Reciprocating saw blades

[laflippin]

Howdy folks, I am a newbie here but hoping to find some expert advice about reciprocating saw blades.

I recently bought a DeWalt DWE305 and a set of various DeWalt brand blades.

Immediately noticed that the coarse blades (i.e., 6TPI) fit snugly into the blade clamp whereas it is very obvious that all of the DeWalt fine blades (i.e., 14 - 24 TPI) have a narrower isthmus (?) on the shank of the blade and they wobble pretty noticeably when clamped in.

Called DeWalt customer service--they haven't got a clue. Pointed out the difference in shank specs using on-line pictures and the best they could do was, "yep, yep--we see what you're talking about but not sure why they are different".

Googled up "reciprocating saw blade images" and started studying the shanks of different brands--DeWalt seems possibly unique with this peculiar difference.

My first instinct is: The less 'wobble' in a power saw blade, the better. But maybe that's wrong? Why would DeWalt design the shanks of their sawzall blades differently, so that the coarse ones are snug but the fine ones wobble?

This is making me feel stupid, so I'm hoping someone can help out

 

[WhiteSSP]

I've never seen a blade that didn't wobble in any of the multiple brands of reciprocating saws I've used.


It's never been an issue as the force of the blade pushing up as you press down on the item you're cutting stops the wobble.

 

[laflippin]

Okay, thanks WhiteSSP--I appreciate your comments. Not trying to split hairs here, but the fine-tooth DeWalt blades definitely wobble more in the blade clamp than their coarse ones do, and if you inspect the shanks of the different DeWalt blades it is clear that the long skinny piece that extends past the shank-hole (the isthmus, for lack of a better description) is wider on their coarse blades and narrower on their fine blades. From what I've seen, most other blade brands don't differ in that way!?! Weird.

But your practical advice--that some blade wobble is tolerable and it's probably not an issue--seems right from my limited experience. The fine-tooth DeWalt blades do seem to cut well--they just feel more funky and loosey-goosey before starting the cut.

 

[Wyoming09]

I gave up on DeWalt blades. Now I only use Lenox blades. For what I'm doing they seem to hold up a LOT better the any of the others I've tried.

 

[laflippin]

Interesting...

Here is a picture of a Lenox assortment:

versus DeWalt:

http://www.dewalt.com/en-us/product...ce-bimetal-reciprocating-saw-blade-set/dw4857

See what I'm talking about? The shanks are all the same on the Lenox assortment, but not so for the DeWalts...weird.

 

[ffemtdisp]

I only used Lennox blades in our Rescue's recip saw. Before we could afford a hydraulic rescue tool (i.e. Jaws of Life), we used hand tools to start vehicle extrication ops until our mutual aid company could arrive. We could take a vehicle roof quite well.

I hope their quality hasn't diminished lately.

 

[maintguy]

Milwaukee use to be make a good blade. Haven't used one in years. I hope they area still good

 

[bob15]

I, nor yourself should be basing anything on your link or a website photo. Website pictures are sometimes computer generated and/or altered in size to fit a screen or a picture area. So basing any complaint on that photo will give you zero credibility.

Show real-life picture with the blades on it to compare your complaint and now we have something to go on.

Did you measure them? What are the numbers for Dewalt & Lennox & maybe add a few Milwaukee's in for good measure......

What saw are they going into? PC or a Milwaukee or a HF special?

 

[MaineGuide]

If the Dewalt blades are causing you problems, chuck 'em in the junk drawer and grab this set from your Home Depot:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Diablo-...2-Free-Carbide-Recip-Blades-DS0014S/203464896

 

[ptgarcia]

If the Dewalt blades are causing you problems, chuck 'em in the junk drawer and grab this set from your Home Depot:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Diablo-...2-Free-Carbide-Recip-Blades-DS0014S/203464896

I'm not a heavy user but I have used Lennox, Dewalt, Diablo, and whatever brand Craftsman packages with the recip saw and the Diablo have been great. with zero fitment issues. I do like the Lennox, also.

 

[GarageGuy89]

OP, you are definitely over thinking this. Recip. saws are crude machines that don't deserve tight tolerances. Let's just leave it at that.

If you haven't tried Diablo's carbide blades, well...they are the cat's pajamas. Yes they are $$$$. Just buy one and be done.

 

[ishiboo]

OP, you are definitely over thinking this. Recip. saws are crude machines that don't deserve tight tolerances. Let's just leave it at that.

Absolutely.

If you haven't tried Diablo's carbide blades, well...they are the cat's pajamas. Yes they are $$$$. Just buy one and be done.

I love the Diablo's, both the regular and the carbides. A lot of the stuff I grab a demo blade for occasionally means the blade will get bottomed out on the tip doing a plunge in something and bent, plus I still have a ton of regular blades from the $1 HD deals.

 

[lbhsbz]

Interesting...

Here is a picture of a Lenox assortment:

versus DeWalt:

http://www.dewalt.com/en-us/product...ce-bimetal-reciprocating-saw-blade-set/dw4857

See what I'm talking about? The shanks are all the same on the Lenox assortment, but not so for the DeWalts...weird.

Interesting. I had a Ridgid recip saw after my old original Milwaukee died, and it wouldn't accept the blades with the larger tang. I had to take all my lenox blades to the grinder in order for them to fit.

The tang shouldn't make much of a difference I wouldn't think...since the blade should get clamped in place from the sides. I can't imagine how it would be loose, tang or not.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I think both Freud and Milwaukee have carbide tipped reciprocating saw blades now.

Anyone try them ?

 

[lbhsbz]

I think both Freud and Milwaukee have carbide tipped reciprocating saw blades now.

Anyone try them ?

I've used the diablo carbide tipped to cut up a fiberglass boat...they're pretty damn good.

 

[fivespdcat]

I've had pretty good luck with imperial demolition blades off Amazon. Here's a pretty smoking deal if you use them a lot:

Imperial Blades 100IBD658 6-Inch Wood/Nails Demolition Reciprocating Saw Blade, 5/8 Teeth Per Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DC8LNNK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

100 pack for $40. Mind you these are not highly flexible blades and are quite thick.

Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

 

[crazylunker]

Milwaukee use to be make a good blade. Haven't used one in years. I hope they area still good

Nope.....

I miss the old Milwaukee blades, I use my saws for cutting metal and unfortunately no one design's a blade for clean metal cutting. Big part of the problem is the shank/arbor end. They are on an angle to aid in aggressive cutting where on the backstroke it adds pressure due to the blade not being parallel to the saw.

I really notice the problem doing plumbing work trying to cut older copper and be gentle without disturbing sweated joints in the area.

The old Milwaukee blades(blue) that I used to get from the hardware store (not HD) in cardboard packs of 10 are deeply missed)

I have spoken to a Milwaukee rep and he admits the angle is intended for woodcutting even though they say the blade is for metal and at this time they do not offer a blade with the old design.

 

[dneiding]

Bought a Dewalt recip saw this summer and noticed the same thing. In fact, I took it back to Home Depot to get a replacement since I thought something must be wrong. They didn't have one in stock so I went home with it and tried a different blade - Lenox this time - and no wobble.

I agree that you don't use a recip saw for fine, precise work but I would at least like to get close to my line and with the thinner blades that was not possible. Other that that, the saw is great. Nice and powerful so I will keep it and just use Lenox blades.

 

[C@TCH]

I used my DEWALT DWE305 today because it was easier than getting my Milwaukee and noticed the blade I was using was really sloppy. Trying to figure out why I came here and started reading about people say shaft is worn out but I barely have used mine. So decided to take the front gaurd off to see what’s going on. Never realized there’s 2 slots for blades one thinner than the other. One the blade sits horizontally and the other vertical. Learned something new today.

 

[KnurledNut]

I used my DEWALT DWE305 today because it was easier than getting my Milwaukee and noticed the blade I was using was really sloppy. Trying to figure out why I came here and started reading about people say shaft is worn out but I barely have used mine. So decided to take the front gaurd off to see what’s going on. Never realized there’s 2 slots for blades one thinner than the other. One the blade sits horizontally and the other vertical. Learned something new today.

I always liked that feature! Missed it when I switched to Makita.

 

[cherrybomb]

I've had good luck with my Makita brand,I have a service center and they carry a nice selection.