
- U Shank Vs T Shank Blades- Comparison Table
- T-Shank Blades. “T-shank” name comes from the design of this blade. ...
- U-Shank Blades. U-shank blades have a “u” shaped cut at the base or beginning of the blade. ...
- Some Chit-chats over jigsaw blades. ...
- Frequently Asked Questions. ...
- Conclusion: At last, it is clear that a t-shank is far better than a u-shank. ...
What is a shank on a jigsaw?
The shank is the part of the blade that’s locked into the clamp of the jigsaw. Blades will have either a T-shank (tang shank) or U-shank (universal shank).
What is the difference between a T-Shank and a U-shank Jigsaw?
To summarize, T-shank blades are the current standard and most modern jigsaws use them. It’s simple and quick to change T-shank blades. U-shank blades were used by older jigsaws. However, many jigsaws accept both types. Nevertheless, many modern ones don’t. What is a U-shank jigsaw? A U-shank jigsaw is a jigsaw made to accept U-shank blades.
Can you use a T-shank blade on a jigsaw?
You may use the t-shank blade by using a little modification. However, There are many Jigsaw is accepting both types of shanks ( T-Shanks and U-Shank blade) Are t shank and U shank jigsaw blades interchangeable?
Are jigsaw blades universal or U-Shanks?
While you can find specific jigsaw blades that are named universal or U-shanks, this doesn’t mean that all of them are universal. The name simply describes the kind of shank that this particular jigsaw blade has. The shank is the part of the blade that the tool grips.

Are u shank and T shank jigsaw blades interchangeable?
The Final Cut Since T-shaped jigsaw blades are so much more comfortable than the traditional U-shaped shank blades, most of the jigsaw manufacturers have moved over to them. The T-shape blades can be used on virtually all modern jigsaws and are interchangeable across models.
What are the two types of shank blades used with a jigsaw?
Jigsaw shank is generally divided into two main categories: T-shanks, and U-shanks. T-Shanks – These are very popular and are commonly used. Many U-shanks are also compatible with T-shank blades. T-shanks are created to facilitate a quick change of blades.
What are T and U jigsaw blades?
Shank Type T Shank, U Shank & Ryobi Universal Shank blades. OK, so before you fit anything you'll ideally want to have worked out whether your jigsaw takes T shank or U shank blades (which are identified by the shape of the end that goes into the machine and can be seen on the accompanying picture).
How do I know what jigsaw blade I have?
There are a couple of ways in which jigsaw blades can be classified: by the type of shank they have, the number of teeth they have (their TPI, or teeth per inch), by the type of metal they are made of and by the materials they can be used to cut.
Is T-Shank better than u shank?
Blade shank Most manufacturers are now using T-shank blades as standard, which makes it easier to switch blades between different machines. U-shank blades are still available but the T-shank has become more popular as most jigsaws are now fitted with a tool-less blade change to make swapping blades faster and easier.
Whats the different types of blades you can use in a jigsaw?
There are four materials or material combinations in general use for the manufacture of jigsaw blades: high-carbon steel (HCS), high-speed steel (HSS), bi-metal (BiM), and tungsten carbide (often just called carbide). High-carbon steel is a low-cost material best used for wood-cutting blades.
What types of cuts is a jigsaw best used for?
Jigsaws are best used for cutting shapes and curves in wood with its narrow blade, which is attached to the tool's body by a spring-loaded clamp at the front. The blade's sharp teeth are measured in TPI, or teeth per inch. A higher TPI gives a smoother cut that requires less sanding.
What are reverse jigsaw blades used for?
Product Overview. This set of jigsaw blades is designed with reverse teeth for making splinter-free cuts in wood. Designed with 10 teeth per inch, these blades provide clean cuts in hard and soft wood, laminates, melamine, plywood and plastics.
Can you use reciprocating saw blades in jigsaw?
Yes, you can use a reciprocating saw as a jigsaw; Reciprocating saws encompass a wide variety of saws that operate with the up and down or back and forth movement. A jigsaw is just a more specific type of reciprocating saw moving in the up and down fashion.
What is the best TPI for cutting wood?
TPI is the number of teeth the blade has per inch. If you're looking to cut wood or other soft materials, you'll need a blade with a TPI of 6 up to 20. For harder materials like metal, a TPI between 14 up to 36 is more suitable.
Why is my jigsaw bouncing?
Worn, bent or poor quality blades can cause the jigsaw to vibrate and jump all over the place, making it hard to handle and giving you a poor cut. Replace the blade with a good quality blade by removing the screw securing the blade in the jigsaw.
What's the best jigsaw blade for cutting plywood?
5 Best Jigsaw Blades For Plywood – Expert AdviceBOSCH T-Shank T-5002 – Best Jigsaw Blades For Cutting Plywood.DEWALT DW3742C – Best DEWALT Jigsaw Blades Set.BLACK + DECKER 75-626 – Best Jigsaw Blade Set For Wood And Metal.BOSCH T101AO3 – Best Jigsaw blade for the money.More items...•
What is a T-shank blade?
T-shank Jigsaw Blade: img source: amazon.com. Nowadays, T-shank blades are the most widely used for cutting purposes. So, they have been designed to fit in various types of machines. At the pick of their shank, they have a tang that helps it fit into any jigsaw clamp.
Can you use a t-shank blade on a U-shank jig
Yes, in most cases, you would be able to. The T-Shank blades are the most popular and widely used in the industry and also adopt. Don’t worry if you have a u-shanks jigsaw. You may use the t-shank blade by using a little modification.
Do jigsaws come cordless?
We can classify jigsaw blades in different ways, such as type of shank, teeth count (TPI- teeth per inch), and type of metal that was used to build the blades. Some jigsaws come cordless, and some need a cord to get power.
Do jigsaw blades have holes?
U shank jigsaw blades with hole: There is some very older model of jigsaw blades, which comes with an additional hole made into it. Working with this type of blade is a bit complex and consumes a lot of time, so users do tend to avoid it.
What is a U shank jigsaw?
A U-shank jigsaw is a jigsaw made to accept U-shank blades. It seems like this statement is very clear and there should be no confusion. However, things are not as simple as they seem. Many modern jigsaws accept both T and U shank blades . This fact is mentioned in the manufacturer’s instructions.
What is a T-shank blade?
T-shank blades contain lateral T-shaped projections near the top of the blade. These fit into the jigsaw blade clamp mechanism. Normally, a quick release lever allows you to change blades without an external tool, such as an Allen wrench, hex wrench, or screwdriver. See T-shank blades on Amazon.
Why are jigsaw blades hot?
It’s also convenient in another way: Jigsaw blades can get very hot. This is due to friction as the blade moves up and down while cutting through the material. So, shop gloves or a cloth can also help with this problem.. This mechanism saves a great deal of time and makes woodworking much more enjoyable.
What blades do jigsaws use?
Most modern jigsaws use T-shank blades. Many accept both T-Shank and U-Shank blades. Some older jigsaws accept only U-shank blades. To tell what your model accepts, check the manufacturer instructions.
How to remove a U-shank blade?
Here are the steps to remove a U-shank blade: Unplug the power cord – You certainly don’t want the blade to move while you’re changing it since your fingers will be close to it! Also, it’s possible for the blade to be “thrown off”. This can happen if the blade clamp is loose while the saw is in operation.
When did Bosch start bi-metal jigsaw blades?
They also created the T-shank style blade that replaced it; it’s now the industry standard blade type. Bosch introduced bi-metal jigsaw blades back in 1981 and the first tool-less blade changing system a few years later (it’s still used on their 1584 and 1587 series saws).
Can a saw use a T-shank blade?
Some modern saws will accept both T-shank and U-shank. However, some older saws only use U-shank blades. Let’s say the saw is an older model, was made to use U-shank blades, and the manufacturer has not stated that it can use T-shank blades. Then, I would err on the side of caution and not use T-shank blades in the saw.
What is the difference between a jigsaw blade and a coarse blade?
The workpiece plays a big part too: jigsaw blades for metal can quickly be identified by their especially fine teeth, while a coarse cutting blade for soft woods will typically have much larger teeth which enable it to quickly power through the material.
What are the factors that affect a jigsaw blade?
Aside from this, there are lots of other considerations in jigsaw blade design. Whether the teeth are milled, ground, side set, wavy or straight are all factors that can contribute to a blade’s performance, cutting speed, finesse and longevity.
Why does my jigsaw blade go rough?
The primary reason for this is that when running a standard jigsaw blade along the top of something like a laminated worktop, the top side of the work surface will have a much rougher finish as the teeth are pushing the laminate away from the material as they cut their way through.
What is HSS in jigsaw?
HSS stands for High Speed Steel and is commonly used to make drill bits for metal (before its invention, metal would typically be machined at low speeds to avoid wearing out the tooling). Likewise, jigsaw blades made from HSS are more often than not designed for metal as well. While HSS teeth can withstand repeated cuts through tougher materials, the metal itself is quite stiff and inflexible, meaning that bends and curves can cause it to break prematurely.
What is a TC blade?
TC stands for Tungsten Carbide, which is an extremely hard material commonly used in industrial tooling. TC blades are not made purely from tungsten carbide but instead they have either carbide teeth or, more commonly, a layer of tungsten carbide grit which is applied to the cutting edge instead of saw teeth. This is commonly used when cutting through abrasive materials like kitchen or bathroom tiles, fibre cement boards, plasterboard or glass fibre reinforced plastics. Similar blade technologies can be identified by terms like TCG, RIFF and Diamond.
Can you use a reverse tooth blade on a jigsaw?
This can be avoided by placing on the jigsaw on the opposite side of the material, but another solution is to install a reverse tooth blade which will produce a much neater cut through the tool side of the workpiece without having to flip it over or work from the underside.
Is BIM blades expensive?
Due to the extra manufacturing processes involved, BIM blades can be amongst the most expensive to buy, but their increased durability means they can be viewed as a long term investment.
What is a T shank jigsaw blade?
Blades will have either a T-shank (tang shank) or U-shank (universal shank). T-shank blades are now the most widely-used kind of jigsaw blade on the market. These blades feature a tang that fits into the blade clamp of your power tool. They’re compatible with most modern jigsaws you’ll find on the shelves today.
What is a shank on a jigsaw?
The shank is the part of the blade that the tool grips. Since different tools accept different shanks, you’ll need to find out which blade is compatible with your tool. Different types of jigsaw blades are used to cut through different materials.
What are jigsaw blades made of?
Most jigsaw blades are made from one of four different metals: high carbon steel, bi-metal, tungsten carbide, and high-speed steel.
What is a U-shank blade?
U-shank blades feature a cut shaped like a “U” at the top. While these were the most common type of blade used in jigsaws for years, the development of the tool-less blade change system — which accepts T-shank blades — has caused them to lose popularity.
What blades are used for wood cutting?
High carbon steel blades are generally used in woodworking. To cut through hardwood, metal, or plastic, you can use a high-speed steel blade. Bi-metal blades are perfect for heavy-duty wood and metal cutting applications as well as laminate flooring. Tungsten carbide blades are used for cutting tiles and steel.
How long should a jigsaw blade be?
Whenever possible, a blade should be at least a half an inch longer than the thickness of the material it is cutting. If the blade is too short, there’s a risk that it will jump out of the cut as the jigsaw action goes up and down, often snapping the blade.
How does a jigsaw blade work?
On a regular jigsaw, the blade moves straight up and down. On an orbital model, it also moves forward and back, following an elliptical path that makes for a more efficient cutting action.
What blades cut downstroke?
There are also variations in tooth shape and pattern. For instance, back-cutting jigsaw blade s cut on the downstroke, not the upstroke. These reduce tear-out in wood and chipping in laminates, so they are popular for sawing kitchen countertops and flooring.
What is a 10 TPI scrolling blade?
They range from 6 TPI for rapid wood cutting to 24 TPI for sawing through sheet metal. A slender 10 TPI scrolling blade is for cutting tight curves in wood. The metal cutting blades will handle aluminum, copper, and similar “soft” metals but are not recommended for steel.
What material is used for jigsaw blades?
Material. There are four materials or material combinations in general use for the manufacture of jigsaw blades: high-carbon steel (HCS), high-speed steel (HSS), bi-metal (BiM), and tungsten carbide (often just called carbide). High-carbon steel is a low-cost material best used for wood-cutting blades.
What is Bosch contractor jigsaw?
The Bosch contractor jigsaw blade set is an excellent choice for enthusiastic DIYers and a wide variety of tradespeople. These are high-quality blades incorporating HCS, HSS, and BiM, with unique features like progressive tooth pitch on some blades that provides outstanding multipurpose cutting.
How long is a sandpaper knife?
They have 14 TPI and are 4 inches in length, with a maximum cut of 2¾ inches. While this working length does somewhat restrict their use, the blades are very rigid for fast, clean cutting. The teeth are specially ground to a taper, so plastics don’t bind to the blades, one of the main causes of uneven cutting.
