Finding The Perfect Jigsaw Blade In 3 Easy Steps | FREE DOWNLOAD

When I think of all the possible ways I have in my workshop to cut wood, the jigsaw is the most flexible and versatile power tool of all. Where other cutting tools are tied to making straight cuts, the jigsaw offers more possibilities.
It can make straight and curved cuts in materials such as wood, plastic, metal, and even ceramic tiles.

Whatever material you want to cut, the device always remains the same.
You just need to find the right jigsaw blades for the job.
It seems like a difficult task, but it is simple.

Choosing the perfect jigsaw blade you need can be done in 3 easy steps:
Find out what type of shank you need, choose the right blade material, and determine the correct TPI. 

Okay, maybe it’s all a bit sketchy at this moment, but trust me, getting the right jigsaw blade is easier than you think. Finding the right jigsaw blade will give you better cuts, but is also one of the solutions to how you can avoid your jigsaw blades keep breaking.

Below, I will explain what you should pay attention to, in order to determine the best blades for jigsaws for your purpose, in 3 simple steps.

In this jigsaw blade guide, you can download a handy template for free as a guide.
You can consult that guide again and again when you need to tailor the jigsaw blade to your work.

Where there were previously uncertainties when determining a jigsaw blade, this will be a piece of cake after reading this blog.

Let’s go!

Disclosure: At zero cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. I earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon associate. Products featured are selected based on quality, performance, and reputation, regardless of affiliate relationships.

How to find the jigsaw blade you need in 3 steps

There are 3 important factors to consider before purchasing a jigsaw blade:

1. the shank of the blade, 
2. the blade material,
3. and the number of teeth on the blade or the TPI. 

Once you understand all these factors, you will be able to buy the perfect blade you need again and again.

Step 1 | Shank

A first and also important factor in determining the right jigsaw blade is the type of shank they have.

A jigsaw holds its blade by means of a clamping system. 
The place on the blade where the lock with the jigsaw is made is called the shank.

Depending on the brand and type of your jigsaw, there are two types of shanks, the U-shanks or T-shanks (also known as SDS).

To be 100% sure, always check your jigsaw manual before purchasing the saw blades.

What is the difference between T shank and U shank jigsaw blades?

Actually, the difference is very easy to perceive visually and very recognizable.

T-shank blades have a “T” shaped lip on the top.
This lip fits perfectly into the blade clamp of your power tool.

These knives are currently the most widely used blade on the market.

U-shank blades have a “U” notch at the top.

These jigsaw blades are used less and less and are replaced by blades with a T-shank.

Step 2 | Blade material

The next thing to consider is what material the jigsaw blade is made of.

The composition of your blade determines which materials can be cut with it, and how durable it will be.

Before you can make the right choice from which material the saw blade is made, you will first have to determine which material you want to cut.

Jigsaw blades can be made from different types of material:

The most flexible and cheapest jigsaw blades are made from carbon steel.
Most people will use these jig saw blades for wood cutting applications.
However, these are more prone to bending.

As high speed steels are more heat-resistant, they are perfect for metal, plastic and wood.
The downside is that they are slightly more expensive.

By combining two types of steel, one obtains Bi-metal jigsaw blades. These are very durable and are best suited jig saw blades for wood and metal.

Finally, there are the carbide jigsaw blades.
These knives are perfect for cutting through tiles, ceramic or steel.

Step 3 | TPI of the jigsaw blade

The third and final factor to consider when choosing a jigsaw blade is the TPI.

What does TPI mean in jigsaw blades?

The number of teeth per inch (TPI) on a jigsaw blade will determine the quality and speed of the cut.

If you choose blades with fewer teeth, or low TPI, you will make faster and rougher cuts.
If you choose blades with more teeth, or high TPI, you can make slow but smooth cuts.

What is the best jigsaw blade

As you can see in these three steps that I have gone through, there is no clear answer to this question.
The best jigsaw blades for your projects depends on these factors, but also on cutting depth, which I wrote a complete in-depth article about here.

To determine the best jigsaw blades for your projects, I’ve summarized these 3 steps in a handy template.
You can download that template for free below.

To make it even easier for you, I have already made a small selection of high-quality jigsaw blades.

I’ve already grouped them by the different uses such as general wood, hardwood, plastic, metal, and ceramic tile.

There is an incredible number of types and brands of jigsaw blades.
If the one you need is not on this list, you can use the given examples as a starting point, and continue searching and selecting which blade you need.

Carbon steel blade for general wood

High speed steel blade for metal, plastic, and wood

Bi metal blade for metal and wood

Carbide steel blade for ceramic tiles