Using a jigsaw. How to use a jigsaw: secrets of working with the tool

An electric jigsaw is one of those tools that craftsmen buy first. In this sense, only a drill can compete with it. Why?

There are probably good reasons for this:

• A jigsaw is a very versatile tool. Sags the most different materials, in any direction.
• The tool is simple, compact and inexpensive. Even a novice master with a modest budget can afford it.
• If you've worked primarily with hand tools, purchasing a jigsaw will dramatically improve your productivity and make your work much more enjoyable.

Choosing a jigsaw

We talked in detail about how to choose a jigsaw, how they differ and what to pay attention to. Let us briefly repeat the main points.

The power of a jigsaw affects its performance. The more power, the thicker the workpieces it can handle, and the faster the work.

Adjusting the speed of the electric motor and pumping up the blade is absolutely necessary if you work not only with soft wood, but also with other materials.

For one-time, simple work, any jigsaw model will do. But in general, the statement “more expensive is better” is true for jigsaws.

Principles of correct operation

After a jigsaw is purchased, the master must learn how to use it. A jigsaw is a simple tool. But even a hammer - which is easier - can be used in different ways.

There is a rule that knows no exceptions: there are no bad tools, only misused tools.

When using a jigsaw, the master has “three degrees of freedom.” The master must:

1. Choose the right equipment (file).
2. Set the optimal pumping amplitude and motor rotation speed.
3. Use the most appropriate working methods.

We can talk about each point for a long time, but we will try to highlight the main points.

Selection of equipment

A great variety of files are produced and sold. They differ in the type of steel from which they are made, the length and width of the blade, the shape and size of the tooth:

• The harder the material that needs to be sawed, the smaller the tooth on the selected file should be.
• For a curved cut, you need to choose a narrow file. For straight cuts - as wide as possible.
• The length is selected based on the thickness of the workpiece that needs to be cut.

There are especially many different saws produced for working with wood. For quick cross cuts, choose a saw with large, set teeth. A large pitch allows you to cut very quickly, but it causes a lot of chips. For a clean cut, the tooth must be smaller.

Metal cutting files are very similar to regular ones. hacksaw blade on metal.

The files must be sharp. For important and large work, stock them in sufficient quantities.

Paging and speed

Pumping can significantly increase cutting speed. It is usually turned on when you need to quickly saw a large piece of wood straight. In other cases, it doesn’t really help and can even make work difficult or worsen the quality of the cut.

Figure cutting is done with paging completely disabled. It is impossible to give general recommendations here. You need to try different modes. The best solution is to first practice on some scraps of material.

Inexperienced craftsmen tend to work with a jigsaw immediately at maximum speed. It is not right.

When cutting plastics, the file can become very hot at high speed and the plastic will begin to melt. Not all metals like high speeds.

Start at low speed and increase it, carefully monitoring the result. If the quality of the cut deteriorates - the number of chips increases, the file overheats, etc. - reduce the speed of the file.

Working methods

As has been said many times, an electric jigsaw is a tool for many uses. However, the variety of situations comes down to just three cases: straight sawing, curved cutting and cutting holes.

Straight cut

This is the simplest case. Draw a line with a pencil and smoothly move the jigsaw along it. The built-in laser pointer will be more than useful here. Sometimes it can be useful for such work rip fence, which is fixed to the jigsaw frame.

The saw blade speed can be set to maximum. Pumping will further increase cutting speed.

To maintain a straight line, you have to constantly “steer” the jigsaw. But even the most thorough “guidance” gives a mediocre result. In this type of work, a jigsaw is inferior to a circular saw in both cut quality and speed.

If straightness and evenness of the cut are critical to you, use a circular saw instead of a jigsaw.

Curvilinear cut

Such cuts are the native element of electric jigsaws. They were “born” for this.

The main secret of success is not to rush. Carefully mark the part. It is convenient to stick masking tape on the surface of the workpiece and draw lines with a pencil. Guide the jigsaw along the marking line, turning it slightly ahead. Small radius bends must be made especially slowly so that the forward movement for each saw stroke is minimal.

Cutting holes

This is one of those operations in which the jigsaw has no competitors. Typical examples: cutting a hole in a countertop to install a hob or sink, making a hole in a cabinet wall for an outlet, and thousands of other similar cases.

To cut a hole in a part, you first need to drill one or more “starter” holes using a drill. A jigsaw file is placed in them and the cut begins and ends in this hole.

If you have to cut a very large window, it is more convenient to cut it in parts.

Sawing at an angle to the surface of the part

All the cuts described above can be made not only perpendicular to the surface, but also at an arbitrary angle up to 45 degrees to the plane of the part. The need for such cuts arises, for example, if you need to connect two parts “on the mustache”.

• The working stroke of the jigsaw file is from bottom to top. On wooden workpieces, this causes chips to appear on the surface facing the jigsaw. To avoid them, turn the part face down.
• Sawing parts from the “wrong side” is not always convenient. In this case, there will be fewer chips if you cover the cut line with masking tape.
• Another way to avoid chipping is to use files with a special “reverse tooth”. However, with them the recoil becomes very noticeable and additional physical effort is required to hold the jigsaw.
• The jigsaw file is a very elastic element. Because of this, it bends during cutting, which, in turn, leads to the cutting plane moving to the side. The thicker the workpiece being cut, the greater the slip. To reduce it, use the sharpest saw blades and feed the jigsaw forward as slowly as possible.
• Thin metal, thin plywood, hardboard can rattle a lot during operation. Such parts need to be placed on a sheet of 10-12 mm plywood and this “sandwich” must be cut.

Don't forget about safety precautions

This is important, so it would be a good idea to reiterate the basic precautions.

1. Observe all normal requirements for working with electrical appliances.
2. Don’t be lazy to keep your workspace tidy: don’t keep unnecessary items at hand, remove accumulated sawdust and scraps more often, make sure there is good lighting.
3. If you don't like pulling splinters out of your fingers and removing sawdust from your eyes, use personal protective equipment: gloves, glasses or a protective mask.

Pay close attention to workplace organization. And the work will go faster, and your fingers will be intact.

Jigsaw care

Like any mechanism, a jigsaw requires care and maintenance. Especially if you use it frequently and intensively.

Practice shows that to increase the service life of a jigsaw, you need to regularly lubricate the gearbox and rod. In addition, lubricated tools are quieter and smoother.

The jigsaw motor shaft rotates on ball bearings. They are durable and can work without additional lubrication for the entire service life of the tool. But a jigsaw is not only an electric motor.

The rotation of the shaft is converted by a special mechanism into a reciprocating movement of the jigsaw rod. The pumping device adds longitudinal vibrations of the rod back and forth to these up and down movements. All this complex mechanics is assembled on plain bearings. The loads from the working nozzle are transferred to them. It’s a no brainer that lubrication is a vital component here.

For jigsaws, consistent types of lubricant are used. They must be sufficiently refractory. During operation, the mechanism heats up from friction in the nodes and from nearby electrical windings of the motor. In this case, ordinary lubricants are liquefied and squeezed out of the friction pairs.

We have selected a video for you that shows disassembling a jigsaw for subsequent lubrication:

Conclusion

The specificity of using a jigsaw is related precisely to its versatility. Cutting a part “without quality claims” is very simple. Knowledge of the intricacies and special techniques of working with a jigsaw will allow the master to complete the work not only quickly, but also efficiently.

And, of course, experience is important. No theory can replace it. Let us repeat here the advice given above: practice on pieces of unnecessary material, try different attachments, change operating modes.

And tell us about your observations in the comments!

A compact and convenient tool that greatly simplifies the process of cutting wood, metal and many other materials. The design of a jigsaw is relatively simple, but it has certain nuances, knowledge of which significantly increases the efficiency of using the device. In this article, we will talk about the structure of an electric jigsaw, provide a brief instruction on its operation and share a couple of interesting tricks.

Jigsaw device

The following short introduction was compiled to answer the question “What is a jigsaw” and “How does it work.” Since this is only a superficial analysis of the tool, we will not dive into the technical depths, but will only touch on the external functionality. We assure you that the information provided will fully clarify the general understanding of the concept of the device and form a clear picture of the principle of its operation.

First of all, you should pay attention to the shapes of jigsaws. They can be staple-shaped or straight with a mushroom-shaped handle. The first option is the most common and very convenient, but for the sake of fairness it is worth saying that working with a mushroom-shaped handle can be quite comfortable (especially in figured cutting).

Regardless of the shape of the handle, each jigsaw has a start button and its lock (for operation without holding). Also, any device of this type has a sole, which can be stamped or cast (on more expensive models). For miter cuts, the sole can be tilted using a key or lever installed on professional devices. Saw blades, making an average of 50 strokes per second, are installed in a special clamp, which can be a block, screw or quick-clamp.

Most modern models are equipped with a pendulum function (to speed up cutting), the regulator of which is located on the left side of the body, next to the file. If we look at the device of a jigsaw in more detail, we will notice that some models can be equipped with a backlight, a dust collector, a laser pointer, and others. useful devices. We talked about these and other functions.

For more experienced users who understand the structure of power tools, the following jigsaw diagram has been laid out. The model of a domestic manufacturer presented in analysis clearly demonstrates all the components of the “filling” of most standard devices.

How to insert a file into a jigsaw

With intensive use or when working with different types of materials, it often becomes necessary to replace the saw blade. Types of saw fastenings, on different models jigsaws may vary. To give the most detailed answer, we will consider each type of clamp separately.

Shoe clamp. Perhaps the simplest fastening of a file in a jigsaw, most often found in inexpensive copies. Consists of a block with two screws installed on the front side of the tool. It is universal, as it can fix saw blades with any shanks. When tightening this fastener, be careful and ensure that the file is level. To do this, tighten the screws evenly, a little each, and ideally check the evenness of the installed blade with a square.

Screw clamp. A more convenient and reliable mount, although it has only one screw installed on the side. To figure out how to change the file on a jigsaw with this type of clamp, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist. All you need to do is loosen fastener using a screwdriver or wrench, remove the old file, install a new one and screw it back on. The main thing is not to tighten the screw too much, otherwise the blade may “play” during operation.

Quick release mount. The most convenient clamp for a file, found on more or less expensive models. Does not require a wrench or screwdriver and is only suitable for blades with certain types of shanks (depending on the tool model). To install a file, just pull back the special lever with your finger and insert a new blade into the groove. There are several types of levers: frontal, lateral and radial (demonstrated in the next video).

Now that you know how to properly insert a file into a jigsaw, it’s time to move on to other, more practical things.

How to cut a circle with a jigsaw

Sometimes, many beginners and even experienced owners of electric jigsaws ask the question “How to make a perfectly even circle with this tool.” Tasks for accurate radius cutting do not appear often, and require a steady hand, ingenuity or financial expenditure from the operator. Below, we have given 3 ways to cut a circle with a jigsaw, starting from the most banal and ending with a rather interesting solution.

With your own hands. The most obvious, but very controversial option, for more or less experienced craftsmen. The speed in this case should be minimal, and it is better to install a vacuum cleaner near the workplace to promptly remove sawdust from the marking line. The evenness of the cut, in this case, depends only on the experience of the operator.

Compass. Some brands of electric jigsaws can be equipped with additional auxiliary devices, one of which is a compass. Unfortunately, not every tool model presented in the store can be improved through a simple purchase, since the equipment from one manufacturer simply will not fit another. Not all manufacturers provide for the possibility of expanding the functionality of the devices they produce, so choosing a compass for a jigsaw of your particular brand can be quite problematic. By the way, such trinkets cost between 1000 and 7000 rubles.

Homemade compass. Perhaps the most best option for the home handyman. For creating similar device All you need is a sheet of plywood of the size you need, a little PVA glue, and a dozen nails or clamps. With a device assembled from these materials, you can easily cut a hole in the countertop for a round sink with a jigsaw, cut out an opening for a decorative window, and make many perfectly even holes wherever you want. You can watch the detailed process of making a jigsaw compass in the video below.

Working with wood

Despite its solid functionality, an electric jigsaw is most often used to work with wood and its derivatives. The use of this device is always justified: from rough cutting of tens of meters of chipboard or timber, to delicate processing of laminate or plywood.

There is nothing tricky about how to work with a jigsaw: you press the start button and start processing the selected material. The most important thing is to carry out the work cleanly, evenly and as necessary, without chips. To make working with a jigsaw on wood successful, it is enough to know a few simple rules.

Speed. When working with wood, the maximum number of revolutions is permissible. If you need a more even cut, without chips, the speed is reduced. The optimal speed mode is set depending on the material being processed. If excess chips form on the surface, it is better to reduce the speed or change the saw blade.

Files. For rough cuts and thick wood, a saw with large teeth with an average pitch of 4 mm is suitable. More delicate straight cutting operations are best carried out with a blade with finer teeth and reverse sharpening is better. For figure cutting It is better to use a thin file with large teeth.

Cutting without chips. When an electric jigsaw is used to work with wood and its derivatives, the cutting line is almost always accompanied by unpleasant chips that spoil general form products. This defect is especially noticeable and undesirable on decorative and facing materials. Fortunately, this problem has a very simple and effective solution, called “Anti-splinter liner”.

This compact plexiglass device is installed in the sole of some jigsaw models and prevents the saw blade from tearing out pieces of material during operation. It should be noted that this method provides a clean cut only with files whose teeth are directed upward. Unfortunately, not every manufacturer produces such inserts, and they are not universal.

If such an improvement is not provided for your jigsaw model, you can make it yourself from a piece of plywood or plexiglass. The video below “how to work with a jigsaw on wood without chipping” clearly demonstrates the process of making such an improvised liner.

A little trick. If you need to make a clean cut, but there is no liner and it is not possible to make your own, ordinary tape can come to the rescue. Just stick a strip along the cut line and it will be much neater.

Metal cutting

Not every file can cope with the strong structure of metals such as steel and even aluminum. To make your work with this material most effective, just follow simple rules.

1. Set the minimum frequency of saw strokes. Unlike wood, where working at maximum speed is permissible, the dense structure of the metal will simply dull saws even with the strongest teeth. In this case, the presence of a regulator will be very useful, which will eliminate the need to buy a special electric jigsaw for metal.
2. Use saw blades marked HSS (High Speed ​​Steel). There are many types of canvases, and before purchasing, you should have a clear understanding of the thickness and density of the material you will be working with. For soft, sheet aluminum, the usual T118A is suitable, and for cutting steel, 3-6 cm thick, a T118B metal jigsaw file is suitable. Where is the first letter “T”, the name of the shank, which may not fit your instrument (more details about fasteners are written above).

Plastic cutting

A fairly fragile and at the same time elastic (depending on the purpose) material, which also has a fairly low melting point. To understand once and for all how to properly cut plastic with a jigsaw, you should know only 2 simple rules.

1. It is better to keep the cutting speed below average. Of course, plastic does not have the hardness of metal to deform the teeth of a saw blade, but a high stroke rate can simply melt it.
2. There are special files for working with this material, but if they are not available, you can use standard ones for wood or metal. Suitable files for cutting are T101A (where A is a small tooth), T101B (B is a larger tooth) and T101X (X is universal for wood, plastic and metal).

Safety precautions

Being even the most experienced craftsmen who have studied the tool inside and out, we, by chance, can be exposed to harmful influences during its operation. We are also talking about banal cuts, severed limbs, loss of vision, and less predictable effects associated with hearing loss and nervous system disorders with all that entails. It may seem that safety rules when working with a jigsaw are mostly needed by professionals who work with this device for several hours a day. We recommend that everyone try to follow the rules below at all times.

1. Protective means. Safety glasses, gloves, respirator, earmuffs and a hat if the operator has long hair.
2. Safety precautions with an electric jigsaw strictly prohibit using the tool while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as well as under the influence of medications that affect attention and concentration. Stress or sleepiness can also cause injury.
3. Before use, check the condition of the electric jigsaw. Make sure that there is no obvious damage to the cable or device body. Holding the jigsaw suspended, turn it on and press the start button to check the serviceability of the mechanism.
4. When using an electric jigsaw, place your free hand to the side of the direction of the tool, but not in front of it. Do not point the jigsaw sideways or towards you. The movement of the tool during work should be directed only away from you. Make sure that electrical cable did not fall under a running saw blade.
5. Upon completion of work, unplug the jigsaw, clean the body of sawdust and check for damage. Do not leave the tool on the floor, but put it in a dry and preferably ventilated place.

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7 uses of a jigsaw - instructions from Dnipro-M

An electric jigsaw is widely used for working with sheet materials. It will be useful in repairs, carpentry or furniture workshops. Using a jigsaw you can cut soft wood,plastic,drywall, as well as such complex materials as ceramic tile and metal. Depending on the hardness and brittleness of the material, as well as the type of cut you want to achieve, the technique for working with it will have some features. In this article we will talk about how to cut the most popular building materials.

Why do you need a jigsaw?

Most often, an electric jigsaw is used for making wood products. This tool is widely used in furniture production, where it is used to make elements and parts of various shapes.

If when working with an electric jigsaw choose the right consumables and cutting mode, then you can:

• make straight and curved cuts;
• cut circles without damaging the sheet;
• cut thin metal;
• make products from wood up to 10 cm thick (the Dnipro-M LE-110R jigsaw model cuts bars 11 cm);
• cut plastic;
• sawing ceramic and porcelain tiles.

At the same time, you also need to choose the right one. The pitch of the teeth, their length, and material are taken into account.

Getting started: how to turn on the jigsaw and start cutting

1. Working with an electric jigsaw begins with a visual inspection. Tool and power cable must not have visible damage.
2. Next, install the saw blade (it should always be removed before storage).
3. Before you start working with a jigsaw, setup is carried out. First of all, the frequency of movement of the nail file suitable for the material is selected. If you want to make an edge cut, you need to set the cutting angle. This is easy to do on Dnipro-M electric jigsaws thanks to the inclined sole. If the task allows it, it turns on pendulum stroke, and the amplitude of movement of the canvas is selected.
4. If necessary, a parallel stop or compass is installed to make holes in the workpiece.
5. If your work generates a lot of dust, connect a vacuum cleaner.

The main purpose of a jigsaw is getting an even cut. It's the easiest way to do it.

The first step is to make markings that will serve as a guide during work. If the edge of the workpiece is smooth and you just need to make it smaller, use rip fence. It is a T-shaped device that is attached to the sole of an electric jigsaw.

To reduce saw wear, a pendulum motion is activated. You need to move the jigsaw slowly, without jerking. Moving or jerking too quickly will have a negative effect on the cut line and additional processing (such as sanding) will be required.

A curved cut, like a straight cut, starts with markings. You should definitely connect a vacuum cleaner or turn on the blower to remove debris from the markings.

Sawing out figured products with a jigsaw is carried out without pendulum stroke. In this case, a narrow one is used, which allows you to easily change the direction of movement.

Cutting a circle in a workpiece is one of the most difficult tasks for a beginner. But there is nothing incredible about it, since you can quickly learn how to work with a jigsaw correctly.

1. Disable the pendulum stroke.
2. Make the markings.
3. Drill a hole for the saw blade.
4. Install the stop compass and get to work.

You can make a compass with your own hands. To do this you will need a flat board and a self-tapping screw. The jigsaw is securely fixed to the block. Next, measure out the required segment (equal to the radius of the circle), and screw a self-tapping screw into the center, which will serve as the axis of rotation.

An electric jigsaw can serve as an alternative in cases where you need to work with profiles, pipes, sheet metal. It is this material that puts the highest load on the instrument and files. Be prepared for what's needed take breaks from work and change consumables often.

The maximum thickness of metal that household and semi-professional jigsaws can work with is 10 mm.

Before cutting metal with a jigsaw, you need to select special saw blades.

A set of metal files Dnipro-M T 118 A are made of hard steel and are excellent for straight cuts. In order to reduce wear and prevent melting of the working part, use the pendulum function.

The electric jigsaw was created for working with wood, and therefore it is not at all strange that most of work is carried out with this material. Moreover, with equal success you can cut:

• solid wood;
• lumber;
• pressed wood.

Depending on the thickness of the material, different blades are used. Moreover, they will differ not only in length, but in the frequency and size of the teeth. The thinner the material, the smaller and denser the teeth should be to each other..

To obtain a clean cut on thick wood, use saws with progressive teeth that gradually become smaller.

A modern jigsaw is a high-tech tool that allows you to cut various building materials at high speed. Moreover, thanks to their design characteristics The presented equipment can be used both for making straight and curved (curly) cuts, as well as beveled cuts.

However, if the choice of a jigsaw is largely related to the consumer criteria of the device, then correct operation of the equipment allows you to extend its service life and protect the consumer from injury and disfigurement. The relevance of this topic is also due to the fact that not many users know how to use a jigsaw correctly.

Tool operating modes

It is no secret that the quality of the cut and the durability of the jigsaw largely depend on the correct choice of operating modes. And since most designs of modern jigsaws allow you to change the frequency of movement of the file and its transverse movement, it is these criteria that should be varied to achieve the most optimal result.

Wood sawing

Due to the fact that wood is a soft material, it is advisable to cut wood at high speeds (hardwoods are an exception). Moreover, the use of the pendulum (transverse) stroke function in this case is justified only when working with thick wood materials. And although most optimal mode The pendulum mechanism can be determined experimentally; however, power tool manufacturers advise adhering to the following recommendations:

• When the workpiece thickness is up to 30 mm, the pendulum mechanism is not used;
• When the workpiece thickness is from 30 to 50 mm, the pendulum mechanism switches to position I;
• When the workpiece thickness is over 50 mm, the pendulum mechanism switches to position II.

In general, it should be understood that the inclusion of the pendulum function, although it increases work productivity (cutting speed), at the same time significantly worsens the quality of the cut. Therefore, it is advisable not to use this mode when working with finishing materials such as laminate, parquet, furniture chipboard, etc.

Metal sawing

For many users, it may be a secret that you can cut metal products with a jigsaw. And all that is necessary for this is to install the appropriate equipment and follow the basic recommendations.

So, when working with metal, the pendulum mechanism should be turned off, and the speed of movement of the file should vary from 30 to 40% of the maximum. In this case, it is very important to provide the cutting area with an emulsion (water with machine oil) to extend the service life of the replaceable tool and reduce the mechanical loads on the drive part of the electrical equipment. In addition, it should be understood that metal cutting using a jigsaw is a rather labor-intensive and time-consuming task. Therefore, during operation, it is necessary to periodically stop the tool to cool it.

Cutting plastic materials

A jigsaw is used with great success for sawing plastic, plexiglass, textolite and similar components. And although the listed positions are not distinguished by high hardness, nevertheless, in order to avoid their deformation (chips, melting), they should be cut off at low speeds using saws with fine teeth.

Tile processing

If it is necessary to form curved cuts on tiles, a jigsaw can also become an impeccable assistant. However, to achieve optimal performance, the following recommendations should be followed:

• When processing, the maximum area of ​​the tile should lie on the table surface;
• The use of specialized interchangeable tools is mandatory;
• The saw stroke frequency should be below average, without turning on the pendulum.

Choosing files for an electric jigsaw

Using saw blades for purposes other than their intended purpose can cause their deformation and cause failure of the tool itself. Therefore for various types operations, only specialized equipment should be used.

Thus, for sawing soft wood-based building materials, it is justified to use saws with the middle tooth pointing upward. However, it should be understood that the existing set of teeth can cause damage to the front surface of the edges of the materials being cut, which is why experts recommend cutting construction components such as laminate, MDF, plastic from the back side, for which the material is simply turned “face down”.

If such a solution is not applicable, you can use reverse saws (the teeth are directed downwards), but in this case the jigsaw will vibrate strongly, creating inconvenience for the performer.

When is a jigsaw supposed to be used for cutting? metal products, then you should use specialized metal files, which in tooth shape resemble ordinary blades and are capable of working for a long time. Also, to obtain a clean cut, many experts recommend using metal files and for cutting soft finishing materials(laminate, parquet). However, in this case, you should remember about the possible overheating of the equipment due to the increase in the duration of its operation.

When working with ceramic materials, diamond-coated saw blades should be used, and work should be performed only in exceptional cases (for example, for curved cuts).

In addition, regardless of the type of materials being cut, when making curved cuts, preference should be given to less narrow files.

Jigsaw technology

Before using a jigsaw, you should perform preparatory work, namely: prepare the base, install a removable file (tightening the clamps properly) and connect the power supply.

If we talk about the features of working with an electric jigsaw, then the following points should be highlighted:

The cutting process should not be accompanied by excessive pressure on the jigsaw, pushing it forward. After all, not only can the workpiece be deformed in this case, but the likelihood of a saw blade breaking significantly increases, and the load on the tool drive also increases. That is, the performer’s task when using the tool is reduced to maintaining the desired direction, and the jigsaw will do the rest of the work itself.

In the case of straight cuts, it is advisable to use special clamps that will rest on the end edge of the material, thereby forming an equal indent along the entire length of the cut. If you need to make round or oval cuts, then a round cutter operating on the principle of a compass would be an ideal option for this work.

If it is necessary to cut thin sheet metal, experts recommend placing a sheet of plywood under the workpiece and cutting the materials together, which will minimize the deformation of the sheet.

Particular attention should be paid to safety precautions (especially if the jigsaw is turned over and operated in a stationary installation mode) and personal protective equipment should be used.

In order to reduce the load on the tool drive, it is recommended to change the files in a timely manner (as they become dull), and also to carry out all routine maintenance(lubrication, removal of debris, replacement of brushes) in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

In addition, the use of additional options that make the operator's work easier is justified. So, to obtain an inclined cut, it is enough to set the support sole at a given angle. A laser pointer will help determine the location of the intended cut, and a dust collector will ensure “clean work.”

Every man, being a true owner, must not only have repair tools in his arsenal, but also be able to use them in practice. We will talk about one of the modern tools, namely the jigsaw. Let's figure out what kind of device this is and how to work with it.

An electric jigsaw is designed for cutting various sheet materials. Depending on the purpose, jigsaws are:

• professional;
• semi-professional:
• household

The differences are technical specifications And functionality tools.

Before you learn how to use a jigsaw, you need to familiarize yourself with its structure. The tool consists of:

1. Aluminum housing.
2. Electric motor. Powerful device will be able to cut thicker and stronger material.
3. Gearbox covers.
4. Pendulum control buttons. The pendulum mechanism allows you to make an accurate cut of materials with low density (soft wood, plywood, foam).
5. Covers and brackets that ensure safe operation.
6. Support roller for guiding the saw.
7. Chip blower regulator.
8. Regulator of the number of saw strokes, on which the speed of its movement depends.
9. Plate tilt regulator. It allows you to cut wood at an angle of 15, 30, 45 and 90 degrees.
10. Laser guide. Allows you to adhere to the drawn cutting line.
11. A quick-release chuck that performs the functions of a saw.
12. A battery, thanks to which you can cut with a jigsaw for some time without connecting to the network.

Choosing saws for a jigsaw

Saws are purchased separately and selected depending on the material of the cutting blade and whether what kind of cut do you need: straight or curly. The packaging indicates the purpose of the saws, what material they are made of, as well as the direction and size of the teeth.

What can you cut with a jigsaw?

• wood, plywood;
• drywall;
• metal;
• aluminum;
• Styrofoam;
• glass;
• ceramics;
• rubber;
• skin;
• carpets.

This or that type of saw is selected depending on what you need to saw off.

Let's look at the types of jigsaw saws and determine what each of them can do.

Saws are:

1. With wide canvas. Designed for cutting blades in a straight line. With this type of saw, you don't need to put in a lot of effort, just adjust the direction a little. For a more accurate cutting line, you need to enable the “ Smooth start", in which the engine gradually gains speed.
   
   
   
2. Narrow saw. Needed for cutting material along a curved line. To cut with maximum precision, use a tool with a rotating head. The rotation radius of the head depends on the selected jigsaw model.
   
3. With large teeth. Their purpose is to cut quickly, but the quality leaves much to be desired.
   
   
   
4. Saws with fine teeth and with a thin cloth you can cut out the most complex shapes.
   
   
   

The quality of the jigsaw depends on the method of fastening the file. When processing thick sheets with high material density, it is necessary to use equipment with rigid mounting.

Working with dull saws can lead to to tool breakage, due to the increased load on the jigsaw motor. The quality of the cut will also decrease.

Additional accessories

An electric jigsaw is a hand-held tool, however, if necessary, it can be secured using thrust beam and parallel stop.

Sometimes you need to saw off a part covered with a layer of paint or varnish, and you really don’t want to scratch it. For this case it is provided plastic shoe or self-adhesive felt.

In addition to nail files, the tool can be equipped with rasp and sanding attachments. Thanks to the former, the corners are rounded, and with the help of the latter, the finished product is cleaned.

Some models include the use pendulum mechanism, thanks to which the sawing process is accelerated. This function is good for making rough cuts, as the quality and accuracy of the cut line is reduced. When working with plastic and metal, the use of a pendulum mechanism is unacceptable.

When working with a jigsaw, a lot of fine dust is generated, which harms the respiratory system. You can get rid of it by connecting it to the device pipe construction vacuum cleaner, which will draw in all the dust generated while the electric jigsaw is operating.

If purchasing two tools is too expensive, a jigsaw will be enough for the job. with blowing function working area.

How to prepare the instrument

It will be useful for beginners in this business to learn how to work with a jigsaw correctly, but first we will talk about preparing the tool for use:

1. The first step is to carefully study the operating instructions for the electrical appliance.
2. Visually evaluate appearance device for damage: cracks, chips, cable integrity.
3. Select a saw according to the quality of the material you will be working with.
4. Select the appropriate mode. Here are some examples: to work with soft trees, you need to set the maximum speed and use a pendulum mechanism. If you need to cut a sheet of chipboard, then leave the cutting blade at a high speed, but the pendulum mechanism will be superfluous here because it will contribute to the appearance of chips.

To avoid injury, you must adhere to safety precautions when working with a jigsaw: wear safety glasses and gloves.

Marking

Applying markings is an important detail, because you need to avoid chips on the front side of the part. Please note that chips often form on the side of the sheet that is located towards the person working. Most often this applies to chipboard and fiberboard sheets. Based on this, markings need to be applied on the back side, and place the canvas facing away from you.

Advice. The cutting process can be simplified by the presence of a laser guide, with the help of which the correct line is maintained.

For an accurate cut, you need to mark without allowances, and guide the saw near the marking line. For ease of work, the workpiece must be secured using a bench clamp or sawing table.

Our tips will help you learn how to cut correctly with an electric jigsaw:

1. Stronger doesn't mean better. This refers to the force of pressure on the device during operation. This style of sawing will cause the tool to break. Proper Use jigsaw involves firmly fixing the device in your hand and directing the saw in the desired direction.
2. When processing thin sheets of metal, vibration occurs. To eliminate it, you need to reduce the speed of the saw and place a sheet of plywood under the metal. When sawing such material, a large load is placed on the jigsaw motor, so you should periodically turn off the device to allow the motor to cool down.
3. For high-quality and accurate cutting, you need to secure the workpiece.
4. To avoid chipping on the bottom or top side of, for example, laminated chipboard, you need to choose the right saw or turn the board the right way. But if there is a need to get a cut without chipping on both sides, then you need to put a small piece of the same board on top of the chipboard and start sawing. The chip will remain on the additional material, and the required slab will have a clean cut.
5. To prevent chips from appearing, you can resort to this trick: stick tape along the markings.
6. When sawing such fragile material as plastic, we recommend installing a saw with medium-sized teeth, turning off the pendulum mechanism and setting the saw to the lowest speed.
7. In the event that it is necessary to cut out a part with a closed contour, but it is impossible to start sawing from the edge, then convenient location drill a hole, insert an electric jigsaw into it and continue working.
8. To cut plexiglass or non-ferrous metals, the saw must be treated with machine oil.

We hope that our tips will help you, and if you have any additional questions about how to properly use an electric jigsaw, you can always watch the training video.

As it turns out, a jigsaw is an indispensable tool in everyday life that even a beginner can handle. And with the right approach and work experience, you can not only make straight cuts, but also cut out various shaped details for decoration.