10 Questions You Should to Know about Jig Saw Blades Manufacturer

Many jigsaws that accept U-shank blades will work with the newer T-shank blades. However, tools that require T-shank blades will not work with the older U-shank blades as they require the two tangs to lock the blade in place.

The reason for the change is that the T-shank blades are compatible with newer tool-less quick-change retention systems whereas the classic U-shank has to be clamped in place (typically with a setscrew or bolt) and thus (usually) require tools to change the blade.

If you are in the market for new jigsaw blades, as well as a new jigsaw, then you'll want to seriously consider the Bosch brand jigsaw blades. They are not cheap but they are better than anything else out there and hold up well. And if you use a jigsaw much you'll have quite the collection of blades since the blade is meant to be matched to the job (both material type and thickness) and turn radius (if scrolling).

It is also hard to beat a Bosch jigsaw for performance and features. There is nothing cheap about them but they do make using a jigsaw fun again. The Bosch jig saw was invented in when an engineer with Bosch in in Scintilla, Switzerland (I believe I remember the city correctly, maybe not) attached a cutting blade to his wife's sewing machine. The rest is history. The first ones were made in Switzerland until after Bosch moved to the US in the late 80's to New Bern, NC when they took over the Stanley tool plant and brought production here. A very large manufacturing plant for Skil and Bosch circ saws and jig saws was built in Arkansas and I believe is still in operation now. The New Bern, NC plant is now just for kitchen equipment like dishwashers and stoves and the US headquarters moved to the frozen north, Chicago, because New Bern just didn't have the airport and other ammenities they wanted. And then the management wondered why they couldn't hire people and get them to move there. They now occupy the former Blackberry headquarters building in a Chicago suburb.

The Bosch 159* series was made in Arkansas and the last model in production there ( I believe) was moved to China in early and the quality was pitiful. I don't know where the current models are made. I purchased a jig saw in the early '90's and it is still going strong. I did buy a replacement after I left Bosch just for the blade removal and attachment. The cost of the first one was far more than I wanted to spend at that time but I can tell you from experience it is still every bit as good today as it was then.

The T shank blades have a more positive method of holding the blade than the older universal style. Bosch held the patent on T shank blades and once the patent expired everyone tried to copy them. Bosch still has each tooth on each blade machine sharpened rather than relying on a stamped tooth pattern which is why the blades are a little more expensive but cut better than anyone elses out there. In fact, at one time Bosch was making jig saw blades for other maunfacturers which were easy to spot because the teeth all lined up perfectly and the inside of each tooth was shiny where it was sharpened.

If you buy a Bosch jig saw, I can almost guarantee it will be a stellar performer in anyones tool box for many years to come. And they aren't much more expensive than the run-of-the-mill brands and are much less expensive than Festertool. My older is Swiss built, the 18 volt is Swiss built and the I have is also Swiss built. At one time the and were USA made I believe either in New Bern or Arkansas if my memory serves me right. The or were sent to China later on where the quality suffered. And at one time most of the Bosch routers were American made.

Remember, I left Bosch in and old age may have clouded my memory a bit. I have two job boxes full of Bosch tools and I can't seem to drive them into the ground. The only thing I lack are new batteries for the older tools but they mostly stay in the job boxes until needed which isn't that often.

I have three remaining Bosch 4 x 24 belt sanders which have been rebuilt three times but now that parts aren't available they can't be rebuilt. So this is another something that I will be looking for this year.

I hate to be contrary to the Bosch contingent, but I really like my Festool Jigsaw. The newer ones are even nicer I understand. But as always, Festool is not for everyone. But you won't find one of them made in China or with quality control problems.

Dust collection, zero clearance shoe, multiple stroke patterns, a lot of good features.

if I used the tool frequently, I would consider something along the professional line, as I said originally, my Skill was from around and lasted 40 years. If I paid 20 bucks for it then, it was expensive. I have a band saw for most curves and no way could I justify a Festool of any kind. Limited/fixed income = Limited fun money. I will try to find an older Bosch on eBay or Craig's List, or wait for a birthday present.

Jigsaw blade selection can make a huge difference to the performance and cut quality of any jigsaw, but with so many available types - how do you choose the right one?

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In order to make it a bit easier to find the right Festool jigsaw blades for your next project, we've put together this handy guide.

We'll go over five tips that cover: 

1. Jigsaw blade mount types
2. Jigsaw blade lengths
3. Jigsaw blade types & their suitable project materials
4. Teeth configurations
5. Jigsaw blade thickness

If you've ever asked yourself, "which jigsaw blade should I use?" or "is this the right blade type for my project?" then say no more, you're in the right place.

1. Blade mounts - T or U?

Your first step involves figuring out whether your jigsaw takes T shank or U shank blades (which you can identify by the shape of the end that goes into the machine). 

You'll probably be all set with T-shank blades, as most modern jigsaws are now fitted with a tool-less blade change to make swapping blades quick and easy. U-shank blades are more common on older model jigsaws, and some saws accept both types.

2. Blade lengths

Size does matter - who would've thought?!

A blade that isn't long enough for the project you're working on can cause problems, so you'll want to make sure you've picked a suitable one if you're cutting through deep materials.

Two main things to keep in mind when reading blade lengths: Total Length (which runs from the tip of the shank to the tip of the blade) and Cutting Length (which relates to the actual part of the blade making the cut).

Overall, make sure you have enough cutting length to make it through your material and as a general rule of thumb, it's best to leave around 25mm of extra length to accommodate for the reciprocating movement of your jigsaw.

3. Types of blades & their suitable project materials

Depending on the material you're cutting, it's important to pick the right jigsaw blade. There are four main jigsaw blade types and using the right one helps ensure a cleaner cut and increases the longevity of your blades.

The four main blade types are:

1. High Carbon Steel (HCS)

   Project materials: best suited for softer materials such as soft woods, light duty plastics and wood fibre boards like MDF.
   Features: though it may dull quicker, this softer, less expensive steel has more flexibility, making it well suited for scroll cutting.

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2. High Speed Steel (HSS)

   
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   Project materials: best suited for cutting harder materials such as metal, copper, aluminium, perspex and other non-ferrous metals. 
   Features: these blades are generally harder and have higher abrasive resistance so they will cut faster and have greater longevity. They can be stiff and inflexible though, so they're not as suitable for bends and curves which can cause the blade to break prematurely.

3. Bi-Metal (BIM)

   Project materials: choose bimetal blades for cutting harder wood, metal and laminates, especially if cutting curves.
   Features: these jigsaw blades combine the flexibility of HCS with the durability of HSS, creating a blade that can flex without breaking and cut curves through hard materials without dulling the teeth.

4. Tungsten Carbide (TC)

   Uses: Commonly used when cutting through abrasive materials like kitchen or bathroom tiles, fiber cement boards, plasterboard or glass fibre reinforced plastics
   Features: TC blades have carbide teeth or, more commonly, a layer of tungsten carbide grit which is applied to the cutting edge instead of saw teeth.

4. Teeth configurations

The number of teeth per inch (TPI) is the main thing to keep in mind here, and it determines the speed at which the blade cuts efficiently. A higher TPI makes for a smoother but slower cut, whereas a lower TPI results in a rougher but faster cut. 

The workpiece you're cutting can also play a large part: jigsaw blades for metal can quickly be identified by their especially fine teeth, while a coarse cutting blade for soft woods will typically have much larger teeth which enable it to quickly power through the material.

Aside from this, the shape and arrangement of your blade's teeth can also influence how it cuts. Without wanting to get too in depth in this quick guide, we've included an outline of the two main types below.

1. Milled Teeth - this type of setting on the teeth helps cut faster and reduce the wear and tear on a blade allowing them to last longer.
2. Ground Teeth - this type of setting produces a smoother cutline, but they cut slower and they can get very hot.

Overall, it's best to read your blade packaging or ask your shop assistant to get the best sense of your blade's particular strengths and best applications, and then go from there.

5. Blade thickness

Quick tip: to ensure straighter cuts (especially when cutting thicker materials), use a jigsaw blade with increased thickness.

Jigsaw blades can sometimes leave angled cuts through thicker materials if the end of the blade starts to wander during a cut. This is an inherent limitation of jigsaws themselves, as jigsaw blades are long, thin strips of metal which are only supported by the tool at the shank end. 

No need to fret though - in many cases it can be overcome by careful blade choice.

Conclusion

So there it is! Five key tips that cover what you need to know when buying jigsaw blades. 
One thing to keep in mind is that this is a high-level guide that covers only some of the many options available on the market. To ensure you're using your blades properly and making the most of them, it's best to read the manufacturer's descriptions and follow their recommended guidelines. 

If you found this helpful and are interested in more tips and tricks to help you create more with wood, leave your down below.

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