How long is a jigsaw blade
Mia Kelly
Published Apr 02, 2026
Most jigsaw blades are 4 inches long, which could tempt a woodworker to use the jigsaw for thicker pieces of wood. Longer blades can be found for unique circumstances.
Are there different lengths of jigsaw blades?
Jigsaw blades come in a range of different shapes and lengths and are usually specially designed to cut one particular material.
What's the longest blade for a jigsaw?
Bosch recently released their Precision line of extra long 10 inch jigsaw blades and we found ourselves wondering whether they had much practical use, particularly for doing what you often do with jigsaws; cutting curves.
How wide are jig saw blades?
MaterialAlloy SteelItem Dimensions LxWxH0.35 x 2.15 x 9.8 inchesNumber of Teeth6StyleFast Cuts for WoodCompatible MaterialWoodCan a jigsaw cut a 2x4?
A jigsaw is a precision tool with a thin blade, which makes them ideal at cutting intricate designs on thin material. If you ever had to cut a 2×4 piece of framing lumber with a jigsaw and thought to yourself… “there’s no way”, you might be surprised!
What are shank jigsaw blades?
Blade shank Most manufacturers are now using T-shank blades as standard, which makes it easier to switch blades between different machines. U-shank blades are still available but the T-shank has become more popular as most jigsaws are now fitted with a tool-less blade change to make swapping blades faster and easier.
What is the thickness of a jigsaw blade?
thick and hardwood up to 3/4 in. thick. Jigsaw blades tend to bend when cutting curves in thicker boards, leaving a beveled edge rather than a square one.
Can I use a jigsaw instead of a circular saw?
Although a jigsaw can be used for most of the tasks that a circular saw can perform, including straight cuts and cuts on a tilt, the jigsaw uses that really take advantage of the tool’s qualities are jobs such as kitchen fitting and joinery, with their frequent need for complex cuts.Can I cut a 4x4 with a jigsaw?
Most jigsaw blades can cut to a maximum depth of 1-1/2 inches, which is well below the depth needed for cutting through a 4×4. And, since a jigsaw blade is perpendicular to the saw’s guard and cuts using an up and down motion, it cannot cut through material thicker than the blade like a circular saw or miter saw can.
What depth can a jigsaw cut?Jigsaws are capable of cutting to a depth of between 10mm (⅜”) and 40mm (approx 1½”) in workpieces made of non-ferrous metal.
Article first time published onWhat size saw blade for 2x4?
A circular saw blade is only 7-1/4 inches in diameter. Fourteen teeth are ideal for the rough cuts on 2×4 framing lumber, and they cut very fast. If you would attempt to use this type of saw blade to cut thin material, it would destroy the wood. It would also create an unacceptable cut on plywood.
What is the difference between a scroll saw and a jig saw?
Both of these saws are often used interchangeably, however they are quite different when you’re looking at them in closer detail. Whilst both can be used for accuracy, jigsaws have a little more power behind them, and when compared – it’s a scroll saw you would be looking to use for complex, zig-zag type cuts.
How do I know what jigsaw blade I have?
There are a couple of ways in which jigsaw blades can be classified: by the type of shank they have, the number of teeth they have (their TPI, or teeth per inch), by the type of metal they are made of and by the materials they can be used to cut.
What do the numbers on jigsaw blades mean?
One of the most important things to consider is the number of blade teeth per inch. Most woodcutting blades have 12 teeth per inch, while metal-cutting blades may have up to 36. Generally, the fewer the teeth, the faster the blade will cut. However, blades with fewer teeth also mean a rougher cut.
What is the best jigsaw blade to cut plywood?
Size of jigsaw blade A 16-20 TPI jigsaw blade makes the finest and smoother cuts through plywood and laminated materials. However, the TPI ratio also impacts the type of cuts, such as straight or round cuts. If your jigsaw blade has smaller teeth, it is suitable for making curved cuts with smoother edges.
Do Bosch jigsaw blades fit Black and Decker?
Answer: Most recent Black and Decker jigsaws will accept both T and U shank blades. This Bosch set only includes wood and metal blades, but in a pinch you could use the T118A metal cutting blade for PVC. … see less Most recent Black and Decker jigsaws will accept both T and U shank blades.
Can you cut pallets with a jigsaw?
In absolute terms, the first one you should have is a good hand saw. Then if you plan to buy a power saw, and if it’s necessary to keep only and only one, it would be a jigsaw because it can do almost everything. It’s not the best saw for everything purpose, but it can do anything you need when working with pallets.
Can jigsaw cut metal?
A jigsaw is a hand-held power tool that is operated by a squeeze trigger in the handle and is designed to cut sheet metal, pipework and wood. … For heavy-duty metal cutting, a more robust professional jigsaw would be more suitable as these can cut through 10 mm steel and up to 30 mm thickness on non-ferrous metals.
Are jigsaws worth it?
Jigsaws are the only portable power tool that can effectively cut curves. This makes them a must-have for any woodworker who wants to get the job done faster than with a hand-held coping saw. … This adds to the tool’s versatility and makes it more valuable in your workshop.
Which saw to get first?
A jigsaw is great for cutting curves and shapes, and it can also be used with a guide to make straight cuts, which is why this is the first power saw you should own. Unless you plan to rip long sheets of plywood, a jigsaw is preferable over a circular saw.
Can you use a jigsaw to cut MDF?
A jigsaw cuts MDF as easily as it cuts plywood, although you should keep in mind that the more teeth the blade has, the less chance there is of chipping the material around the edges of the cut. … You can also cut curves in MDF with a handheld multipurpose or rotary tool fitted with a multi-purpose cutting blade.
What is stroke length on a jig saw?
A jigsaw’s stroke length is the distance the blade travels up and down while cutting. It can range from 18mm (¾”) to 26mm (1″). The longer the stroke length of a jigsaw, the faster it is able to cut.
Can a jigsaw cut logs?
Knowing the Type of Wood In general, jigsaws can cut all types of material, not just wood. And, as it relates to wood, jigsaws can cut both hardwood and softwood.
What blade should I use to cut butcher block?
Use a circular saw with a 60-tooth carbide blade to cut the butcher-block to the oversize length (Image 2). Clamp a straightedge to guide the cut. Because butcher-block is heavy, support the cutoff section to prevent the piece from tearing away as you near the end of the cut.
Why won't my jigsaw cut straight?
Your jigsaw may not be cutting straight because it’s outdated, lacking guide bearings necessary for straight cuts. Components such as blade clamps and guide bearings can also get damaged or worn. It’s also possible that human error is to blame, and you need a better straight edge or technique.
Are jigsaws good for cutting straight lines?
Jigsaws are capable of making rip cuts, cross cuts, miter cuts and bevel cuts in a wide array of materials. A jigsaw is even capable of starting an accurate straight line cut from the middle of the material, if you have a need for a plunge cut.
Can I cut plywood with a jigsaw?
The jigsaw can be used to make both straight and curved cuts in a wide variety of materials, including wood, particleboard, plywood, plastic, metal, even ceramic tile.
Why is it called a jigsaw?
The term jigsaw comes from the special saw called a jigsaw that was used to cut the puzzles, but not until the saw was invented in the 1880’s. It was around the mid 1800’s that jigsaw puzzles started to become popular with adults as well as children.
What does TPI mean in jigsaw blades?
TPI is the number of teeth the blade has per inch. If you’re looking to cut wood or other soft materials, you’ll need a blade with a TPI of 6 up to 20. For harder materials like metal, a TPI between 14 up to 36 is more suitable.
What blade do you use to cut MDF?
Cutting MDF and man-made materials: Use a 50-tooth to 80-tooth blade. 60-tooth and up blades often make better cuts in dense materials. Plastic laminate: Use an 80-tooth cross-cut blade. You may be able to use a 60-tooth composite blade for thinner materials.