materials mentioned above. It's the best blade material for cutting harder metals.
The bi-metal blade simply takes the best traits from each one while also combatting their shortcomings. For instance, it retains its sharpness longer than high-carbon steel. And, it’s resistant to overheating.
Tungsten carbide
A tungsten carbide blade is incredibly tough. When used in the construction of jigsaw blades, tungsten carbide is mainly used for reinforcing teeth.
It can also be used as tungsten carbide grit, which is then bonded to a toothless blank. In the latter situation (where the carbide blades don’t have any teeth), the resulting tools can be used to cut tile, ceramics, and fiberglass. However, such carbide blades aren't fit for tackling wood or metal.
Blade tooth count (TPI)
The number of teeth per inch (TPI) is another aspect that you’ll want to take into consideration.
The rule of thumb here is that a blade with fewer teeth cuts faster. However, the resulting cut will have rough edges.
Conversely, a jigsaw blade with more teeth is great for slow, smooth cutting. This all seems very straightforward, right? Well, there’s one other thing you should account for.
A jig saw blade with a higher TPI implies that there’s just a small space between the teeth. As a result, there’s not enough room for waste clearance, creating the risk of clogging.
For instance, if you tried to use an 18 TPI blade in wood, it would clog up pretty fast. On the other hand, using a 6 TPI blade on metal would backfire. The teeth would simply bounce off the surface of the metal.
So the rule of thumb is to use between 6 and 12 TPI if you’re cutting wood. To cut sheet metal, a blade with more teeth works better. Here are a few pointers:
- 18 TPI - if you want to slice through a thin-walled pipe or soft metals and do so fast
- 24 TPI - ideal for slow-cutting through thick or harder metals
Finally, plastics and laminates require an 8 TPI blade.
Tooth Configuration
The TPI isn’t the only factor you should check when examining the jigsaw teeth. Rather, you’ll want to pay attention to the differences in tooth shape and pattern.
The back-cutting jigsaw blade is a good case in point. The teeth on this tool are designed to only cut on the downstroke and not the upstroke. The idea is to minimize chipping in laminate materials or tear-out in wood.
Another configuration that you’re likely to come across entails the skip-tooth blades. Such a tool has a few sections where the teeth are either shorter or completely non-existent.
The idea of having this gap is to allow for waste clearance. This is particularly crucial when you’re slicing through materials like plastic.
If you’re looking to cut a specific kind of material that’s a little out of the norm, look for a blade designed for it. Not only will it cut faster through that material, but also be more precise than an all-purpose blade would.
For instance, blades meant to cut polystyrene and leather usually have knife-like wavy edges to make the process easier.
Blade Shank
Jigsaw blades are designed in one of two ways with a T- or U-shank. The letters refer to the shape of their blades. With a T-shank, the base of the blade takes a “T” shape with small arms on either side. Conversely, a U-shank blade comprises a “U” shaped cut at the base.
In the case of a T-shank design, the saw blade has a tool-less replacement. This makes for a fast and simple process, which is why it’s the most common blade design in modern-day jigsaws.
Older jigsaws were usually equipped with U-shank blades. Their most distinctive feature is the fact that they have an Allen bolt or a screw or that holds them in position. Due to this, replacing takes a bit more time.
So if you have an older jigsaw, there’s a high chance that it can't accept t-shank blades. However, the U-shank blades will likely fit perfectly in it. The safest bet though is to opt for a universal shank that can work in almost any jigsaw.
There’s also the possibility that your old jigsaw has a proprietary blade fitting. For instance, several Makita jigsaws have blades that are specific only to this brand.
If you have difficulty finding a blade for your older jigsaw, consider buying a brand new modern jigsaw. This way, you’re sure that it will work with the readily-available T-shank blades.
There’s one other design that you might encounter: the bayonet shank. The bayonet shank is the least popular and is only ever found in Porter-Cable’s range of jigsaws.
Blade Length, Width and Thickness
Length
For the best outcome, the jigsaw blade ought to be ½-inch longer than the thickness of the workpieces you’ll be cutting.
If it’s too short, there’s a high likelihood of the blade jumping out as the jigsaw moves up and down. However, you don’t want it to be too long either because that will also pose a difficulty. Longer blades pose a risk of flexing.
Based on this, we recommend having an assortment of blades. This way, you’ll have the freedom to experiment with different lengths and see what works for you.
Another point you should keep in mind is that the blade teeth configuration will influence length. Because of the different tooth configurations, the actual blade length will almost always differ from the working length.
Width
Another measurement that’s crucial to account for entails the blade’s width. You’ll want to pick the width that corresponds to the tightness of the curves you’ll be making.
Typically, jigsaw blades come in one of two widths: ¼- and ⅜-inch. The ¼-inch width is the most suited to cut tighter curves.
But if you want to make more gradual curves, go for the wider ⅜-inch width instead. To sum it up, thinner blades are more suited for performing tighter curves than thicker blades.
nonetheless, remember that a thinner blade is also more susceptible to breaking and it wears out faster.
Once you’ve considered these metrics, don’t forget to check the jigsaw itself. Though most jigsaws work with a variety of blades, it’s good to verify the specifications. Not every jigsaw is compatible with the whole range of blade lengths. Some can only work with 3- or 4-inch blades.
Tooth Direction
This simply refers to the direction in which the jigsaw blade’s teeth are facing. If you look at a standard jigsaw, you’ll notice that its teeth are pointing upwards. This allows them to cut during the blade’s upstroke. This configuration works well for all-purpose cutting applications.
However, other types of jigsaws have a reverse tooth direction, meaning the teeth point downwards. Such a jigsaw blade is best used on a pre-finished surface, helping to decrease the risk of chipping.
Compatibility
Before anything else, you’ll want to check the specifications of the jigsaw you have at hand. Can it work with both U-shank and T-shank blades? Or is it only compatible with either design?
Similarly, pay attention to your jigsaw’s brand. Does it accept blades only from a similar brand or can you experiment with tools from a different brand?
Extra Features
Here are other features you may want to consider:
- Case - this helps you carry and keep your jigsaw blades in pristine condition
- Blade count - the higher the number of blades provides, the more the applications you’ll be able to tackle
- Warranty - a good jigsaw blade set should come with a warranty. This gives you the right to return it and get a refund or replacement.
FAQs
What jigsaw blade makes the smoothest cut?
The DEWALT DW3742C Jigsaw Blade is the best option if you’re looking to achieve the smoothest cuts possible.
The set includes blades that have up to 32 teeth per inch, which is the highest TPI count you’ll come across. Thanks to this, the blade is able to cut smoothly without leaving any rough edges.
What blade do you use on a jigsaw?
Jigsaws don’t have a one-size-fits-all kind of blade. Rather, the right blade will depend on the application you’re using the jigsaw for. For instance, if you’re planning to cut metal, then a blade made of high-speed steel is an excellent choice.
Generally, this boils down to the materials you’ll be cutting with the jigsaw. This will then help you determine the most suitable blade length, thickness, tooth configuration, and more.
Are Bosch jigsaw blades good?
Yes, they are. Bosch is revered for creating quality power tools, and their jigsaw blades are no exception. Their T118AHM1 blade is an excellent example. This blade can be used to cut through hard materials like stainless steel. And it's compatible with numerous brands of jigsaws.
Are Diablo jigsaw blades good?
Yes, they are. The Diablo DJT20S blade set is a good case in point. Included in the package is an array of blades with standard blade teeth designed to tackle different materials, including wood, plastic, and metal.
And even though the blades have a T-shank design, they can fit in combo and some U-shank jigsaws as well. Plus, they cut efficiently, regardless of whether they’re added to a corded or cordless jigsaw.
How to put a blade in a jigsaw
Now that you know some of the best jigsaw blades, the only thing left is to install them in your jigsaw. Here are the steps you should take:
1. Loosen the screw
Start by looking for the screw that’s holding the blade shank in place. Then using a screwdriver or Allen key, loosen it until it releases the blade.
2. Remove the current blade
Gently remove the blade from the blade clamp and put it aside. If you’d been operating your jigsaw just a short while ago, pull out the blade using pliers because it could still be hot.
3. Install the new blade
Place the new blade starting with the shank that’s meant to go into the blade clamp. Insert it in such a way that the teeth are facing away from the jigsaw.
4. Tighten the screw
While holding the blade in position, use your screwdriver to tighten the screw. This will allow the blade to be secured in position. Once you’re done, you can start cutting with your new tool.
How to keep jigsaw blade from bending
If you want your jigsaw blade to last, one thing you’ll want to avoid is bending it unnecessarily. Here’s how:
- Ensure you’re using a proper blade for the cutting job
- Keep your blades properly; preferably away from direct sunlight
- Sharpen your saw blade regularly to avoid unnecessary strain on it
- Use a slow feed rate- this also helps to minimize strain
Which jigsaw blade for cutting wood?
The most suitable jigsaw blade for wood cutting is one that has a low TPI; anything between 6 and 10 TPI works just fine. It should also have wide gullets to provide enough space for waste clearance.
How long are jigsaw blades?
Jigsaw blades come in a variety of lengths, with most ranging between 3 and 4 inches long. As we mentioned earlier, the blade should always be ½ inch longer than the material it will be used to cut.
How long do jigsaw blades last?
Unfortunately, there’s no straightforward answer to this question. This will depend on how frequently the blade is used and the type of material it’s used to cut. A jigsaw blade that’s used to cut soft materials may last longer than one used to cut harder materials like metals.
Are jigsaw blades universal?
Have you been wondering whether you can use a blade from a different brand on your jigsaw? Well, the answer is yes, as long as the shank is compatible. For example, if you have a T-shank jigsaw, then you should be able to use T-shank blades from other brands.
Conclusion
Finding the best jigsaw blades is no mean feat. There are several factors you should take into account, such as the material used in the blade’s construction, length, thickness, shank type, intended use, and tooth configuration.
Based on these factors, one jigsaw blade that’s highly praised is the Diablo DJT20S T-Shank Jig Saw Blade Set. The whole set includes 20 different kinds of blades. This means that you have a pretty good chance of finding a blade designed for a specific application.
And the best thing is that most of these blades are highly versatile. Whether you want to install it on a corded or cordless; U-shank or T-shank jigsaw, you’re bound to find one that fits.