Introduction
You might’ve stumbled upon the term ‘’TPI’’ once or twice when talking about sawblades. While everyone can tell you what TPI stands for, most don’t know its actual meaning. And with all the scattered information on the internet, you have got a bumpy road ahead.
What does 10 14 TPI mean?
A 10 14 TPI blade is a blade with two different tooth densities. This specific variable tooth blade has 10TPI on one side and a separate 14 TPI area. The 10 TPI sides are for fast cutting, while the 14 TPI makes fine cutting. The 10 14 variable TPI blades offer frequent blade-changing advantages.
Not convinced yet? Read this complete article to learn all about saw blade TPI.
What is TPI?
Teeth-Per-Inch(TPI) is, as the name suggests, is the number of saw blade teeth per inch. It dictates how fast the saw can cut its subject.
Blades that possess fewer teeth are designed for faster aggressive cuts. On the other hand, blades having high-density teeth are specialized for making finer, clean cuts.
The TPI is often used as a standard to measure the durability and performance of blades.
High TPI blades will make cleaner cuts but at the expense of time and effort. If you look closely, high TPI saw blades will be smaller but more densely placed. It makes each blade cut smaller bits, reducing tear-outs and leaving smooth-edged cuts.
In the case of blades with fewer teeth, the gullets are deeper and well-spaced. Low TPI blades are more aggressive and chop larger portions of wood.
The advantage of blades with low teeth count is that they cut faster. But in exchange for faster cutting, they have to sacrifice fine-cutting. Low TPI blades are used for framing carpentry, which doesn’t require fine detail.
On the other hand, high TPI blades are slower and take much time. In some cases, the friction of high TPI blades can burn the wood.
What are The TPI Ranges?
Reciprocating saw blades come in a wide range of TPI. In this segment, we’re going to discuss the various TPI ranges of saw blades. Let’s start-
5-8 TPI
Perhaps you’re looking to cut a fabric ceiling to cover garage door tracks. If so, the 5-8 TPI saw blade can help.
The blades with this range of TPI are more suitable for woods that require rough cuts. The low number of teeth gives the blade an aggressive grasp on the wood.
8-14 TPI
This range of TPI is useful for cutting both wood and small pieces of metals. Designed to cut through nails in the woods, it’s a well-balanced TPI range for blades.
Searching for an 8/14 TPI reciprocating saw blade? We’ve assessed the available options and came out with some top blades. Here, take a look-
These blades are durable, and their non-stick coating reduces friction and heat. Try them out for precision wood cutting.
14-24 TPI
From here, the blade enters into high TPI territory. This range specializes in cutting through metal surfaces. Sure, it takes longer and can test your patience but they make fine cuts with smooth edges.
You must carefully choose your TPI based on the surface you’re about to cut through. If you’re looking to make your garage door opener rail level you need precise cuts. Using 14-24 TPI blades can help you achieve that.
What Does 10-14 TPI Mean?
The 10-14 TPI blades are a specialized kind of blade that falls into a different category.
It’s mainly known as the Variable TPI blades. What makes variable TPI blades different is their distinguishable tooth density at different points. The 10 TPI blades of the saw are for fast cutting. While the 14 TPI blades are for finer trimming.
What makes 10-14 TPI blades special is the flexibility they offer to the user. The blades can either function as 10 TPI or 14 TPI blades, according to your needs.
Keep in mind that variable blades are not superior to standard blades in any way. But they are cheaper tools compared to expensive hazet tools.
How to Pick the Correct Blade?
Choosing the right saw blade can be a tricky task. But if you know what you’re going to need, you can drastically narrow down your choices.
You should begin by identifying the material you’re going to cut first. Keep in consideration the machine you’re going to fit your blade to. Once you have identified those two factors, it’s time to choose the size of the blade.
You’ll find it easier to choose the right blades.
You might also need to consider the type of cut and the thickness of the material.
Tips for Using Saw Blades
As a professional woodworker, one should always possess several blades of different TPIs. If possible, one should have at least one saw of each TPI range.
For general purposes, one should carry a 40-tooth blade that’s about 10 inches. An 80-tooth blade can be useful for fixing plywoods and other wooden sheets. It’s also advisable to keep blades of various thicknesses.
In the case of hand power tools, keep your options open. A circular saw uses the same blades as a table saw. They are great for making precision cross-cuts.
Be careful while handling the saw tools, as they are highly dangerous machinery. Put on a glove before handling any saw machines and blades.
Clean the blades regularly after using. This will extend the lifetime of your blade and maintain its quality
FAQs
Question: What is the best TPI for cutting metal?
Answer: 18-24 TPI is the best TPI for cutting thinner sheets of metal. You should go for 14-18 TPI for thicker metals and 8-10 for aluminum.
Question: What is the best TPI for cutting wood?
Answer: For cutting wood, you can use blades from a TPI range of 6 to 20. This depends on how you would like your wood to be. For rough and quicker cuts, you should aim for a lower teeth count.
Question: What is the TPI for a fine tooth saw?
Answer: Fine tooth saws are usually considered those saws that have a TPI above 12. Blades with lower TPI are considered to be ideal for rough cutting.
Conclusion
You now have a clear idea about what does 10 14 TPI mean. Considering the type of surface you’re required to cut, you should choose the TPI accordingly.
That’s all for today. Thank you and stay well.