Makita recipro saw blade B-55566, heavy duty carbide tipped, for thick sheet metal. Universal shank, fitting Makita reciprocating saws and other sabre saws with a standard fitting.
Carbide versus bi-metal
Carbide teeth stay sharp far longer than bi-metal in abrasive and hardened material, and they tolerate the heat of a long cut much better. The trade-off is that carbide is harder and therefore more brittle, so it does not forgive a saw that bounces or twists in the cut. Used properly on the right material it will outlast several bi-metal blades; used carelessly it will chip.
Where it earns its keep
- Stainless, hardened steel and abrasive material that blunts bi-metal quickly
- Repeated cutting where changing blades costs more time than the blade costs
- Thick plate, heavy pipe and structural section
Keep the shoe firmly against the work, run a slow speed, and let the blade cut at its own pace.
