Best jigsaw blades for sheet goods - straight cuts, curves.

[mickmick]

Looking for people's recommendations for good jigsaw blades for cutting trim in plywood and mdf.
I have just been using whatever for far too long  [embarassed]
What ones give you best results for straight cuts?
What ones give you best results for curves?
Would ideally like Festool and Bosch recommendations as they are easily available locally.
thanks
Micks

 

[PeterK]

Not very specific but I just read the labels on the Bosch blades to make usage choices. For sharper curve cuts you need a blade that has less depth - distance from front to back. Finer teeth give smoother cuts as a rule. I have no complaints at all with Bosch blades and also have a variety of Festool blades. Far easier for me to pick up Bosch blades at local stores. Festool does have some unique long blades that are handy at times.

 

[rst]

I'm with PeterK on this, I have mostly Bosch but also some Festools specialty blades.  The Festool foam cutting blade is very useful.
Mafell also has a large variety, but are not readily available and nothing that Bosch or Festool does not offer.

 

[Paul G]

The saw itself may not be up to the task, you didn't say what brand/model you are using. Also thickness of material can matter as well. I once had a dewalt that was pretty worthless in anything over 1/8" to cut straight, the blade followed it's own desired path. Didn't matter what blade I used, the saw was junk. So far in my carvex I've mainly used festool blades and have successfully done reasonably straight cuts through a 4x4 without blade deflection.

 

[Paul G]

The Festool foam cutting blade is very useful.

Yea, it was kinda cool to cut foam with a jigsaw

 

[mickmick]

Thanks.
I have ordered some Festool S 75/4 FSG/5 to try for straight cuts. I'll also look for a "thick" bosch one for straight and "thin" one for curves from their catalog.
I am currently using a Bosch jigsaw. GST135 I think. I got it cheap, seems ok. Might save up for a Carvex.

 

[PeterK]

Cutting plywood and other sheet goods is much easier than thicker lumber. Bosch makes some reverse tooth blades and a few others specifically for this type cutting. I really like how they label on the blade the preferred usage as I quickly forget what each style blade was made for. Festool blades I have don’t have usage labels. Here in the US you can go to most any big box store and find a nice selection of Bosch blades to look at.
If you do replace your jigsaw I recommend the top model Bosch over the Carvex. The Festool Trion is awesome for vertical cuts in really thick dense materials but has no light and is fussy for the blade guides. Bosch has been making great jigsaws for many many years. Mafell is incredible but horendously expensive here. I actually use my Makita jigsaw the most as has no power cord getting in the way. I have the Trion, Makita, older big Bosch barrel grip and have owned others over the years. My Bosch will outlast me and my kids as it is a powerful beast.