Power tools are widely used in construction. Craftsmen often use a jigsaw to cut various materials. Let's find out how professionals can cut smoothly with a jigsaw. Read on and learn the intricacies of the process, including the features of cutting wood, metal, plastic, tile, laminate or chipboard. We will also tell you about the auxiliary devices used and how preparation is carried out before work.
Wooden, plastic, and metal building materials sawn with a jigsaw Source gama-alati.rs
Preparation for work and used auxiliary devices
An electric jigsaw is a universal tool. In professional hands, it can replace several devices at once. Before using it, the technician first always checks that the power cable is not damaged.
The professional then clearly marks the part to be cut. A laser guide is often used, but not every electric tool is equipped with it. If it is missing, the specialist, when cutting, focuses on the marks that are on the sole of the jigsaw.
On a note! Professionals usually cut building materials on a saw table. They purchase it in specialized stores.
Before cutting smoothly with a jigsaw, most craftsmen buy various additional devices, including:
- guide rail – makes straight cuts easier;
- compass with parallel stop - used for cutting along a circle;
- a metal or plastic removable pad on the sole - increases the sliding of the tool along the sawn building material;
Jigsaw base cover Source pacs.ru
- rip fence - used when cutting in a straight line;
- anti-slip liner - reduces the likelihood of chipping on the material being processed and is especially often used when working with laminated surfaces.
In addition to additional devices, for high-quality cutting, the master also selects a suitable cutting blade, taking into account the structure of the material being cut and the operating mode of the power tool. The specialist performs such actions automatically.
Why does a jigsaw cut crookedly and how to fix it
- Why does a jigsaw cut crookedly?
- Guide rail for jigsaw
- DIY jigsaw guide
In most cases, the process of straight and figured cutting of materials requires extreme precision of the tool. This statement is most true for an electric jigsaw. The thin saw blades used in this device can easily change the cutting angle, which can negatively affect the accuracy of the line. The clarity of the edges of the product and the evenness of the cutting line depend on the skills of the operator, the serviceability of the device and the saw. Next, we will tell you how to get the planned contour with perfectly clear edges and what to do if the jigsaw moves to the side.
Smooth cutting of materials
Now let’s figure out how professionals cut various building materials smoothly. This will allow you to understand whether it is possible to cut boards, metal, plastic, tiles, and so on with a jigsaw.
Cutting lumber
If sawing lumber, such as boards, choose standard cutting blades. Their teeth point upward. They are of medium size, and the pitch between them is 2.5-4 mm. Their length is chosen taking into account the thickness of the part. In this case, the maximum stroke rate is set on the power tool. It is reduced when it becomes inconvenient to do the work or the file begins to overheat.
Standard wood files Source kemp1.ru
Specialists usually increase the cutting speed when cutting wooden parts that are not visible after installation. To do this, a pendulum motion is activated, which negatively affects the quality of the cut.
The cutting process itself is performed on the back side of the lumber. Otherwise, there is a risk of damage to the wooden element. While performing the work, the power tool is pressed evenly against the workpiece and moved smoothly. Moreover, the jigsaw itself moves in the lumber. This is clearly felt when the pendulum stroke is activated.
Cutting laminate or chipboard
Before sawing laminate or chipboard with a jigsaw, select a file. Typically a reverse cutting blade is used. It is this that allows you to make high-quality cuts without damaging the laminated surface. However, vibration increases during work, which is why some craftsmen experience discomfort.
On a note! Sometimes a regular cutting blade is used. In this case, the cut is made along the back side of the laminate or chipboard, because chips occur on the part along which the cut is made.
Cutting laminate on the back side Source asset.conrad.com
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in the reconstruction and rebuilding of houses
To reduce the likelihood of chipping, turn off the pendulum unit. In this case, the maximum value of the stroke frequency is set. During the process itself, the power tool is pressed tightly against the lumber, but not putting too much pressure on it.
Craftsmen often use an anti-slip insert when cutting laminate or chipboard. It is inserted into the guides, which are located on the sole of the jigsaw. Often the tool kit includes several inserts at once. They differ from each other in the thickness of the cut. This characteristic is selected for a similar parameter of the file.
Metal cutting
Before sawing a metal workpiece with a jigsaw, install a cutting blade with fine teeth, the distance between which is 1 to 2 mm. This file is very similar to a hacksaw for metal. It is also used for cutting other materials. It allows you to make the cleanest possible cut.
Metal cutting blade Source ideaplus24.ru
When cutting a metal workpiece, set the minimum stroke rate. In this case, the pendulum mechanism is turned off. The cutting itself is carried out slowly, without putting pressure on the jigsaw. Typically, the workpiece is first firmly secured so that the cut is made as close as possible to the support. If this cannot be done, then the metal is clamped between two sheets of fiberboard. In this case, the entire pie is cut at once to prevent the formation of burrs on the metal workpiece. Typically, this method is used when it is necessary to cut thin sheet metal along a curved path, the markings of which are made on the top sheet of fiberboard.
On a note! To prevent the cutting blade from overheating, constantly take short breaks during the sawing process and forcefully cool the file.
Cutting plastic
Before properly sawing plastic with a jigsaw, prepare a file similar to a cutting blade for metal workpieces. In other words, it should have fine teeth. Only with such a saw can craftsmen perform high-quality cuts.
Saw blades for sawing plastic Source khozmag40.rf
The type of plastic being processed affects the settings of the jigsaw. Typically, the stroke rate of the cutting element is set to a maximum of 40% of the highest possible value. In this case, the pendulum mechanism is turned off or set to minimum. This is the only way to cut the plastic evenly.
How to make a perfect cut with a jigsaw
For example, to make some furniture you need to cut a piece of chipboard
make a mark and attach double-sided tape
we take any flat object, in my case the rest of the laminate with the factory edge preserved
glue it taking into account the distance from the jigsaw sole to the file
saw slowly, lightly pressing the sole of the jigsaw against the guide
we get the perfect cut
Fraud! Any Homemaker always has a jigsaw with a curved file, and no matter how hard you try, the cut will still pull, but you have to try.
So I, too, am a crooked master, I have a lot of experience in crooked cutting! This is a calling, we must stick together!
Holy shit, I already pulled my legs together, and something in my stomach (the so-called “point”) tightened.
Why do you need adhesive tape or does religion not allow clamps?
That's right, clamps and a circular saw = perfect cut.
this one will be more cheerful
Yes, at least he doesn’t stab, because there is a cutting edge
