How to change a reciprocating saw blade

Here is how to change a reciprocating saw blade, because over time, any saw blade wears out and becomes dull. Occasionally, the user might also damage the blade. Reciproting saw blades are fairly easy to change. First, though, you’ll need to choose the right one.

Buy the right reciprocating saw blade

Materials

You use your reciprocating saw to slice through wood, metal, fiberglass, brick, drywall and much more. The kind of blade you insert will affect the ease and quality of each cut.

Buy a blade that is compatible with the size of your saw, and its brand and model. Base your choice on the material you will cut with the reciprocating saw:

For clean wood or plastic, a flexible, high-carbon steel blade will do the job.
For wood with nails, a bimetal saw blade is better. The bimetal blade has a flexible carbon-steel body and high-speed steel teeth. It’s more expensive than a carbon steel blade, but it can last up to 10 times longer than a carbon steel blade. It’s also heat- and break-resistant.
To make a clean cut in green wood, choose a specialty saw blade with “teeth” that cut when the blade both pushes and pulls.
Metal cuts cleaner with a diamond-grit blade.
To cut brick, clay tiles or pipes, and terra-cotta, try a carbide-grit blade. Carbide-grit blades also work well when cutting fiberglass, ceramic tiles and cement board.

Teeth

How far apart the blade’s teeth are will determine the kind of material the blade can cut.
The fewer teeth per inch, the faster you can cut and the rougher the edges will be on wood.
Blades with a high number of teeth per inch are better for cutting metal.

A tip: Three teeth should come into contact with the material—any material—at all times to prevent snagging.

Depth and width

For some jobs, a long reciprocating saw blade or a wide blade make the best cut. Reciprocating saw blades measure between three and 12 inches long.

Long blades make deeper cuts than short ones.
Short blades with tapered backs are perfect for plunge-cuts.
Wide blades are less prone to wobbling and bending than narrow ones.
Thick blades are more stable while in use than thin ones.

6 easy steps to change a reciprocating saw blade

Once you have the right blade, it’s simple to change a reciprocating saw blade by removing your old one and replacing it with the new blade.

Step 1.

Suit up. To further prevent accidents, protect yourself with safety glasses and gloves before you remove or replace your saw blade.

Step 2.

Unplug the saw from the wall socket, or, if it’s a cordless model, remove the batteries. These safety precautions will prevent you from accidentally turning on your reciprocating saw while you change a reciproating saw blade.

Step 3.

Point the saw blade away from your body. Lean the saw against yourself to support its weight, but the blade should be as far away from your body as possible.

Step 4.

Locate the locking collar. This is a ring at the base of the saw blade that holds it in place.

Step 5.

Pull the locking collar inward, toward your body, and slowly turn it counter-clockwise. This will loosen it and force the spring inside of the saw to release the old reciprocating saw blade with a pop.

Step 6.

Slide the new saw blade right into the space where the old one was. It doesn’t matter if the saw’s “teeth” face upward or downward. This time, however, twist the locking collar clockwise. That will pull the blade in and clip it into place. Keep twisting until the blade clicks into place.