How To Use A Jigsaw
The jigsaw is a very versatile tool, which saw a variety of materials in any direction. The tool is simple, compact, and inexpensive. Even a novice master with a modest budget can afford it. If you have worked primarily with hand tools, buying a jigsaw will increase your productivity and make your work a lot more enjoyable. Depending on the field of application, the jigsaw is divided into two main classes: household and professional. The tool’s design is equipped with a saw fixed in a unique frame regardless of the type.
For home use, small-sized devices for cutting materials are used. Such jigsaws can be manual or electrically operated. Each type of tool has its own technical and design characteristics. The manual jigsaw belongs to the most straightforward type. Likewise, it consists of a frame, a saw blade with clamps, and a handle. It is used mainly for small jobs requiring a sure accuracy of sawing. The manual jigsaw allows you to perform artistic cutting of the material. But its use requires patience and skill. The sawing speed of a manual fixture is low, so it is not advisable to use it for large volumes.
On the other hand, the electric jigsaw is powered by an electrical network and is considered the most convenient tool. It allows you to quickly and accurately cut any material. The depth of cut mainly depends on the power of the device. For modern appliances, this figure can be from 200 to 900 watts. For domestic use, electric jigsaws with low power are suitable. They have a relatively low cost and do an excellent job of sawing wood products to a depth of 50 millimeters and metal – 23 millimeters. More complex jobs require the use of tools with the highest technical parameters. After that, you need to know how to use a jigsaw.
How to turn on and start using an electric jigsaw
Before starting work, it is necessary to inspect the electric jigsaw visually. Ensure that the network cable and case are intact and check the connection to the mains. Choose a suitable saw blade where it should always be removed after use. Then check the integrity and install the saw blade. Set up the tool and choose the appropriate frequency of the saw blade. If necessary, set the inclination angle or connect the pendulum stroke and use a parallel stop or compass stop. After that, plug in a vacuum cleaner if the job involves generating a lot of dust.
General cutting rules with a jigsaw
To cut correctly and evenly, it is necessary to adhere to the following rules:
- Carefully choose a file that is suitable for your source material.
- Prepare all the necessary auxiliary items.
- Carefully fix the workpiece.
- Take into account the correct location of the workpiece so that you do not have to correct flaws – in some cases, the canvas is located face down.
- Work out the technique of controlling the device with the help of professionals or through a training video.
- Carefully observe safety precautions.
Using a jigsaw is not a difficult task that any novice carpenter can do. Even if an even and neat cut does not work right away, do not despair. You need to assess what nuances perhaps you ignored soberly. And do not ignore the advice of professionals who can speed up the process of mastering the art, how to saw with a jigsaw, and discover some secrets. Try and improve.
In most cases, the process of direct and figured cutting of materials requires the utmost precision of the tool. This statement is most accurate for an electric jigsaw. The thin saw blades used in this machine can easily change the cutting angle, adversely affecting line accuracy. The clarity of the edges of the product and the evenness of the cutting line depends on the operator’s skills, the serviceability of the device, and the saw.
How to use a Jigsaw
This will depend on the type of material you want to cut. Continue reading the article to know to use a jigsaw.
- How to make a curved cut with a jigsaw
To cut material in curves using a jigsaw, you must select a narrow saw blade for the specific material. As with a straight cut, it is necessary to mark the workpiece before starting work. And before using the saw blade, a larger hole must be drilled in the workpiece. Sawing is carried out without a pendulum stroke where the accuracy of the cut increases the use of compasses. Then you need to set the maximum stroke rate.
- How to cut circles
Before starting work with a jigsaw, it is necessary to mark the material. In most cases, before cutting circles in the workpiece, a hole is pre-drilled from which the cut begins. Use a narrow file designed for the material being processed. It is necessary to turn off the pendulum stroke. For convenience and accuracy, use a compass. Then hold the jigsaw evenly without pressure.
- How to make a straight cut sheet of materials
For straight cuts, a wide saw blade is the best. It is easier to manage without spending a lot of effort but only slightly adjusting the direction. A soft start is also important. With this function, the tool gradually gains momentum, providing easy control and, as a result, a smooth cut. Before starting work, it is necessary to make markup, and the work piece must be securely fixed. The use of a rip fence or guide rail helps to simplify the work.
- How to cut a tree
Sawing wood species are performed with a standard saw blade, and the medium-sized teeth are directed upwards with a tooth pitch of 2.5 to 4 mm. The length of the file should be selected following the thickness of the workpiece. The stroke rate is set to maximum. This indicator should be reduced if the canvas is prone to overheat or discomfort during the operation. To increase the sawing speed, you must turn on the pendulum stroke. Since it negatively affects the quality of the cut, it should be used when fast work is important and the quality of the cut is not particularly important.
Work should be on the back of the material to avoid damage to the product. Before sawing, the workpiece must be marked. Then, the tool must be pressed evenly to the surface and smoothly guided when sawing. It is unnecessary to push it firmly forward because it advances in the material itself when it cuts, especially when the pendulum mechanism is turned on.
- How to cut chipboard, laminate
You need to choose the blade where the experts recommend using a reverse cut file. True, in the work process, a feeling of discomfort may arise due to increased vibration, but the quality of the cut will not suffer. If sawing is performed with a conventional saw, work is carried out on the processed material’s backside.
The stroke frequency must be set to the maximum. To not form chips, the pendulum mechanism must be turned off. The tool must be pressed firmly against the material’s surface, where it must be guided smoothly without strong pressure.
- How to cut metal
When sawing the metal surfaces using a jigsaw, a small-tooth file is used with the tooth pitch being 1 to 2 mm. such a file resembles a hacksaw blade and can be used to cut other materials to increase the purity of the cut. The sawing speed must be set as low as possible.
When doing this, make sure the pendulum movement is entirely disabled. The tool on the workpiece must be moved slowly without pressure. After that, the tin sheet must be firmly fixed by positioning it in advance so that the cutting line is as close as possible to the support.
- How to cut plastic
If you want to cut plastic with a jigsaw, it is better to use a blade with a small tooth, similar to that for metal. This will improve the overall quality of the work. Set the jigsaw settings individually, depending on the type of plastic. The pendulum stroke is set to the minimum position or completely turned off to obtain a smooth cut. Then the speed should not be more than 40% of the maximum.
- How to cut tiles
When it comes to cutting tiles, you need to choose the right blade. To work on this material, a special blade is used without teeth. Abrasive materials are applied to the surface of such files. Essentially, cutting tiles is rarely used because the consumption of cloths, in this case, is too high. After that, the pendulum motion is turned off. Cutting work is carried out at the minimum established speed.
Conclusion
A jigsaw is an important tool if you want to cut different surfaces. The specificity of using this tool is connected precisely with its versatility. It is very easy to cut without claims to quality. Knowing the intricacies and special techniques of working with a jigsaw will allow you to complete the work quickly and with high quality.
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