If you visit a big box store like Home Depot, you are bound to see a dozen of different reciprocating saw blades. So which one is right for you? The choice can be hard and you are only seeing a fraction of what is avaliable on the market. So we figured we would cover two common blades on the market for demolition work. So let’s take a look at the recipriocating saw blade review.
Reciprocating Saw Blade Review Overview
It’s amazing how many different blades are on the market. It’s hard to separate one from another. Some reciprocating blades are inexpensive and some cost an arm and a leg. So which one is right for you?
For this, I just want to cover two common blades on the market, the Milwaukee Wrecker and the Diablo Demon. Both are great blades but both are different and also have different price tags.
Reciprocating Saw Blade Review Features
The Milwaukee Wrecker is designed for multi-material cutting. So you can cut through wood with nails, plastics, and metal.
The teeth design is staggered for a more aggressive cut which means wood with nails isn’t a problem. The 48-00-5711 blades have a 7/11 TPI design and also allows the blade to bend more than other reciprocating saw blades.
On the end of the blade, it’s designed for fast plunge cutting.
The Diablo blade is a little different. The Diablo blade has carbide teeth which means this can cut quicker and last a lot longer than normal blades. This blade is specifically designed for cutting metals and high strength alloys.
As you can see, this has a more uniformed look to the teeth design and that is because it’s designed for metals. This blade, DS0910CF has a 10 TPI design.
Since this is for metal, it doesn’t have a front designed for plunge cutting.
Reciprocating Saw Blade Review Performance
Over the years we have used both of these blades extensively. There are times when the Milwaukee does a great job and then other times where we would rather use the Diablo blade.
If you are going to be doing serious demolition work where you have a great chance of your blade bending or breaking, I would go with the Milwaukee Wrecker since it doesn’t cost as much.
If you are going to be cutting a lot of material and you know there is little chance of your blade bending, I would go with the Diablo since it’s Carbide and will last a lot longer than the Milwaukee, but it does come with a heavier price tag.
Reciprocating Saw Blade Review Value
You can pick up a 5 pack of Milwaukee Wrecker blades for about $24 which is $4.80 per blade. On the other hand, the Diablo blade will run about $16 per blade.
So you can see why I would recommend using the Milwaukee blade for tough conditions where the blade might bend. Now I know $16 sounds like a lot, but if you get more use from the blade, then your really not paying more. It’s just a bigger upfront cost.
Reciprocating Saw Blade Review Final Thoughts
In the end, both blades are great. The real question is what application will you be using them for? I tend to always lean towards the Diablo because they last a long time, have a cleaner and faster cut. I will grab the Milwaukee if it’s going to be a tough situation where the blade might bend or break. I just have a hard time swallowing a $16 blade and breaking it.
I agree Eric $16.00 is tough think about for one blade that might break. #TIACREW
Yes, I think I could cry if I busted a $16 blade.
I figure I can go through about 5 regular blades, which get dull quickly cutting through automotive metal and especially rusty exhaust pipes or cast iron and these regular blades waste a lot of my time – OR – I can buy the expensive new 9″ carbide blades and 1 carbide tooth blade will cut like a sharp new blade much longer than any cobalt, bi-metal, or other blade I’ve ever tried. Yes, it would be nice if they could get the price down on all of the saw blades, but my experience is that I need the carbide tooth blade to optimize my cutting time and battery life.