Make Crafting and DIY Projects Easier With the Best Spiral Saws

You can’t go wrong with any of the four options we’ve listed above. But, you can always optimize your purchase decision by finding the perfect fit for your particular usage, needs, preferences, and requirements. For that, we’ll have to look at a spiral saw blade’s key qualities like its size, thickness, material, blade type, teeth per inch (and their positioning), etc. 

So, here’s a complete buyer’s guide for your reference!

Material

First and foremost, you should look at the material and build quality of your shortlisted spiral saws. It determines the blade’s durability, robustness, and also cutting capabilities. High-quality hardened steel is the best material you can find, followed by high carbon steel, and then alloy steel — the cheapest of the lot.

No one likes a blade that snaps under the tiniest bit of pressure; even if you have a dozen more as a replacement. That’s because having to switch out your blades disrupts the workflow and is downright frustrating to deal with. 

So, the material shouldn’t be your top priority for choosing a blade, but it’s a pretty key component that impacts its resilience, cutting speed, and efficacy — so you should certainly keep an eye on it.

Teeth Count and Type

The type and number of teeth on a blade determine what materials your blade cuts through, how fast it cuts them, and the quality of results you can expect. That’s what makes this such a crucial factor to consider when you’re in the market for a spiral saw blade.

A larger density of teeth across the length of a scroll saw blade; i.e., a higher TPI (teeth per inch) — translates to faster cutting speeds without sacrificing finishing smoothness and accuracy. The more teeth it has per inch, the fewer the spaces in between — which means every rotary cycle removes more wood (or any material you’re working on).

Thickness and Size

Next, you have to carefully consider the thickness and size of the blade you buy. For most uses, any length over five inches is unnecessary — so you’d think this is a pretty buyer’s tip to remember. But the thickness is what makes this tricky!

A blade’s thickness plays a critical role in determining how sturdy, long-lasting, and essentially “snap-proof” it is. Thin blades run the risk of bending and breaking at the first sign of pressure even in average daily use, whereas thicker blades have a better chance of survival and hence live longer.  

But don’t go for blades that are too thick, as they won’t be able to produce cuts that are as fine and precise. It’s important to find the right balance between thickness and cutting precision, which may vary from person to person depending on what you’re looking to achieve with your blade. Speaking of which…

Your Purpose 

Ask yourself your primary reason for getting a spiral saw blade. Is it for some basic straight cuts or to etch complex and intricate patterns onto wood? Your choice of material, ideal teeth count, and blade thickness can all change based on this simple question.

For instance, the “balance” between a blade’s thickness for durability and thinness for finer cutting performance is subjective. It depends on how roughly you plan on using your blade and whether or not you prioritize precision.

An expert wood carver, for instance, would need a thinner blade at the expense of durability to achieve finer cuts — whereas a carpenter with rough cutting needs would blindly pick a sturdier, thicker blade. 

Similarly, a carver would prefer smaller teeth as they’d help with intricate design patterns. On the other hand, a scroll blade with spaced-out, larger teeth is better suited for straight and basic cuts.