Ever tried cutting through tough metal with the wrong tool and felt the frustration? That buzzing sound, the slow progress, and the blade wearing out too fast—it’s a common headache for DIYers and pros alike. Choosing the correct reciprocating saw blade for metal isn’t just about getting the job done; it’s about safety, speed, and saving money on replacement blades.
The market is flooded with different tooth counts, materials like bi-metal or carbide, and specialized designs. How do you know which one will slice smoothly through steel pipe versus thin aluminum sheeting? Picking the wrong blade leads to wasted time, poor cuts, and maybe even a broken tool. It’s a puzzle that many builders face when metalwork calls.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down everything you need to know about reciprocating saw blades for metal. You will learn exactly which blade matches your specific metal project, ensuring cleaner cuts and longer tool life. Get ready to transform your cutting experience from a struggle into a simple, efficient task. Let’s dive into the details of finding your perfect metal-cutting companion.
Top Reciprocating Saw Blades For Metal Recommendations
- 【Professional 6PCS Cutting Set】Includes 6 pieces of 9-inch 14TPI reciprocating blades, ideal for cutting through steel pipes, rebar, and thick metal sheets. Suitable for professional projects and home use
- 【High-Strength Bi-Metal Material】Constructed from premium bi-metal with enhanced toughness and durability. Provides excellent resistance to heat, wear, and bending during long cutting sessions
- 【Smooth & Accurate Performance】Optimized 14TPI tooth geometry ensures clean, fast, and precise cuts. Reduces vibration and friction for a more stable and comfortable operation experience
- 【Universal Fit Design】Features a standard 1/2-inch shank that fits most reciprocating saws on the market. Simple to attach and remove, allowing quick blade changes while working
- 【Protective Storage Package】Comes in a sturdy case for safe storage and convenient portability. Keeps blades organized, prevents damage, and ensures lasting sharpness for your next task
- PRACTICAL SET COMBINATION: It contains 5 pieces of 6-inch 14TPI saw blades, which can meet the needs of multi-scene cutting. There is no need to purchase separately frequently, saving you time and cost. Whether it is professional work or home DIY, it can provide sufficient spare options.
- HIGH-QUALITY BI-METAL MATERIAL: Made of high-quality bimetal, it has both high hardness and good toughness, excellent heat and wear resistance, can withstand long-term high-intensity cutting, effectively extend service life, and ensure stable cutting performance.
- EFFICIENT CUTTING PERFORMANCE: 14TPI (number of teeth per inch) design with sharp tooth shape, accurate cutting and fast speed, can easily cope with a variety of materials such as metal sheet, metal pipe, etc, especially suitable for cutting medium-thickness materials, reduce caton and vibration, and improve operating efficiency.
- WIDELY COMPATIBLE AND ADAPTABLE: It has a universal installation design, compatible with most reciprocating saws and other tools on the market, easy to install and fast to switch, no need to worry about adaptation issues, and make your cutting operation smoother.
- INTIMATE PACKAGING DESIGN: Equipped with sturdy packaging, easy to store and carry, it can effectively protect the saw blade from damage during transportation and storage, ensure that it can be kept in good condition every time it is accessed, and enhance the user experience.
- Effortlessly Cut Metal : Built for demolition, this 20/24 TPI reciprocating saw blade powers through steel, pipe, auto body, stainless, cast iron, studs, nails, and plumbing—without slowing you down. Get smooth, fast results on any job site or DIY project.
- Heat-Treated For Extreme Durability : Our advanced hardening process significantly boosts wear and heat resistance. This reduces the risk of sudden breakage, allowing the blade to stay sharp longer and deliver more cuts over its lifetime—maximizing your investment.
- High Durability Saw Blades : Unlike other bi-metal saw blades, it is constructed by high-density bi-metal with extra 8% cobalt, and the 0.9mm thickness is greater than many saw blades on the market, which means it has a longer lifespan. More importantly, this will effectively reduce the risk of sudden blade breakage during cutting.
- Professional Metal Cuts : Engineered to tackle a wide range of tough materials under 1/8-inch—including steel, pipe, auto body panels, stainless steel, cast iron, studs, nails, and plumbing lines. This is the go-to blade for metal demolition and indispensable for a multitude of everyday tasks.
- Universal Compatibility : Designed to fit most major reciprocating saw brands, including Bosch, DeWalt, Milwaukee, SKIL, Makita, Black & Decker, Ryobi, Porter Cable, Hitachi, Flex, and Hilti. No matter what saw you use, these blades will deliver top-tier performance.
- Combination sets provide a selection of reciprocating saw blades for common applications
- Tough case or Expandable case holds blades and is designed to fit in power tool kit box
- Bi-metal construction delivers blade flexibility and a long-lasting cutting edge
- Bi-metal construction offers blade flexibility and a long-lasting cutting edge
- Combination set provides a selection of blades for common applications.
- Ideal for use with metal, plastic, wood, and drywall.
- Made of high quality carbon steel for fast wood cutting and pruning.
- Works with all major reciprocating saw brands, Porter & cable.
- Includes 10 blades suitable for the most common cutting applications. See product description for a complete list of included tools.
- 8-pack of Professional 6-inch Saw blades for cutting metals up to one-quarter inch in thickness
- Made of high-quality Bi-Metal, specifically engineered for faster cutting and added durability, that will easily cut black pipe, conduit, cold rolled steel, rebar, angle iron, and other metals
- Minimized bending and breaking of blade due to 0.05” thickness. Precision-set teeth yield smooth cuts
- Works with all major reciprocating saw brands such as DeWalt, Makita, Ridgid, Milwaukee, Porter & Cable, Skil, Ryobi, Black & Decker, Bosch, Hitachi, etc.
- Includes a durable clear plastic storage case that won't come apart in your tool bag
- 【EXCELLENT CUTTING SKILLS】- Bi-metal reciprocating saw blades metal with sturdy cobalt edge provide effortless cutting into sheet metal, metal pipe and profile. Blades cut through medium to thick sheet metals 0.1- 0.3 inch (2-8 mm), solid pipes/profiles diameter < 7 inch.
- 【SPECIAL CUTTING】 - with 0.9 thin wall and set teeth design, metal sawzall blades helps to reduce heat built up and maximize your cutting efficiency for heavy metal cuttings
- 【SPEED CUTTING】 - With intensive and high density 14TPI teeth, metal sabre saw blades have longer life and faster cutting speed than other standard bi-metal blades in demolition work
- 【HIGH DENSITY BLADES】 - Unlike other bi-metal material, constructed by high density bi-metal with extra 8% cobalt, metal cutting sawzall blades with better wear-resistance, having longer life span. And reciprocating saw blades for metal cutting more sturdy during cutting thick metal or heavy metal, keeping you safe from sudden broken blades
- 【UNIVERSAL SHANK】 - 1/2 inch shank fits all Sawzall tools on the market including Bosch, Dewalt, Milwaukee Sawzall Saw, SKIL, Makita, Black & Decker, Ryobi, Porter Cable, Hitachi, Flex, Hilti and more
- Metal Reciprocating Saw Blades – incorporate bi-metal construction, reinforced pair-setting teeth and thin-kerf .035 In. bodies for pro-quality high-performance blades
- Bi-metal material – delivers a durable cutting edge for outstanding blade toughness
- Designed for sheet metal – features 18 TPI with a 0° hook angle for clean cuts in ferrous and non-ferrous sheet metal (10 – 16 gauge)
- Pair-setting tooth geometry – designed with two teeth facing left followed by two teeth facing right, for fast cuts and long life
- Flexible 0.035 In. thin blade body – provide accurate cuts, easier starts and reduced breakage
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Reciprocating Saw Blades for Metal
Reciprocating saws are tough tools. They need strong blades to cut metal. Choosing the right blade makes your job easier and safer. This guide helps you pick the best metal-cutting blade for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
Several features tell you how well a blade will perform when cutting metal. Look closely at these points before you buy.
1. Tooth Per Inch (TPI)
- What it is: TPI measures how many teeth fit into one inch of the blade.
- Why it matters: For metal, you usually want a higher TPI (around 14 to 24 TPI). More teeth cut thinner, harder metals smoothly. Fewer teeth (like 10 TPI) work better for thick, soft metals or demolition where speed matters more than a perfect finish.
2. Blade Length
- What it is: How long the blade is, usually ranging from 6 to 12 inches.
- Why it matters: Longer blades cut deeper. If you frequently cut thick pipes or large beams, choose a longer blade. Shorter blades offer better control for tight spaces.
3. Set and Rake Angle
- Set: This is how the teeth are bent. A slight bend helps clear debris (sawdust/shavings) and prevents the blade from binding.
- Rake Angle: This is the angle of the tooth face. A steeper rake cuts faster but might vibrate more.
Important Materials for Metal Cutting
The material the blade is made from determines its lifespan and what kind of metal it can handle.
Bi-Metal (BIM)
- This is the most common and versatile choice.
- BIM blades combine a flexible steel body with hardened cutting teeth (often made from High-Speed Steel or HSS). They offer good durability and can handle mild steel, stainless steel, and non-ferrous metals.
Carbide-Tipped Blades
- These are the heavy-duty option.
- They have small carbide pieces welded to the ends of the teeth. These blades last much longer and cut the toughest metals, like cast iron or thick hardened steel, much faster. They cost more upfront.
High-Speed Steel (HSS)
- HSS blades are good for softer metals or light use. They are less durable than BIM or Carbide when facing tough jobs.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Blade quality significantly impacts your cutting experience.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Thicker Blade Backing: A thicker blade body resists bending and breaking, especially during tough cuts.
- Welding Strength: For BIM blades, the joint where the teeth meet the body must be strong. High-quality welds prevent teeth from snapping off under stress.
- Coating: Some blades have special coatings (like titanium or black oxide) that reduce friction and heat, making the blade last longer.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Thin Material: Very thin blades flex too easily. This causes wavy cuts and increases the chance of the blade snapping.
- Low Tooth Hardness: If the teeth are too soft, they dull quickly, especially when cutting abrasive metals.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about what you will cut most often. This directs your purchase.
- Demolition Work: You need speed and durability. Choose a lower TPI (10-14 TPI) BIM blade that can handle nails, screws, and varied materials without breaking immediately.
- Plumbing/HVAC: You often cut copper, aluminum, or thin steel pipe. A medium TPI (14-18 TPI) BIM blade provides a good balance of speed and smoothness.
- Fabrication/Metalworking: When cutting thick stainless steel or structural steel, invest in a high TPI (20+ TPI) or a carbide-tipped blade for the best results and longest life.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Metal Cutting Blades
Q: Can I use wood-cutting blades on metal?
A: No. Wood blades have large, widely spaced teeth. These teeth will immediately dull or snap when they hit metal. Always use blades specifically designed for metal.
Q: What is the best TPI for cutting thin sheet metal?
A: For thin sheet metal (like 20 gauge), use a high TPI, usually 18 to 24 TPI. This ensures at least two or three teeth are always in contact with the material, preventing snagging.
Q: Do I need to oil the blade when cutting metal?
A: It helps a lot. Applying cutting fluid or oil reduces friction and heat. This keeps the blade cooler, which makes the teeth last much longer, especially when cutting hard metals like stainless steel.
Q: How do I know when my metal blade is dull?
A: A dull blade makes the saw vibrate heavily. The cut slows down dramatically, and you have to push the saw much harder. Sparks might also increase.
Q: Are carbide blades always better than Bi-Metal blades?
A: Not always. Carbide blades are best for very hard or thick metals. For general DIY or cutting softer metals, good quality BIM blades offer better value for the money.
Q: What does “set” mean on a reciprocating saw blade?
A: Set refers to the slight bend in the teeth. This bend makes the cut channel slightly wider than the blade body, which stops the blade from getting stuck while cutting.
Q: Should I use a slow or fast speed on my saw for metal cutting?
A: Generally, use a slower speed setting on your saw when cutting metal. High speed generates excessive heat, which ruins the temper (hardness) of the blade teeth quickly.
Q: What is the main difference between a straight cut and a curved cut blade?
A: Most metal blades are straight. Curved blades are usually designed for demolition, allowing the user to use the curve of the blade to scoop out material or make slightly curved cuts in softer materials.
Q: How long should a quality BIM blade last?
A: This varies greatly. In light use on mild steel, a good BIM blade might last for dozens of cuts. During heavy demolition, it might only last for a few minutes of continuous cutting.
Q: Why do the teeth keep breaking off my new blade?
A: This usually means your TPI is too low for the metal you are cutting, or you are pushing the saw too hard. If the saw binds or jumps, the teeth take the brunt of the impact and break off.