What Does TPI Mean On Scroll Saw Blades?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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What does TPI mean on scroll saw blades? Not only do blades come in different sizes, but the cutting teeth come in different configurations. Some manufacturers indicate this as the

teeth per inch

(TPI), while other manufacturers use more specific terms.

What TPI is best for cutting wood?

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.

Is more TPI better?

Woodworkers quickly learn that the number of teeth-per-inch (TPI) on the blade has a big impact on the quality of a cut. The general rule of thumb is “

the more TPI, the smoother the cut

.” The true answer, however, is just a little more complicated than that, as you’ll learn once you understand how saw teeth work.

What do the numbers mean on scroll saw blades?

Scroll saw blades sizes typically range from #12 to #2/0 or #3/0.

The higher the number, the thicker and wider the blade and the fewer teeth per inch on the blade

. TPI or Teeth Per Inch – This is exactly what it says. TPI is the number of teeth per inch on the scroll saw blade.

What TPI is best?

Teeth-Per-Inch (TPI)

Blades in the

3 – 11 TPI range are typically best for wood and demolition work

. Pruning blades tend to be at the low end, and demolition/nail-eating blades tend to be around 8-11 TPI. General purpose wood cutting blades are in the middle, often around 6 TPI, and can also cut nails.

What saw blade makes the smoothest cut?

With fewer spaces between the teeth,

crosscut blades

remove less material, resulting in a smoother cut. It also means it takes these blades longer to move through wood. Crosscut blades are the go-to choice for finish carpentry and other applications that require precision and a smooth finish.

How many teeth should my saw blade have?

Number of teeth touching the material Expected outcome
Less than 2 teeth

A really rough cut that may rip and tear your material
2 to 4 teeth A nice smooth cut More than 4 teeth A very slow cut that may cause burn marks on the material being cut

Is 60 TPI or 120 TPI better?

The higher 120 TPI casing is lighter, thinner and will be able to better conform to the shape of the terrain. However,

the 60 TPI casing is more resistant to puncture, abrasions and cuts

.

What is the best TPI for cutting metal?

Cutting thinner metals, including sheet metal, requires a finer cut. Use

18-24 TPI bi-metal blades

. For thicker metals such as steel pipe, angle irons, or tubing, use 14-18 TPI bi-metal blades. For aluminum, an 8-10 TPI blade is best.

What does 30tpi mean?

The quality of the cord casing is indicated by the TPI (

threads per inch

) or EPI (ends per inch). Generally, the higher the threads per inch (TPI) the higher the quality of the tire. In the Kenda line of tires, entry level tires have 22tpi and they rise to 30, 60, and 120tpi at the premium level.

What blades are best for scroll saw?

  • Best Overall Scroll Saw Blade: Flying Dutchman Scroll Saw Spiral Blade Pack. …
  • Best Value: SKIL 80182 Plain End Scroll Saw Blade Set. …
  • Best Budget Option: OLSON SAW FR49501 Pinned Scroll Saw Blade. …
  • Best Pin End Blade: BOSCH SS5-20 Pin End Scroll Saw Blade.

How do I know what scroll saw blade to use?

  1. Use larger blades (higher numbers) as the thickness or the density (hardness) of the wood increases. …
  2. Larger blades (#9 and up) are more durable. …
  3. Use smaller blades (#3 and smaller) for thin wood. …
  4. If you are stack cutting, choose a blade based on the thickness of the stack. …
  5. Consider the intricacy of the cuts.

Why do scroll saw blades keep breaking?


Using too much tension or too little tension while you are sawing

is a leading cause of scroll saw blades breaking. Whether you are applying too much tension or too little tension, using improper tension is a surefire way to break your scroll saw blades.

Why should a 32 TPI blade be used for cutting thin metal?

Fine – 32 TPI – thin metal. If a coarse tooth blade is used on thin metal,

the metal will catch between the teeth and the blade will jam

. For long cuts, the blade can be attached at right angles to the frame, so that the frame does not get in the way.

What is the best blade to cut metal?


Ferrous blades are ideal for cutting metals that contain iron

, such as stainless steel or cast iron. Choose a non-ferrous blade when cutting softer metals, like aluminum or copper. For the best results, use a diamond blade that’s rated to cut the type of metal you are working with.

What is 14 TPI for cutting?

Tpi (teeth per inch / 25mm of blade) Suggested usage 14 Large profiles, aluminium, softer metals 18 General workshop projects 24 Steel plate up to 5/6mm thickness

What blade is best for cutting wood?


Blades with a higher tooth count (60 to 80)

are better for crosscuts in wood because they produce a smoother edge. Combination blades, with about 40 teeth, are good for crosscuts and rip cuts. If you’re not sure what kind of wood you’re cutting, go with a combination blade.

How many teeth does it take to rip wood?

Ripping solid wood: Use a

24-tooth to 30-tooth blade

. You can use 40-tooth to 50-tooth multipurpose blade as well, but it will take longer. Cross-cutting wood or sawing plywood: Use a 40-tooth to 80-tooth blade. You can use a 40-tooth to 50-tooth general purpose blade as well.

What is the best blade to use for cutting with the grain of the wood?

Typically you’ll be using a saw to cut lumber both across the grain and with the grain. This requires a general-purpose, or combination saw blade. If you’re just cutting with the grain, you’ll want to use a

rip saw blade

. For cutting across the grain only, you’ll want a crosscut saw blade.

What is the best blade for cutting trim?

To achieve the smoothest miter saw cuts for furniture building, cabinetmaking, and trim work, you need a blade with a lot of teeth. A stock 12-inch blade typically has 32 teeth.

A good trim blade commonly has 80

.

What is a 180 tooth blade used for?

Designed for

cutting a variety of materials, including plywood, vinyl siding, and plastic

, the CRAFTSMAN 10-in 180-tooth high-speed steel miter/table saw blade set is a must-have for your workshop.

What is a 40 tooth saw blade used for?

A 40-tooth blade works fine for

most cuts through plywood

. Blades with 60 or 80 teeth should be used on veneered plywood and melamine, where the thin veneers are likely to blow out on the underside of the cut, a characteristic known as tearout.

What does higher TPI mean?

The inner nylon casing is measured in threads per inch. A tire’s TPI has a significant impact on its overall performance. A low-TPI tire has larger threads and more rubber, making it heavier and more sluggish. However, the tire will also be more durable.

A tire with a higher TPI has finer threads and less rubber

.

What does Maxxis TPI mean?


Threads Per Inch

(TPI)

The number of threads that cross through one square inch of a single ply of the tire’s casing. Lower TPI gives better puncture, cut and abrasion resistance but is heavier. Higher TPI conforms better to the terrain, offering a smoother, more comfortable ride while reducing the weight of the tire.

What is Exoplus?

EXO+ is essentially

an upgraded version of the EXO casing

, with the only negatives being slight increases in weight and price. Positive features include increased puncture protection and sidewall durability, with a resistance to pinch flats by 28%.

How many teeth does it take to cut metal?

The general rule of thumb is:

For wood and soft materials aim for 3 – 6 teeth in the workpiece. For metals and harder materials aim for

6 – 24 teeth

in the workpiece.

How do you select a saw blade for different materials?

Typically,

thicker metals, plastics or wood sections require saws with bigger blades, while hard materials require saws with larger teeth

. The actual number of teeth on the work is crucial, with at least three on each section of material being worked.

How do I choose a metal cutting band saw blade?

Blade Teeth per inch


The harder the material, the slower the speed; conversely, the softer the material, the faster the speed

. The faster the speed, the finer the finish produced on the cut surface. Remember to put proper tension on your blade before using the bandsaw and release the tension when you are done.

What does 27 TPI mean?

A measure that often is used to describe the quality of tires is “

threads per inch

” (TPI). The idea is that tires with higher thread counts usually have finer weaves that make these tires more supple. The reality is more complex, and TPI is of limited use when comparing tires.

Are higher TPI tires more puncture resistant?

For the sake of the question, if you are simply comparing a higher TPI material (such as 120) to a standard TPI (such as 60) material,

the higher TPI does provide less protection

, particularly in terms of impact resistance.

What is TLR bead?

When

tubeless-ready tyres

are inflated, air pressure pushes the tyre beads against the rim sides, holding the tyre in place. Tubeless-ready tyres (TLR) require specific rims, which are designed to form an airtight, sealed system with the tyre.

What is the best wood to use on a scroll saw?


Cedar and plywoods

are recommended as good woods to practice on while some recommend a good quality Baltic birch (Scroll Saw Forums). We actually recommend Poplar as the best practice wood because it has a more even grain than pine, meaning you can cut at an even speed without worrying about changing blades.

Should a scroll saw blade cut up or down?

Be sure the blade is

right side up

and that the teeth are facing downward so that they cut on the downstroke of the blade. The pins must fit into the grooves or slots on the blade mount.

HOW LONG DOES A scroll saw blade last?

Scroll saw blades tend to last for

15-45 minutes

of continual use on most wood types at moderate speeds. Thick or hardwood, high operating speeds, or tension issues (too tight/too loose) all contribute to a short blade lifespan.

How tight should a scroll saw blade be?

Do you need to oil scroll saw?

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.