#1 Jigsaw Blade for CLEAN PLYWOOD CUTS! (Try this Jigsaw Cutting Approach...)

[@dannymurphy1779]

Good video Nathan but it's important to remember upcut blades pull the jigsaw down onto the work so are a lot safer, downcut blades can make the jigsaw want to bounce upwards. I am just saying people need to take extra care when using downcut blades. Hope this helps someone.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

This is a good point, Danny! I should have mentioned this in the video. I feel like going slowly does help prevent the bounce though. 🤔

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🤗 AS ALWAYS THANKS ETHAN…FOR SHARING YOUR TIPS FOR THE NEW GENERATION AND A REMINDER FOR ALL…THE NEW OPTIONS ARE HELPFUL,I USED YOUR OLDER TIPS WITH SUCCESS…I HOPE YOUR SAFETY VIDEOS WILL HELP PROMOTE A SAFER EXPERIENCE 👍💚💚💚

[@mudz678]

My common sense told me down cut blades were a great idea….the reality of using them smacked me in the face. It was a battle, pushing the saw onto the wood, trying to overcome the “bounce factor”, while following a line. I’ve never used them again….I regret wasting money on them.

[@HobbyOrganist]

I hate those damn downcut blades, either use a strip of masking tape with finer teeth or cut on the BACK instead

[@garywateridge]

Thankyou sir, important point I could have overlooked.

[@paulschwartz6074]

Another very useful video -- I didn't know there were this many different jigsaw blade options. Thanks, Ethan.

[@MikeBramm]

I have a 1/4" thick piece of clear Lexan that I mount to the foot of my Jig Saw for zero clearance. It works really well at keeping the fibers from tearing out. For laminate materials, I use the laminate blades with the teeth in both directions, and sometimes need to add a thin spacer to the foot to raise the saw up to keep those blades centered in the thickness of the laminate.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

That’s a great system, Mike!

[@thezfunk]

Yes! The laminate blades! I use them all the time. I am assembling a kitchen and have finish panels that need clean cuts on both sides. I was using painters tape but the laminate (both direction teeth) blades cut so nice I don't even need painters tape.

[@harlanborders943]

Tape is the simple and cheaper way to go,I think . Worked fairly good for me for over 35 years.

[@robinsalsman942]

Do you pre-score?

[@harlanborders943]

@@robinsalsman942 have but not often

[@audiophileman7047]

Here's yet another interesting, useful video from The Honest Carpenter. Thank you! 👍👍👍

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks, audiophile! 😄

[@DivineMisterAdVentures]

Lovely - thanks. Might as well get the carbide laminate - it's going to effectively be a reverse cut on thin material.

[@FredD63]

Laminate blades work good also you can use a blade with more teeth counts and metal cutting blades 🇺🇸👊🏼👊🏼🔨🪚

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Good call, Fred!

[@jerryvanrees2689]

Hi, I use Bosch T308 BF and BFP for plywood cuts. Results are very much to my liking, no tear-out when being patient.

[@G.I.JeffsWorkbench]

Great tips & deep dive on a DIYer’s favorite tool to hate. Very helpful, as expected from your channel.

[@lawrencedavidson6195]

I use a fine tooth blade and cut really slowly. But i never knew about the reverse cut blades, i'm gonna order a set soon. Thanks for the video and greetings from Jamaica.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, Lawrence! 🇯🇲

[@mykolashatkovskyi576]

Placing laminate floor now and looking for some cheap-n-dirty solution to make cleaner cuts, so your video has the very perfect timing - thank you!

[@Aurelius150CE]

Interesting that I just saw this video now since I was doing curved cuts on plywood this morning. What I use are fine/medium tooth metal cutting blades and I get no tear out on either side and operate my jigsaw at a moderate speed. I admit it takes longer to make the cut but it does work for me. I will be checking out those laminate blades though since they look promising for clean cuts.

[@sirraymondluxuryyacht8131]

that laminate blade is genius! I never knew those existed lol

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Great blade! 😁

[@timothycreasy2161]

I have heard of the down stroke blades, but not ones with both rakes. But I should try the lamenent blades

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

Yeah...I had to switch to the reverse cut blades because too many of my jobs looked messed up. Harbor Freight has some pretty good ones. 👷🏿‍♂️

[@JB-yr3bh]

I’m new to woodworking so I was wondering…If you a normal up cut blade , flip the piece of wood upside down, and cut on the bottom side of wood. Would that help tear out on the top side that you need to stay clean? It did seem like the down cut blade didn’t have any tear out though. Top or bottom. Pretty cool tip! Thanks!

[@garymiller5937]

Thanks Ethan. I've never heard of laminate blades before. Could they be used for all wood types? It seems like carbide would outlast all other blade types. 😊😊

[@billm.8220]

Wasn’t aware of the various down or combo blades. Definitely good to know. The more info. we have, the better tradesmen we become.

[@Da_GrandiMan]

Great Vid, Very interesting! Haven't used my jig yet (ever) & I'm going to need 3-4 sets of blades, already ? 😮

[@TwoSierraEcho]

never thought of a zero clearance for a jig saw, would love to see that!

[@brucelee3388]

Makita supply one with their jigsaws as do a lot of brands. Once its worn out or broken it can be a battle to get replacements, you may have to go direct to the manufacturer as chain hardware stores don't like stocking parts that are known to wear out - like rubber nose caps for nail guns.

[@savageredbeard]

I have Christmas gifts now in mind, thanks. This was on my list, but I wasn't aware of this type of blade.

[@victoroneill7924]

Thanks! I've been cutting on the backside but the upcut blades will be simpler (if I can find some).

[@ttkoh123]

Try to PenKnife the Surface First along the line creating breaking relief before using the Jigsaw, will it improve the finish?

[@genefoster8936]

I like your free guide to the ten most common power tool mistakes.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, Gene! I put a lot of time into that one 🙂

[@gizmo7877]

So good to know as I’ve experienced that jagged edge so many times. Nice that you show the proper blade to use to avoid this. Ty

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

👍😁

[@wilelee]

Wow Ethan, that was such a helpful video on the jigsaw blades. I usually use the tape, but I’m going to order the reverse cut and laminate blades that seem to make jobs a lot cleaner cut without messing with the tape. Thanks for lessons in quality!!!!!👍🦾

[@kennethwallace34]

This was very informative, I always have trouble with my jigsaw not cutting straight up and down. It always looks like an angle. Can you give any tip for that?

[@kennethwallace34]

Sorry I just found your other video on straight cuts. Thanks

[@heystarfish100]

Thank you Ethan for always being a fresh source of woodworking knowledge and inspiration. 🤔😎

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

You’re welcome, starfish!

[@judih.8754]

Never knew those blade types existed. Thanks!

[@davidcurtis5398]

Many years ago I worked for a cabinet company and we used melomain for all of our work. Yo prevent tear out we always would cut the piece strong of the line and trim it to precise length with a router and a strait bit. Worked every time and no tear out.

[@dan30681]

A metal blade works amazingly well too - zero blowout 👍

[@3dimensionsofmusic3D]

Your tips and how tos have been very helpful. Just used the laminate type blade on some laminate flooring with no chipping. I was thinking about what you said when I was pushing the blade forward - let the blade pull your hand along. Worked great 👍. Greg

[@maradall]

I've found that for cutting 6mm and 4mm ply - which I've been doing a lot - a metal blade is the best solution I have found. (Don't use it on 12mm or thicker - it gets too hot.)

[@markb.1259]

Always such AWESOME trade secrets!!! Thank You!!!

[@stephencarr7173]

You probably should also mention scoring. That is, if you score the cut line with a utility knife, it will greatly reduce the chipping effect of the upstroke. Also works when using a circular saw.

[@DivineMisterAdVentures]

He did - somewhere in there - demoed it.

[@amsohn1]

Thanks Ethan, sure appreciate you and your teaching videos! Blessings ❤

[@MartinDeHill]

How did you know I needed this video tomorrow!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Psychic powers 😁😵‍💫

[@waynesligar5948]

I've used the reverse blades for years also you can put tape down before you cut to have clean cuts

[@bret_Lambky]

The Dow cut blades are also good for cutting Laminate countertops! The downward pressure has support!!

[@geoffedwards189]

Thanks Ethan. That's something new to me! Best wishes.

[@anneoreilly4900]

I love being exposed to these new to me blades. Another great video !

[@higgiepop158]

Thank you 🙏🏻 👍💯👍💯

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks for watching, higgie!

[@gsftom]

Awesome video. I had no knowledge of any of this.

[@se5594]

I wish I'd know about these blades a couple months ago when i was fabricating new tops for my nightstands. I thought i was doing something wrong when i woke was getting chewed up. I thought about trying tape but didn't know if it would work so didn't do it

[@geraldsouthard7092]

That was really informative. Thanks!

[@paulinedavis8734]

Always great information & tutorials ...thanks👍

[@hopenavajo1391]

Sometimes the plywood gets too dry and it starts getting very brittle, thereby causing splinters when it it is stored too long. Yes, I handled old plywood and it doea have splinters,it hurts wten splinters get into your fingers.

[@WidurangaBandara]

Thanks for explaining ❤❤❤

[@michaelestrada6840]

Thanks for the tip.

[@susanhenley8240]

Reverse Cut Blades?! Must get some.

[@dougc78]

Another great video! Thanks for sharing.

[@MrTPF1]

Lots of good info. Thanks!

[@frankmgallo]

Ethan Great info I’m going to pickup those and throw them in my box just in case . Happy Thanksgiving bro

[@marcbarash6045]

thanks Ethan

[@manubishe]

Thanks for the advice

[@davepowder4020]

Reverse-cut blades saved me so much frustration. Now I don't have to strap myself in upside down to have a nice-appearing top cut with a jigsaw anymore!

[@byronlemay2166]

You are the man.

[@davidcolgan3268]

For a good clean cut either with a jigsaw or circular saw, I always use tape on the up cut side.

[@doncc6080]

Thanks

[@strangetamer69x]

Diablo makes a “top & bottom cut” blade that makes a pretty clean cut. Half the teeth point down & half point up. The part # is DJT308BFP5

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

👍😁

[@robertsamagalsky1617]

Great video!

[@-fazik-3713]

So reversing a project works exactly the same? :)

[@dannymurphy1779]

Lol the secret's out!

[@wags99999]

Aways use down cut when you need a good cut quality. Starting using then in mid 70's, believe they were Bosch.

[@Xzavieur]

If youre only worried about one side of the board being clean then couldnt you just flip over the material or am i missing something?

[@BlueHeron598]

The Diablo blades are ok, but all professionals use Bosch. They are a less wider and make turning easier. They cut better too. I'm a huge Diablo fan boy too. Use their blades on all my Dewalt saws. But when it comes to Bosch jigsaw blades, even Festool woodworkers use Bosch blades. I agree with everything you are saying, but that's because you probably haven't discovered them yet.

[@HobbyOrganist]

Oh I HATE those downcut blades! jigsaws were not designed to cut that way, so using those blades causes the jigsaw to want to jump up a LOT, so you wind up having to bear wrestle it to hold it down. Just use a strip of masking tape or cut from the BACK

[@poladelarosa8399]

Stellar!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, Pola!

[@rulowth4815]

Great

[@a9ball1]

I've always used metal cutting blades with tape.

[@Pete.Ty1]

👍👍👍.Thank you

[@1steelcobra]

Diablo actually has wood blades with that top/bottom combo arrangement rather than using a specialty laminate blade. One comes in the 20-piece starter variety kit.

[@landshass2849]

My solution is to use blades made to cut metal on wood, results are ok.

[@JogBird]

use a circular saw, and put the good side on the down stroke

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

But circular saws can’t cut curves…

[@MoranGuyVideos]

Why not put the good side down?

[@strangetamer69x]

My bad I didn’t watch the whole video before I commented 😆

[@Surfnturf808]

Or you could just flip your piece so the finish side is facing downward🤷‍♂️

[@marcelorodriguez566]

Couldn’t you just turn your cutting board upside down for the same effect?

[@Unbendable74]

Uhhhhh how about making a blade like a hacksaw blade?

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

They have those Shane, but they’re mostly for metal and really hard materials.

[@findlayhunter4934]

Aha….

[@hopenavajo1391]

Cheap jigsaw blades rip out small pieces,while well known jigsaw blade don't. Also it could be your jigsaw, don't use cheap jigsaw,use again we'll known jigsaw

[@timothycreasy2161]

Excuse me, Laminate

[@striperseeker]

Can't you just turn your piece upside down?

[@thebestofnations]

Could you just flip the wood over? You’re not exactly fixing the problem. You’re just moving it.

[@logicalmisery3737]

Or... turn your workpiece over? What am I missing

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

As I mention

[@folaxstar]

​@@TheHonestCarpenter If scribing there is no option but to cut the back as the line that matches to the undulations of the wall are on the front. Your video will help me in this situation, thanks.