Teeth Per Inch
(TPI) is a major performance-determining factor for jigsaw blades. Like with other types of cutting accessories, TPI affects the speed of a cut, the roughness of a cut, and the application materials for which a blade will be suited.
Is more TPI better?
TPI is an acronym for Teeth Per Inch and is a common measurement to be detailed on saws. As a general rule, the
more
teeth per inch a saw has, the neater the finish will be, but the slower the saw will cut. The fewer teeth per inch, the faster the saw will cut but the rougher the finish will be.
What is TPI on a jigsaw blade?
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.
How do I choose a jigsaw blade?
When cutting wood, choose a
6–10-tpi blade
. Wider gullets (the low areas between teeth) help clear sawdust. Cutting metal or plastic sheets calls for a higher tooth count and slower cut speed. A 6-tpi blade cuts faster, and tracks truer in thick material, but produces more chip-out than a 10-tpi blade.
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 does TPI mean?
Thread Per Inch
(TPI)
Threads per inch, commonly abbreviated as TPI, is a term frequently used when talking about fasteners. TPI is a term used to help identify how many threads are in an inch. To determine treads per inch an inch of the bolt is measured and then the peaks on the fastener are counted.
What is 14 TPI for cutting?
A blade with 14 TPI is
coarse
whilst a blade with 32 TPI is very fine. … They do not last as long a High Speed Steel blades. These are much more expensive but keep their cutting edge for longer and are suitable for cutting hard materials such as stainless steel and alloys.
Can I cut MDF with a jigsaw?
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.
Can I use a jigsaw to cut plywood?
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.
What makes a good jigsaw?
Motor Power. Like most tools, higher amperage ratings indicate jigsaws that have more cutting power. The best jigsaws will have
motor ratings of 6.5 or 7 amps
; bargain saws might be rated for 5 amps or less.
Why is my jigsaw not cutting 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.
What is a jigsaw best used for?
Jigsaws are best used for
cutting shapes and curves in wood
with its narrow blade, which is attached to the tool’s body by a spring-loaded clamp at the front. The blade’s sharp teeth are measured in TPI, or teeth per inch. A higher TPI gives a smoother cut that requires less sanding.
Why does my jigsaw cut crooked?
Jigsaw blades tend to bend when cutting curves in thicker boards
, leaving a beveled edge rather than a square one. To keep the cut square, use a sharp blade and avoid forcing the saw through the cut. … Most wood-cutting blades for jigsaws are designed so the teeth cut on the upstroke.
What are the two main types of jigsaw?
There are two main types of jigsaw blades:
U-shanks or T-shanks (also known as SDS)
. For some jigsaws, especially the Makita and Maktec (manufactured by Makita), specific fittings are required, known as Makita fittings. Other manufacturers are considering the same feature.
Is my jigsaw T shank or U shank?
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 cuts faster a blade with a lot of small teeth or a blade with a few large teeth?
In general,
blades with more teeth yield a smoother cut
, and blades with fewer teeth remove material faster. A 10′′ blade designed for ripping lumber, for example, usually has as few as 24 teeth and is designed to quickly remove material along the length of the grain.
