Saw Blades?

[lolaetype]

What in your opinion are decent blades for a reciprocating saw? I don't use mine a lot but when I do I want it to cut. Typically I use the saw for demolition, cutting treated landscape wood (4X4 and the like), and occasionally metal pipes and angles, channels, etc.

 

[LXCam]

Lenox has always been my go to. But Diablo gets a nod also.

 

[Beerhippie]

Bought a selection box of Milwaukee a few years ago. Basically one-time-use, esp. for the metal-cutting blades.

 

[T444e]

I like Diablo carbide tipped for cutting steel (when a porta band will not fit). Then Milwaukee and Lenox on that order.

 

[Steve_P]

Project Farm has done at least one test on these if you actually want to see some comparisons and judge performance vs cost.

 

[d.mcfarland]

The Milwaukee wood with nails in the 9 inch version for around $4 each seem to fit the bill.

 

[tarbellb]

Lenox
Diablo
Milwaukee (carbide only)

 

[lolaetype]

Thanks folks. I generally buy Lenox hacksaw blade and have been satisfied with their performance. I'll check out Diablo for metal.

 

[seber]

Lenox all the way. I get other brands at estate sales but they don't last nearly as long as Lenox.

 

[dnschmidt]

Depends. For carbide Diablo is the way to go. For normal Lenox.

 

[Rinspeed]

Lenox has always been my go to. But Diablo gets a nod also.

 

[lardy1]

I forget the name now but for metal the blue ones are the cat's ***. Far better than any of the white bi-metal ones that are available everywhere. I haven't seen them in quite some time.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

For general/ demo use I rely on Spyder’s 3x3 blades. https://spyderproducts.com/products...ciprocating-saw-blade-set-6-and-8-inch-200228

As shown, different TPI/ combinations available. Made in Germany. I’ve really put them through the paces and found them to be very reliable and lasting, even when abused. Make plunge cutting a breeze.

For carbide tipped blades: Bosch Expert S955HHM (and others of this “family”), Swiss made. Use with cutting paste/wax.

For pruning, Bosch S1531L. (Seldomly used these days, as I use the GTA 26, but back with no small chainsaws available, they were the only decent pruning blades available - and hold their promise.)

Plus some speciality ones by MPS (also Manufacturer behind the Spyder 3x3). For pallet repair, ”reversed tip” so it slides over when you hit a nail and doesn’t push the saw out/ gives you a hard kick-back. And one with Japanese teeth.

(Yes, the pictured S1531L has been cut, since I used it with a 12V saw, and nowadays with my 14.4V Snap-On, if needed. So I didn’t want the full length. But again, the use case has been completely taken over by the Stihl GTA 26.)



Kind regards,
Olli

 

[BTL-A4]

+1 on Diablo. I can confirm the ones from Harbor freight are awful (not HF bashing, just sharing my experience). I have some Dewalt ones that seem okay, but the Diablo are way better.