A jigsaw is a highly versatile power tool used to cut curves and patterns in a variety of materials. From oak, plywood, PVC, aluminum, and even concrete board, jig saws are ideal for cutting many different materials. Operators just need to be sure they are using the right blade for each application and a jig saw will eat up most materials. Jigsaws are generally used for more aesthetic purposes and trim than traditional saws. Built to cut intricate patterns, most jigsaws also have a bevel capacity of 450 to the right or left, sometimes both. Because the shoe of the tool (deck or saw base) is tilted, the blade can cut materials at an angle to achieve compound shapes. Because jigsaws are designed to move around curves and templates, however, they have difficulty cutting a straight line, even with the aid of a guide.

Jigsaws tend to be quite safe and generally easy to use and maintain. The jigsaw blade only moves up and down about 3/4″ – 1″ per stroke, and moves through materials only as fast as it is pushed; this means that although making contact with the blade will injure and cut you, it likely won’t result in serious injury or loss of a limb. Although the safety risks are minor with jigsaws, it is important to be careful when cutting, touching, and changing blades. During use, friction from top to bottom and from cutting causes the blades to become very hot; grabbing hot blades will burn you, so be careful with that too.

The power of the engine in the jigsaws ranges from about 3.6 ? 6.4 amps. This motor drives an eccentric gear which drives the blade holder shaft and consequently moves the blade up and down. A jigsaw consists primarily of a plastic body, a metal gearbox, a shoe (which acts as a rest for the saw as it cuts), a blade holder, and a blade guide. There are two basic designs for jig saws: the barrel grip and the top handle. The top handle design has a handle grafted onto the motor housing of the tool. The barrel grip is designed without a handle, so the operator drives the saw with its barrel-shaped motor housing. Each of these designs is popular, but choosing between the two generally comes down to personal preference. One of the most important factors when choosing a jigsaw is comfort. Making sure that you can maneuver the saw and that it feels comfortable and stable in your hands are crucial aspects of finding the right jig saw. Due to its lower center of gravity, many crafters claim that the top handle has greater controllability.

Characteristics:

Variable Speed ​​– With a variable speed option, most jigsaws can run between 500 and 3,000 strokes per minute. On jigsaws, the variable speed is controlled by a separate knob or by applied trigger pressure. Some jigsaws have a single knob with settings from zero up, zero means the variable speed feature is not on; settings one and higher offer a progressively more aggressive cut. On other models, the variable speed is controlled by the amount of pressure exerted on the trigger of the tool.

Orbital Action – Most jig saws offer an orbital blade action that allows for faster, rougher cuts. The orbital motion pushes the blade forward on the upstroke (rather than just up and down) cutting materials faster and more aggressively. Keep in mind, however, that the more aggressively you cut, the more likely it is to tear.

Blower – Many jigsaws offer a blower designed to shoot a stream of air at the point of cut. The idea is for the blower to remove saw dust from the path of the cut, making materials, patterns and cut lines more visible to the operator. On most models, the blower function can be turned on or off, and on some the air pressure can also be controlled. Some jigsaws can also be hooked up to a shop vac, but still, dust pickup is noticeably less than these saws.

Blade release:

Almost all jigsaws today offer tool-less blade changes. A button activates a spring-loaded release mechanism that unlocks the blade from the locking clamp and the blade is released. Some systems require a manual twist of the blade to fully withdraw it, while others simply eject the blade completely. Blade ejection feature keeps fingers safe from potential cuts and burns.

Choose a puzzle:

Power: It’s not always the best answer to simply buy the most powerful saw. Buy the saw with the amperage that best suits the applications you will be using it for.

Comfort and controllability – It’s crucial to make sure the jig saw you choose feels good in your hands and is comfortable to push and maneuver. Tool vibration is also an important factor for comfort and quality of cut.

Blade Guide System – Because jigsaw blades can drift off course, a good blade guide system is a vital part of finding the right jigsaw. A deflected blade can easily cut into the mark or even result in an unintentional bevel of sorts where the blade is bent at a slight angle. This usually produces pretty bad cuts, so good blade guidance is essential. All jigsaws have blade support from the rear and most are supported from the sides as well. However, the amount of lateral support provided varies between models and manufacturers. Look for a blade guide system with proper lateral support to keep the blade on track and reduce flexing during cuts.

general maintenance:

Brushes – Because the jigsaw action is often short-lived, the factory brushes on the tool generally last the life of the tool. If your brushes come off, you can simply remove the motor housing to reach them.

Cleaning: Keeping your jigsaw clean is an important component in improving performance and life. Things can create a lot of dust inside your saw, and the grease and oil used to ensure the blade and parts move smoothly act as the worst kind of trap for dust and debris. Simply cleaning the blade guide and clamping mechanisms (ideally after each use) will prevent a lot of headaches. Any accumulated debris can throw the blade out of alignment, so keeping it clean will allow you to cut smoothly and accurately. Using a toothbrush (or something similarly designed) gives the best reach and leverage.

Shoe or saw base: Try to keep your shoe looking like new. If the shoe bends, it will disrupt the angle of your cut. Replace the shoe on your jigsaw if, for example, you drop the saw and it bends. It is also possible that the surface of the shoe will get some scratches or scratches. Sharp, protruding edges can come out around these gouges and mar the cutting surfaces. To keep your materials safe, simply use sandpaper or a scouring pad to smooth out scratches and sharp edges. Most shoes can also be fitted with a plastic shoe cover when working with soft or finished wood, or plastic.

Cord: As with all corded power tools, check cord periodically for cracks, cuts, or breaks, and replace if damaged.

Cordless: As battery technology continues to improve, cordless power tools are becoming a much more viable resource for craftsmen. Cordless jigsaws range from 12? 28v; in general, the higher the voltage, the better the performance of the tool. Also, because the stress on the saw occurs over relatively short lifetimes, jigsaw batteries tend to last longer. This makes going wireless a pretty good and convenient option.

Advice:

When using a jigsaw, take it easy; let the blade do the work. Don’t push too hard and don’t turn too fast. Also, you should cut at the bottom of your workpiece whenever possible. Because the blade cuts on the upward motion, cutting on the bottom of the part will reduce visible tearing of the workpiece.

Jigsaws are an incredibly versatile tool and are the undisputed king of curve cutting. For cutting aesthetic shapes and patterns there is no better tool in the shop than a jigsaw.