Normally you would want the best Sawzall blade, but with these, it can come down to personal preference. There are four different types of blades that you can use in a reciprocating saw; straight and hook tooth, bi-metal, and carbide tipped. Each one is going to suit a certain job better than others. Straight and hook tooth blades are the most common and work well for metal and wood.
They’re better for cutting soft metals but aren’t as good at cutting metals like cast iron and aluminum without burning the edges. Bi-metal blades have a softer core that keeps the blade from overheating when cutting hard metals like steel, cast iron, etc. Carbide-tipped blades are only suited for heavy-duty industrial use. They’re extremely tough and will cut anything, but they need replacement more often than other blades.
Here are the best Sawzall blades for metal on the market.
Editor’s Pick-Sawzall Blades For Metal
Best Sawzall Blades For Metal Reviews In 2023
1. DEWALT 8-Inch Reciprocating Saw Blades
DEWALT Premium Metal Cutting Blades have a proprietary coating and preparation process that provides 2X longer life vs. standard DEWALT blades and metal cutting competitive blades. The variable pitch 14/18 TPI unique back angle geometry provides the most efficient cutting performance even in hardened materials.
They have a 1″ tall blade body and .042″ blade thickness making them wider and thicker for added durability and to prevent bending and breakage. These blades are ideal for cutting rebar, angle iron, black pipe, conduit, cold rolled steel, and other metals.
Breakage And Maximizes Tooth Life
With a tall, high-speed steel strip that helps to reduce breakage and maximizes tooth life, DEWALT 2X Long Life Metal Cutting Reciprocating Saw Blades can withstand extreme Jobsite conditions. An aggressive shank angle helps to increase tooth contact, and a patented design delivers fast cut rates in common metal cutting applications.
Patented Tooth Design
Worried about your cutting blade getting dull? We have the answer. The DEWALT 8-Inch Reciprocating Saw Blades with Patented Tooth Design uses a patented tooth design that utilizes sharper tooth geometry for faster cut rates and maintains cutting speed as the blade wears. This means your reciprocating saw will stay working at top performance for longer in heavy applications or when cutting through multiple layers of material.
2. DEWALT Reciprocating Saw Blades, Metal
These reciprocating saw blades last up to 50% longer* and feature patented tooth forms that deliver fast, smooth cuts in wood and metal-cutting applications. Their Bi-Metal construction is designed to extend blade life and minimizes blade breaks. Each kit contains an assortment of blades for various cutting applications and a collapsible ToughCase for easy storage. Made in the USA with global materials.
Reciprocating Saw Blade
Use the DEWALT DW4856 reciprocating saw blade set as the perfect addition to your cutting needs, featuring compatibility with all reciprocating saw brands. Intended for a broad range of applications, including metal, plastic, wood, and drywall, these blades provide just what your job needs in a handy 6-piece set.
Removal For Efficient
Patented tooth forms optimize chip removal for efficient cutting and long life. The average performance of DEWALT reciprocating saw blade range vs. prior generation DEWALT blades.
3. WORKPRO 32-Piece Reciprocating Saw Blade Set
WorkPro 32-Piece Reciprocating Saw Blade Set is made entirely of CRV steel construction for cutting coarse/fuel wood with a thickness of 20-175mm. Pruning saw blade for cutting branch with less than 180mm diameter and 0.8mm wall thickness, easy operation, high efficiency, and good quality. Metal saw blade is made of Bi-material for cutting metal with a thickness of 0.7-8mm, pipes/profiles with dia.5-100mm, effortless, fine out.
Blades For Various Applications
This compact Reciprocating Saw Blade Set includes 32 different blades for various applications. It includes a selection of blades to cut all kinds of materials, including metal, plastic, wood, and drywall. Made from premium grade steel for optimal strength and durability, these blades are ideal for power tools such as cordless and corded reciprocating saws.
Promise Of Versatility
The Workpro 32-Piece Reciprocating Saw Blade Set delivers on its promise of versatility, with high-quality and durable blades that can be used to cut all sorts of materials. This set includes 8 wood blades, 10 thin metal blades, 12 thick metal blades, and a bonus saw blade organizer.
One of my favorite features is the 6 teeth per inch (TPI) on both thin and thick metal blades, which makes them easier to control and less likely to bend or break.
4. Milwaukee Electric Tool 49-22-1129 Sawzall Reciprocating Saw Blade Set
With twelve reciprocating saw blades for extreme cutting and a handy storage pouch for easy access, this Sawzall blade kit easily gets you through that big remodel project and is great to have on hand for years of little jobs. The pouch rolls open for easy access to its five compartments. Extra thick blades (from .042 to .062 inches) wont bend, warp, or distort under extreme cutting applications. Inch-wide blades bolster strength but still, fit easily into tight quarters.
Extreme Applications
The Milwaukee 49-22-1129 Sawzall reciprocating saw blade set is perfect for extreme applications. It provides added strength due to its 1-inch height and comes with two thicknesses (0.042″ and 0.062″), making it suitable for extreme applications with thick steel and hard materials. The precision-ground blades allow for a fast cutting speed, giving you more time to finish your project on time.
I Saw Blade And A Breaker Bar
This Milwaukee electric tool Sawzall blade pack comprises a reciprocating saw blade and a breaker bar. The reciprocating saw blades are wide, allowing them to fit tight spaces where other blades cannot get through. The breaker bar allows you to easily cut through drywall without worrying about damaging your Sawzall.
5. Diablo DS0908CF 9″ Steel Demon Carbide Recip Blade
This Diablo DS0908CF Steel Demon Carbide Recip Blade is designed for cutting thicker metals like iron and steel. The carbonized steel of this blade is heat-treated and forged to create a layer of carbide that is up to four times harder than high-speed steel. This creates a sharper, longer-lasting edge that will last you longer and perform better than the competition.
Powerful Performance
The Diablo DS0908CF Steel Demon Cutter Blade features an enhanced carbide tip-to-blade connection for extreme impact resistance. This allows for more powerful performance, a deeper flute, and longer blade life. The blades are constructed from SiC reinforced with tungsten, resulting in superior cutting capabilities. These blades deliver optimal cutting performance, the perfect accessory for any serious lawn and garden care professional.
Support And Strength
Blades are designed with a longer body to add support and strength. They are engineered with a better, more accurate design that gives you straighter cuts with less vibration. Best suited for cutting concrete, brick, block, stone, brick & rock.
6. Irwin Tools Reciprocating Saw Blade Set
Electronic beam weld for stronger, longer-lasting teeth. 8% cobalt keeps teeth sharp longer. Precision ground to exact tolerances, resulting in a stable tooth design to maximize speed and performance. Long cutting life reduces costly downtime.
Reciprocating Saw Blade Set
You want a reciprocating saw that cuts fast, smooth and last. The Irwin Reciprocating Saw Blade Set helps you get the job done with a bi-metal construction that makes them last longer and stay sharper in harder materials like plastics. Precision-set teeth make for faster, smoother cuts.
Blade Set Handles
The Irwin Tools Reciprocating Saw Blade Set handles the most common cutting applications, including composition materials, plastic, pipe, carbon steel, and stainless steel. This set includes 11 blades suitable for a range of jobs.
7. Milwaukee 48-00-5026 The Ax 9-Inch 5 TPI Reciprocating Saw Blades
The Milwaukee 48-00-5026 The Ax 9-Inch Reciprocating Saw Blades are designed for the toughest cutting applications in wood and nail-embedded wood. These blades have a sloped shape for superior plunge cutting for demolition and remodeling work. To prevent bending, the blades are 1 inch tall for straight, fast cutting and an extra-thick, 0.062 inches. A unique heat treating process extends the life of the blades, and bi-metal construction prevents them from shattering.
Nail Embedded Wood
These 9-inch long blades are ideal for cutting into walls that contain wood, nails, plaster, and aluminum, and they feature a 1/2-inch universal tang that fits all Sawzalls. This pack includes 5 blades and comes with a 5-year limited warranty. Reciprocating Saw Blade, Primary Saw Application Nail Embedded Wood, Length 9 In., Teeth per Inch 5, Material Bi-Metal, Back Tapered, Shank 1/2 In., Height 1 In., Application Cut Into Wall That Contains Wood, Nails, Plaster and Aluminum, Package Quantity 5.
Milwaukee Cordless Saws
The Ax is a reciprocating saw blade ideal for heavy demolition work and is the perfect addition to any toolbox. It will easily cut through the toughest materials, including flooring, drywall, wood, cast iron pipe, and more. The blades can easily be installed on your Milwaukee cordless saws in less than 15 seconds without additional tools. Each package of 36 blades includes two 18-tooth blades designed for cutting through framing members, columns, and other heavy materials and two 24-tooth blades for cutting softer materials like plastic pipes and conduits.
8. Freud DS0014S Nail-Embedded Wood & Metal Demolition Reciprocating Blade Set
The DS0014-S demolition reciprocating saw blade set is a great alternative to the traditional circular saw blade. These blades are designed to cut through nails, metal, and wood that most saws cannot handle. With a variety of blades, there is sure to be one just right for your next project.
Metal Demolition Reciprocating Blade Set
The Freud DS0014S Nail-Embedded Wood & Metal Demolition Reciprocating Blade Set is for the demolition of both wood and metal. One blade is a bi-metal blade, ideal for cutting nails and soft metals, while the other is a carbide tip to tear through rebar or hard concrete. The blades are replaceable with the included wrench and compatible with most reciprocating saws on the market today.
Nails And Soft And Hard Woods
The Freud Nail-Embedded Wood and Metal Demolition Reciprocating Blade Set are designed with a super hard, ultra-hardened steel cutting edge that stays sharper longer than standard blades. With enhanced anti-vibration capabilities and safety features, these blades can cut through nails and soft and hard woods, metals, bricks, and concrete. You will experience up to five times longer life than standard blades for greater productivity—improving the return on your investment in just one job.
9. BOSCH RM618 6-Inch 18T Metal Cutting Reciprocating Saw Blades
The Bosch Group is a supplier of technology. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 350 subsidiaries and regional companies in more than 60 countries. Robert Bosch Tool Corporation in North America was formed in January 2003 when Robert Bosch GmbH combined its North American power tool and power tool accessory divisions into one organization.
World-renowned Quality
Bosch is the leading linear edge manufacturer, topping the market through engineering expertise, manufacturing capabilities, and world-renowned quality. Continuing on the path of innovation and engineering excellence, Bosch has developed a new line of recipe blades. By incorporating key design features, materials, and patented tooth technologies, Bosch optimizes blade cutting efficiency for the fastest and longest-lasting blades available.
Abrasive Materials Are Available
Choose from blades suited for occasional, standard, heavy, or demolition use in various materials such as wood with nails, metal, stainless steel, cinder block, cement board, or fiberglass. Flexible blades, thick kerf, tall body blades, and carbide blades for abrasive materials are available, and blade selection is made even easier with application color-coding and callouts on the blades.
With the BOSCH HA1030 SDS-max to SDS-plus Rotary Hammer Adapter, the user can extend the versatility of an SDS-max rotary hammer without having to bring along an additional tool. The adapter makes it possible to use SDS-plus accessories with an SDS-max tool. The adapter is compatible with other brands of SDS-max rotary hammers. This rugged adapter stands up to professional job site demands.
10. 6-Inch 14TPI Heavy Duty Metal Cutting Reciprocating Saw Blades
This professional-grade high-speed bi-metal blade is made from the highest quality steel with chip-resistant diamond grinding and heat treated for extra strength. This blade has an overall length of 6 inches and an effective working length of 4 1/4 inches for more precision when cutting through thick materials.
Blade Body Is More Resistant
This is the most suitable blade height, and the flexible thin blade body is more resistant to breaking and shattering. The fast straight cut is ideal for thick sheet metal [3-8mm], solid pipes/profiles [dia. 10-100mm] and other materials.
Cutting Reciprocating Saw Blades
This is a 6-Inch 14TPI Heavy Duty Metal Cutting Reciprocating Saw Blades. It works with all major reciprocating saw brands such as DeWalt, Makita, Ridgid, Milwaukee, Porter & Cable, Skil, Ryobi, Black & Decker, Bosch, and Hitachi. The blade comes in a pack of 5 and has the capability to cut through metal up to 26 gauge.
How to Choose the Best Sawzall Blades For Metal Before Purchasing
Several technical factors, including the blade’s material, tooth count, length, shape, and thickness, can influence a saw blade’s performance and longevity.
Material
High carbon steel is almost always used to make Sawzall blades (HCS). This material is a fantastic option for most individuals due to its cost, versatility, and durability. These blades can cut wood, plastic, and numerous composite materials. Avoid mixing it with high-speed steel (HSS), which is tougher, holds its edge longer, is brittle, and is rarely used in its entirety for reciprocating saw blades.
Bi-metal blades combine HCS and HSS. They are slightly more expensive, but they are worth it because they have superior edge retention and endurance. They may cut more quickly for a longer amount of time. A material is known as tungsten carbide—incredibly hard—is employed to improve cutting capacity. Carbide-tipped blades are 20 times more durable when cutting metal than bi-metal blades.
The carbide-grit blade edge is coated with coarse grit despite the absence of teeth. They are particularly adept in cutting fiberglass, concrete, and fiber cement. Use reciprocating saw blades with diamond coating for the sharpest cutting edge. These blades, made similarly to carbide-grit blades, can quickly cut through materials like cast iron. Additionally, they are the most expensive reciprocating saw blades available.
Incisors Per Inch (TPI)
An essential performance metric for reciprocating saw blades is TPI (tooth per inch). The cut will be more coarsely finished with a lower TPI and smoother with a higher TPI. However, it’s crucial to consider the kind of material being sawn. For instance, a saw with a high TPI may become pulp-clogged and unable to cut when cutting green wood.
The presence of gullets, or spaces between the teeth, makes it easier to eliminate the waste materials generated by the soft fibers. Pruning blades with only a TPI of 4 or 5 are available. On the other hand, cutting hard metals requires blades with a high TPI, or the number of minute teeth per inch spaced tightly together. Reciprocal saw blades for steel are offered in 14–24 TPI.
The greatest reciprocating saws for every application can be found with the ideal blade material and TPI. Even though the manufacturer’s instructions are typically accurate, there are some situations when experimentation is required. A quick and low-cost way to test various TPIs is simply replacing the blades on a reciprocating saw.
Regarding Size and Shape,
Reciprocal saw blades typically range in length from 6 to 12 inches. Shorter blades are better for working in small locations, whereas longer blades are useful for cutting large boards or tree limbs. Keep safety in consideration when choosing a blade length.
A reciprocating saw allows for back-and-forth cutting of material. An excessively short blade may cause the cut to jump out of the cut and bang into the workpiece during pull strokes. A reciprocating saw’s high speed makes it possible for the user and the blade to get injured. In general, cutting professionals suggest using a blade three inches longer than the thickness of the workpiece.
Wood-cutting reciprocating saw blades are frequently narrow and tapered at the tip. When cutting harder materials, those with carbide grit or diamond coating have deeper blades with a back that runs parallel to the teeth, which offers stronger stability and less deflection.
Thickness
The blade becomes thicker as the TPI increases. These tougher blades are more appropriate for demanding demolition or vehicle body repair jobs. They may also aid in reducing hand fatigue because they are stronger and less likely to vibrate. More material will be removed if the blade has a thicker “kerf” (the width of a cut). For delicate cutting operations, it is advisable to utilize a thinner blade.
Frequently Asked Question
What Are The Best Sawzall Blades For Cutting Metal?
A finer cut is needed when cutting thin metals, such as sheet metal. Use bi-metal blades with a TPI of 18-24. Use 14-18 TPI bi-metal blades for thicker metals like steel pipe, angle iron, or tubing. 8-10 TPI blades are the most effective for cutting aluminum.
Is More Teeth On A Saw Blade Better For Metal?
A blade with a TPI of 6 to 20 is recommended for cutting wood and other soft materials. TPIs ranging from 14 to 36 are more suited for use with sturdier materials like metal. The blade has a tooth count on it.
What Tpi Is Good For Metal?
If you want to know how much you’re eating, you need to know how many teeth you have in your mouth. This is called pitch. The basic rule of thumb for wood and other soft materials is to aim for 3 to 6 teeth in the workpiece. 6 to 24 teeth are ideal for metals and tougher materials.
How Thick Of Metal Can A Sawzall Cut?
It is recommended to use a blade with between 10 and 18 teeth per inch to cut through medium-thick metal, and a blade of roughly 8 teeth per inch to cut through very thick metal.
What Is The Best Blade To Cut Metal?
Since they contain iron, stainless steel and cast iron can be cut with ferrous blades. Both aluminum and copper are soft metals and require a non-ferrous blade to be used for cutting. Use a diamond blade rated for the type of metal you work with to get the best results.
Conclusion
The Sawzall is a powerful tool despite its small size. You should have the appropriate blade to get maximum performance on your cuts. If you plan to use it on mild steel, you need to choose a Sawzall blade that is classified as “unhardened.” To use the tool for cutting other materials such as stainless steel or aluminum, look for blades that are hardened for those specific materials.