SPM (Strokes Per Minute)
Affiliate link — we may earn a commissionSPM counts the number of full back-and-forth blade strokes a reciprocating saw or jigsaw makes per minute. A reciprocating saw at 3,000 SPM pushes the blade forward and pulls it back 3,000 times in 60 seconds. Higher SPM means faster cutting in softer materials. Most recip saws range from 0 to 3,000 SPM with a variable-speed trigger. Jigsaws range from about 500 to 3,100 SPM. Low SPM with a fine-toothed blade gives you controlled cuts in metal and thin stock. High SPM with a coarse blade tears through framing lumber and nail-embedded demo material.
Why It Matters
SPM and TPI work together. High SPM with low TPI (6 teeth per inch) is the fastest demo combination. Low SPM with high TPI (18+) is how you cut metal without overheating the blade. Getting the pairing wrong either burns the blade or makes the cut painfully slow.