Cheap oscillating tool blades, junk?

[signcrafter]

Thinking about picking up a 25 or 50 pack of the cheaper blades on ebay or amazon. Most are around a buck a blade give or take. Where even the off brands at the store are still 8 or more bucks a blade when bought in 3 packs. I use the fast cutting wood blades a lot and once you hit a nail or something they are pretty much shot instantly. The name brand blades are around 40 bucks a 3 pack.

Even if the quality isn't as good as a name brand blade if they do a decent job cutting cutting they would be worth it for a buck a piece. And if I hit a nail I can just replace the blade without being upset about the price. But if they are junk and cut like **** then it will just be a waste of money. Wondering if anyone has experience with these cheaper blades on ebay or amazon?

 

[MatBirch]

Well, fwiw- a few years back, I bought the corded Harbor Freight tool and a few blades. I finally got an opportunity to use it recently doing my rewire project. I was cutting through plaster, sheetrock, wood lath, and metal junction boxes, on each and every outlet/switch. The cheap blades worked just fine, and dulled up at a rate that I found acceptable considering the circumstance. When I ran out, I took a chance on the "last 20 times longer" Bosch blades, and payed more. They do indeed last a lot longer. I feel that the difference is an even parallel to the price, so really no better/no worse. Just longer between changes.
I will definitely buy more cheapos, as they worked just fine. The plaster base coat was just so hard on them... I'll buy better ones for certain projects.

 

[Echohunter]

I use my Jiggy tool every week- flooring trade- and the only ones I buy are the 20-50 packs on ebay ..sure.. you may get a little more use out of a name brand one . .but not anywhere near enough to validate paying the exorbitant prices that get charged for these things ...buy'em on ebay and spend your savings on other tools! ..

 

[Crabman]

Echo

I buy are the 20-50 packs on ebay

A lot of choices on ebay, any particular ones you have had good luck with?

Thanks, Bruce

 

[IndyGarage]

I bought a generic pack of 25 on Amazon and they seem to work just fine. It's probably enough to last me a long time.

 

[Firefighter1406]

Bosch carbide tip blades are the only ones I feel are worth the money. The original Fein brand ones are pretty decent as well. The Bosch carbide tipped ones work well in metal also.

 

[seber]

Bosch carbide tip blades are the only ones I feel are worth the money. The original Fein brand ones are pretty decent as well. The Bosch carbide tipped ones work well in metal also.

I don't use anything but carbide. But I use no name brand. I haven't noticed any difference between those and the name brand. Cheap steel blades can be just mild steel but carbide is carbide.

 

[DIY_Guy79]

Not sure on the ebay blades. Like MatBirch, I bought the Chicago Electric corded Oscillating tool from HF along with a couple of blades about 2 years ago. I've been extremely impressed with my purchase. The tool itself is one hell of a deal, its a great tool for the money, although quite loud. Im still on the first blade after a couple of years of use.. I've used the blade for cutting wood & sheetrock. Most of that use was through out a large project. Although admittedly I havent got to use the tool too much since then. But In comparison to pricier blades, I'd say its worth a shot. Especially if you're just gonna be cutting softer materials like wood & sheetrock. Doesnt take anything too special to accomplish that task.

 

[GrantCee]

This was an interesting test:

 

[tncatadjuster]

Bosch carbide on my M12 tool. Very happy as it cuts many nails and still very sharp.

 

[tncatadjuster]

This was an interesting test:

I don't know if I like that guy or not, I have watched many of his videos.
The test is not a real world test, I never hold the tool in one spot and always move to cool the blade and not overheat. Would the results be the same?

 

[itwnexus]

EZARC Oscillating Tool Blades won the Project Farm video comparison for value blade. They cost $25.97 for a 3 pack on amazon. That comes out to $8.65 per blade.

What is a good 25 or 50 pack to buy? Please post link. Thanks.