Well      06/16/2019

Smooth cutting of material with a jigsaw. High-quality cutting with a jigsaw. A jigsaw cuts at an angle.

More recently, our fathers and grandfathers used hand tool. No one even dreamed of an electric planer, an electric drill, or a jigsaw. Nowadays, hand tools are becoming a thing of the past. Electric analogs are taking its place. One of them is a jigsaw.

When you buy a jigsaw, you get a universal tool. They can cut wood, iron, plastic and even. You just need to purchase files that are designed to work with

You will need
Safety glasses, gloves, machine oil.
Instructions about how to cut with a jigsaw:
1. The movement of the jigsaw blade may cause vibration to your workpiece, so secure the material well before starting work. It is not recommended to cut wood along the grain with a jigsaw because it will be very difficult for you to make an even cut. A circular saw is best suited for such purposes. If you don’t have such a saw at hand, be sure to use a rip fence. One end of it is attached to the jigsaw, and the other rests against the edge of the workpiece. This way you can achieve a more even cut.
2. If you need to cut a circle inside a workpiece, first drill a hole in the circle. Paste into drilled hole jigsaw and start moving towards the markings you made on the workpiece. If you need to cut a square or rectangular hole, do not try to cut right angles right away. First, smoothly go around them, reaching the marking of the next side. When you cut the desired hole, you can easily adjust the corners of your workpiece on both sides.
3. When working with a jigsaw, do not press it hard. This can lead to heating of the canvas and its breakage. Do not use one file for a very long time, as long work she is dumb. A dull file can cause nicks on the edges of the material. When cutting hard materials, lubricate the blade with a few drops of machine oil. This will make the jigsaw easier to work with and will extend the life of the file.

4. When working at low speeds, give the jigsaw a break. When working this way, there is a risk of engine overheating.
Don't forget to follow safety precautions. Wear safety glasses and gloves. After work, clean and lubricate.

How to cut with a jigsaw correctly

The tool allows you to cut almost any material, namely metal, wood, plastic, ceramics, and even stone. The cutting blade is capable of making mortise, straight, curved cuts, as well as cutting circles. In this article we will look at how to cut with a jigsaw correctly to ensure that the cut corresponds to the given markings.

The electric jigsaw can have a normal and pendulum stroke. During normal operation, the blade moves vertically, cutting material as it moves upward. The tool, which has a pendulum stroke, additionally, when moving upward, feeds the blade forward. At the same time, a higher operating speed is achieved, and blade wear is also reduced due to the deflection of the file in the opposite direction when moving down. A reasonable question arises about how to saw with a jigsaw with a pendulum stroke? The work is done in exactly the same way, but it is taken into account that at maximum saw deflection it is best to cut soft wood and plastic. At chipboard cutting, MDF, soft metal, thick wood, it is necessary to reduce the amplitude of movement of the blade. This mode is not recommended to be used at all when working with steel sheets mi.

How to saw with a jigsaw along a curve

For sawing round hole you need to drill an initial hole in the workpiece, into which the file is then inserted. After that, a cut is made according to the mark. If you have to cut a rectangular or square hole, then the cutting is done in a straight line to each edge, after which the blade is pulled back a little and carried along a curved line to the next side. So all four sides are cut. After removing the sawn area, the remaining triangular parts are cut out.

If it is not possible to make an initial hole in the workpiece, then plunge sawing can be used. To do this, the working jigsaw is tilted forward until the file reaches the workpiece. Gradually, the file will do in the workpiece through hole. The cutting point of the saw blade should be located in the cutting part of the workpiece.

A jigsaw is capable of cutting bevels, as a result of which the edge of the resulting product will have an even cut in one direction. For such a cut, it is necessary to change the angle of installation of the jigsaw ski, and then make the cut.

How to cut smoothly with a jigsaw

How to cut smoothly with a jigsaw? This is the easiest way. It is enough to attach the guide to the jigsaw and then slide it over the edge of the workpiece. Now the saw will move evenly, relative to the edge. If the edge of the workpiece is curved, cutting is carried out according to preliminary markings applied to the workpiece.

If you are cutting thin wooden sheet, then there is a high probability of chips appearing on the front part of the product, since the file cuts the material when moving upward. To prevent this phenomenon, it is recommended to place the workpiece front side down or use anti-splinter liners.

Jigsaw

Without a grain of irony, we can say that a jigsaw is an indispensable assistant in the home of any owner. It can cope with a wide variety of tasks - it can cut out ovals, waves and other intricate shapes from almost any material: be it wood, plastic, stone, steel or even ceramic tiles.

Functionality

A jigsaw is used for cutting various types of wood, fiberboard, chipboard, non-ferrous metals and steel, plastic, ceramic tiles, glass, some types of stone. With this tool you can make straight, curved or plunge cuts. Moreover, a jigsaw is the most skillful tool for cutting circles of different diameters, ovals, waves and other complex shapes.

Cutting a hole in the countertop, for example, for a sink in the kitchen, or making original platbands for the dacha with your own hands is not a problem! Everyone can feel like a jack of all trades with modern power tools.

If we talk about him professional use, then I must say: this tool is necessary in the work of a construction carpenter and a carpenter with an artistic bent, a furniture designer, a woodworker, a plasterboarder, as well as those who are involved in the manufacture of the most complex parts with the highest precision.

Types and characteristics

Let's start with the fact that, like all power tools, jigsaws can be professional and household. The former are distinguished by greater electric motor power (from 580 W to 720 W), while the latter have sufficient potential for robots at home (with a power of 350 W). For comparison: “home” jigsaws cut wood up to 50 mm thick, metal up to 23 mm; but with the help of a “pro” you can achieve a cutting depth in wood from 85 to 135 mm, in metal - 10–20 mm. The higher the power of the tool, the greater the thickness of the material it can handle. But this only means that for doing work at home, “household” indicators are quite sufficient.

Use all jigsaws to cut out a hole with a radius of at least 15 mm. In addition, when choosing a “home assistant”, pay attention to its characteristics - if the minimum frequency of saw strokes is below 1000 per minute, then it “will not take plastic”.

Jigsaws are also divided according to the type of body: with a bracket handle and a mushroom-shaped handle. It is quite difficult to give preference to one of these types; each is convenient to use in its own way. Therefore, manufacturers often meet the consumer halfway and produce the same model (according to technical specifications) in different versions.

You can also classify jigsaws according to the principle of saw attachment: for a saw blade with a cross-shaped shank, with a smooth shank and with a shank with a hole. The first two types are most widespread, as they are suitable for most models of jigsaws.

Design Features

First of all, let’s pay attention to several nuances of the tool’s design. Each jigsaw is equipped with a support sole, which rests on the part being cut, thereby ensuring precision work. To make bevel cuts, the sole rotates within ±450. There are also models with the ability to fix the jigsaw only at an angle of 0/15/30/450.

The cutting element of a jigsaw is a file. It can be made from different materials, have different shape, size, method of sharpening and setting teeth. For cutting materials with low density, saws with a length of 75, 85 or 100 mm are suitable. The pitch size of the saw is also important: for wood, the optimal pitch is from 2.5 to 4 mm; for metal - 12 mm. To work with materials such as glass and ceramics, saw blades (the same saws) with an abrasive coating are designed. Non-ferrous metals are cut using saws with a wave-shaped cutting edge.

Operating principle

Let's face it, the principle of operation of a jigsaw is quite simple. The file is securely attached to the slider using a screw (it is inserted in one movement, and removed even easier by pressing a button) and makes reciprocating movements with an adjustable (which is important!) frequency of up to 3000 strokes. All modern jigsaws have a multi-stage pendulum stroke, which ensures that the saw blade is deflected when moving downwards. Thanks to this function, the file cuts only when moving upward, thereby extending its service life and increasing productivity.

During operation, the jigsaw is held with one hand, so the weight of the tool matters. The most lightweight model weighs 1.6 kg, and the heaviest - up to 2.8 kg. But it should be remembered: the larger the mass of the jigsaw, the more powerful it is. Equally important is the presence of control electronics in jigsaws, which ensures setting the stroke frequency at different loads and processing various materials. As a result, even at the lowest stroke frequency, the tool operates at full capacity.

Expensive modifications of jigsaws are equipped with so-called constant electronics, which automatically maintains the selected number of double strokes per minute, regardless of the load on the working tool.

Some modern models electric jigsaws, a system for removing sawdust is provided. They are blown away by the air flow supplied by the electric motor cooling fan. This ensures ease of use, since the sawdust does not cover the pre-applied markings on the material. And so that the operator does not breathe dust and workplace is not clogged, a special device can be used to connect a vacuum cleaner.

For ease of use during a long process, so as not to constantly hold the start button pressed, almost all models of jigsaws are equipped with a switch lock button.

To protect the operator, the tool is equipped with transparent safety guards. There are also models with a special touch protection mechanism.

Additional accessories

In principle, a jigsaw does not require special conditions for effective work, it can work quite “independently”. But there are still some devices that increase its “working capacity”.

To make the work more precise (for example, when processing small workpieces), use a special table for sawing, secured with a clamp on the work table. Cutting on it happens in reverse: it is not the jigsaw that moves, but the workpiece. The result is more accurate curved cutting lines.

To ensure normal sliding of the jigsaw over the surface being processed, another additional device is used - a replaceable plate (it can be made of different materials), which is attached to the support sole. More precise straight cutting lines are obtained thanks to the guide rail and its adapter.

It is not recommended to process many materials without pre-cooling; this problem can be solved by a reservoir with cooled liquid attached to the support base.

A universal lubricant is excellent for “care” of the tool itself: it will cool and lubricate, and accordingly, extend the service life of the saw blade.

Tips for working with a jigsaw:

When working with a jigsaw, do not press the saw blade under any circumstances, otherwise it will become very hot and, as a result, may become unusable.
When cutting steel sheets, it is advisable to use a powerful jigsaw at high speed - the material heats up and becomes more pliable.
Without additional cooling, it is not recommended to process various plastics (especially organic glass), as well as hard materials(for example, stainless steel).
To avoid severe melting of the edges of the plastic, it is necessary to cut it at the lowest speed, but with a saw speed of at least 1000 rpm.
For figured sawing A narrow saw blade with fine teeth is used.
In places where there is no access to power, cordless jigsaws are used, but their power is low.
Like all power tools, after finishing work, the jigsaw should be blown out and placed in a briefcase or strong case.

sawing a jigsaw with a jigsaw How to saw with a jigsaw. A jigsaw is essentially a saw with an electric drive.

How to saw with a jigsaw? First of all, you should have light. And the light should come from the left. You should sit upright and comfortably. The legs are bent at a right angle at the knees. Left hand sits quietly on the table and holds the workpiece. All tools are at hand. When sawing, fine dust falls, so it is better to wear a mask. But if this seems unnecessary to you, then breathe through your nose. Wear an apron to protect you from dust.

You can use a jigsaw to cut out curved and straight parts.

What is required for work

Materials and tools:

  • table;
  • jigsaw and file;
  • triangular awl;
  • plywood;
  • Workbench;
  • protractor;
  • pencil;
  • carbon paper;
  • sandpaper;
  • PVA glue;
  • varnish, watercolor or gouache for coloring.

Varnishes and paints are optional.

  1. Selection of plywood. When purchasing a sheet, consider it carefully. Choose plywood that has fewer cracks, knots, chips, and that clearly does not delaminate. It is better if it is birch plywood, because it is light and uniform.
  2. Preparing plywood for work. Take medium-grain sandpaper and sand the sheet along the layers. Then repeat with fine-grained sandpaper. It turned out silky smooth surface? This means you can proceed to the next stage.
  3. Translation of the drawing. Place a carbon copy, put a drawing on it and attach it to the plywood so that it takes up as much space as possible less space. Trace carefully and clearly with a pencil. Take your time. It is better to place a ruler on straight lines. Clarity is needed so as not to squint when sawing.

Return to contents

Starting jigsaw work

Place the workpiece with the pattern on the table, sit comfortably and, holding it with your left hand, take the jigsaw by the handle with your right.

Place a saw on the workpiece and begin sawing. To begin with, my advice is to take a simple, training job, mainly with rectangular parts. Dollhouse, for example, or a birdhouse.

They are easy to saw with a jigsaw, and the first quick job will bring great satisfaction. Having received an initial positive experience, you can safely complicate the tasks.

Return to contents

Continued work

For convenience and ease of work, special devices are used.

The jigsaw blade should move evenly and slowly. It is strictly perpendicular to the workpiece. This rule must not be forgotten. And remember, a jigsaw always cuts with an up-and-down motion only.

When sawing sharp corners It’s more convenient to cut with a jigsaw on each side alternately. Then the sawing will be clear. And keep in mind that the gap between the pattern and the cut line should be no more than 0.5 mm.

This is necessary later for filing with a file. If the jigsaw comes off the drawing, this can be corrected later by cleaning it. If the workpiece has internal contours, then they should be cut with a jigsaw first.

Without damaging the marking lines, you need to make a hole with a triangular awl or drill so that you can install a jigsaw file in it. This must be done carefully by placing a piece of wood under the future hole. Then the product will not have chips.

If sawing is required on bends, then, without stopping sawing, slowly turn the plywood until the desired direction is reached. Then you can safely cut with a jigsaw according to the drawing.

When cutting, the file must be strictly perpendicular to the workpiece.

  1. Cleaning up. The main thing is to take your time. Use sandpaper to clean the ribs and the back of the part so that there are no burrs, go over the front part again, and the internal holes can be worked out with a round file.
  2. Assembly and gluing. If this is your first experience and you started with simple product, then the assembly will not confuse you. Having gained experience, using the drawings you will be able to subsequently assemble and complex designs. And there is nothing special about gluing either. Apply a little glue to the ribs, tie tightly with strong thread and lay out to dry. It will take about a quarter of an hour, half an hour.
  3. Product finishing. To decorate the entire product or individual elements You can use watercolor in the most ordinary way. But just in case, apply watercolor to an unnecessary piece of plywood, see what shade it turns out and how it lays down. You need to varnish the craft with wood varnish, preferably colorless, and a glue brush. Try to varnish without drips or streaks. This requires precision. Do not dry it outside - dust will settle on the varnish. It will turn out ugly, rough. Read the instructions on the varnish can carefully.

Return to contents

Sawing with a jigsaw

When working with a jigsaw, you must carefully observe safety precautions, wear glasses, gloves, carefully secure the workpiece and do not touch the cutting blade.

How to cut with a jigsaw? When working, you must follow safety precautions.

The operating instructions must be carefully studied. Make sure the cord is not damaged. The insulation must be perfect. Check the strength of the fastening of the jigsaw blade. It must be firmly secured.

To avoid injury, do not allow contact with the cutting blade of the jigsaw.

The jigsaw blade must match the material being cut.

Wear safety glasses when working, otherwise shrapnel may damage your eyes. It is desirable to have a system for removing debris from the web in order to see the processing line. Don't lift weights.

Turn off the jigsaw and wait for it to stop completely when you tear the tool off the product. Start and finish work with low feed.

Do not use high engine speeds. And lastly, to ensure that your jigsaw serves you for a long time, lubricate and clean it.

Types of materials for work:

  • various types of wood;
  • plastic;
  • brick;
  • ceramic tile;
  • drywall;
  • non-ferrous metals and even steel.

Naturally, this will require a set of files used for a specific material.

A jigsaw, along with a drill, grinder and other tools, is one of the necessary attributes home handyman. The need to implement the inherent properties in the design gives rise to a reasonable desire to use the tool competently. The main requirement is to perform precise, even cuts on workpieces and parts. Why does this depend? What knowledge is needed?

Performing a technological operation for sawing or creating figured cutting involves the formation of a line corresponding to the assigned task. That is, the cut must be smooth with minimal tolerances for deviation.

The following requirements are necessary:

  • Ensuring tight abutment of mating surfaces.
  • Creating minimal gaps.
  • Formation of the correct geometry of the structure from machined parts.
  • Attractive appearance cutting lines and details in general.

Briefly about the tool

A jigsaw is a mini saw that makes human work easier. The tool processes wood and its derivatives, metal blanks and plastic. The principle of operation is to transmit oscillatory movements to the cutting tool in vertical plane. Moving up and down, in parallel with the translational movement, the jigsaw makes a cut in the semi-finished product.

In addition to vertical reciprocating movements, some power tool models are equipped with a pendulum stroke. Feature - the file moves in a vertical plane and simultaneously back and forth. That is, in the working position, the teeth are in contact with the material. In the counter-move, the file moves back, interrupting the interaction.

Design features

Using a jigsaw correctly means, first of all, knowing its structure and technical capabilities.

  • bed . It is the base on which the remaining elements of the tool are attached. The platform must be level, rigid and strong - the correct direction of the file depends on this, and, accordingly, the ability to make an accurate cut. In addition, the massiveness of the base eliminates vibrations that occur during operation.
  • Frame . It combines the main components - the engine, gearbox, saw blade attachment system, controls. It is carried out in two forms - with an arched (staple-shaped) handle or a "mushroom" ("ironing"). Ergonomics, - the convenience of gripping the tool, indirectly affects the performance of operations with minimal tolerances for deviation.
  • Blade fastening mechanism . Reliability of fixation, absence of free movements (backlash), keeping the direction in one plane is one of the technical possibilities for precise sawing.

Useful equipment

The implementation of an even seam is facilitated by a number of devices produced for the jigsaw:

  • Compass stop . Required for precise cutting of a circle.
  • Parallel side stop . Designed for straight cuts. The straightness of the seam depends on the condition of the side (supporting) side.
  • Guide rail . Allows you to make precise straight cuts at a distance of 20 centimeters or more.
  • Platform overlay. Reduces the coefficient of friction and increases sliding on the surface of the workpiece.
  • Anti-scratch liner. Reduces the likelihood of chipping. Useful for processing laminated materials.

Characteristics affecting cutting accuracy

A jigsaw has certain characteristics that indirectly or directly affect the nature of the cut. For clarity, the indicators are summarized in a table.

Characteristic Note
Power Affects productivity, speed and depth of cut. That is, more powerful unit It is easier to saw the workpiece without applying external force than with weak force. The likelihood of vibration, bending of the file, and yaw to the side will be reduced
Speed ​​(rpm) The indicator is important for choosing the sawing mode for a particular material. Affects cutting speed. High for softwood, low for steel
Smooth start The function allows you to smoothly, without jerking and impact, start the cutting operation. The moment the seam is formed depends on the initial cut - whether it hits the trajectory exactly or at an angle.
Weight Increasing the weight of the tool reduces the effect of vibration, pull to the side
Saw stroke Directly related to power. When processing thick parts, weak units operate in peak mode, at the limit of their capabilities. Consequence - increased vibration, bending of the file, departure from the path
Pendulum stroke Speeds up the cutting process, but the quality of the cut deteriorates
Speed ​​adjustment Allows you to select optimal mode cutting according to the characteristics of the workpiece material
Maintain rpm under load The stability of the movement of the cutting tool during the processing of the material, allows you to create a smooth, without chips and departure from the trajectory sawing seam
Airflow direction Blowing the cutting zone with an air flow from a fan that cools the engine sweeps away sawdust. Improved visibility of the cutting point
Illumination of the cutting area Backlight working area increases visual control over the cutting direction

Important point , - no matter what the characteristics of the tool, a poor-quality assembly can nullify the capabilities of the device.

Cutting tool

The second most important element of a jigsaw affects the cutting accuracy.

File parameters:

  • Blade length . In addition to power, it determines the thickness of the workpiece. Size mismatch leads to peak operating conditions and vibration. The fact of breaking the seam is very likely - an increase in width, the formation of uneven edges.
  • Blade width . Increasing the size helps maintain the cutting direction. Narrow files are convenient for making curved lines.
  • Thickness of the canvas. Increases the rigidity of the cutting attachment, - reduces the likelihood of drift to the side. The perpendicularity of the file to the surface of the workpiece is maintained. The quality of the cut increases.
  • Tooth pitch. Determines the type of material being processed. The 3~6mm setting is for rough wood processing. 2~3 mm – clean laminate cut, furniture panels, parquet boards. Up to 1 mm – metal processing. For the convenience of the consumer, markings are applied on the side - the inscriptions "wood", "metal", etc.
  • Set of teeth. Allows you to create a seam size that does not interfere with the movement of the fabric. There is no possibility of jamming or distortion.
  • File material. Affects the strength, rigidity and sharpness of the teeth. The distortion of any parameter affects the quality of the seam.

Files for work on ceramics, glass, polymers are produced. Right choice cutting tool is one of the guarantees of an accurate cut. An additional factor is the sharpness of the teeth. A blunt file does not make a smooth cut.

Processed material

The type of material being processed, its thickness quite strongly affects the quality of processing. The use of wood saws for sawing blanks of pine, larch or oak leads to different results due to the strength properties of wood.

Another example, working with different types steel, stainless steel and black iron. Here there is a difference in strength, viscosity, and fragility.

Cutting the workpiece

Working with semi-finished products consists of several stages:

  • Familiarization with the processed material and its properties.
  • Choice of cutting mode, selection of the necessary cutting tool (sawing file), auxiliary equipment.
  • Checking the performance of the jigsaw, the serviceability of individual elements, the absence of play in moving parts.

Cutting down a tree

Stages of work:

  • The technical capabilities of the jigsaw with the geometric parameters of the workpiece and the material being processed are checked:
  • Working stroke – part thickness – saw blade length.
  • Type of wood – saw blade thickness – tooth size.
  • Tree properties - cutting mode (stroke frequency).
  • The need for a pendulum function. For a clean cut, the function is disabled. Speed ​​is important - a pendulum stroke is used, but the accuracy of the cut is reduced.
  • The issue of using additional equipment is being considered. The decision depends on the requirements for the evenness of the cut and the magnitude of the errors.
  • The workplace is being prepared. Main characteristics stands - ensuring strength, rigidity and stability. Another property is the flatness of the table surface.
  • The cutting line is marked. If there are no restrictions on the brightness of the line, then it is advisable to use a black marker. In another option, it is advisable to use a pencil - its traces can be wiped with a student's eraser.
  • The workpiece is fixed on the table. The main requirement is a strong fixation that limits displacement on all sides. The protruding part, if necessary, is weighted with additional supports. This is necessary to reduce the effect of the mass being cut off on the main part and the file. It is necessary to ensure free movement of the cutter in a vertical position.

Wood cutting

A jigsaw connected to the mains is installed on the surface of the workpiece. The front of the platform must be flat against the workpiece. Deviations from these recommendations can lead to impact at the beginning of cutting, increased vibration, and the saw moving off the path.

The “Soft Start” function helps to increase the initial accuracy - the engine smoothly picks up speed, the cutting process is carried out in normal mode. The jigsaw must be moved slowly, without jerking, at low speed. Constantly carry out visual control over the position of the cutting point and marking.

Helps in this process laser ray, illumination of the cutting line and blowing - removes chips from the markings. B O Greater cutting accuracy will be ensured by tracking the file itself, or more precisely, the place of contact with the workpiece.

  1. Thick pieces of soft wood, more than 40~60 mm, must be cut at a minimum longitudinal feed. Increasing the pressure in this direction will increase the risk of curvature of the cutting plane - the lower part of the cut will move 1~5 mm to one side. That is, an inclined cut is formed. These recommendations are valid for dense and hard wood, glued products, but with less thickness.
  2. It is advisable to carry out longitudinal cutting (along the grain) of wood with the pendulum function turned on. In addition to increasing the processing speed, the likelihood of the file moving to the side will be reduced and the cutting accuracy will increase.
  3. The use of auxiliary equipment is not a panacea; you should not rely entirely on devices. Constant control over the progress of the process is required - it is better to interrupt sawing in time than to make an irreparable mistake.
  4. It is advisable to use a side stop when the side of the part has a flat edge. You can check it with a ruler, a carpenter's square, a rule, or a laser level.
  5. An increase in cutting resistance is evidence of dull saw teeth. Another indicator is strong heating of the cutting tool, a change in color, up to blue-iridescent shades.

Processing of laminated wood

The difference from ordinary wood is the application of several layers of additional coating on one or both sides. One of them, on the front part, performs strength, protective and decorative functions. For example, laminate parquet board, furniture panels.

A special feature of the processing is the maximum preservation of the front surface during the cutting process. Requirements for fastening are similar to wooden blanks. The nuance is in the location of the part itself, up or down with the front part. It depends on the saw - with forward or reverse motion.

Chips on the surface are formed on the side facing the jigsaw in forward mode - the saw teeth are directed upward. The adjustment involves turning the product face down. Another option is to use a tool with downward-pointing cutters. The negative effect is increased vibration during processing.

  1. The pendulum stroke is disabled.
  2. Maximum stroke rate.
  3. File for a clean cut. On the side there is the inscription “clean cut” or “clean”.
  4. The tooth size is no more than 2 mm. It is allowed to use a metal file.

Curvilinear cut

Making curved lines and circles is one of the types of processing, for which, in fact, a jigsaw is needed.

Creating a hole:

  • A hole is drilled in the body of the workpiece, with a diameter of O larger than the file size by 2~3 mm.
  • A cutter is passed inside the freshly made opening.
  • The transition to the main cutting line is carried out along a curved path - along an arc.
  1. The accuracy of a curved cut will be ensured by a narrow file, called a “file for figured cutting.”
  2. Increasing the cutting accuracy is the use of a stop-compass.
  3. Mode: maximum stroke rate, minimum longitudinal feed (movement along the cutting line), pendulum stroke disabled.
  4. Cutting the surface without drilling:
  • The front edge of the sole is set outside the markings at an angle to the plane of the workpiece, approximately 45~60 degrees.
  • Reducing the inclination, smoothly bring the file to the surface of the workpiece. Without applying pressure, the parts are cut into the body.
  • Bring the sole to the plane without interrupting the cutting process.
  • Continue cutting along the required trajectory.

In this method, internal holes are made, with a curved (oval, circle) generatrix or at different angles between adjacent sides (rectangle, rhombus, trapezoid).

We saw metal

Features – the thickness of the workpiece, depending on the power of the jigsaw and the type of steel, does not exceed 10~12 mm.

Cutter, mode:

  • Metal file, tooth no more than 1 mm (outwardly resembles a 300 mm saw blade for a hacksaw for metal). The inscription is metal.
  • The stroke frequency is minimal.
  • The pendulum mechanism is not activated.
  1. A thin workpiece (up to 2~5 mm), in order to increase the cutting accuracy, reduce vibration and chatter, must be secured between two sheets of furniture fiberboard. Markings should be made on the auxiliary surface.
  2. Metal, due to increased loads during sawing, must be carefully secured. Ensure free movement of the saw blade in a vertical position.
  3. The long end of the cut part is fixed in an additional support.
  4. The initial moment of sawing should be very smooth, without any sudden contact of the file with the metal.
  5. Increased accuracy is facilitated by the use of a lubricant - machine oil is applied in drops along the cutting line.
  6. It is advisable to cut thick workpieces with breaks to cool the file and jigsaw.

Sawing tiles

The jigsaw is successfully used for processing tiles or natural stone. Process Feature:

  • A combination of fragility and strength of the material.
  • Increased hardness and abrasiveness.
  • Accelerated cutter wear.
  • The pendulum mechanism is disabled.
  • Minimum speed.
  • The use of a special file - with applied abrasive material (diamond grit, electrocorundum, etc.).
  • Smooth movement along the cutting line at low feed.

A jigsaw is convenient for making curved cuts on tiles; other methods are complex and require special equipment.

The requirements for fixing the product are similar to those for other materials. It is recommended to use water or oil wetting - this improves cutting conditions and increases processing accuracy.

Conclusion

So, the components of a precise cut:

  • Availability of a properly adjusted jigsaw.
  • Durable hard work table.
  • Reliable fixation of the workpiece.
  • Correct markings.
  • Use, if necessary, additional equipment.
  • The confident hand of a master.

Without any exaggeration, a tool such as a jigsaw is an indispensable assistant in every house. Using such a tool, you can easily cut out a wide variety of shapes from a wide variety of materials. The jigsaw is one of the most convenient tools for cutting circles, ovals and other complex shapes.

So how to cut correctly and evenly with a jigsaw? You must follow the instructions, and for this you will also need:

  • protective glasses;
  • machine oil;
  • gloves;
  • jigsaw

In order to cut smoothly with a jigsaw, you must proceed as follows:

  1. Before starting work, it is necessary to strengthen the material with maximum strength. It is strongly not recommended to cut along the grain, as in this case it is very difficult to achieve evenness. In this regard, it is best to use a circular saw; if such a tool is not available, you can use a rip fence. Such a parallel stop must be attached at one end to the jigsaw, and the other end must rest against the edge of the workpiece. This is how the most even cut is made.
  2. If it is necessary to make a cut inside the workpiece, then first make a hole in the circle. Then you should insert a jigsaw into the hole made and begin moving in the direction of the marking. After the desired hole has been cut, the corners of the workpiece can be easily adjusted on both sides.
  3. In order to cut correctly with a jigsaw, you should not use force when pressing the tool. Otherwise, the blade will heat up quickly, which may lead to damage. You should not use one file for a long time, as it becomes dull quite quickly. And such a file makes burrs on the edges of the material, which significantly impairs the quality of the work. If we are talking about cutting materials of increased hardness, then the blade must be lubricated with a small amount of machine oil. This will make it easier to work with the file, and the service life of the file will be significantly extended.
  4. When working with a jigsaw at low speeds, the jigsaw needs a break, since in such a process the engine often overheats. At the same time, it is necessary to strictly observe safety precautions; the presence of protective glasses and gloves is simply necessary. After the work is completed, the tool must be cleaned and lubricated.

Return to contents

Process Features

The electric jigsaw comes with pendulum and conventional stroke. When the stroke is normal, the blade must be moved vertically, and the material is cut as it moves upward. The operating speed is quite high, the blade wears out significantly less.

As for working with a jigsaw with a pendulum stroke, the principle of operation is the same, but you need to take into account that it is best to work with soft wood and plastic, but it is better to refuse cutting steel sheets with such a tool.

If you need to cut a round hole, then an initial hole is drilled in the workpiece, then a file must be inserted there.

Then you should cut along the mark. If you want to make a hole in the form of a square or rectangle, then you need to cut in a straight line. Then the cut out area is removed and the remaining parts, which are in the shape of a triangle, are cut out.

If it is not possible to make an initial hole in the workpiece, it is advisable to make plunge sawing. Wherein electric jigsaw leans forward until the saw reaches the workpiece. Thus, the file makes a through-type hole in the workpiece. You can use a jigsaw to cut bevels.

When working with a jigsaw, it is necessary that the table is stable, the material is securely fixed and the correct saw is selected.

Sawing with a jigsaw so that everything is even is not at all difficult. A guide is fixed on the tool, which is then wound up behind the edge of the workpiece.

If everything is done exactly this way, then the movements of the file are carried out smoothly and without much effort. If the edge is curved, you need to cut out according to the markings that should have been made before.

If you need to cut a sheet of wood that is small in thickness, chips may appear. In order to prevent this phenomenon, the workpiece should be positioned face down.

When sawing laminated chipboard jigsaw has to deal with the following problems:

  • uneven cutting line
  • chips on the surface of the chipboard
  • end irregularity

To solve these problems, there are the following methods.

To ensure an even cutting line, it is recommended to use bimetallic files. They cut better and, therefore, the likelihood that the file will move to the side decreases. It is also recommended to use a file with set teeth ( T144DF), then the cut is obtained as even as possible. The same file will provide an end strictly perpendicular to the surface due to its thickness.

To get a perfectly even cut, you can use clamps to attach a metal corner to the part being cut parallel to the cut line at some distance from it. For different jigsaw models, this distance may be different, for example, for a jigsaw Makita 4329 it is equal to 37 mm

The disadvantage of this file is that the teeth are too large, resulting in a lot of chips. To avoid this, you can use a special anti-splinter liner and/or stick masking tape on the chipboard along the cut line on the top side (or better on both). In this way, almost perfect cutting quality can be achieved. If you are professionally engaged in the manufacture of furniture, then this method certainly will not work (insufficient quality and low productivity), but for homemade furniture will do just fine.

You can also use a saw T318BF. It is specially designed for sawing laminated chipboards and provides a clean cut with virtually no chips. But unlike T144DF it is not so thick and its teeth are not so far apart, as a result of which there is a high probability that the file will move away and the cut will turn out to be uneven.

home » Tools for working in the country.

The electric jigsaw is the most convenient and universal tool For complex work on wood. With its help you can produce artistic carving, preparation various parts for carpentry and solve other problems.

Operating procedure

To obtain best result work, you need to know how to cut correctly with a jigsaw.

  • The material being processed must be securely fastened. Poor workpiece fastening is one of the main causes of errors when cutting. The jigsaw can jump off, go off the markings, or even go in an arc. By the way, if the jigsaw cuts crookedly, check whether the direction of the cut coincides with the direction of the fibers.

    If this is the case, then it is better to make a cut circular saw.

  • When it becomes necessary to make a cut on the inside of the workpiece, you should first drill a hole at the starting point.
  • When working with the tool, do not use much force. An electric tool cuts wood quite well and without excessive pressure. If you apply serious force to advance the jigsaw, the saw and motor will become very hot and the risk of damage increases. Besides, overpressure - main reason chipped
  • When cutting hard rocks wood, it is advisable to add a little machine oil to the canvas.
  • Sometimes you have to work at low speeds. In this case, it is necessary to take frequent breaks from work, as the saw becomes very hot.

Accuracy problems

Let's look at how to cut smoothly with a jigsaw:

  1. The object to be processed must be securely fastened. Moreover, in such a way that it would be convenient to make the cut.
  2. In cases of particular uncertainty or for greater guarantee of accuracy, it makes sense to use guides. When making straight cuts, you can use it as a guide. wooden block, fixed along the marking. If the cut shape is complex, then the situation becomes more complicated. In this case, you can use patterns, if any, or you will have to reduce the speed of work by more carefully guiding the jigsaw.
  3. One of the options why a jigsaw cuts crookedly is problems with the saw. It may be dull or have chipped teeth. Noticing that the jigsaw literally turns itself where it likes, inspect the saw.
  4. Jigsaw failure. For example, if the motor runs jerkily, the likelihood of a crooked cut increases dramatically. Likewise, other mechanism failures can lead to a decrease in accuracy. Such problems are difficult to fix on the spot, as diagnostics are required, and possibly repairs.
  5. Finally, the accuracy of the work is greatly influenced by the skill of the performer. If you are a novice carpenter, do not get upset because of periodic failures: accuracy comes with experience.

Chips

Another serious question is how to cut with a jigsaw without chipping? These are usually formed:

  • when pressing the instrument excessively;
  • when working on thin material near edges without reinforcing stops;
  • when using unsuitable (worn) saws.

Avoid these actions and you will reduce the likelihood of chipping to a minimum. Also, some models allow the use of special anti-splinter inserts for a jigsaw.

Anyone who has ever had to cut chipboard or wood with a jigsaw knows that they almost never do without chips on the material.

You can, of course, use special files for finishing cuts.

Smooth cutting of material with a jigsaw

For example this one. But even they do not always provide a chip-free cut. So what should we do?

Let's see why chips occur. Watch how the chip appears. When the finishing saw goes down, the teeth come out of the material, practically without sawing it or forming any chips. On the contrary, they saw upwards and the teeth at the exit cling to the material and break it out. Near a tree, adjacent fibers cling, while chipboard has chips along with a coating.

Now try sawing two layers of chipboard at once. You will find that the bottom layer has been sawn clean on both sides. If you think a little, it is not difficult to understand why this happened.

This happened because upper layer Chipboard did not allow chips to form.

By carrying out these small observations and experiments, you can quite easily solve the problem of cutting with a jigsaw without chipping. So what should you do?

I would like to draw your attention to the fact that when drilling holes, the same picture is observed: at the exit of the drill, chips also easily form, so you need to press down some unnecessary detail from the exit side of the drill when drilling through holes.

Alexander Klimov

Carpentry tricks Jan 21, 2014

Get access to the premium section

Smooth cut with an electric jigsaw. How?

Homemade device for precise cutting of boards with a hand-held circular saw

With a standard hand-held circular saw it is extremely difficult to make precise cross-cutting of boards. To get the perfect cut in accordance with the markings, a simple homemade device, easily made from scraps in your home workshop.

The saw is designed for perpendicular cuts of boards ranging from 100mm to 250mm wide in 50mm increments, but can be easily modified to suit your needs.

How a Hand Saw Attachment Works

The device in question is extremely simple and consists of only a few parts: a base for the saw, a guide rail, a thrust block and an eccentric clamp that ensures reliable fixation even on lumber that has been loosened with slight deviations in width.

Diagram of a device for a hand-held circular saw.

The homemade product is very easy to use. First, markings are made on the board.

Then a homemade device is installed on top, the lower stop of which is pressed against the edge of the workpiece, and the right edge is aligned with the mark.

Photo of a device for a circular saw.

Photo of the device - view from the bottom.

Now all that remains is to place the circular saw on the base and make the cut, pressing the edge of the sole against the guide side stop.

Cross cutting of boards using a manufactured device.

The result will be perfect even cut, exactly repeating the markup.

With this device it is convenient to make many cross cuts when you need to frequently move the tool to a new cutting line, for example, when making grooves in beams. It is also useful if it is necessary to reduce the length of the workpiece by several millimeters, and it will cope with this task no worse than a miter saw.

How to make a device with your own hands

The cutting device is manufactured for specific model power tool. On your circular saw, measure the distance from the engine to the bottom plane of the sole and subtract 5 mm. The result obtained is the height of the guide stop.

Removal the right sizes circular saw.

Prepare a plywood base with right angles and wooden slats with parallel edges.

Blanks for assembling a device for cross-cutting with a circular saw.

Measure the distance from cutting disc to the edge of the sole.

Add an allowance of 6–10 mm and install a guide rail at this distance from the right end of the plywood. Secure the plank with countersunk screws, ensuring its strictly perpendicular position.

Screw with reverse side stop block and fix the device on the workbench.

Cut the plywood to the final width with a circular saw, creating a reference edge for precise positioning of the jig along the markings.

Draw a template for the cam clamp cam on paper.

Drawing of an eccentric clamp.

Mark the piece on 10mm plywood and use an awl to mark the center of the drill hole for the bolt.

Cut the workpiece with a jigsaw.

Make a washer with a diameter of 50 mm from the same plywood using a ballerina extendable wood drill.

Sand the workpieces and select an M6 or M8 furniture bolt with a mustache (or with a square headrest), a handwheel nut, a washer and a bushing. The latter can be made from a tube of suitable diameter. The length of the sleeve is the total thickness of the base, lever and plywood washer.

Ready-made plywood eccentric.

Make holes in the base with a drill according to the diameter of the bushing, which serve to rearrange the eccentric clamp according to the width of the board being cut.

Hole drilling diagram.

Assemble the eccentric mechanism: insert a bolt with a sleeve on top, and install a wooden washer, the cam itself and a steel washer from below. Tighten the parts with a nut.

Stick with inside stop strip sandpaper to prevent slipping when the eccentric is locked, which can occur when the device is fastened to a smoothly planed workpiece.

The clamping system of this device has a stroke that ensures fastening on boards with a spread of approximately 10 mm in width. If you need to cut or trim pieces of a different size, simply place a wooden block in front of the stop beam.

An example of using a device for cross-cutting a board of smaller width with a hand-held circular saw.

If desired, the potential of the considered device can be expanded by adding a cutting angle of 45°. To do this, you will need to slightly increase the dimensions of the support platform and install a second thrust block at a given angle.