8 Best Jigsaw Blade For Any Purpose (Wood, Metal, and More)

Last Updated on April 12, 2023 by Barry Gray

Jigsaws are very popular, especially among DIYers like myself. The amount of versatility they offer is truly spectacular. If you have access to the right blade, you can truly cut any type of material. These days, you get blades for laminates, wood, plastics, composites, ceramics, metal, as well as polystyrene and leather. 

Jigsaw blades often don’t come with a sharpening mechanism, which can mean a shorter shelf life compared to other blades. Stemming from this, if you select the right blade, you can maximize productivity as well as economy. I have listed some of my top favorites below.

cutting piece of wood with a jigsaw

Overall Best – DEWALT Jigsaw Blades 14 Piece Set

The DEWALT jigsaw blades enable buyers to try many different types of blades without too much expense. This provides a great experience to purchase more blades whenever the current ones suffer from wear and tear. The T-shank 14 piece set has 2 sets of 7 different blade types. 

This includes BiM blades of 3 inches to be used for cutting metals, and HCS blades of 4 inches to be used for cutting wood. This is the best jigsaw blade to cut butcher block cutting and to take down larger wood pieces.

The teeth range is between 6 TPI to as much as 32 TPI. There is also a back cutting blade to be used for laminates, and a slender type of wood blade to be used for tight curves. 

Pros

  • Impressive quality and size
  • Convenience and efficiency
  • Value for money
  • Longevity
  • Awesome assortment of blades 

Cons

  • Storage case lacks hole to hang on nails or hooks

Most Economical – WORKPRO Jigsaw Blades 25 Piece Set

I tend to steer jigsaw enthusiasts away from budget friendly options because the saws bend easily, being as thin as they are.

Taking all this into account, if you are looking at something on a lower budget, then the WORKPRO jigsaw blades are a perfect option for you. It offers the right blend of quality and cost. This T-shank set comes with 25 pieces. 

It has 7 types of blades, ranging from 3 inches for cutting metal with a 21 TPI, to as much as 5 inches with 10 TPI on one side and 5 TPI on the other side. You normally would need to use specific blades for practicality. However, this is a great option when you need to slice through aluminum, wood, as well as hard plastics. 

The best jigsaw blade for hardwood will have at least a 5 TPI. You get HSS, HCS, as well as BiM blades in this set, and it also comes with a durable storing case. Many months of usage are possible with this set. 

Pros

  • Good value for money
  • Long lasting blades
  • Type of material mentioned on each blade, making it easy to use

Cons

  • Could include more blades 

Most Multipurpose – Bosch Thermotechnology Jigsaw Set 21 Pieces

The Bosch contractor type of jigsaw blade is professionals and DIYers. The top quality blades include HSS, HCS, and BiM, as well as unique features such as progressive tooth pitch, which offers amazing multipurpose cutting. There are 21 T-shank types of blades in total, available in 6 different styles.

These styles are between 6 and 24 TPI as well as 3 and five-eighth inches to as much as 5 and quarter inches in terms of length. You get the regular metal and wood blades, but you also get “progressor” versions, as well as specialist types of blades for plaster and fiber. 

This is the best jigsaw blade for fiberglass cutting. The case included is called “Brute Tough” – a testimony to its strength. This set is more expensive compared to others on the market, but the performance and quality make it worthwhile.

Pros

  • Versatile, efficient, and durable
  • Carbide included, providing long shelf life
  • Great for metal sheets and wood

Cons

  • Could have had a better case design, as compartments are difficult to access

Ultimate Contractor – MRCGTCE Jigsaw Blades 50 Piece Set

If you are a contractor, chances are you go through blades quickly. The MRCGTCE jigsaw blade set provides an economic blade supply without compromising on quality. If you are a home user who doesn’t cut beyond thin metal or wood, this is also a choice for you. 

The set includes 50 T-shank types of blades from 6 to as much as 21 TPI, available in 3 and 4 inch lengths. You get smooth and fast cutting experience for plywood, wood, metal, and composites. 

This is the best jigsaw blade for plywood and for vinyl plank flooring. You also get 10 additional back-cutting types of blades great for laminates such as kitchen countertops and flooring.

Pros

  • Accurate, precise and affordable
  • Durable materials such as HSS and HCS
  • T-shank design to accommodate most jigsaw brands

Cons

  • Carrying case quality could be improved 

Ultimate For Plastics – Bosch TI01A3 Plexiglass Jigsaw Blades 3-piece 4 inch

Plexiglass is not too difficult to cut through, and many blades can do the job. However, it often results in shards or sharp splinters in the finish, which can result in injuries. This specialist blade pack from Bosch is meant to address these problems. 

This is the best jigsaw blade for plexiglass. These blades can also cut through plastics, acrylic sheets, as well as hard foam. You get 3 T-shank types of blades made with HSS. They are 4 inches in length and have 14 TPI, and maximum cut is 2 and three-quarter inches. 

The working length restricts usage, but they are good for clean and fast cutting. The teeth have been ground to a tapering shape, and so plastics cannot bind onto the blade, which is one of the main reasons causing uneven cutting. 

Pros

  • Straight and precise cutting
  • Durable material
  • Sharp teeth
  • Fits all T-shank type of jigsaws

Cons

  • Does not include a carrying box

Ultimate For Ceramics – Bosch TI30RF11 Carbide Jigsaw Blades 3 1/4

If you are one of those people who has tried to cut out awkward shapes on tile, then this ceramic jigsaw blade from the house of Bosch is perfect for you. You can cut straight lines rapidly, or cut curves on ceramic. This is one of the best jigsaw blades for cutting curves precisely. 

You can also cut fiberglass and glass. The blade has tungsten carbide particles attached to it, which is additionally coated for better durability. The 3 and quarter inch blade has a length of 2 and five-eighth inches. The blade is relatively expensive compared to others in the market. 

Moreover, it outshines the competition when it comes to longevity and performance. If you are looking for a jigsaw blade that can cut plasterboard or cement board, you should carbide-toothed blade as opposed to carbide grit, which can result in clogging. 

Pros

  • High longevity and performance
  • Great for cutting different shapes on ceramic
  • Contains tungsten carbide for more durability

Cons

  • More expensive compared to other blades in the market

Ultimate U-shank – Black + Decker Jigsaw Blades

Jigsaws needing U-shank fittings are not in circulation any more. Moreover, many of the older models still allow for this. This Black and Decker set of blades is a poignant addition to your collection if you have one of the older models. You get 24 blades of 3 inches, made of high carbon type of steel.

The range is from 6 TPI meant for rapid cutting of wood, to 24 TPI meant to saw through metal sheets. The 10 TPI blade is meant to cut tight curves on wood. It’s one of the best jigsaw blades for cutting curves. The metal blades are able to handle copper, aluminum and other similar types of soft metals, but are not suitable for steel. 

U-shank blades are the best jigsaw blade for cutting aluminum. Professionals might require longer blades, but if you are a DIYer this set suffices perfectly.

Pros

  • Great for U-shank fittings
  • Perfect for older models
  • Can cut tight curves
  • Works well for DIYers

Cons

  • Shorter blade length may not be suitable for professionals
  • Metal blades cannot be used to cut steel

Best For Plaster and Fiber – Bosch T341HM1 Jigsaw Blades 

Demolition blades can provide great usage for cutting plaster, fiber, as well as cement boards. However, they do tend to suffer wear and tear on more abrasive materials. They can also be coarser for high precision jobs such as cutting to size, or creating holes for special service pipes. 

The 5 and quarter inch blade of T-shank type provides 6 TPI. The teeth have been carbide tipped to maintain sharpness. They are also resistant to heat buildup, which results in greater longevity.

The blade capacity ranges between 1 and quarter inches to 3 and one-eighth inches, as well as from quarter inch to 2 and three-eighth inches in both fiberglass and plasterboard. 

The kerf is thin and reduces loss of material, which also allows for precise dimensioning. Most blades that are carbide tipped are used to cut cast iron and stainless steel. In relation to this, these blades are not designed for this purpose. For that, you need to consider blades with lengths between 3 and 4 inches, and between 18 and 24 TPI. 

Pros

  • Good durability and longevity
  • Great for precision cutting 
  • Resistant to heat buildup 

Cons

  • Blades though carbide tipped, cannot be used for cast iron or stainless steel

How To Choose Jigsaw Blades

jigsaw on the workbench

Jigsaw blades are great in functionality and highly popular. Furthermore, the large range of choices can be overwhelming, not to mention the specialist blades that offer specific cutting for particular materials. Below are some things to consider when choosing jigsaw blades. 

Material

There are 4 kinds of material combinations that are used to manufacture jigsaw blades. These include HSS or high speed steel, HCS or high carbon steel, BiM or bi-metal, and carbide also called tungsten carbide.

  • High carbon steel: This is a low cost material and is best suited for cutting wood. This material is not robust enough to cut metal. In accumulation of all of this, many manufacturers add cobalt to make it suitable to cut metal.
  • High speed steel: This is a tougher material compared to high carbon steel. It is generally used to cut metals. However, the drawback is its brittle nature. 
  • Bi-metal: This is a combination of high speed steel as well as high carbon steel. So, it creates the best qualities of both. They are resistant to overheating, are able to remain sharp much longer compared to HCS, and cut the majority of materials effectively.
  • Tungsten carbide: This is a compound that is high on hardness. While manufacturing jigsaw blades, carbide is often used to strengthen the teeth, or to provide grit bond to a toothless blank. A toothless blank is not suitable to cut metal or wood, but can easily cut through glass, ceramic, tile, as well as fiberglass.

Blade thickness and length

inserting jigsaw blade

The blade needs to be at least 0.5 inches longer than the thickness of the material being cut.

In case of very short blades, the risk is that it will jump out of the cut while the jigsaw keeps going up and down, which may result in the blade snapping. There can be differences between working length and actual length of the blade. 

This depends on tooth configurations and fitting methods. Manufacturers will often mention this by specifying maximum cutting depth.

You also need to ensure that the blade is not too long, as this can result in flexing. This can make following line cuts difficult. If you have a good assortment of blades then finding the correct length is not difficult. 

Thinner blades produce tighter curve cuts compared to thicker blades. But the thinner blades will also suffer more wear and tear, and break easily. In addition, the main factor is the jigsaw specifications because not all tools will accept all available lengths of blades. 

Type of shank

Most jigsaw blades come with a T-shank type of configuration. Jigsaws that accommodate T-shank blades often have replacement without need for tools. So, the process is easy and quick. 

Older models tend to use U-shank fittings. U shank type of blades will usually have an Allen bolt or screw that keeps them in place. Therefore, replacement requires more time. Check the type you require because both these blades cannot be interchanged.

In the case of older jigsaws, it may not be readily apparent as to which type of blade to use. In such cases, try universal shanks. Pertaining to this, the term is a bit of a misnomer because they don’t fit all the machines, and tend to be limited in their variety. 

Older jigsaws may also have proprietary blade fittings. For instance, Makita jigsaws had specific blades according to the brand. It may be a challenge to find such blades. In cases of this type, purchasing a new jigsaw may be the best solution if your current jigsaw is an older model.

Tooth configuration

TPI, also known as the number of teeth per inch, significantly impacts the performance of the blade. The lesser the teeth the rougher the cut, and the more number of teeth the smoother and slower the cut. TPIs range between 6 and 32, but you do need to consider other factors.

A high TPI means there is less space between the teeth to allow for waste clearance. So, if you are using an 18 TPI blade to cut wood, it may clog the blade. Based on this, a 6 TPI blade would not be sufficient to cut metal because the blade would just bounce away from the surface.

There are some exceptions, but jigsaw blades to cut wood usually range in TPI from 6 to 12. The best jigsaw blade for laminate flooring will cut laminates and plastics and have a TPI between 8 and 14. Jigsaw blades to cut metals usually have TPI between 14 and 24.

There are also differences in tooth pattern and shape. Jigsaw blades for back-cutting tend to cut during the downstroke and not during the upstroke. This reduces chipping and tearing in laminates and woods, respectively.

There are also skip tooth blades where some teeth are missing or the teeth are much shorter. These gaps provide clearance for difficult wastes, such as those produced while cutting plastics. 

Certain kinds of blades may not have any teeth. These do not include just the carbide versions mentioned above, but also blades which have wavy and knife-like edges. These blades are designed to cut fabrics, leather, and polystyrene.

If you tend to cut one specific material then it’s better to look for blades that are specifically designed to cut that material. Stemming from this, you will acquire a faster and more accurate cut compared to general purpose varieties of blades. 

Photo of author

Barry Gray

Hi, I’m Barry. I’ve loved woodworking and bringing things back to life for more years than I care to remember. I hope my passion for tools comes across loud and clear in everything you read here on The Tool Square.

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