Symptoms
- Blade snaps mid-cut
- Breaks happen repeatedly with new blades
- Blade seems to break near the shank or partway up
- Cutting curves seems to increase breakage
Likely causes
- CommonWrong blade type or thickness for the materialThin blades for wood can snap in metal or thick material.
- CommonTwisting or forcing the saw sideways during a curved cutJigsaw blades are thin and can only bend so much before snapping.
- CommonFeeding too fast for the blade and materialOverfeeding puts excess side load on a thin blade.
- PossibleBlade not fully seated or tightened in the clampA loose blade flexes more than it should and fatigues quickly.
- PossibleCutting unsupported material that flexes during the cutMaterial bouncing or vibrating stresses the blade extra.
What to do
- Match the blade type to the material: wood, metal, and multi-purpose blades are all different.
- Support the workpiece firmly on both sides of the cut so it doesn't flex or bounce.
- Turn tight curves slowly and let the blade lead rather than forcing the saw sideways.
- Slow your feed rate, especially in denser material or on curves.
- Check that the blade is fully seated and locked in the clamp before starting.
- Let the saw run at full speed before entering the material rather than starting the cut slowly.
Tools and parts
- Jigsaw
- Correct blade for material
- Clamps
Jigsaw blades for the materialSearch: “jigsaw blades wood metal T-shank”
When to call a pro
If blades keep snapping even with the right type and careful technique, a repair shop can check the blade clamp for wear or misalignment.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.