Jigsaw blades are a pretty standard blade type found in most saws. They consist of two long, thin pieces that are glued or taped together to create a seamless, rippled surface. These blades are very popular due to their versatility and quality.
Their rounded shape makes it easy to put pressure on the work piece and slide it along the edge. This is helpful for accurate cut flows and easily accessible sides. Plus, you do not have to worry about misplacing this blade as it is so versatile.
It can be mounted on different types of saws in different ways so there is always someone with the right tool for the job. Some companies even sell specialized jigsaw blades that come with the machine!
This article will talk about some tips and tricks for using a best jigsaw blade for plywood.
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Thin diamond blades
The best thin diamond blade you can buy is called a jigsaw blade. These blades are typically 1/16″ to ¼″ in thickness and are designed to cut thin sheets of plywood or birch.
Because the thickness of the blade is reduced, it requires a bit more effort to turn the jigsaw wheel. However, this extra effort is what makes the blade so special.
With a good-quality thin diamond blade, you can easily use your jigsaw as little as four times before needing to buy another one. That’s right—every time you use your jigsaw, it needs a new thin diamond blade!
Normally, these blades are sold in bundles of four, which makes sense—four times four is eight.
Thin steel blades
The most noticeable characteristic of these thin steel blades is how thin they are. Most thin steel blades are around 5/32 thick, which is about 0.5 inches.
This can be an issue when working with a wider plywood box. Some boxes are more slim, and require thicker steel to fit inside of it. Worker safety relies on there being enough space for a proper cut, and for the lack of thickness to not be a factor in that cut.
Because these blades are so thin, there is a higher risk of breaking when trying to apply pressure on the blade. If the blade breaks under pressure, this may lead to a suffocation situation where the person unable to raise their head or head prevents air from escaping from the container.
If this happens, worker safety will depend on if someone got a proper start or if they had to stop due to lack of air supply.
Thick steel blades
If you are looking for a thick, heavy blade that will last you a long time, then you should look at the Lexan® brand. This material is sold under many brand names, including Kress & Kress®, Gorilla®, and Lifetime®.
These blades are durable and can easily be cleaned with water and a soft cloth. They will also last you through several cuttings because they do not require drying before use. These blades are also resistant to dulling, which is important when working with power tools such as an orbital dryer or hack saw.
While these blades cannot be stained or carved with power tools, they can be used as carving paper with the right setup.
For plywood, use a t-shaped blade
When jigsawing plywood, the main difficulty is getting a smooth, rounded jigsaw cut. Because of the shape of the blade, when cutting plywood, you must use a round, t-shaped blade.
This article will discuss some popular blades for jigsawing plywood. Each has a different cost and quality, so make sure to check before spending money!
Dewalt’s Jigsaw Kit comes with two of these t-shaped blades: one left- and one right-hand version. Both are good quality and provide an acceptable level of smoothness. If you need more aggression in your cuts, buy the larger size version of these blades.
For hardwood, use a thin diamond blade
For more softwood or laminated wood, like pine or oak, use a thicker oak plank blade
FIGURE OUT WHY A PLANK BLADE CAN NOT BE USED FOR JIGSAW BOTTOM LABELescalade! When doing a plywood project, you’ll need to cut out several pieces of plywood to finish the project. While some woodworking skills are needed for all the pieces, others can be skip-kicked.
The easiest skills to forget about when doing a plywood project is how to use the jigsaw. The best way to use a jigsaw on a plywood project is to get it as high and wide as possible and then shoot down!
For smaller projects (4’ long) with some reliefs, you can use a thick plank blade.
For soft wood, use a thin steel blade
For harder wood like pine or oak, use a thicker steel blade
The right jigsaw blade for the job can make a huge difference. The best blades are suited to the task at hand.
Somelder tree branch tear-up machines have a thin steel blade that works well on soft wood like pine. A good tip is to put some wood glue on the back of the jigsaw BEFORE cutting. This helps hold the wood together during the cut.
Similarly, thickest blades are used for using into hard wood like oak or pine. With these cuts, there is more pressure needed to break through the material.
For metal, use a thick steel blade
For most wooden materials, a woodworking blade is sufficient. However, there are some materials that require a different blade for different cuts.
For plywood, the rip-cut or dovetail cut needs a thin woodworking blade. The roundover cut needs a thicker woodworking blade. The chisel cut needs a very sharp metal chisel.
For foam and cushion material such as upholstery foam or padding, use the same thickness woodworking blade as the other cuts. For example, use a 1/2 inch thick woodworking blade for the roundover cut and a 3/4 inch thick woodworking blade for the chisel cut.
These differences can be important when working with these materials.
Always use the right blade for the material
Most people use a jigsaw blade for pine, plywood, and the like. This is a good decision! The reason is that the thinner the jigsaw blade, the easier it is to cut through some materials.
However, there are different blades for different types of jigsaws. Some have a food-grade vinyl or paper-like material on one side and a razor-thin blade on the other. These materials do not easily break down, which means you must use a thicker blade to cut it.
Some have double-sided blades that can be inserted and removed easily.