Best Reciprocating Saw Blades for Your Project

Choosing the right reciprocating saw blades can be tricky, and many new users have a lot of questions. One of the most common among them is what does TPI stand for? Keep reading to learn more about TPI and this how acronym impacts the different types of saw blades:

• The number of teeth per inch (TPI), along with gullet size, width and depth of the space between the teeth, determines the material the blade can cut.
• Blades with a low TPI deliver faster cuts with rougher edges and are ideal for cutting wood.
• Blades with a high TPI deliver smooth, slow cuts and are the best reciprocating saw blades for metal.
• The number of TPI ranges from three to 24.
• Try to have at least three teeth come in contact with the material at all times to reduce snagging.

There are three dimensions to know for blades: length, width and thickness. Reciprocating saw blades range from 3 to 12 inches long.

• The longer the blade, the deeper the cut.
• Wider blades reduce bending and wobbling.
• Heavy duty blades tend to be .875-inches wide and 0.062-inches thick.
• Blades 0.035-inches thick provide adequate strength for standard cuts.
• Blades 0.05-inches thick provide enhanced stability.
• Short blades with tapered backs are best suited for plunge-cutting jobs.

Many new users wonder if reciprocating saw blades are universal. While some multipurpose reciprocating saw blades can handle a few types of jobs, most tasks require a dedicated blade type.

There are different types of reciprocating saw blades on the market today. Choosing the right one is essential. Most reciprocating saw blades are made of carbon steel, high-speed steel, bi-metal or carbide grit. Here's what you should know about the different reciprocating saw blade types:

• Carbon steel blades are flexible to allow bending without breaking and are great for cutting wood or plastic. Carbon steel blades are generally the best reciprocating saw blades for trees.
• High-speed steel blades have durable teeth but are more prone to breakage and last up to five times longer than high-carbon steel.
• Bi-metal blades are combined high-speed steel teeth for longevity and heat resistance, with a carbon-steel body for flexibility and break-resistance, and last up to 10 times longer than high-carbon steel. A bi-metal blade can be the best reciprocating saw blade for wood, particularly if you're working with smaller pieces for woodworking projects and not cutting large tree trunks. Wood cutting reciprocating saw blades range from 14 to 24 TPI.
• Carbide-grit blades are used for materials such as fiberglass, ceramic tile and cement board.

• Medium carbide grit
• Cuts through cast iron, fiberglass, ceramic tile, clay pipe, stone brick, plaster and marble

Teeth Per Inch (TPI): 6

• Used for demolition work in nail-embedded wood

Teeth Per Inch (TPI): 10

• Used for demolition work in nail-embedded wood
• Fire and rescue
• Cuts through heavy-duty pipe, structural steel and stainless steel
• Stainless steel: 1/8" to 1"

Teeth Per Inch (TPI): 10/14

• Cuts through heavy-duty pipe, structural steel and stainless steel
• Stainless steel: 3/16" to 3/4"

Teeth Per Inch (TPI): 14

• Cuts through heavy-duty pipe, structural steel and stainless steel
• Stainless steel: 3/32" to 3/8"

Teeth Per Inch (TPI): 18

• Fire and rescue
• Stainless steel: 1/16" to 1/4"

Teeth Per Inch (TPI):
14

• Pipe, structural steel and stainless steel: 3/32" to 1/4"
• Nonferrous metal: 3/32" to 3/8"
• Hard rubber

Teeth Per Inch (TPI): 18

• Pipe, structural steel, stainless steel and conduit: 1/16" to 3/16"
• Nonferrous metal: 1/16" to 5/16"
• Contour cutting in metal: 1/16" to 1/8"

Teeth Per Inch (TPI):
24

• All metals less than 1/8"
• Tubing, conduit and trim

Teeth Per Inch (TPI):
14

• Pipe, structural steel and stainless steel: 3/32" to 1/4"
• Nonferrous metal: 3/32" to 3/8"
• Hard rubber

Teeth Per Inch (TPI): 18

• Pipe, structural steel, stainless steel and conduit: 1/16" to 3/16"
• Nonferrous metal: 1/16" to 5/16"
• Contour cutting in metal: 1/16" to 1/8"

Teeth Per Inch (TPI):
24

• All metals less than 1/8"
• Tubing, conduit and trim