Imperial Oscillating Tool Blades

By Robert Robillard on Tool Reviews

Cost effective Multi-Tool Blade  Blades:

What’s your biggest pet peeve with your multi-tool?  

I bet it’s the cost of the replacement blades.  Was I right?

The problem I have is coughing up the $27.00 for a new bi-metal blade every-time I start a job.  

I recently came across a distributor of high quality replacement oscillating blades.  The site is called  Imperial Blades and they make a huge selection of blades from wood cutting high carbon steel to carbide and diamond marble cutting blades.

The prices are decent too!

I tried a few of their blades and ended up with a favorite:

T330 1-1/4″ Titanium coated, Bi-Metal 34mm blade:

This blade is a game changer, I was amazed at how well it cut and how long it lasted.  It has 18 teeth per inch and the Titanium coated blade allows you to cut almost anything, from wood to nails or screws. This blade is still priced less that the Fein blades I’m used to buying.  At $12.39 per blade it’s an absolute steal!  

Imperial Blades coats the cutting edge of some blades with titanium nitride which increases the hardness, while it also greatly reduces friction.  

How Do the Imperial Blades Cut?

I did not do any scientific testing I just used the blades in the field on differennt jobs side by side with my Fien blades.   In my opinion they performed as well and in the case of the Titanium blades – better!!!!

Finding Imperial Blades online was a score for my construction business.

Do Their Blades Fit My tool?

Imperial blades makes replacement blades for oscillating tool by incorporating a Universal Blade Arbor.  this arbor is designed to  fits most tools requirements.  The tools that fit the universal arbor are: 

  • Fein Multimaster
  • Craftsman Multi Tool
  • Dremel Multi Max
  • Chicago Multi Tool
  • Bosch Multi X
  • Milwaukee Multi-Tool
  • Ridgid Multi Tool
  • MasterCraft Multi Tool
  • Skil Multi Tool

Other blade arbors for Rockwell sonicrafter, Worx Sonicraft and Fein Supercut are also available.

Making Your Oscillating Blades Last:

Replacement blades for oscillating tools cost a ton of money – Most people tell me that the trick to an oscillating tools is to allow the weight of the tool to do the cutting and to use light pressure.

The better advice if to apply the correct pressure to the material your cutting and to apply blade movement.  Most people push too hard on the tool and cause massive heat build up which prematurely dulls the blade.

CUTTING TIP – soap, wax or bees wax helps lubricate the blade and reduces friction which causes that nasty blade dulling heat.

Multi-tools vibrate and have a micro short stroke which by design do not remove waste from the blade kerf.   If you rock the tool back and forth, pull the blade out of the kerf or cut along a line evenly as well as apply pressure the cut waste will find a way out.  This keeps the kerf clean, the blade cooler and lessens the chance for you to burn your blade.

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About the author

Robert Robillard

Carpenter / Remodeler / Editor

Rob Robillard is “The Concord Carpenter” Rob is a builder, general contractor, carpenter, woodworker, and editor of Concord Carpenter and ToolBoxBuzz As a General Contractor and carpenter, Rob owns and operates Concord Carpenter LLC. A full-service remodeling and construction company. Rob is a recognized leader in home building best practices and a source for how-to information for building professionals. On this website, Rob covers all aspects of home construction, building science, home improvement, woodworking, remodeling, and some of the best product and tool reviews. Rob is in charge of our Tool and Product Review series - Concord Carpenter Videos where we post all of our tool reviews and video tutorials. Rob approaches remodeling and building construction with a pragmatic and problem-solving approach. He enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help and educate building professionals as well as DIYers on best practices in the construction and remodeling industry. He's a strong advocate for "raising the bar" in the construction trades and promoting the trades to youth. #BeAMentor #Green2Great Craftsmanship, quality, and pride guide his journey on this channel The Concord Carpenter's motto: "Well done is better than well said!" : Read more about Rob

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