The versatility of a reciprocating saw lies in the wide variety of blades (and even non-blade attachments) that you can use with this power tool.
Depending on the blade you have installed, you can use your saw on just about everything your house is made of – from wood and plyboard to metal pipes and masonry, a reciprocating saw can tackle them all. You can even use your saw to prune your trees, or even to saw through bones to dismantle game.
Common Types Of Reciprocating Saw Blades:
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Reciprocating Saw Blade TPI (teeth per inch) Explained
Power tool blades usually come with teeth, although there are a few variants that use abrasive grit instead of sharp teeth to grind into the material. The density of these teeth is given in TPI, or teeth per inch – the more teeth per inch that a blade has, the finer and more closely spaced the teeth on the blade.
Gullet - The TPI of the teeth also gives you an idea of the size of the gullet of the blade – that is, the depth and width of space between the teeth. Altogether, the gullet size, TPI, teeth geometry and the material that the blade and teeth are made of will determine the kind of material the blade can cut.
Reciprocating saw blades with a low TPI have larger teeth, or it may also have teeth that are widely spaced apart. These kinds of blades will give you faster cut, and they tend to stay cooler and last longer as well, since the larger gullet lets them expel debris and sawdust more efficiently. They also give you rougher cuts, too. These blades are ideal for general demolition work, and for quickly cutting through wood, drywall, and other softer materials.
Higher TPI Blades - On the other extreme are reciprocating saw blades with high TPI. They have finer teeth that are closely spaced together, and they are best used at a lower speed. These can give you smoother cuts in wood and softer materials, and these are also the blades that you can use for cutting metal pipes and harder substances.
A rule of thumb when it comes to power tools with toothed blades is to always try to have at least 3 teeth in contact with the material at all times. This prevents snagging and teeth breakage, especially if you are dealing with metal and masonry. Reciprocating saw blades, with their smaller teeth, lets you apply this idea at all times even if you are working on metal pipes with smaller diameters.
What TPI Count Is Out There - For reciprocating saw blades, TPI count can range from as low as 3 TPI for concrete and brick blades. On the other extreme, it can go as high as 24 for some of the finest blades made for metal cutting.
Reciprocating Saw Blade Combo Kits
Buying your reciprocating blades one by one can be expensive, so you can potentially save money by getting a reciprocating saw blade combo kit instead. An entry-level saw blade combo kit can have four or five blades made for different materials, and you can expect to start with blades meant for wood, metal, and demolition applications.
Mid-range and higher end reciprocating saw blade combo kits can give you 10 or more saw blades for various purposes, with different TPI and blade lengths as best suit the task.
Reciprocating Saw Blade for Aluminum
Reciprocating saw blades that can cut through aluminum pipes, cast aluminum pieces, or aluminum sheets are usually the same ones designed for metal cutting.
These will have a smaller TPI count and fine teeth that are meant for smooth, slow cuts at a lower speed. When using a power tool on aluminum, make sure to always have eye protection on at all times. It also helps to have a lubricant on hand to help longer cuts, or cuts through thicker aluminum pieces, to help the blade cut a bit easier.
Reciprocating Saw Blade for Bone
There are reciprocating saw blades for bone and butchering applications, as well. These are usually made of thick, rigid steel that helps them resist bending and binding as you cut through solid bone pieces.
Many reciprocating saw blades designed to cut through bone and meat are designed to cut on the push stroke – that is, they have reverse teeth designed to push away bone and meat from the tool.
Reciprocating Saw Blade for Brick
Reciprocating saw blades designed to cut through brick, stone, and stucco have a teeth design that looks remarkably different from your usual saw blade. The chainsaw-like design of a brick blade gives it an extra wide gullet which helps expel dust and brick fragments, as well as to vent away heat. Reciprocating saw blades designed for brick and stucco can have a TPI of as low as 2, as a result.
Most of the better reciprocating saw blades designed for brick come with carbide tip blades for extra durability and longer blade life.
Reciprocating Saw Blade for Cement Board
Most general purpose reciprocating saw blades can cut through cement boards, as well as wood and drywall. You can cut through cement board using your typical 6-inch blade and get good results with a TPI of around 6.
Most saw blades designed for this type of tasks are made of high carbon steel, and some of the better ones come with carbide coated teeth for extended blade life.
Reciprocating Saw Blades for Branches
Reciprocating saw blades designed to cut through fresh branches and smaller trees are commonly referred to as pruning saw blades.
These are designed to have uneven gullet depths and teeth that can cut on both forward and reverse strokes, to minimize binding even if you use the, on wet wood or pressure treated lumber. Some pruning reciprocating saw blades also come in a curved shape to help you cut through branches and trees efficiently, as well.
Blades for Cast Iron
For cutting through cast iron pipes, a diamond grit blade is your best bet. Abrasive blades don’t get dull as quickly as toothed blades, and they give you smoother cuts as well which helps you fit your cast iron pipes better.
Always wear eye protection before cutting through cast iron with your reciprocating saw. Some cast iron pipes can be very thick, as well, in which case you can use a bit of lubrication the help the cut along while also cooling down your blade to extend its useful life.
Blades for Clay Pipe
Traditional clay pipes can be quickly cut with a reciprocating saw and a carbide grit blade. Using an abrasive blade to grind, instead of cutting through a clay pipe minimizes the risk of cracks and breakage too.
Reciprocating Saw Blade for Concrete
Reciprocating saw blades designed to go through concrete are mostly the same ones you use for bricks and masonry. The extra wide gullet and the low TPI count lets you cut through concrete blocks without the blade getting choked up on the debris. For longer blade life, you can opt for a concrete saw blade with carbide tipped teeth.
Alternatively, you can also use a carbide grit blade or even a diamond grit saw blade to make cleaner cuts on concrete with a reciprocating saw. For demolition purposes, though, a toothed blade will give you much faster results.
Reciprocating Saw Blade for Copper Pipe
To cut through a copper pipe with a reciprocating saw, you need a fine-toothed saw blade designed to cut through metal.
These blades have higher TPI and are designed to cut slowly, but they give you smoother results with minimal burrs that require cleaning. Always remember to wear eye protection if you’re cutting through metal pipes with a reciprocating saw.
Best Reciprocating Saw Blade for Drywall
Just about any reciprocating saw blade can cut through drywall, but depending on the results you need, some blades can be better than others. A typical 6 inch reciprocating saw blade designed for drywall will let you do fast, rough cuts on drywall, and they won’t cost you much, either.
If you’re doing plunge cuts on an existing wall, then you will also need a shorter saw blade with a pointed tip designed to do just that. The best reciprocating saw blades for drywall also have carbide tipped teeth, as these will cut faster and stay sharp longer compared to your typical high-carbon steel teeth.
Reciprocating Saw Blade for Foam
You can also cut through spray foam insulation, polyurethane, and styrofoam with a reciprocating saw. Unlike most reciprocating saw blades, blades meant to cut through foam tend to be very long – expect to swing around a blade that’s at least 18 inches long, and some blades reach 36 inches or more.
These long serrated blades are meant to cut through masses of foam fill insulation, and you can also use them to cut through polyurethane and furniture foam, as well as Styrofoam.
When cutting through foam with a reciprocating saw blade, always wear eye and breathing protection. Cutting through foam with a power tool will release dust and gases that can irritate your respiratory system.
