[rockDAWG]

32 TPI or 21 TPI for cutting holes?

I thought a finer-tooth blade would be better, but 32 TPI may move too slowly and creating more heat. Jigsaw is my least favorite when comes to tools, but can't delay any longer.

 

[surly Bill]

I saw a carbide tooth blade the other day, not sure of the TPI. I swear by the expensive carbide sawzall blades now.
I'd go with the 21 myself.

 

[AlexG]

For a clean cut, it is recommended to have the inter tooth distance SMALLER than the thickness of the workpiece. The van roof is about 1mm thick, so a 26 tpi will be the minimum; 28 or 32 better.

 

[Boondox]

I'd go with 32 TPI but the 21 would do. Just move slowly. As noted above with the thin sheet metal of a Transit the 32 would be what is recommended.

 

[greenvan]

0.95 Amp Electric Body Saw

Amazing deals on this 120V Electric Body Saw at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

If you need an excuse fro an extra tool, this wins, or ones like it, i cut from underneath, 5 minute job max, including drilling holes for corners!

 

[Stone]

A new 32 tooth jigsaw blade is what I used. It sliced through the sheet metal easily for both my fan and my slider window.

-Mike

 

[surly Bill]

0.95 Amp Electric Body Saw

Amazing deals on this 120V Electric Body Saw at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

If you need an excuse fro an extra tool, this wins, or ones like it, i cut from underneath, 5 minute job max, including drilling holes for corners!

whoa, that's only about twice the price of a carbide jigsaw blade! For a whole tool! The design of it would definitely be easier to use than a jigsaw.

 

[rockDAWG]

For a clean cut, it is recommended to have the inter tooth distance SMALLER than the thickness of the workpiece. The van roof is about 1mm thick, so a 26 tpi will be the minimum; 28 or 32 better.

@AlexG, Excellent. Thanks for the reply and reason for going 32 TPI.

 

[Sparky961]

To build on @AlexG 's answer, the recommended coarsest TPI you should use with while sawing metal is one that ensures there are at least two teeth in contact with the cut. Any coarser (smaller TPI #) and a saw tooth will be prone to bind, distort the workpiece, or be damaged.

At 32 TPI, you get 0.032" between teeth. If the metal is 1mm (0.039”) thick, you are already technically using a blade that barely meets the optimal criteria.

Will it work? Sure it will. Best results will be achieved using constant light forward pressure and angling the cut to increase the blade contact length. Don't just keep pushing if the cutting progress slows. Change the blade.

 

[greenvan]

whoa, that's only about twice the price of a carbide jigsaw blade! For a whole tool! The design of it would definitely be easier to use than a jigsaw.

Wayyy easier. like butttahhh....