Back in October, Diablo came out with a new Steel Demon AMPED carbide-tooth reciprocating saw blade.
Diablo says these blades will “AMP up your cutting performance:”
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Featuring innovative blade technology, industry firsts to provide the longest cutting life, maximum performance and the most extreme versatility in thick metals applications.
Diablo promises “up to 100X longer life in thick metals.”
With titanium cobalt (TiCo) high-density carbide teeth, and a black “I.C.E.” coating, Diablo says these new Amped reciprocating saw blades will deliver maximum efficiency, longest cutting life, and extreme versatility in thick metal-cutting applications.
The blades seem a little pricey – $15 for the 6-inch 8 TPI blade, and $20 for the 9-inch 8 TPI blade, but that could be justified if the blades indeed last up to 100X as long as other blades.
These blades are designed for cutting cast iron, high strength alloys, stainless steel, and other thick metals 3/16″ to 9/16″ thick.
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Based on the product claims, the cutting teeth are supposed to be more wear resistant (based on the longevity claims), but also more impact resistant thanks to an enhanced carbide tip to blade connection. The blade coating is said to be slick, providing for a “lubricant-like action” for better chip removal and to help keep the blade cool.
I have not been able to find these blades locally yet to try them for myself (I checked the local Home Depot yesterday), but I know someone who has.
Dan, over at Tools in Action (web, YouTube, Instagram) has been testing out the new Diablo Amped reciprocating saw blades, and he really likes it a lot.
Unbelievable!
IMPOSSIBLE DURABILITY!
Fantastic!
These are some of the words Dan used to describe what he’s seen with these blades so far.
I have known Dan for TEN YEARS now (whoa), and frankly speaking, he doesn’t BS me. He won’t BS you either. We very regularly disagree about tools, but usually over matters of opinion or preference.
So when Dan says these are the most durable and heaviest duty metal-cutting reciprocating saw blades he’s ever used, and that he’s still in awe that they’re performing exactly as Diablo claims, I believe him 100%.
It seems that these new Diablo Amped reciprocating saw blades have raised the bar.
It’s hard to argue about a blade that can cut through 3 ball hitches without a break and still have the teeth intact to go at it again.
The blades were designed for cutting through thick metal up to 9/16″, but they seem to have cut through the hardened steel balls without trouble.
Do you think this blade will AMP-up your thick metal cutting?
Check it out:
Hilton
I’d be very keen to try these out. Anyone willing to buy one of each from Home Depot in exchange for an Amazon gift card? HD won’t accept international cards. Shipping to NY.
Tom D
I could do this – the risk is low.
(this domain name) AT bombcar DOT com
Jared
These blades look great! I think I might pick one up to try.
Any recommendation for the longest-lasting metal-cutting jigsaw blades? Does Diablo have something similar?
I realize a jigsaw is a lot less heavy-duty, but I want to cut some mild steel with some precision – not terribly think. I have some Bosch metal-cutting blades, but they seem painfully slow and are trashed quickly (not picking on Bosch, they probably have a carbide alternative or something – pretty sure mine are HSS).
fred
You might try these Bosch Blades:
https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-T118GFS-5-Piece-Stainless-T-Shank/dp/B001KPZDEW?th=1
or these Diablo blades:
https://www.amazon.com/Diablo-Carbide-T-Shank-Blade-Thick/dp/B089LK3MCY/
Chris I
$11 for that little thing makes the $20 9-inch blade seem like a bargain blowout. I’d bet they could ask $99 for the 9″ blade if longevity really is that good
Jared
Thanks Fred. I recognize that Bosch blade as one of the ones in my set. I also have some “basic for metal” that have a higher TPI count. They work well in aluminum but not steel. I see “HSS” on the shank in the pictures.
That Diablo blade looks like it might be worth trying. I’ll see if I can find them in Canada.
Looks like Bosch lists a carbide tooth blade in their “Blade Usage” chart for steel, but I wasn’t able to find them for sale here.
fred
The Bosch and Diablo (Freud – a Bosch subsidiary) seem to be both Swiss-Made. Perhaps at the same factory – with slightly different (or not) specs ??
Big Richard
I use the Bosch carbide blades:
https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/t-shank-jig-saw-blades-all-purpose-t367xhm1-188005-p/
I cut metal, wood, wood with nails, plastics, you name it.
Jared
Interesting, interesting. A bit pricey, but that’s fine if they work.
They look pretty aggressive for metal-cutting with 5-7 TPI. They hold up ok?
Are you using these for sheetmetal? Could a fellow cut off a piece of 1/4″ bar stock in your opinion?
Big Richard
I use it on thicker metal, like bar stock. Basically I use it in applications where I would otherwise use a recip saw, but I want a little more control. They do have some less aggressive, higher TPI blades as well:
https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/t-shank-jig-saw-blades-for-wood-t128bhm1-188010-p/
It’s labeled as a “laminate” blade, but it works great on sheet metal.
Chris I
I’m in. Just the other day I was needing to cross-section three of my ball hitches for no reason whatsoever. Perfect timing!
Chris I
Also, $20 for a blade is not unreasonable of it really does last 100 TIMES (!!) longer.
skfarmer
20 bucks for a blade?
sometimes a blade gets dull, no doubt about that. i kill far more blades by binding or hitting something with the end of it, most often times resulting in a bent or curved blade.
maybe these will take that type of abuse better but i would be quite upset to bend a 20 dollar blade before getting 100x the wear out of it.
ca
My thought too.
MichaelT
I was just telling one of my kids to share original thoughts, but, me too.
Chris I
as a new parent myself, what does this mean? Like, don’t repeat what others say?
PETE
A link to a tools in action? Barf! I used to be a TIA fan but Dan has driven me to dislike him. Nothing makes that guy happy for more than a week. He’ll buy something new and a week later he’ll say it sucks and have to get something even newer.
Eric is still cool & humble.
Jeff Kilo
I like them because they always have new things! Dan goes through vehicles like I go through trash bags. That’s a bit crazy. I think he is a trust fund baby or something, he spends like crazy and keeps getting new 80k trucks! I would keep one of those trucks for 10 years at least with Dan it’s months. They both have an opposing opinion thats why I watch them. Not your normal boring tool stooges. I feel like one of the gang.
ed ski
If it lasts 10x the length of a $10 blade, then ok. But now that I’ve already demo’d an oil tank and 40ft of sewer pipe…
Hmm, could be useful for “nefarious” purposes…
fred
We cut up lots of heating oil tanks and ran through a few Kett nibbler replacement punches and dies – not to mention how many pounds of little metal discs we probably swept up.
Randy
I have been procrastinating cutting up a piece of train track rail. I am curious how this blade might hold up. I have not yet settled on an easy, time effective or inexpensive option. My first cuts are simply to size for transport. Thoughts?
Leo Bauer
I think this would work well, but plan on a couple. If you wanted to test a few, the Milwaukee Nitrus Carbide Torch blades would likely be fairly comparable, although these Diablo blades look pretty killer. Heat and low tooth engagement kill blades. Hope the project goes well!
CountyCork
A pruning version would be much appreciated.
Hilton
Lee Valley have cool curved pruning blade for a recip saw.
fred
Lenox makes some curved blades as well – but not for pruning
https://www.lenoxtools.com/pages/lenox-gold-power-arc-curved-reciprocating-saw-blades.aspx
Koko The Talking Ape
I’ve seen tungsten carbide and iron carbide (still not sure that’s a thing) but not titanium carbide (though I’ve seen titanium nitride.) Is it common? I wonder if it’s better/worse/cheaper than tungsten carbide. It must not be awful, for this blade to work so well.
Matt
I was going to make a salty comment about the marketing but those results are pretty damn impressive. If it can cut like that I can tolerate anything they want to print on it, goofy or not (looking at you, Bosch team).
John
Carbide blades are awesome but I’d question their use in a sawzall. The most common premature failure I see in carbide teeth is chipping, which seems like something prone to happening with a sawzall. Since they’re most commonly used in the field, often in awkward positions like overhead, and with poor fixturing, this means the blade is often bouncing against the work.
They may last 100 times longer in ideal conditions (workpiece in a vise, both hands on the saw, etc) but in practice one jerking cut could shatter a tooth, which leads to failure of the rest of the teeth.
Blythe
I haven’t used this one, but I won’t buy anything else but carbide demo blades for remodeling. They seriously last forever. A Milwaukee ax carbide will last me a few months easy. And even when it stops cutting wood efficiently, I keep them around for cutting through screws and near dirt and concrete
JoeM
Next Step: U-232 or U-238 Ceramic blades…. Because… Depleted Uranium Ceramic is what the Armour of an M1 Abrahms Tank is made of… I am curious to see, even in theory, what a blade coated in that stuff is capable of.
Will I buy one of these Amped blades? Maybe. If I get around to it. I trust it’s totally badass, and blows minds. There’s nothing to discuss there. I’m sold.
Tank Armour coated blades… 5X denser than steel at the same thicknesses… Plus it’s Ceramic, so friction thermal output is rapidly decreased, since Ceramics of all sorts are poor conductors of heat anyways… Just a little fun to ponder, that’s all.
Evadman
DU is also self sharpening.
JoeM
This is true. It’s just fun to think about, really. I’m not sure the tool industry is ready to make such blades though. If a blade sharpens itself, doesn’t heat or warp like normal blades, and can effectively out-cut everything that has come before it… They cease to be overtly disposable.
I mean… if DU/U-238/U-232 Tank Armour Ceramics are put into the field, we wouldn’t want civillians to be able to walk up to, say, and armoured brinks truck and simply saw their way through the doors, locks, and the like. It’s just fun, playful thinking. It sounds cool, doesn’t it? “What’s that blade made of?” “Tank Armour. If it’s good enough for the M1 Abrahms, it’s good enough for Demo Work!”
Stuart
Depleted Uranium would not be as safe for users or environmentally-friendly at sites where dust might be left behind.
JoeM
ALSO very true. I’m just having some fun with the idea here Stuart. I’m not seriously advocating it.
It’s just a bit of fun on the side, since the verdict on the blades in the article is so cut-and-dry (sorry, bad pun, not intended.) as to be an obvious “Yep, I’ll be getting one, just in case I need it.”
With that so quickly, and easily, said… It’s just a little fun to poke at the speed the tool industry is developing the blades and consumable materials all the time. New tooth designs, more Carbide, blades out performing in ways we’ve never seen… It’s just fun to imagine what might be next. So, I went far to the extreme, just for the fun of it.
Otherwise you had me sold at “I trust this guy’s review of the blades.” What is there to talk about after that?
Tim
The older version of this blade saved my bacon, when changing the passenger side axle on my toyota. Cut right thru 2 inches of solid steel, two times. Grinder was going incredibly slow. Got the tip from a youtube video.
Scott N.
They may be great, but the “AMP”ed up marketing turns me off. What’s the problem with calling it the “Diable Carbide Tip Metal Cutting Blade” and letting it’s performance speak for itself without the goofy name?
John
I think I’ll wati for project farm to test them out….
Pink porkchop
If they’re as good as the carbide wood blades they are worth the money.
Bobby
Hope they’re better than their laminate miter saw blades, absolute junk. I had a harbor freight admiral blade that lasted longer.