Jigsaw Blades are slender, toothed saw blades designed to fit into a jigsaw (reciprocating) power tool. They make straight, curved or intricate cuts in a variety of materials by moving the blade up and down at high speed.
Key Characteristics:
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Shank Type: Typically come in T-shank (most common) or U-shank styles to fit different jigsaw models.
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Blade Length & Width: Lengths range from about 50 mm to 160 mm; narrower blades (3–6 mm) allow tighter curves, while wider blades (10 mm+) provide better stability on straight cuts.
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Material Composition:
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HCS (High-Carbon Steel): Flexible, suited for wood and soft plastics.
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HSS (High-Speed Steel): Harder, used for non-ferrous metals.
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Bi-Metal: Combines flexible backing with hardened teeth for longer life and versatility.
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Carbide-Grit: Coated with abrasive grit for cutting very hard or abrasive materials (e.g. tile, glass).
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Tooth Configuration & Pitch:
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Measured in teeth-per-inch (TPI); lower TPI (6–10) for fast, rough cuts in wood, higher TPI (18–24+) for fine cuts and metal.
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Special geometries: reverse-tooth blades minimise tear-out on laminates; skip-tooth blades help clear sawdust quickly.
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Cutting Direction: Most blades cut on the up-stroke; down-cut or ground-tooth variants push debris into the kerf for cleaner top surfaces.
Common Uses:
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Woodworking: Cutting curves, stiles, openings (e.g. for vents or sockets) and plunge cuts in timber, plywood or MDF.
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Metalworking: Trimming sheet metal, aluminium profiles or non-ferrous tubing (with appropriate HSS or bi-metal blades).
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Plastics & Composites: Shaping acrylic, PVC, fibreglass or carbon-fibre panels.
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Tile & Masonry (with carbide-grit): Cutting ceramic tile, thin brick slips or fibre-cement boards.
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Crafts & Model-making: Precise detailed work in thin materials, such as laminates, veneers or pattern-plates.
