A dull drill bit costs you money twice: once when you replace it too early, and again in wasted battery power and time because it’s not cutting efficiently. A sharp bit drills faster, stays cooler, and produces cleaner holes. If you drill regularly, learning to sharpen bits at home saves a lot of money and […]
Mistake 1: Using Wood Blades on MDF (Wrong TPI) MDF is not wood. It’s compressed wood fibres glued with formaldehyde. A standard wood blade (6 TPI) will tear MDF edges and clog with dust. You’ll get a rough, splintered edge and wear out the blade in 2–3 cuts. What goes wrong: MDF is denser than
Common Jigsaw Blade Mistakes — 12 Errors That Ruin Your Cuts Read More »
Table of Contents Toggle Recognising Worn and Damaged Blades Blade Breakage: Causes and Prevention Forcing the Blade Through Thick Material Wrong Orbital Setting Unsupported Blade in Thick Cuts Cutting Too Fast in Metal Blade Deflection Ignored Blade Change Safety Wait for Motor Shutdown Hot Blade Handling Shank Type Matching Using the Wrong Blade for Material
Jigsaw Blade Safety Guide — Essential Tips for Safe Cutting Read More »
Why Jigsaw Blade Length Matters More Than You Think Pick up a jigsaw blade, and the first thing you notice is length — the distance from the square-cut T-shank (the part that slots into your jigsaw) to the tip of the blade. You might think any blade longer than your workpiece thickness would work. But
Jigsaw Blade Length & Cutting Depth Guide — Size Reference Chart Read More »
Which Jigsaw Blade Set Is Right for Your Work? A decent jigsaw blade set takes the guesswork out of buying one-off blades. Instead of hunting for the right TPI and material for every job, you open a set, pick the blade that matches the task, and cut. The difference between a good set and a
Best Jigsaw Blade Sets (2026) — Top Picks for UK Tradespeople Read More »
Drilling glass looks risky—and it is, if you don’t know the technique. But with the right bit and method, it’s straightforward and gives professional results. The golden rule: low speed, constant water cooling, and patience. Drill Bits for Glass: What Works Diamond Core Bits (Best Choice) Diamond core bits are the premium option. They have
What You Need to Know About Jigsaw Blade Materials The material your jigsaw blade is made from determines three crucial things: how long it stays sharp, what you can safely cut, and how much heat it can handle. Most UK tradespeople grab whatever blade is in the drawer, but understanding the science behind HCS, BIM,
Jigsaw Blade Materials Explained — HCS vs BIM vs HSS vs TCT Read More »
Plastic is the enemy of jigsaws. Not because the blade can’t cut it, but because plastic melts. Melt the plastic and you’ve ruined the edge, gummed up the blade, and possibly created toxic fumes. This guide covers every common plastic you’ll encounter—acrylic, PVC, polycarbonate, ABS, HDPE—and tells you exactly which blade, what speed, and what
What Jigsaw Blade for Cutting Plastic? — PVC, Acrylic & Polycarbonate Guide Read More »
Jigsaw blade choice for tiles is different from every other material you’ll cut. Tiles are hard, brittle, and prone to chipping if you use the wrong blade or technique. A jigsaw isn’t the fastest tile-cutting method — a tile cutter or angle grinder will be quicker for straight cuts — but if you need a
What Jigsaw Blade for Cutting Tiles? — Ceramic, Porcelain & Stone Guide Read More »
Cutting kitchen worktops is one of the most common jigsaw jobs on-site — whether you’re fitting around sinks, angles, or appliances. Get the blade wrong and you’ll chip the surface; get it right and you’ll make clean, invisible joints. This guide covers every worktop material you’ll encounter and the exact blades that prevent damage. The
What Jigsaw Blade for Cutting Worktops? — Laminate & Kitchen Worktop Guide Read More »
