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SECTION 4: OPERATIONS
Blade Selection
Always use sharp blades and select the
correct saw blade for the material being
cut. The resulting cut will be cleaner and
more accurate, and there will be less stress
on the tool. This reciprocating saw can be
used to cut wood, metal or plastics depend-
ing upon the type of blade selected. Your
reciprocating saw comes with a wood and
metal blade, as listed in the Inventory.
A few points to remember in making
your blade selection:
•
The overall blade length will affect the
thickness of material that can be cut.
Most reciprocating saw blades range in
length from 3" to 12".
•
The width of the blade (measured from
the tip of one of the teeth to the back
edge of the blade) affects the durabil-
ity and resistance to bending during a
cut. A
⁄
" wide blade will be much more
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durable than a
•
The number of teeth per inch (TPI)
affects the smoothness and speed of
the cut. A general purpose wood cut-
ting blade will usually have 4–14 TPI;
a metal cutting blade will have 14–24
TPI. Another factor is the tooth style
and how the teeth are set (the amount
the tooth is bent away from the plane of
the blade). Most blade manufacturers
provide guidelines on their packaging
for the types of materials and speeds to
use for a particular blade style. Review
their guidelines carefully before choos-
ing a blade for a particular project.
Model T10874 (Mfd. Since 01/15)
⁄
" wide blade.
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Fine-Cut Blades
Fine-cut blades have high TPI and are
designed to produce a smooth cut. They
are generally used for cutting various
types of metal. They come in a variety of
lengths and widths (see Figure 5).
Figure 5. Assortment of fine-cut
reciprocating saw blades.
Rough-Cut Blades
Rough-cut blades have low TPI and are
designed to make quick cuts. They are
generally used for cutting natural and man
made wood materials, drywall, or plastics.
These blades come in a variety of lengths
and widths (see Figure 6).
Figure 6. Assortment of rough-cut
reciprocating saw blades.
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