EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass., July 26, 2004 — LENOX, a leading manufacturer of premium power tool accessories, hand tools and band saw blades, today introduces its expanded line of high carbon steel and bi-metal jigsaw blades for wood and metal-cutting applications. Changes to the line include the addition of 83 new SKU variations of material, packaging, length pitch and shank style combinations; new, clearer graphics on the blades to help users more easily match blades with cutting jobs; and blade length changes to maximize cutting performance.
The line′s fleam ground blades are ground to precision sharpness, providing a smooth finish and greater precision, meaning fewer deflections, straighter cuts, less ruined material surfaces and decreased sanding for the user — saving valuable time and cost.
The LENOX bi-metal metal-cutting jigsaw blades offer users a great value when compared to metal-cutting high-speed steel (HSS)* blades, according to Nick Morrisroe, LENOX director of marketing, power tool accessories.
"Traditionally, manufacturers have offered HSS as a low-cost alternative metal cutting product," Morrisroe said. "However, the brittleness of HSS makes the product more susceptible to breakage. LENOX eliminated this issue by offering bi-metal metal-cutting blades but pricing them competitively with its HSS counterparts. This gives the user a better value."
Changes in the length of the bi-metal metal-cutting blades in the new LENOX jigsaw blade line have been made to optimize cutting efficiency. The length of the bi-metal metal-cutting blades has increased from 3 inches to 3 5/8 inches to accommodate changes that have been occurring within the jig saw industry throughout the years, said Morrisroe.
"Over the years, improvements in technology have allowed jigsaw manufacturers to increase the jigsaws′ stroke length to achieve faster cuts," Morrisroe said. "Because of this increase in length, along with recent increases in the saws′ shoe plate thickness, users have found it difficult to cut through thicker common metal materials like one-inch pipe using the old three-inch blades. The increased length will give them the flexibility they need to be able to cut all types of metal materials."
What′s more, LENOX has made choosing the right blade for the job easier by implementing new, clear on-blade graphics. Each blade will have the cutting application for which it is ideally suited printed plainly on the side. A code representing the material the blade is made of is also clearly printed on the side – "HCS" for high carbon steel, and "BIM" for bi-metal. All blades that are white have teeth that are milled and set, while blades with a white shank and steel body have fleam ground teeth and a taper ground body.*
The blades are available in high carbon steel and bi-metal woodcutting and metal-cutting versions in both universal and T-shank configurations in packs of 2, 5, and 25. Kits of 5, 7, and 30 blades in the various configurations are available as well.
The entire LENOX® Jigsaw line is available through construction distributors, supply houses and home centers nationwide.