Jigsaws, types where applicable, how to choose a jigsaw, expert advice
If you live in a private house or you have a summer cottage, or you just like to create coziness around yourself with your own hands, a jigsaw is that tool, an urgent need of which you will sooner or later feel. This tool can be useful when installing doors or wall panels, laying many types of floor coverings. In this article we will tell you how to choose the right jigsaw and give some recommendations for its use.
Content
- What are jigsaws
- Design features of jigsaws
- Characteristics of an electric jigsaw
- Files for jigsaws video
- Recommendations for working with a jigsaw video
- Most popular brands video
What are jigsaws
Like other tools, jigsaws for their purpose are divided into two types of professional and household. In this case, the first view differs from the second, both in the capacity of the devices and in the service life, and in the set of functions provided for in them.
For example, with a professional electric jigsaw you can easily cut wood up to 135 mm thick or steel up to 10 mm thick. A household model can pull wood up to 70mm thick and become up to 4mm thick. Also, the existing set of functions differs, a set of adjustments with special clamps, increased accuracy, accuracy of cuts and other features.
Of course, based on the power of the tool and its capabilities, the price of a household electric jigsaw will be cheaper and cheaper, while a professional one will be more expensive. However, the price is, of course, not the only one, relying on what you need to choose a tool. You also need to pay attention to the design of the electric jigsaw, its internal structure.
Design features of jigsaws
The first thing you should pay attention to when choosing an electric jigsaw is the design of its engine, since both the tool durability and its power will depend on its quality. To date, there are two types of jigsaw engines, closed and open. At the same time, acquiring a tool with an open engine will not be the best solution, since such a motor is susceptible to dust, which, of course, will not affect the operation of the tool in the best way.
Next, you should pay attention to the material of the gear by forming a reciprocating movement of the rack on which there is a mechanism responsible for the reliable fastening of the file. Therefore, if plastic is used to manufacture the gears, even very strong, the long-lasting service of the tool is in doubt. The only true material for metal gear and for other jigsaws is metal. Only the body and other fixed elements of the tool can be plastic.
Characteristics of an electric jigsaw
Of course, when choosing a reliable tool, you must also pay attention to its characteristics.
Power. Since power is directly related to the performance of the tool, you need to determine in advance how much work you need to assign to an electric jigsaw. Most of the devices have a power of 300-850W. If you need a jigsaw solely for home use, then a power of 500-700 W will be quite enough.
Stroke frequency. The quality with which your future tool will make a cut depends on this characteristic. In modern electric jigsaws, the cut frequency can reach 3100 turns / min, which together with the function of adjusting the stroke frequency will allow cutting various materials as quickly as possible.
Frequency adjustment Stroke allows you to most conveniently set a specific stroke frequency, depending on the material with which you plan to work.
The magnitude of the stroke. This feature affects the performance of our tool. So, the size of the stroke is called the distance from the lowest point of rise to the highest. The greater this distance, the longer the jigsaw file comes into contact with the material, which means that its performance will also be greater. In modern tools, this value can reach 26 mm.
Pendulum stroke. This function gives the file a forward movement while working with materials. There is no such function only in low-power models. It is recommended to use the pendulum stroke only when working with such soft materials as wood, chipboard, fiberboard. But non-ferrous materials and steel should never be tried to cut if this function is enabled on the device.
Depth drank. From this value depends on what material the width of the jigsaw can cut. As we said above, in professional models of electric jigsaws, the cut width can reach up to 135 mm for wood, 10 mm for steel and 25 mm for non-ferrous materials.
Here, in fact, all the most important functions of any jigsaw. It is on them that you should pay attention when choosing a tool. There are also some additional functions that are not so important, but can make working with the tool more comfortable.
In particular, we are talking about functions such as a laser pointer, illumination of the place for cutting, quick clamping of the file, airflow of the place for cutting. Optional also includes a nozzle for connecting the tool to a vacuum cleaner.
Files for a jigsaw
Nail files are one of the main parts of any electric jigsaw. They can be made of various materials, can differ in size, teeth and shape of the shank.
Jigsaws for jigsaws can be made of carbon steel (suitable for working with soft wood), high-speed steel (suitable for working with metals), a bimetallic blade (universal files that have a long service life).
Saw blade shank The shape of the end of the saw blade can be cross-shaped, universal, smooth and with round holes. In Bosch jigsaws, the shank can be equipped with two stops. In fact, it does not affect the operation of the tool, however, if you select a shank of a rare shape, then some difficulties may arise with the purchase of a replacement blade.
The teeth of the saw blade of an electric jigsaw may have a different pitch, vary in size and shape. For some files, tooth alignment is characteristic, which positively affects the productivity of work, but negatively affects the quality of the cut.
It should be noted that if you plan to saw glass or ceramic tiles with an electric jigsaw, then for these purposes it is best to use saw files without teeth, but with diamond spraying or hard alloy spraying.
Recommendations for working with a jigsaw
- The first rule when operating any tool is to keep it clean and lubricate all mechanisms in a timely manner.
- When working with some materials, do not forget about cooling (machine oil or water, soapy water).
- Change a dull file in time, otherwise the load on the tool motor will increase significantly.
- When working with plastic, remember: you need to cut it with a minimum frequency of 1000 moves.
- Do not forget to give time to cool the engine if you are working with a low frequency of strokes.
- When cutting thin metal, place a sheet of plywood under it.
- The steel sheet should be cut with an electric jigsaw at high speed and with high power.
Most popular brands
To date, the most popular among buyers are electric jigsaws from companies such as Bosch, Metabo, Skil, Makita, Hitachi and Meister. Also pay attention to the interskol jigsaws.
Bosch jigsaws are one of the most popular jigsaws. Here you can pay attention to tools such as the Bosch GST 65 B Jigsaw for home use and the Bosch GST 135 BCE for professionals.
Makita jigsaws are of high quality, a set of convenient functions and a universal clip for files. Particularly popular among the jigsaws of this company are the Makita BJV 140 RF, battery operated and the new Makita 4329.
