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An oscillating tool can be one of the most versatile tools in your tool box, but only when it is equipped with the right oscillating tool blades. Whether you need to flush-cut baseboard trim, remove old grout, or cut off a broken screw, there’s a proper blade for the job. Even after learning which types of oscillating tool blades are best for cutting metal and which to use in wood, the difference in quality can be difficult to decipher. That’s why we tested five highly rated blade kits from top tool brands. We wanted to find out which ones we could count on for the full range of cutting, scraping, sanding, and grinding projects.
Any of the kits we tested could be a good option depending on user-specific needs. They all cut well and maintained a good edge throughout testing. However, the Milwaukee 20-Piece Oscillating Tool Blade Set came out ahead. It included the best assortment of options and was surprisingly affordable. Read on to learn more about how these and other quality blades performed in testing and find the best oscillating tool blades for your projects.
Oscillating Tool Blades Comparison
| Product | Number of pieces | Compatible material | Blade type |
| Milwaukee 20-Piece Oscillating Multi-Tool Blade Kit | 20 | wood, metal, plastic/soft material | plunge, segmented, sanding |
| EZArc 7-Piece Oscillating Saw Blades | 7 | wood, soft metal, plastic/soft materials | plunge, segmented, scraper |
| Imperial Blades 6-Piece One-Fit Storm Variety Pack | 6 | wood, soft metals, plastic/soft materials | plunge |
| Bosch 5-Piece Starlock Oscillating Tool Blades | 5 | wood, metal, plastic/soft material | plunge, segment, scraping, carbide |
| Diablo 5-Piece Starlock Oscillating Blade Set | 5 | wood, metal, plastic | plunge, segmented |
Best Overall
Photo: The Home Depot
What We Like
- Universal fit anchor system
- Good selection of popular blade types
- Titanium-enhanced bi-metal material
- Value price point
What We Don’t Like
- No organizer case
- Does not include a scraper blade
Products Specs
- Number of pieces: 20
- Compatible material: Wood, metal, plastic/soft materials
- Blade type: Plunge, segmented, sanding
Milwaukee’s 20-piece oscillating tool blade set earns our top spot because of its wide-ranging functionality and strong cutting performance. The blades incorporate premium features like titanium-enhanced bi-metal construction, plunge blades with an efficient cutaway body shape, a raised anchoring system that accommodates smooth flush-cutting, and a universal open-back anchor system. The set includes six bi-metal blades for cutting soft metals and multi-materials, four high-carbon steel blades for cutting wood and soft materials, a Japanese tooth hardwood blade, and a triangle sanding pad with four 60-grit and four 80-grit sandpaper triangles.
This set offered the best assortment of blades for the widest variety of tasks. It included multiple sizes of each blade type and duplicates of commonly used blades. The bi-metal blades cut through copper pipe and steel nails quickly and stayed sharp throughout the test. The wood cutting blades made precise, clean cuts that would require minimal sanding. Unfortunately, the kit did not come with a scraping blade, but we appreciated the sanding blade that was included—the only one among our test kits.
This set is equally suitable for contractor work or DIY projects. It would also be an ideal starter pack to go with a brand new oscillating tool. But beware that it does not include a storage case. That might not be a huge problem for shop use, but it is something that will need to be addressed for portability.
What our tester says: “I liked that the Milwaukee blades fit my non-Milwaukee oscillating tool perfectly. The blades were stiff enough but also had just the right amount of flexibility, and they stayed nice and sharp. The bi-metal blade cut off a copper pipe in just a few seconds, even after sawing through ten 16d framing nails.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Milwaukee oscillating tool blades at Acme Tools or ToolUp.
More Oscillating Tool Blades Worth Your Money
We also tested the following blade sets. The ones from EZArc and Imperial Blades both feature universal fit anchor systems with open backs. The blades are general-purpose, and the first one also includes a scraper. The Bosch and Diablo kits, which arguably have superior performance to the other selections, feature the Starlock anchor system, which limits their compatibility with specific oscillating tools. The Bosch kit also includes a carbide blade for metal work.
- EZArc 7-Piece Oscillating Saw Blades, available at Amazon or EZArcTools.
- Imperial Blades 6-Piece One-Fit Storm Variety Pack, available at Amazon, Acme Tools, or ToolUp.
- Bosch 5-Piece Starlock Oscillating Tool Blades, available at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Acme Tools.
- Diablo 5-Piece Starlock Oscillating Blade Set, available at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or The Home Depot.
How We Tested the Best Oscillating Tool Blades
| Products tested | 5 |
| Time spent testing | 6 hours |
| Tests performed | 7 |
| Price range | $33 to $60 |
We compared the performance of five highly rated blade kits to find out whether a clear winner would emerge. To test these oscillating tool attachments, we spent an afternoon using them to cut wood trim, PVC and copper pipe, nails, and drywall. In order to ensure a fair comparison, we ran side-by-side tests making the same number and size cuts in the same materials with the same types of blades from each kit. We recorded our observations with regard to anchoring security, edge retention, flexibility, and ability to make clean, accurate cuts. Then we used a standardized scoring rubric to rate each blade’s performance before choosing the overall winner.
| Product | Fit | Cutting performance | Durability | Value | |
| Milwaukee 20-Piece Oscillating Multi-Tool Blade Kit | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4.8/5 | |
| EZArc 7-Piece Oscillating Saw Blades | 5/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.7/5 | |
| Imperial Blades 6-Piece One-Fit Storm Variety Pack | 5/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.8/5 | |
| Bosch 5-Piece Starlock Oscillating Tool Blades | 4/5 | 4.9/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | |
| Diablo 5-Piece Starlock Oscillating Blade Set | 4/5 | 4.9/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
FAQs
The oscillating multi-tool blades in our roundup can make a great addition to any contractor or DIY tool box. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about these attachments for oscillating tools, including the different materials they can cut and how long they last.
Q. Are oscillating tool blades universal?
Most blades for oscillating tools are universal, allowing them to fit most tool brands. Newer Starlock oscillating tools are the exception. Blades for oscillating multi-tools of this type must be Starlock compatible.
Q. Can an oscillating tool cut nails?
Oscillating tools can easily cut through nails and screws when fitted with a metal cutting oscillating blade. They can also cut pipes and other metals, trim wood and plastics, and even remove caulk or grout.
Q. How long can a typical oscillating blade last?
This can vary, depending on what the oscillating blade is cutting. Cutting through drywall or metal will wear out a blade much faster than cutting through wood. Running the oscillating tool at a higher speed will also heat the blade to a higher temperature and cause it to wear out more quickly. With that in mind, for lighter-duty use, a blade may last for an entire day. For heavy-duty applications, a blade may wear out in less than 1 hour.
Q. How does an oscillating tool work?
The keys to an oscillating tool’s effectiveness are its high-speed motor and off-center shaft. When it turns, the shaft causes the blade to move back and forth rapidly in a small arc.
Q. Are oscillating tool blades safe to use?
Oscillating tools are safe to use as long as safety protocols are followed. Work at a safe distance from bystanders. Be sure the area is well-lit, dry, and clutter-free. Wear safety glasses, hearing protection, and sturdy footwear. Install the correct blade for the material to be cut and the type of cut to be made. Avoid touching any part of the blade during operation, and do not force the blade into the workpiece.
Q. Can you sharpen oscillating tool blades?
Oscillating saw blades can be sharpened using a saw file and a vise.
Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a writer, product tester, and serial DIYer. When he isn’t writing, he spends his time upgrading, repairing, and replacing anything and everything in his home, yard, and garden. He tests and writes reviews about hand and power tools, lawn care and home repair products, and outdoor living goods.
Additional research provided by Tony Carrick.
