Do you just want to know which jigsaw blade set is the best? DEWALT DW3742C 14-Piece Blade Set is your best option.
Your cutting tools are only as good as your blades are. The jigsaw is no exception. Projects made from the best jigsaw blades highlight intricate patterns without the extra work.
Let’s look at how a jigsaw blade can improve your woodworking and inspect five product sets that could make it easier to reach that next level.
Understanding the types of Jigsaw Blades
A jigsaw blade performs more like a traditional handsaw blade than a circular saw blade. It uses a reciprocating motion to cut the wood’s fibers. This motion is slower than the continuous cutting created by a circular blade design, but a jigsaw blade will excel at:
- Controlled cuts – A jigsaw blade is easier to start and stop at specific points in the wood;
- Cutting in various directions – These blades also provide consistency in crosscuts, rip cuts, and transitions between the two.
A quick note about breakage
Even the best jigsaw blades will break during use. It can bind in the wood as you cut. They also wear out with extended use.
You need to feed the blade into the wood so that the blade will not bind. That will also prevent unnecessary wear on the electric motor.
Blade length
Longer blades provide deeper cuts. They also allow lower TPI blades more surface for cutting. Longer blades can also bind more easily.
Refer to your owner’s manual for the range of blades the power tool accepts.
Blade width
- 1/4 Inch
- 3/8 Inch
One noticeable design element is the jigsaw blade’s width. Wider blades (3/8 inch) cut gradual curves, and thinner (1/4 inch) blades cut tighter curves. Making the best jigsaw blade selection based on the curves of a project can help prevent binding or slow cutting.
Tooth direction
- Standard – Points upward
- Reverse-Direction – Points downwards
Jigsaws cut on the upstroke. Standard blade teeth point upwards. Splintering, therefore, will happen at the top of the board.
Woodworkers will turn the board over so that the tear-out is on the back surface. There are reverse-toothed blades that cut on the downstroke if you cannot flip the board over.
My late grandfather used these to cut his kitchen countertops. I have used them on shelving to prevent damage to the finished surface on top.
Jigsaw blade shanks
- Bayonet Shank – Discontinued
- U-Shank – Still available
- T-Shank – Standard style
My grandfather’s old jigsaw used a bayonet-style attachment. Today’s best jigsaw blades have replaced the bayonet shank. You are probably due for an upgrade if you still have one of these jigsaws.
The U-shank replaced the bayonet design. The blade slots into position and is clamped securely by a screw. These blades require tools to change them out.
You can still purchase this type of shank. Some budget-friendly jigsaws still use the U-shank design.
The T-Shank has become the favored design in recent years. It uses small wings to hold the blade in place. These are also toolless blades that change out with the push of a button (in most cases).
Many of today’s best woodworking jigsaws make use of the T-shank. Refer to the owner’s manual to determine which shank to use.
Teeth-Per-Inch (TPI)
This number describes the number of teeth making contact with an inch of wood at any given moment. This tooth count can help determine:
- Materials cut
- Speed of Cut
- Roughness of cut
TPI determines the preferred material for cutting. A 13 TPI or lower is a good choice for soft materials, including wood. Blades with 21 TPI or more are better suited for harder materials, like metal.
TPI ratings between 14 and 20 are good middle-ground for material cutting. Blades rated higher than 36 TPI are for glass or tile.
Lower TPI counts will cut through wood more quickly. They also leave a rougher surface.
Higher tooth counts will cut more slowly, but they will also provide a smoother surface when finished.
Jigsaw blade materials
- Carbide
- High Carbon Steel (HCS)
- High-Speed Steel (HSS)
- Bi-Metal (BIM)
Carbide blades are a good choice for specialty materials other than wood. Use carbide blades on glass, tile, or stainless steel.
High-carbon steel cuts nicely through soft materials. Use an HCS blade on fiberboard, soft plastics, and softwoods.
High-Speed Steel blades cut non-ferrous metals. Better abrasive resistance makes them ideal for aluminum and copper.
A Bi-Metal blade is a cross between the Carbon Steel blade and an HSS blade. This combination cuts through harder metals and will last longer than HCS or HSS blades.
Putting It All Together
Use the information above to select the best jigsaw blades for your woodworking projects.
Read the product label if you are unsure what features you need. It will tell you the information you need to make an informed purchase.
I tend to stock a variety of blades in my woodshop to cover my needs for every project.
Best Jigsaw Blade Sets Reviewed
DeWALT DW3742C – Best for Wood, including Plywood
- Wood and Metal applications
- T-shank design fits all Bosch and DEWALT jig saws
- Product Type: Tools
OVERVIEW
This set from DeWALT includes two blades from seven different TPI counts. The T-shank blades offer a reasonable selection for beginning and intermediate woodworkers who are just starting their first blade collection. DeWALT products are easy to find at your local big-box store or through online retailers.
Pros
- The case that the set comes in is two-sided. That will help to cut down on the space used in a drawer or your toolbox. It also has a latch to keep the case locked;
- This product focuses on wood. Two blades are for metalwork, while the rest of the set is designated for wood use;
- Each blade is clearly marked, making it easier to read. The labeling distinguishes between materials and types of cut.
Cons
- The clear plastic on the case is thin and will crack easily. It also can be scratched quickly, making it harder to see into;
- This set is intended for use on DeWALT products or Bosch. That could limit its potential with jigsaw owners who have a power tool from another manufacturer.
Bosch T30C – Best for cutting metal
- 4 T119BO basic scroll for wood, 4 T144D speed for wood, 4 T101B clean for wood, 4 T101D clean for wood, 4 T101BF clean for hardwood, 4 T118A basic for metal, 4 T118B basic for metal, 2 T308B X-tra...
- Set offers precise, fine, clean cuts in wood, plastic and metal
- Reusable case with extra storage for up to 30 blades
OVERVIEW
This 30-piece offering from Bosch is intended to stock your shop in one trip. The T-shank blades included in the kit can cut wood, plastics, and metals.
Pros
- This set offers more blades and more variety than the DeWALT set reviewed above. Most blades come in groups of four, which should keep you in stock for a few projects;
- Extra-clean blades will cut slowly and provide you with a smooth surface that should require little clean-up. That can save you a lot of time before the finishing stage;
- A wide selection of blades for metals and plastics provides versatility. It will make it easier to include these materials in your wood projects.
Cons
- The High Carbon Steel and High-Speed Steel blades designated for wood are ideal materials for cutting harder materials. This set caters to cutting metal as much as it does to cutting wood;
- Bosch advertises the extra space for storing 30 blades as a benefit. This set comes with 25 blades, so the extra space is only enough for five more jigsaw blades.
Festool 204275 – Best for Hardwood
- Ideal for outstanding results in wooden materials with high-grade HCS tool steel
- Compatible with T-shank blades
- Get outstanding results in wooden materials / high-grade HCS tool steel
OVERVIEW
This 25-piece blade set is designed to work with t-shank jigsaws. Festool is a known brand name in the hobby and is preferred by many professionals also.
Pros
- 20 out of 25 blades are designed for wood. The five universal blades can also work decently in your projects if you don’t mind going slower;
- Festool has taken the guesswork out of selecting blade material for the task. All blades in the set are made from High Carbon Steel. That should be fine for wood and some softer metals as well;
- The blades are colored. This allows you to identify them more easily in the case once you know what each color represents. That will save you time when fishing for the right blade.
Cons
- The blade quality, combined with the manufacturer’s name, comes with a big price tag. These blades are the most expensive on this list. It might be too much for some to pay for jigsaw blades;
- They are designed to be used for shallow depths. The manufacturer suggests material no thicker than 30 mm (1.18 inches). That limits these kits blades to thinner stock.
WORKPRO Jig Saw Blade Set with Storage Case
- Compatible: T-Shank design for maximum grip and stability. Fits most jig saw models
- Wide Application: Assortment of blades great for wood, plastic and metal. A wide range of jigsaw blades to meet your needs.
- HCS/HSS/BIM Material: HCS blades for general purpose wood cutting/HSS blades for cuts in hardwoods, metal, or reinforced plastic/BIM blades for heavy-duty cuts in hardwoods and metal.
OVERVIEW
The T-Shank blades in this kit are made from a variety of materials. The 25 pieces can be used on wood, metals, and plastics with blades made from components that excel for each application.
Pros
- WORKPRO has designed the blades with plunge-cutting tips. These will allow you to efficiently start a plunge cut. Each tip can pierce the surface more easily;
- This set includes Bi-Metal, High Carbon Steel, and High-Speed Steel blades. That gives new woodworkers a chance to try out each one to see what blades they like to work with;
- These blades are built to work in the majority of jigsaws on the market. That means there is a good chance that they will work in your current jigsaw.
Cons
- The blades seem a bit thinner in this set. That could explain the lower price point. They may not last as long as other blades reviewed here;
- A cheaper manufacturing process includes less stringent quality control. The set may include blades with some deficiencies in tooth alignment or edge. This would eliminate some of the 25 blades straight out of the box.
Cozzmts JigSaw Blades Set
No products found.
OVERVIEW
This set of T-shank blades is about affordability. The price tag will fit those who are working with a limited budget and allow them to use their power tool to its full potential.
Pros
- You get a lot of blades in this set. Cozzmts puts 60 blades in the kit, giving starting hobbyists plenty of blades to use as they begin their first projects;
- The manufacturer lists many top brands as compatible with the blades. This includes Bosch, DeWALT, Black & Decker, Makita, Porter-Cable, Ryobi, Rockwell, SKIL, and TACKLIFE.
- Each blade type designated for wood includes 10 blades. This will help keep your shop stocked as you learn to use your jigsaw and inevitably bend or break blades.
Cons
- The lower price point comes at a cost in construction materials. These blades are made from a cheaper material that will not last as long as some of the other products reviewed here;
- Some T-shanks may fit loosely. This can happen when a product is designed to work universally. Cozzmts offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on the set if there is a problem.
Which Blade Set Cuts The Tightest Curve?
No products found.
For me, the DEWALT DW3742C contains the best jigsaw blades of those reviewed. It provides you with 14 blades. Not as many as other sets offer, but these blades really high-quality. They also come at a reasonable price, unlike the Festool set.
These best jigsaw blades should fare very well with all types of wood, including hardwood and plywood. This set also includes blades created specifically for metal cutting.
Bi-Metal, HCS and HSS components provide the best materials to cut with for the applications that DEWALT indicates. That will allow the blades to last longer and cut more accurately. DEWALT is known for quality products, and these American-made blades should be no exception.
Tooth designs are made for fast cuts, clean cuts, and fine cutting. Five points of contact for each T-shank should provide you with plenty of power transfer and secure hold as well.
