Bosch T-shank blades

[Gamble]

It's been numerous times people have been recommending bosch t-shank blades for jig saws and I have been using some but I just want to be sure, if these are the ones that everyone says is the 'best' out there.

[ZTFab]

Those are what I use but unless you are cutting tin foil I wouldn't use a 36 TPI blade.

[Mikel_24]

I never had any luck using a jigsaw for cutting any metal...

I tried quite a few times to cut 5mm thick aluminum plate (for underride protection plates for vehicles) and the blade ended up gumming up and... surprisingly... dull.

Probably I wasn't using the appropiate blade (TPI) and I didn't use any wax either.

Any suggestions I could use?

Mikel

[weldermike]

Originally Posted by Mikel_24

I never had any luck using a jigsaw for cutting any metal...

I tried quite a few times to cut 5mm thick aluminum plate (for underride protection plates for vehicles) and the blade ended up gumming up and... surprisingly... dull.

Probably I wasn't using the appropiate blade (TPI) and I didn't use any wax either.

Any suggestions I could use?

Mikel

Variable speed helps too

[Gamble]

Originally Posted by ZTFab

Those are what I use but unless you are cutting tin foil I wouldn't use a 36 TPI blade.

What do you suggest? Everything I cut is typically steel or aluminum and thinner than .125

[ZTFab]

Look at the chart that Bosch provides...scroll to the right and it will show recommended applications for each blade type.

http://www.boschtools.com/Products/A...pid=1326#specs

[Gamble]

I'm new to this blade talk.
What does it mean when it says progressive?
36TPI says basic for metal
So does the blades that have 14, 17-24 tpi for all "basic for metal"?

[Mikel_24]

Originally Posted by weldermike

Variable speed helps too

Yep, my jigsaw does have variable speed... I guess that the slower, the better, right?

Mikel

[wb4rt]

My son gave me a variable speed Bosch jigsaw for Christmas and it is a fine tool. I really like it if you need a new one. That is the first Bosch power tool I have, but I will buy more in the future.

[Broccoli1]

Originally Posted by Gamble

I'm new to this blade talk.
What does it mean when it says progressive?
36TPI says basic for metal
So does the blades that have 14, 17-24 tpi for all "basic for metal"?

Large teeth at the front of the blade, smaller teeth towards the back so that the blade can cut thick or thin material. I've never used one so don't know how well the Progressor Blades actually perform

[Jack Olsen]

At $139, it's expensive, but...

Get a Bosch jigsaw. Mine was a night-and-day improvement over the old Black & Decker (and three other cheap saws) I owned. You can adjust the speed parameters with a dial, and then run through that range with the trigger. You can also adjust the cutting movement (what they call orbital-action settings).

I have the 7-amp JS470EB Barrel-Grip model, and I will not let anyone borrow it.

[weldermike]

Bosch is what I use, great tool. I would recomend it!

[hvw]

I've used those blades on a Bosch Jigsaw for years. Cut some pretty thick stuff but you need the appropriate blade. If you go to fast you can burn the blade out.

[daddy]

Bosch is the best jigsaw I have ever used. Blades are very good quality.

[fredschrom]

" Mine was a night-and-day improvement over the old Black & Decker (and three other cheap saws) I owned."

Thats the gospel thruth. I had and old POS for years which was really best at breaking blades. I think it was a skil I chucked it a several years back and replaced it with a new Dewalt, major difference.

I don't really don't cut much metal with mine, I have better tools for that but once in a while its the ticket, last time used was squaring up holes for carraige bolts in 3/16 sheet.

My biggest use is making cut templates out of thin plywood for the plasma cutter, and it works great for that.

[pipehack]

Originally Posted by Jack Olsen

At $139, it's expensive, but...

Get a Bosch jigsaw. Mine was a night-and-day improvement over the old Black & Decker (and three other cheap saws) I owned. You can adjust the speed parameters with a dial, and then run through that range with the trigger. You can also adjust the cutting movement (what they call orbital-action settings).

I have the 7-amp JS470EB Barrel-Grip model, and I will not let anyone borrow it.

I have the same one. Bought it to cut out 2 sinks in a bathroom project and have used it for metal ever since. The Bosch is the way to go!