Selecting the right recipro blade for the job
The performance of your saw blade depends on four important factors: tool material, teeth per inch, tooth geometry, blade length. In this article, we will do a deep dive on everything you need to consider before you make the first cut to help you pick out the best blade to get the job done quick.
Tool material
From cutting through plastic to stainless steel, there will be a recipro blade that will best suit the task at hand. Below are the common tool materials and their best use:
High Carbon Steel
High carbon steel is the most economical blade material, offering advantages such as resistance to abrasion and deformation, the ability to hold a cutting edge at elevated temperatures, and high flexibility.
Cobalt Bi-Metal
Cobalt Bi-Metal reciprocating blades are a cutting-edge solution that combines high-temperature alloyed sprung steel with cobalt high-speed steel through a flexible electron beam welded joint. These blades are engineered to meet and exceed the most demanding cutting requirements, ensuring exceptional durability, heat resistance, and versatility in a variety of cutting applications.
Carbide tipped / Carbide Grit
Carbide reciprocating blades feature alloyed tool steel with tungsten carbide teeth or a tungsten carbide gritted cutting edge. These blades offer exceptional abrasion resistance, resulting in the longest lifespan. Carbide blades maintain a sharper cutting edge, deliver superior finishing, and enable faster cutting speeds. Embrace the power and efficiency of carbide reciprocating blades for your toughest cutting tasks.
Teeth per inch (TPI)
TPI is a crucial factor directly tied to the thickness of the material being cut. In practice, higher TPI is preferred for thinner materials, while lower TPI is ideal for thicker ones. As a handy rule of thumb, having three teeth engaging the material at any given moment ensures efficient and effective cutting performance. Understanding TPI empowers you to optimise your reciprocating blade selection for precise and smooth cuts across various material thicknesses.
Tooth geometry
For various cutting tasks, reciprocating blades come with different tooth geometries. Some blades feature a unique "Nail Guard" tooth geometry, preventing nails from becoming lodged between the teeth and causing breakage.
Others boast an aggressive tooth geometry, swiftly clearing wood shavings or debris to ensure seamless cutting without clogging.
For general use across a wide range of materials, most reciprocating blades adopt a "milled and wavy" tooth geometry, offering an optimal balance of cutting speed, clearance, and cutting quality.
Understanding tooth geometry empowers you to choose the right blade for your specific cutting needs, ensuring smooth and precise results every time.
Blade length
For jigsaw blades, a general rule suggests selecting a blade that is 25mm longer than the workpiece thickness. This extra length provides ample clearance for smooth and efficient cutting.
Similarly, when using reciprocating blades, the guide recommends opting for a blade that is 50mm longer than the workpiece thickness. This extended length ensures adequate reach and clearance during cutting operations.
NHS Stocks a complete range of recipro blades
In a nutshell, picking the right reciprocating blade is the key to nailing those cutting tasks with ease. Remember to consider the material type and thickness to choose the perfect blade material and teeth per inch (TPI) for the job. Check out the tooth geometry for those special cutting needs and make sure you've got the right blade length for reach and clearance.
And guess what? At NHS, we've got your back! Our stores are stocked with a full range of recipro blades, and you can even find them online. So, stop by or click here to find out more and let our experts guide you to the ultimate cutting experience.