How to use a Jigsaw to cut different Materials

A jigsaw is an electric machine saw with a narrow blade used for cutting curves or other difficult lines or patterns. It is a sharp power tool used for cutting curved lines in wood or other materials. Most of the saws only cut in a straight line, but a jigsaw can cut wood or other materials in complicated patterns and shapes. The jigsaw’s name comes from the word jig, which means “up and down motion” that describes how a jigsaw moves when it cuts.

How to use a Jigsaw

Whether doing any woodworking or need to create any curves, then jigsaw is required. The primary purpose of a jigsaw is to cut curved lines into a variety of materials, including thin metal, laminate, plastic, and wood. When anyone wants to use a jigsaw, they need some materials and tools. tehno.guru is a good place where you can learn more about jigsaw. The materials and tools are given below.

1. Protective eyewear
2. Heavy-duty extension cord
3. The blade that corresponds with materials to cut
4. Clamps
5. Sawhorses

Choose the right blade

When working with a jigsaw, it should be made sure to choose the correct blade to cut materials such as wood, metal, laminate. As usually, the jigsaw package will specify the material the blade is designed to cut. The blade’s teeth-per-inch (TPI) number will determine which blade is suitable for which type of work. Lower TPIs mean fewer saw teeth per inch, which allow cutting faster, but the cut will be rougher.

Higher TPIs cut more slowly but create smoother finishes. Blade width is also an important matter. Jigsaw blade comes in two diameters, ¼” for cutting tight radius curves and 3/8″ for more gradual curves. A TPI of 10 or 12 is perfect for most of the woodworking jobs. Blade material may differ according to the job (the material which is being cut). High carbon steel, bi-metal (two different types of metal), high-speed steel, tungsten carbide are used as a blade material.

High carbon steel blades are used widely as they are flexible and cheaper than other materials.

The high-speed steel blade is used to cut metal, plastic, and wood as they are more durable and heat resistant.

The Bi-metal blade is used for heavy-duty jobs. Tungsten carbide is the most heat resistant and durable and used to cut tiles, ceramics, and steels.

The following are the top uses of the jigsaw to cut different materials.

Cutting Wood

Jigsaws are ideal for cutting curves and complex shapes in wood, making short crosscuts onboard, and finishing inside corner cuts. Jigsaw work best for cutting softwood that’s no more than 1-1/2 inch thick and hardwood up to 3/4 inch thick. For quick cutting, usually, a coarser blade is used. Most wood cutting blades are designed, so teeth cut on the upstroke. Sometimes carbon steel blades are used, but it is not as quick as the coarser blade to cut wood.

Cutting Metal

To cut metal, a more delicate blade with 21 to 24 teeth per inch should be chosen. Metal plate and pipe should operate at low speed and for pattern cutting, drill blade starter holes instead of making plunge cuts. Bi-mental blades have hardened steel to cut the metal and have a softer, flexible body that they don’t break. The jigsaw’s most essential features for cutting metals are high saw power, long blade stroke, variable speeds, and orbital cutting action. Jigsaw must be equipped with vacuum hose connections to remove the dust particles so that pattern is not affected by dust particles. When cutting the metal, plenty of additional blades should be kept with. While doing the job, sufficient cutting oil must be applied as a lubricator. It will also help to cool down the blade and metal. It will increase blade life.

Cutting Laminate

The main concern about cutting laminate flooring is not the type of saw but the type of blade. Any saw that cuts wood could cut laminate, but to avoid chipping the hard plastic surface, the blade must have the maximum number of teeth.

Cutting Tile

Tiles should be cut slowly. In cutting tiles, carbide-grit, abrasive blades should be used, and the blade should be 1/4 inch thick. Jigsaws that have a movable scrolling head best to move the blade are suitable for cutting titles. Individual toothless, carbide-grit blades are best for cutting tiles. For thin tiles, water is used frequently to reduce the heat when jigsaws cut the tiles. To control jigsaw and blade vibration, tiles should be down tightly and hold the jigsaw firmly on the tile. The speed of work should be maintained to reduce the breakage of the tiles.

Conclusion

A jigsaw tool is a grandmaster of cutting a variety of materials. An essential matter is to select the right blade for the right job. It is effortless to handle and safe to use.