Circular saw or jigsaw - which is better for home use?

What to choose: a jigsaw or a circular saw?

The volume and nature of the upcoming work will help you decide on the more preferable option. For example, if you are a beginner carpenter or the amount of work does not require much effort and a long time, then it will be enough to purchase a jigsaw. It can easily cope with cutting not only chipboard and plywood, but can also be used in sawing small boards.

For larger jobs, when you plan to cut for a long time and in large volumes, it is better to choose a circular saw. With its help you can cut sheet wood material, rather thick boards and bars.

How to choose a jigsaw

First of all, you need to decide for what purpose you are purchasing a jigsaw. You will be sawing laminate or chipboard when replacing floor coverings in the apartment, or you will have more large-scale work on making furniture yourself. Will it be periodic use or daily use with heavy loads? If you already have a clear idea, you can start choosing a jigsaw.

Type of power supply and design features of jigsaws

If cutting workpieces will be an auxiliary process, you will have to work in places where there is no electricity, you need a mobile tool and nothing should limit your movement with it, then a battery model is suitable for you - an excellent option for your home, cottage, or garage. But for long-term work, when working with a jigsaw will take up most of the process, it is better to use an electric jigsaw. Its operating time is not limited by the battery charge, like a cordless jigsaw, and you can work all day long. That is why the electric jigsaw is used in workshops and production. It is worth noting that batteries sooner or later fail. I wrote about how to restore a battery in a previous article.

If we talk about the ease of use of a jigsaw, it largely depends on the design of the tool. First of all, pay attention to the handle. It comes in two types:

• The bracket-shaped jigsaw handle is the most universal, suitable for straight cutting when the jigsaw is located on top of the workpiece;
• The mushroom-shaped handle of the jigsaw noticeably reduces the design of the tool, which makes it easier to guide when working from the underside of a part and sawing at an angle.
• Of the design features, the following functions will also be important:.
• Sawing parts at an angle is ensured by adjusting the sole of the jigsaw. For example, it can be tilted in such a way as to make a cut at an angle from 45 to 90°.
• The presence of a pipe for removing chips is useful if you want to use the tool in conjunction with a dust collector or vacuum cleaner. Through the dust removal system, sawdust will be removed from the working area, which will make the cutting process cleaner and safer, and will help save time on cleaning.
• Keyless replacement of equipment is convenient because no additional equipment is required to remove and install the saw.
• Fixation is carried out with a self-clamping device.

Differences in work and features

A jigsaw cuts material through the reciprocating movements of a file, which should be selected according to the work ahead. Some types of tools allow you to adjust the forward and backward oscillations to achieve less overheating of the cutting blade and get a smoother cut. A jigsaw allows you to cut both vertically and at an angle, and the thickness of the material that can be cut directly depends on the length of the file.

A circular saw makes a cut using a toothed blade. You need to hold this tool with both hands, unlike the previous one. Most manufacturers of circular saws provide the ability to install the tool with the blade facing up, thereby turning it into a small machine. The cut can be made both perpendicular to the plane of the material and at various angles. The depth of the cut is adjusted by moving the position of the saw platform and usually does not exceed 85 millimeters.

Before purchasing one of these tools, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with their most significant advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of a jigsaw

• Small size and weight, allowing you to hold it with one hand
• Quick blade change
• The ability to make cuts from any area of ​​the material by pre-drilling a hole
• Ability to cut various shapes

Flaws

• Overheating of the saw blade leads to a significant deterioration in the quality of the cut and the appearance of slight waviness in the cut.
• Cannot set cutting depth
• Rapid wear of files

Advantages of a circular saw

• Long disk life
• Ideal for processing materials where long longitudinal or transverse cuts are required
• Ability to perform large volumes of work without having to stop to cool down
• Significant increase in productivity due to the ability to install the saw with the blade up

Flaws

• It is impossible to make a curved cut or start cutting from the middle of the sheet material
• Massiveness
• Long saw blade replacement

Reasons for chipping

When sawing material from bottom to top, the teeth of the file catch and a break occurs. When wood blanks are sawed off, adjacent fibers become entangled. When sawing laminated chipboard , chips appear and the material is destroyed. If you cut 2 layers of a slab at once, the bottom one will be able to be sawed well due to the fact that the top one will not allow chips to appear. Processing accuracy can be increased using the “ Soft Start ” function. With this option, the electric jigsaw gains speed gradually. He moves quietly. The master needs to control the position of the cut point relative to the intended line.

The Soft Start function will help you make more accurate cuts.

Is it possible to replace one tool with another?

Although these tools can in some cases replace each other without a noticeable difference in the quality of work and ease of use, a jigsaw is still a more versatile device. A saw, on the contrary, can perform a much larger volume of monotonous work. Although in many respects a circular saw has long surpassed even the most modern jigsaws, using it is sometimes quite labor-intensive, and frequent replacement of the blade when working with various materials will not add convenience. You can replace the file on a jigsaw in just a couple of minutes.

Having decided more precisely which type of tool you need, you can begin to research the market. You should not buy the cheapest option: such a tool will be much noisier and, most likely, will heat up, which will negatively affect its service life. And vice versa, it is not at all necessary to buy a tool for your needs with a whole set of different bells and whistles and capabilities, most of which you will definitely not need in your household. The best option would be to opt for a mid-price tool that will contain a set of the most necessary functions and will not break your budget.

Source: pro-instrument.com

How does a jigsaw work?

A jigsaw consists of a body with an electric motor, to which a saw blade is attached in a mounting hole at a right angle. There is a D-shaped or mushroom-shaped handle on top. A support sole is installed below, which slides over the workpiece, positioning the equipment. This design was invented in 1946 by Scintilla, a subsidiary of Bosch, and has remained in this form to this day. The controls include a power button and a blade speed control. In order not to constantly hold the start button, many models are designed to lock it. Markings are made on the workpiece along which the tool is guided. During operation, the saw blade moves up and down, which ensures sawing of the material. The cutting principle is similar to sawing with a hand jigsaw - the blade moves in the same way. Only when working with an electric tool, the user does not need to make reciprocating movements with his hand - he just holds the handle and guides the device along the cutting line. Models equipped with a pendulum mechanism allow, in addition to the speed, to select the positioning angle of the cutting tool. This allows you to select the optimal cutting mode for each material.

Read also: Ball cutter for wood

Why does a jigsaw cut crookedly and how to fix it

In most cases, the process of straight and figured cutting of materials requires extreme precision of the tool. This statement is most true for an electric jigsaw. The thin saw blades used in this device can easily change the cutting angle, which can negatively affect the accuracy of the line. The clarity of the edges of the product and the evenness of the cutting line depend on the skills of the operator, the serviceability of the device and the saw. Next, we will tell you how to get the planned contour with perfectly clear edges and what to do if the jigsaw moves to the side.

Modern jigsaw

A modern jigsaw is equipped with built-in safety features, an electronic speed controller, and vibration and noise dampers. A special protection is installed above the base plate, which protects against accidental contact with the saw blade.

Using a screw or a special clamping device, the jigsaw file is rigidly attached to the spindle and makes translational movements up and down with high frequency. If the jigsaw is equipped with a multi-stage pendulum mechanism, then the saw blade can be tilted back. The pendulum mechanism increases the speed of straight cuts and extends the service life of the saw blade. Also, the jigsaw has a horizontal support platform, with which it rests on the part being cut. This significantly improves cutting accuracy. Usually the guide is made to rotate at an angle of up to 45 degrees.

Depending on the method of fastening the file, a jigsaw can be: with a cross-shaped shank, with a smooth shank and a shank with a hole.

Why does a jigsaw cut crookedly?

The saw blade leaving the pre-planned line may be due to several reasons. The operator may not have enough experience in handling the tool, the file may be defective, and the rod and guide roller for the jigsaw may have serious play. In order not to guess from the coffee grounds, it is worth starting to sift out the factors that determine the accuracy and evenness of the cut line in your individual case.

As usual, it’s better to start with yourself and your approach to sawing. Often, novice craftsmen rush things and, wanting to speed up the cutting, apply a lot of pressure to the jigsaw. The tool does not have time to bite evenly into the material and create a clear groove for the file, which begins to follow the path of least resistance and makes unpredictable movements. This problem is especially common when working with thick timber (from 40 mm) and varnished plywood from Soviet times.

This is one of the reasons why the jigsaw moves to the side. What to do about this? The answer is obvious. Apply the minimum pressure sufficient to guide the tool along the line and set the maximum number of revolutions (when working with wood). The pendulum mode usually does not affect the evenness of the cut if its design is in good order.

The quality of assembly and wear of tool parts can be a good reason for the formation of beveled lines when sawing. There are basically no complaints about devices from the budget segment (up to 2,500 rubles), as well as hopes for their conscientious assembly. It’s another matter when original, branded instruments begin to perform such tricks. Often, the cause of a crooked cut is the guide roller, the jigsaw rod or its sole.

You can check the reliability of the element’s fixation by simply tugging it with your hand. Loosening of the rod or roller by more than 1 mm determines that this device is not capable of producing a perfectly even cut. The more play there is in the parts, the less accurate the cutting line they form. This problem should be corrected based on the circumstances. If the part itself is worn out, it can be replaced with a similar one. It is difficult to fix a breakdown if the attachment point to the mechanism is worn out. Not every modern Kulibin undertakes such repairs, and this problem is usually solved by purchasing a new tool.

Features of using a jigsaw

Despite the fact that the principle of operation of a jigsaw is quite simple, there are nuances that you need to know. They relate to cutting modes and materials. I will try to focus on the most common questions that arise for those who pick up a jigsaw for the first time.

What can you cut with a jigsaw?

A jigsaw is capable of working with materials of varying hardness, while effectively coping with their sawing. It is important to choose the right equipment and cutting modes. Saw blades differ in purpose : for cutting steel, aluminum and non-ferrous metals they are made of tool steel, for sawing wood - from chrome-vanadium or high-carbon steel, for plexiglass and ceramics - from harder materials, for example, an alloy of carbide and tungsten. There are universal files that are used for wood materials and plastic.

If there is a large amount of work to be done with a specific type of workpiece, for example, laminate, it is better to choose specialized equipment specifically for this task. The right choice is the key to quality work. It is worth noting that files are only suitable for working with homogeneous material. You cannot make a cut in a wooden workpiece with metal inclusions - nails or screws, as you can damage not only the equipment, but also the jigsaw itself.

Jigsaw cut thickness

For each tool, the maximum permissible values ​​​​for the thickness of the workpieces to be cut are determined, and the rules for operating a jigsaw do not allow exceeding the recommendations specified by the manufacturer. For example, the parameters may be 75 mm for wood, 15 mm for metal.

Guide rail for jigsaw

The guide for a jigsaw is a simple device, at first glance, similar to a large metal ruler or rule. The main difference between the tire and the above devices is a special groove along which, like on rails, the sole with a jigsaw mounted on it moves. Most guides have rubberized strips that prevent sliding on the surface of the material, and for additional fixation, they are attached with small clamps. The average length of such devices is from 1.5 to 3 meters, and can be increased by another, similar ruler, using an adapter.

To make the line as neat and even as possible, use the optimal file suitable for the material being processed. More visual processes for making and using a homemade guide are demonstrated in the following videos.

Source: instrumentoria.ru

Manufacturers of jigsaw files

Today, the highest quality cutting tools for jigsaws are produced, for example, by Hitachi and Makita. Inexpensive ones, for example, are files under the Ermak brand.

Most of the canvases have alphanumeric symbols. One of them is the manufacturer's trademark. The rest contain information about the purpose of the files. It is better to learn more about this from the original source - on the manufacturer’s website.

Marking of files

The first letter is T or U. The type of saw attachment.

• The first number 1,2,3,7 is the working length of the file.
• 1 - short (up to 75mm)
• 2 - medium (75 - 90 mm)
• 3 - long (90-150 mm)
• 7 - very long (more than 150mm)
• The second and third numbers determine the purpose of the file.
• Subsequent letters:
• A,B,C,D - saw tooth size.
• F - bimetallic files. Such files have an increased service life, cut faster and with better quality.
• P - cut at a precise angle. Such files have a thick blade, so they cut the material strictly perpendicular to the surface.
• O - curved cut
• R - reverse tooth
• X - universal file for any materials
• HM - carbide file

This classification is arbitrary and is not always followed, so the most reliable way to choose a suitable file is to know its characteristics.

Review of Bosch files for curved cutting with a jigsaw

For example, the purpose of a file from the Bosch brand – “T101BR”:

Read also: How to sharpen knives for an electric planer

“T-shaped” shank, medium (second) file length, fine tooth, finishing reverse cut. The processed material is plywood, chipboard, fiberboard, laminate, laminated wood, plexiglass, plastic.

Video Jigsaw cuts crookedly or choosing a file

A jigsaw can cut any material – stone, metal, wood. The electric saw makes straight, miter and round cuts. How to learn to cut smoothly with a jigsaw?

Choosing the right tool

A few recommendations from experienced professionals will help you choose the right tool for the job.

For cutting at home, a household or semi-professional D-shaped jigsaw, which can be operated with one hand, is sufficient. The more power, the heavier the jigsaw, and it will be more difficult for it to cut smoothly.

A step speed controller, an electronic stabilizer and a pendulum stroke will greatly facilitate the cutting process. The presence of a plastic pad on the sole will allow you to securely secure the machine to the cutting blade. Useful features include built-in airflow and lighting.

It is worth paying attention to the fastening of the canvas. Some models have a restriction that does not allow the use of any file.

It is not recommended to cut boards with a jigsaw; there are circular saws and hacksaws for this. Although a powerful tool can cope with the task, it is unlikely that it will be possible to achieve a perfectly even cut.

Each jigsaw model differs in shape, so before purchasing it is worth holding the tool in your hand, and, if possible, testing it directly in the store.

Rating of the best circular saws

We have compiled the top best circular saws based on user reviews and expert opinions.

Makita 5008MG, 1800 W

Cast sole, minimal play , disc immersion adjustment scale. Convenient adjustment locks, backlighting, and an additional disk included. Movable protective cover, start blocking. Connection pipe for vacuum cleaner, parallel stop.

power - 1800 W;

type of power supply - from the network;

cutting depth - 76 mm;

disc diameter - 210 mm;

rotation speed - 5200 rpm;

weight - 5.1 kg.

Prices in online stores

Interskol DP-190/1600M, 1600 W

Powerful, lightweight, clean cut without nicks . High-quality assembly, smooth start, long cable. Full functionality for an inexpensive model. Electronic engine protection, manual modification.

power - 1600 W;

type of power supply - from the network;

cutting depth - 65 mm;

disc diameter - 190 mm;

rotation speed - 4800 rpm;

weight - 5.5 kg.

Prices in online stores

ZUBR PD-65, 1600 W

Domestic electric circular saw. Lightweight and easy to operate , assembly without backlash or runout. Spindle lock, it is possible to connect a vacuum cleaner. Saw blade, guide, wrench, instruction manual.

power - 1600 W;

type of power supply - from the network;

cutting depth - 65 mm;

disc diameter - 190 mm;

rotation speed - 4700 rpm;

weight - 4.2 kg.

Prices in online stores

Makita HS7601K, 1200 W

Comfortable, ergonomic, powerful. No vibration, precise cutting , there is a storage case. Parallel stop, vacuum cleaner connection, hex key. Additional disk, motor brake, spindle lock.

power - 1200 W;

type of power supply - from the network;

cutting depth - 66 mm;

disc diameter - 190 mm;

rotation speed - 5200 rpm;

weight - 4 kg.

Prices in online stores

BOSCH PKS 55, 1200 W

Lightweight, moderately powerful - the best option for home use. Rubberized handles , high-quality plastic, no backlash or gaps. Saw blade, rip fence, dust container, vacuum cleaner adapter.

power - 1200 W;

type of power supply - from the network;

cutting depth - 55 mm;

disc diameter - 160 mm;

rotation speed - 5600 rpm;

weight - 3.9 kg.

Prices in online stores

Selection of cutting blade

Jigsaw blades vary in length and frequency of teeth. It is worth giving preference to trusted brands, in this case there is a quality guarantee for the metal, and the cut will be smooth. Files are classified by tooth configuration:

• on standard models, teeth of the same size are located at equal distances and in the same direction;
• the so-called skip-tooth file is distinguished by the absence of teeth, due to which the cutting speed increases, the blade heats up and jams less, and chips from the surface are removed to the side;
• In the case of double teeth, the cutting speed is lower, but the quality of the cut is better. The chips are removed from the cut;
• For reverse blades, some of the teeth are directed upward. Using such a tool, you can cut laminated chipboard and other wood with a jigsaw without chipping, since the upper teeth cut the material during the reverse movement.

The specific thickness of the blade depends on the material to be worked with, but the basic ones for the manual model are No. 3, No. 5, No. 7.

Rating of the best electric jigsaws and circular saws

Marking the cut line

To cut the material evenly with a jigsaw, you need to correctly mark the cutting line and securely fix the workpiece on the surface. If you have to work with a long blade, you should use a flat rail as a guide and two clamps to secure it and the working material. It is necessary to act in a certain sequence.

First you need to make markings on the chipboard using a ruler. To do this, the required distance is measured on both sides, the marks are connected, forming a cut line. To make a curly line, it is advisable to draw it on paper and then transfer it to wood using carbon paper, having previously sanded the surface.

To cut a circle with a jigsaw, markings are applied with a construction pencil or black marker to the surface using a pre-made stencil made of thick paper or cardboard. In this case, cutting the material begins by drilling a hole in the center. The blade should move from the center to the marking line, and then along the perimeter of the circle.

Important! A jigsaw is inherently designed for curved cuts; cutting it exactly in a straight line is quite difficult. You must constantly monitor the line and point the tool slightly to the side.

To avoid chips on the finished surface, the file during work is not guided along the mark, but near it. The laser guide on the jigsaw will help you cut smoothly.

Shank types

The most common files are with the following shanks:

T-shank

The name comes from the graphic resemblance to the letter T, another name is “cruciform”. Structurally, it has one stop. This type of shank is one of the most common. There is a variety with a double stop. Among the masters, another name is used - “European type”.

U-shaped

A straight shank with a semicircular notch at the end is called the “U-shaped” shank type. Used in conjunction with jigsaws manufactured according to USA standards. Hence another name - “American type”.

Fastening material

In order for the cutting line to be smooth, the working surface must be as stable, rigid and durable as possible. When working at home, this can be an ordinary table with reliable legs and a flat tabletop.

The board is fixed to the surface using clamps secured on both sides with moderate force. The sheet to be processed must be positioned in such a way that the tool does not rest against the surface during operation. To prevent pressure from being applied to the saw during the cutting process, you can weigh down the protruding edge hanging from the surface using an attached weight.

Straight cutting technique: nuances you need to know

To achieve an even cut, additional tools are used. Before you start sawing, you need to secure the material well. The work surface must be stable. Experts do not recommend sawing wood along the grain. It will be difficult to achieve an even cut. It is better to use a circular saw. If it is not there, you can use a rip fence. One edge is fixed on the product, the second leans against the tool. This way the cut is evened out.

If you need to make a circle, first drill a small hole in the middle. A jigsaw is attached to it, moving along the contours of the marked lines. When a rectangle is required, the saw is pointed forward, rounding the corners and then shaping them.

To make the move easier, use machine oil. They lubricate the file with it. To avoid overheating, you should stop occasionally. After sawing, you need to clean the jigsaw and moisten it with oil.

Cutting technology

They begin sawing after securing the workpiece and applying markings. To do this, you need to turn on the jigsaw, set the maximum speed level and adjust the pendulum stroke by setting it to number 1.

You need to bring the file to the marking line, press the side of the platform against the guide and start working. When moving the jigsaw forward, you need to monitor the location of the platform. Do not deviate from the guide. When there are a few centimeters left to the end of the canvas, you need to carefully hold the free edge, avoiding breaking. At this point the process can be considered complete. To prevent the cut from turning out crooked, it is worth remembering a number of nuances:

• During operation, do not press too hard on the electric jigsaw, otherwise the file will break;
• when cutting a steel sheet, you need to choose a tool with maximum power and work at high speed - when heated, the steel softens and becomes more pliable;
• When processing plastic, laminate, organic glass or stainless steel, it is necessary to provide additional cooling for the file and periodically take breaks so that the tool has time to cool down;
• to prevent the plastic from melting during processing, it is necessary to set the minimum speed with a frequency of 1000 rpm;
• the figured cut will be smooth if you choose a narrow file with small teeth;
• After finishing the work, the electrical device should be cleaned of sawdust and placed in a special case.

Professional builders advise adhering to certain rules to help avoid mistakes that will not be easy to correct.

When choosing a file, you need to start from the material you are working with: plastic, thin or thick metal, plywood, solid wood. You should prepare in advance all additional items that may be needed during the cutting, marking and fastening process. Particular attention should be paid to fixing the material to the surface.

Note! To avoid defects, the canvas should be positioned face down.

It is best to try the sawing technique in advance and practice cutting with a jigsaw on unnecessary workpieces, because a crooked line will be difficult to correct. Safety precautions should not be neglected; you should use safety glasses and wear gloves when sawing.

If these recommendations are followed, the process of cutting parts should not be accompanied by unforeseen difficulties.

What cuts can be made with a jigsaw?

Straight cut

The basic function when using an electric jigsaw is straight cutting. Short workpieces are quite easy to handle. It is much more difficult to guide the tool smoothly along a long straight line. In this case, the best option would be a wide saw blade, which helps to adhere to the intended trajectory.

Figured cut

For figured cutting, special equipment is used, which is marked with the letter “O”. These are files with a narrow blade and fine teeth, which provide a neat cut and do not pinch when turning. When cutting shapes, set the minimum speed of the nozzle. If it is necessary to cut at an angle, the position of the body is adjusted relative to the sole using a special fastener. In some models this is done with a key, in others with a lock.

Mistakes when working with a jigsaw

If the technological subtleties are taken into account, but the cut line turns out to be crooked and with many chips, there may be several reasons.

The master has little experience working with a jigsaw. You need to practice more and as a result you will be able to cut as it should.

The material is not secured securely enough and moves out of place when cutting, or is fixed inconveniently for the person doing the work.

If the process is performed by a worker without experience, it is necessary to use guides, and when making complex shapes, a special pattern. If this is not possible, the quality of the cut can be improved by reducing the speed.

The main reason why a crooked cut is obtained is a malfunction of the tool or blade. In this case, there is a high probability of chipping, the file moving to the side and becoming dull. An incorrectly selected blade for a specific material will lead to it breaking repeatedly during work and the result will be of poor quality. It is worth carefully inspecting the jigsaw and eliminating the damage.

Too much emphasis on the jigsaw leads to excess pressure, which also negatively affects the final cut.

To cut material with a jigsaw, it is not necessary to have many years of carpentry experience; it is important to listen to the advice of professionals and follow the technology for working with the tool.

Source: drevogid.com

How to install a saw blade in a jigsaw

There is a special seat for installing the blade in the spindle. If the file is secured with screws, then you must first loosen the fastening either with a key or a special lock, insert the file, and then securely fasten it. Most modern models use a self-clamping device for fixing the equipment. To do this, you need to lift the latch up, carefully insert the cutting blade into the vacated hole, and then return the latch to its original position. Only clean saw blades should be installed, with no chips or other foreign particles on the surface, otherwise the shank will not fit well. As the saw blade wears out, it must be replaced, otherwise the quality of the cut will deteriorate and the load on the tool’s motor will increase.

Gentlemen, how to cut boards with a jigsaw so that the cut is good,

subzh, plus what you can cover the end with, if you have to.

saw along the guide! The file must be sharp and of high quality. It is not usually necessary to cover the end, it is not some kind of disgrace.

In general, I am engaged in the construction of websites and online stores.

Use a hand jigsaw to cut out. If your hands don’t hold well, then edge with a chipboard edge

Pekkonen wrote: saw along the guide! The file must be sharp and of high quality. It is not usually necessary to cover the end, it is not some kind of disgrace.

It is necessary to make a curly curved rounding (shelves), the radius of the circle is 100 mm. There is no crooked exact template. How to get out of this situation? The file must be sharp and of high quality - how do you understand this? Which file should I take? large, small tooth? Diluted or not (for metal)? What does quality mean? Which one produces less surface chipping?

If you are sawing the ends, it is better to use a metal file; it has a small tooth, so it does not tear.

T-34 wrote: The file must be sharp and of high quality - how is this to be understood?

Literally.

T-34 wrote: Which file should I take? large, small tooth?

The tooth size depends on the thickness of the board. And her hardness.

T-34 wrote: Which one produces smaller surface chips?

Pekkonen wrote: The file must be sharp and of high quality

I didn’t like Boshevsky Extra Clean. How I sawed curves on window sills (oak, 40 mm thick):

1. First about the straight cut. Not a single file cuts straight, they all go slightly to the side. You need to move the jigsaw “diagonally” to where the file goes, and not forward.
2. The guides don't work. Because of point 1 - the jigsaw does not cut straight forward, along the edge of the sole. If at the level of the sole the file can be forced to go straight, then from below it will go where it wants, the cut will not be vertical.
3. We mark the line for sawing with a sharp knife. Roundings - according to a pattern, such as a pan, plate, flower pot, etc.
4. When sawing, keep, say, the left part of the cut from 0 to 0.2 mm to the right of the marking line. Even if the file wants to tear out a sliver, it will break off along the marking line and everything will be beautiful. Remember to rotate the jigsaw when turning (around the file, not around some other point), and never push it sideways. The file is by no means a support for the jigsaw when turning.
5. If you actively push the jigsaw forward, the file will “stick” and go sideways at the bottom of the cut. Therefore, we make almost no effort forward at all. We're pressing a little, there's no hurry - we have to be careful. Even a slight decrease in the speed of the jigsaw means that you have pinched something somewhere.
6. Try sawing with different settings for the saw moving back and forth, choosing an effective and clean mode.
7. A file of normal quality was enough for me to make 20 centimeters of cutting, after which I had to push it forward by force, and it no longer worked smoothly. But it was a thick oak.
8. Take files that are very narrowed at the back, otherwise when turning the file will rub against the rear edge and go in the wrong place. The teeth are as fine as possible. The sharper the tooth, the faster the file will wear out, but the cut will be cleaner. I often used very narrow "circular" files.

plm wrote: I didn’t like Boshevsky Extra Clean. How I sawed curves on window sills (oak, 40 mm thick):

1. First about the straight cut. Not a single file cuts straight, they all go slightly to the side. You need to move the jigsaw “diagonally” to where the file goes, and not forward.
2. The guides don't work. Because of point 1 - the jigsaw does not cut straight forward, along the edge of the sole. If at the level of the sole the file can be forced to go straight, then from below it will go where it wants, the cut will not be vertical.
3. We mark the line for sawing with a sharp knife. Roundings - according to a pattern, such as a pan, plate, flower pot, etc.
4. When sawing, keep, say, the left part of the cut from 0 to 0.2 mm to the right of the marking line. Even if the file wants to tear out a sliver, it will break off along the marking line and everything will be beautiful. Remember to rotate the jigsaw when turning (around the file, not around some other point), and never push it sideways. The file is by no means a support for the jigsaw when turning.
5. If you actively push the jigsaw forward, the file will “stick” and go sideways at the bottom of the cut. Therefore, we make almost no effort forward at all. We're pressing a little, there's no hurry - we have to be careful. Even a slight decrease in the speed of the jigsaw means that you have pinched something somewhere.
6. Try sawing with different settings for the saw moving back and forth, choosing an effective and clean mode.
7. A file of normal quality was enough for me to make 20 centimeters of cutting, after which I had to push it forward by force, and it no longer worked smoothly. But it was a thick oak.
8. Take files that are very narrowed at the back, otherwise when turning the file will rub against the rear edge and go in the wrong place. The teeth are as fine as possible. The sharper the tooth, the faster the file will wear out, but the cut will be cleaner. I often used very narrow "circular" files.

Some features when choosing files

Pitch (t) is the distance between the tips of the teeth. In some countries, the pitch is designated TPI (teeth per inch). Measured by the number of teeth per inch (for example, TPI = 7, i.e. 7 teeth per inch). When cross-cutting wood, it is convenient to use a saw with a large tooth t = 3.5-6.5 mm (TPI = 7-3.5), for ordinary carpentry work - with a medium tooth t = 3-3.5 mm (TPI = 9 -7), for critical sawing - with a fine tooth t = 2-3 mm (TPI = 13-9). In this case, it is necessary to take into account the thickness of the material being cut.

It is easier to saw with a jigsaw when 5-8 saw teeth are used when cutting. If this rule is not followed, the blade will vibrate during operation, and the cutting line will turn out crooked and torn.

The stability of the saw blade when cutting in a straight line depends on the thickness of the file. For cutting thick workpieces, it is better to use circular saws.

It's time to mechanize your work!

Of course, no one is going to give up a regular hacksaw for wood. However, an electric tool works much faster and allows you to save not only time, but also your own effort. And the quality of work in this case is much better. And so, standing in front of a store stand and choosing their very first power cutting tool for wood, many home-conscious owners ask themselves the same question: “What to buy first, a jigsaw or a circular saw? Where to start building your home work arsenal? The situation is quite understandable, because not everyone can afford both – the budget, you know, is limited. Which tool should you choose? “In fact, the answer to this question is very simple,” say the developers of the AtakaTM cutting tool, “you just need to proceed from the work that you perform most often at this stage. If, for example, you are just mastering carpentry or carpentry, then you definitely don’t need a high-performance circular saw that cuts a bunch of large lumber in one fell swoop - for starters, a jigsaw will be enough for you.” Yes, in terms of its production characteristics and quality of cutting, the circular saw for wood has long overtaken the jigsaw. It is more universal in use. It can cut almost any material with the exception of hard metals. Using it on a machine, you can make edged boards of a wide variety of sections and from a variety of wood species; you can cut large sheets of plywood, chipboard, fiberboard, plasterboard, plastic - yes, in general, any building materials, for example, for building a country house. The circular saw easily makes both transverse, longitudinal, and inclined cuts, and even double-sided ones, and very accurately and cleanly. But do not rush to draw conclusions and sing odes of praise to the circular saw for wood. For all its versatility and productivity, it still can’t do everything. There are types of woodwork that she cannot do; Moreover, for which it is absolutely not suitable. For example, she will not be able to cut a beam 100mm thick, because the limit of her capabilities is 75mm. And a circular saw for wood cannot make curved cuts and cut holes of different shapes in a not very thick wooden sheet, select a rectangular recess, cut laminate flooring cleanly and without stakes, and so on. But the jigsaw copes with all this, although slowly, but easily. Only a jigsaw can make figured cutting, only it can round the cutout of a flat carpentry part or cut a recess in a beam or beam or select grooves. In addition, the jigsaw is quite light in weight and not very noisy. And there are also models that have a chip suction system. That is, a jigsaw is safer from a labor safety point of view. Or, for example, during the most common cross-cutting of a board, when working with a jigsaw you can control the accuracy of the cut line to the very end, while when working with a circular saw on wood, due to its design, the cut line is not always visible to the end - sometimes you have to complete the operation blindly. The main thing is that the jigsaw blades are well sharpened, otherwise the squareness of the cut will be disrupted.

Source: newsvo.ru

Correcting existing chips

Any master should know not only how to cut with a jigsaw without chips, but also how to fix them if they do appear, because it is almost impossible to avoid them.

There is an exit. The tool is used to cut off the workpiece with an allowance of approximately 2 mm, then the allowance is ground off with a belt sander or milled . In the latter case, the edge turns out much cleaner than after processing with a grinding machine. They mill mainly on a self-made tire. Spiral cutters will improve quality; you need to prepare 2 of them. If it is necessary to obtain pure form on one front side, use an ordinary 2-start cutter, on both sides - a 4-start cutter with 2 main branches, which have a left direction, and 2 cutting ones, which have a right direction. In this case, when cutting a workpiece, the lower branches pull the material upward, while the upper branches press it down. As a result, chips do not form on the edges.

illumination of the work area to increase control over the direction of the cut . Sawing metal panels, wooden countertops in the kitchen and other products with a device with a well-sharpened saw blade.

Using masking tape

Before sawing, you can glue masking tape to the plywood, then the cut will be cleaner. It is better to use masking tape rather than regular tape. It does not leave sticky residue on the plywood and is easy to remove. Make sure the tape is well attached before cutting.

This method isn't that bad. But personally I don't like this method.

Firstly, the tape often comes off when sawing and chips appear in these places.

Secondly, if you want to saw off plywood on which a picture made on a Pyroprinter has already been burned, there is a risk that small details of the image will remain on the masking tape.

Anti-splinter liner

This is a special pad for a specific brand of jigsaw. It is simply inserted between the jaws of the jigsaw and is not secured in any way. The insert is adjacent to the file, so it does not allow the pile of the top layer to rise (which is what causes chips), so the saw is smooth. Craftsmen advise using files from the same manufacturer as the jigsaw - the quality of the cut will be better with the use of an insert.

The inserts are sold in sets of 3-5 pieces. They are not eternal - they have to be changed periodically.

For example, an insert for a Bosch jigsaw costs about 400 rubles.

If you haven’t found an insert for your jigsaw or don’t want to buy one, then there is a small life hack from the craftsmen - stick ordinary tape in the place where you will be sawing. After this, you need to iron the tape well with your fingernail. Then saw directly on top of the tape. After that you delete it. The result will be similar to the liner.

You can also make such a sole yourself. Here is an example of how our client made a jigsaw pad from a thin sheet of tin.

But it is more convenient to make such a platform from a sheet of plexiglass. And stick it to the bottom of the jigsaw using double sided tape.

With a homemade insert you will also get a clean cut.

Shape cutting technologies

Jigsaw

As we noted above, a jigsaw will come in handy if we are looking for how to cut a word out of plywood or make other parts of complex shapes:

We transfer pre-printed drawings or templates onto the workpiece using carbon paper.

Figured carving with a jigsaw: photo of the finished product

• If the structure has through sections, we make starting holes with a thin drill.
• Insert a file or jigsaw blade into the hole. Secure the free end of the file with a fastening screw or clamp.
• We make a cut along the intended line, pressing the workpiece to the workbench. The saw moves either automatically (for electric jigsaws) or manually.

After all the arc elements have been sawn, we remove unnecessary areas and process the finished part with a file or sandpaper.

Finished hole

Fraser

A furniture router is great for cutting out thick plywood. Of course, you can’t make a complex shape with it, but cutting an arc or circle is easy:

• We fix the standard ruler included in the router in the center of the circle using a self-tapping screw.
• If the length of the ruler is not enough, you can assemble a simple bracket from a metal profile or wooden planks.
• By rotating the cutter along a fixed radius, we select a groove along the circumference, resulting in an almost perfect hole.

Bracket for router: with it you can cut a disc of almost any diameter

In this way, you can cut not only circles, but also individual arcs - for example, in order to make grooves for furniture brackets.

Using improvised means

For shaped elements, it is advisable to have special devices, but any craftsman may need to make a round hole in a slab of laminated veneer. Below we will tell you how to cut a circle from plywood when you have nothing at hand. Well, almost nothing:

• To cut plywood, use a wooden strip with two nails.
• One nail is driven through the strip into the workpiece, exactly in the center of the hole being made.
• We drive the second nail into the bar so that the point protrudes on the wrong side by at least 5-10 mm. The distance from the first nail should be equal to the radius of the hole being made.
• Rotating the bar, use the tip to draw a groove on the plywood, deepening it with each turn.
• Instead of a stick, you can use a strong cord. The operating principle remains unchanged.

Diagram of "threading" using nails. The sharper the nail used, the faster the hole will be made. It should be noted that although the price of such a device is low, it is worth using it only when other methods are not available: the edges still turn out to be far from ideal.

Carving techniques for beginners

Organization of the workplace is important. The master must work while sitting in a comfortable position, without bending or reaching with his hands to the place of work. For small parts, a sawing table is used.

They are on sale. But to gain first experience, it is better to cut it out with your own hands from a piece of thick plywood or board according to the following drawings:

The table is attached to a large work table with a clamp or self-tapping screws.

In some cases, it is more convenient to clamp the workpiece vertically with a clamp, then you will have to cut not from top to bottom, but horizontally, which is more convenient.

Sawing, using second plywood

Another way to get a very clean cut is to lay another sheet on top of the sheet of plywood you want to cut and clamp them together using clamps. The top sheet of plywood will prevent chips from forming on the bottom sheet of plywood.

The result is a clean and neat cut, no chips on the desired sheet of plywood. But the main disadvantage of this method is the large overuse of plywood.

Preparing the tool for work

When preparing a manual jigsaw, the most important thing is to insert the file correctly and ensure the tension of the blade using the threaded fastener. A weakened file will dangle, bend, will not be able to provide an even cut and may break. If it is overtightened, it may burst immediately.

The tension is determined by trial sawing. At first it’s better not to hold out. If the blade bends during sawing, it is tightened a quarter turn of the screw fastening. You may need to do this several times until the file starts cutting consistently. With some experience, the master immediately accurately adjusts the tension.

Files with an oblique tooth are inserted so that the tip is directed forward, as the sawing progresses. Straight-toothed files are inserted on either side, except when the sawing direction is indicated by an arrow on the blade.

There may be jigsaw frames without screw tension adjustment. In such designs, the frame itself is spring-loaded. Before installing the file, the frame is compressed with a special eccentric clamp, which should be included in the kit, or using a handy vice, clamps, or clamps. Then the file is inserted and the clamp is removed. The spring-loaded frame opens and provides optimal tension force.

Complex power tools are prepared in accordance with the Operating Instructions, or by generally known methods.

How to cut metal

A special metal file must be used. Its feature is small teeth.

With narrow or soft metal (aluminum, copper, etc.) you can set the engine speed higher. For better gliding and reducing friction forces in the cut, it is better to add a few drops of oil from time to time.

When cutting sheet metal, to obtain an even cut, it is better to slip a narrow plywood backing under it. Cutting will become much more convenient, since the sheet of metal will not vibrate much.

To confidently cut iron parts, the power of the jigsaw should be as high as possible. A good value for cutting metal is a value above 750 W.

What else do you need to know?

When you plan to saw off everything without chipping on one side, it is permissible to use files with both upper and lower teeth. Most craftsmen prefer small files with straight teeth. Such devices chip less material, but still work quite well. After cutting, it is best to process the ends with emery stretched over even bars. If you don’t have a ready-made crayon of a suitable color, you can mix different crayons, like paints in an artist’s palette, and get a new color.

To cut without errors and quickly, you must always take into account the brand markings. There is no generally binding designation standard yet, but almost all companies strictly follow the classification developed by Bosch specialists. Or at least they list it along with their own abbreviations and terms. CV saws (sometimes referred to as HCS) are well suited for cutting wood and wood-based products.

Hardwood files are intended for processing laminated panels (they are also useful, note, when processing hard wood).

Some inscriptions indicate in which mode the tool works optimally:

basic - a simple blade that allows you to make a clean cut of high quality;

speed - a device whose teeth are set apart (this allows you to cut faster);

clean - a blade that has not been cut (usually gives the cleanest cut).

If the workpiece is relatively thick, it is preferable to have a saw blade with large cutters that are not set apart, then the deviation from the vertical will be minimal. A longitudinal (relative to the fibers) incision is most often made with helical saws. For a transverse one, a straight blade is better suited. When you plan to make a piece of furniture, it is advisable to choose a less productive, but more accurate tool. Since most saws produced today cut the material as it is pulled in, the workpiece will need to be processed from the inside out.

Technical characteristics of jigsaws

Like other power tools, jigsaws vary in a number of ways. Performance characteristics determine what loads the model is designed for, what workpieces can be processed, and how productive it is.

Jigsaw power

The power of a jigsaw is the main parameter that determines the class of the tool. Household jigsaws, as a rule, include models with a power from 300 to 500 W, and professional ones - up to 900 W or more. The more powerful the electric motor, the more productive the tool. Productivity means maximum cutting depth, cutting speed, and continuous operation time. It is worth remembering that the more powerful the power tool, the more it weighs, the greater the load on the operator’s hand. Therefore, when choosing the power of a power tool, a reasonable balance is needed.

Jigsaw speed

The cutting speed depends on this characteristic - the larger its range, the more materials you can cut. High speed is suitable for soft wood, medium for dense wood materials, plastic and soft metals such as aluminum, low speed for steel. If you are choosing a jigsaw to work only with wood, a model with a maximum strokes per minute of up to 2500 is sufficient. For working with plastic and steel, it is better to choose a model with a number of strokes over 3000 per minute. The most versatile jigsaws are those that operate in a wide speed range from 0 to 3100 strokes/min.

Jigsaw cutting depth

This indicator determines what thickness of workpieces can be worked with with a jigsaw. Low-power household models are capable of processing wooden parts up to 70 mm thick, and steel parts up to 4 mm. Professional jigsaws have a longer saw stroke, so they are capable of cutting wood with a thickness of over 100 mm, aluminum sheets up to 20 mm thick, and steel up to 10 mm.

Of course, manufacturers indicate more characteristics, since their task is to provide the buyer with comprehensive information about the weight, dimensions and other consumer properties of the tool. But these three parameters are the main ones when choosing. Using them, you can determine the purpose of a particular jigsaw model and decide whether it is suitable for the specifics of your work.