Jigsaw blades for fine `splinter free' cuts

[Mark Meckes]

Bosch u shank blades (# U101A - 20 TPI teeth per inch) ... See below

Interestingly, on the package it says...
"Engineered for splinter-free cuts on both sides of the workpiece"

Were they thinking bamboo?

Mark

[Mark Meckes]

Bosch U shank jigsaw blades U101A - 20 TPI - For Skil, Black & Decker, Craftsman Jigsaws

There's no guarantee that any blade will always produce a splinter-free cut, but this is the best blade I've come across so far, for making fine, especially curved cuts. It's narrower then most blades ... and can break easier ...

http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/503/thumbs/BoschU101A03-060205-370.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1497) http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/503/thumbs/BoschU101A03-060205-3821.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1495) http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/503/thumbs/BoschU101A03-060205-3841.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1494)

There is no set on these blades ... the teeth are not splayed outwards, so this significantly reduces splintering.
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/503/thumbs/BoschU101A03-060205-3801.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1493) http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/503/thumbs/BoschU101A03-060205-3761.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1492)

The U shank
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/503/thumbs/BoschU101A03-060205-3831.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1491)

It's at the white dotted line of the last tooth that the blade will break under tension.
Note to Bosch ... As drawn in the left blade, if the last tooth wasn't ground down as much, it would be stronger at this point, and maybe not break as easily (??)

I will write how to reuse the blade after it breaks, giving it an extended life, if anyone is interested ;)

[Katbirdmine]

I will write how to reuse the blade after it breaks, giving it an extended life, if anyone is interested

That would very much interest me.

[CaroleMeckes]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think that Mark used to wrap the broken part of the blade with aluminum foil and then put it into the saw.

Don't hold me to this as being correct - as I never have tried to use the jigsaw

Carole