Review of the best universal and wood jigsaw files for 2022

In a home workshop or when carrying out repairs on your own, you often need to cut some material quickly and evenly. For this type of work, a manual or electric jigsaw is used. The tool makes simple and straight cuts in metal pipes or sheets of drywall, and copes with the function of filigree threads or cutting out oval and rectangular holes.

Various manipulations are performed with jigsaw files with certain characteristics. Universal carving blades exist, but they perform the simplest operations and quality and speed suffer during processing. It is important to choose the right type of saw material according to the description for specific jobs and tools.

Jigsaw blades: marking to help

For a non-professional person, purchasing the right saw consumables can be confusing. You can always ask the question: “What are the types of consumables? Which company's products are better? Many brands produce specialized types for wood, iron, plexiglass, and plastic. It is important for a carpenter or home craftsman to understand the purpose of purchasing products and the selection criteria that will help determine the desired functionality.

Alphanumeric markings on the canvas and tail dyeing will help you make the right choice. Each symbol indicates performance and application based on the material being processed.

The first letter is the shank type:

The T-shape model is the most common among many manufacturers;
U-shape for older models of screw or block type power tools;
M - special model with two holes, only for Makita;
F - standard rectangular shape with one hole Fein.

The second number is the canvas size:

1 - short, up to 7.5 cm;
2 - average, 7.5 - 9 cm;
3 - long, 9 - 15 cm;
7 - maximum, from 15 cm.

The penultimate letter is the size of the teeth in ascending order of size:

A - small;
B - average;
C, D - large.

The last letter indicates the special properties of the cutting blade:

X - progressive pitch of teeth;
R - reverse or reverse teeth;
O - a particularly thin edge of the back of the canvas;
P - ensuring the most accurate cut;
F - made of double alloy, providing special strength.

Safety precautions

It is necessary to work with a jigsaw, especially an electric one, observing the following safety measures:

You should always wear safety glasses and long sleeves just in case;
Gloves and a robe that can protect against dust will also not hurt;
the working surface must be durable, so an old rickety table is categorically not welcome;
The craftsman should be provided with good lighting and first check the condition of the saw fastening;
You cannot start work without reading the instructions.

Additional markings on the blade: what is important to pay attention to

Jigsaw equipment is supplied individually and in the form of universal sets of several blades: for soft and hard wood, for metal, and plastic. Responsible manufacturers add supporting information to consumables to avoid mistakes when choosing.

Material letters

HM – especially strong alloys;
.HCS (CV) - carbon composites;
HSS - high speed metal;
CV - chrome vanadium steel alloy;
BM (BiM) is a bimetallic structure of strong alloys and high-speed metal, the most durable and wear-resistant.

Decoding the quality characteristics of the cutting edge

Wood - work on soft wood;
Hardwood - hard wood and PVC plastic;
Metall - cutting of steel alloys and metalworking is possible;
Inox - work with stainless material;
Plaster, Fiber - fiberglass blanks;
Alu - for processing aluminum;
Soft-material - soft rubber and carpeting;
Acrylic - acrylate and polycarbonate composites.

The purpose of a jigsaw consumable can be determined by the color of the tail section:

gray color - work with wood materials;
blue color - metal alloys;
red - plastic surfaces;
white - on wood and metal;
black color - ceramic, steel, soft and fibrous materials.

What it is?

A jigsaw file is a blade equipped with teeth of one type or another, fixed at one end to the movable rod of the tool. Since all materials have their own properties and characteristics, a large number of varieties are produced. They are designed to solve various problems, cutting certain materials. As a rule, craftsmen purchase sets of several types of cutting tools.

Selection criteria may be:

The most popular and common types of cutting.
Purpose for a particular material.
Creation of a universal set that allows you to perform most types of processing.

Separate, specialized samples are also available for sale. They are purchased to perform specific work according to previously known parameters of the material and cutting conditions.

The choice of file type is determined by the user’s level of training, experience and knowledge. In order to avoid mistakes and choose the best option, you should study the features and characteristics of the cutting tool.

Cutting down a tree

Jigsaw blades for hand and power tools are made of iron. Regular steel blades are designed for cutting soft and less durable materials. Sharp serrated edges made from reinforced composites have a wide range of functionality and cut metal and other types of raw materials.

For particularly durable structures with complex processing - granite stone, marble, porcelain tiles - diamond-coated saw blades or coated with super-hard alloys are used.

A wide range of saw elements are produced for working with wood workpieces and provide different types of cuts:

Clean cutting of edges without jagged furniture or laminate boards will provide a cutting edge with a slight spread of fine teeth of less than 3 mm.
a quick cut at high speed of large bars without maintaining precision will produce a long and wide blade with a significant spread of large teeth up to 6 mm.
figured cutting is performed with a short narrow blade with a beveled back for improved passage of rounded elements, with fine teeth up to 2 mm.

What kind of canvases come in length?

It is important to take into account one more parameter - the length of the canvas. Four indicators are used to indicate lengths:

With number 1 to 75 mm
With number 2 from 75 to 90 mm and belong to the medium category
With number 3 from 90 to 150 mm - long
With number 4 over 150 mm - the longest, which are designed to work with powerful jigsaws

The longer the blade, the thicker the sheet material can be cut with a jigsaw. The choice of blade length should be based on the calculation that the nozzle should be 2 times longer than the thickness of the workpiece being cut. Keep in mind that the large length of the equipment contributes to severe overload of the motor and gearbox of the power tool, so the jigsaw must have sufficient power to be able to use it with saws of 90 mm or more.

Marking blades for hand jigsaws

A manual jigsaw is a simple arc-shaped design, with end fastenings for replaceable consumables. The saw blade of a mechanical tool differs from the saw blade of a jigsaw in the way it is fastened. The flat ends have no end pin and are easily secured with nuts or levers in the grooves of the arc tool.

There are several basic parameters for hand files:

TPI - number of teeth per 1 inch. The larger the quantity, the better the quality of the cutting edge, but the speed of work slows down. The average number of teeth is 6 per centimeter.
The spread of the teeth simplifies sawing and prevents jamming in the workpiece. The cutting width is increased, but chipping along the edge is minimized. Not all specimens have this feature.
The size range of files is represented by 12 numbers. No. 0 with fine teeth performs curved complex patterns, No. 12 processes workpieces up to 20 mm.
Types of working blade:

standard, with identical unidirectional elements and equal tooth pitch. Used for straight cutting, which does not require precision and smoothness of the edge;
with double teeth they work slowly, but do not overheat and leave an even cut without nicks and a small amount of waste;
with missing teeth are characterized by high speed and prevent jamming in the workpiece. They heat up less during cutting and remove chips well;
with a reverse (reverse) tooth pointing upward. Provides an ideal bottom cut of the part, which is important in jewelry;
spiral teeth are located along the entire diameter. Allows you to make complex shaped cuts at low speed, without interrupting the process.

Differences between equipment according to the geometry of the cutting edge

The cleanliness of the cut depends on these parameters. Therefore, in order to know which jigsaw file to cut laminated chipboard, chipboard, wood, plywood, you need to take into account their differences.

Rating of the best equipment manufacturers:

Bosch;
Makita;
Practice.

Milled, classic layout

The teeth of such equipment are bent alternately in different directions. This reduces friction during operation and also reduces heating of the blade. It will not be possible to achieve a neat cut, but the speed of the work will be fast.

Important! Milled classic equipment is suitable for working with soft and medium wood, plastic, and non-ferrous metal.

Milled, wavy layout

These blades have teeth in groups that change direction alternately. Moreover, their deflection angle is different, which creates a wave along the edge. With the help of such equipment you can get an even cut.

Polished, classic layout

The teeth have the same deflection angle and are set alternately. But the peculiarity of these equipment is that the working edge undergoes additional grinding. And this makes the cut line wider.

Conical grinding, without routing

The teeth of these equipment do not deviate to the sides, but their sharp edges are ground. Their use allows you to get a smooth, neat cut. Suitable for cutting laminate, polymers, wood.

The thickness of the cut depends on the angle of deflection of the teeth

Selection of hand jigsaw files for the material

Replacement material is sold in a set of several pieces. Files are made from a variety of raw materials; they cut metal, wood or plastic blanks. The cuts can be of different quality, clean, filigree or rough.

Thick wooden blocks or plastic will quickly be cut by a standard blade with large teeth (6-7 per cm) or binary teeth. Additional sanding of the wood edge will be required.
To obtain maximum evenness and smoothness of the edges of fiberboard, finishing or facing materials, a fine-toothed working surface (10 elements per cm) is used.
A laminate multilayer board or chipboard is cut by a consumable with a reverse gear motion. The cut is obtained without small cracks or chips of wood.
The filigree work is performed by a spiral blade for precise shaped cuttings, which does not get stuck and rotates well.
The metal is sawed with a particularly strong blade with many (9-10 per cm) small teeth. The operating speed is low, but with certain skill it can cut a ten-millimeter steel plate or a thin tin sheet.
PVC, polycarbonate or plexiglass board will be neatly shortened, without splitting the material, by cutting equipment with fine toothed elements.

Operating rules

Using a jigsaw, you can perform both ordinary construction tasks and cut out a variety of decorative shapes and patterns. For beginners, there are the following simple tips to help you get the job done as efficiently as possible:

starting to cut, you will have to create support in the lower back; this position makes it possible to hold the canvas, work while sitting, and even do it while standing;
when you need to cut a small fragment, first a small hole is made in the workpiece with another tool, and then a jigsaw file is inserted there; By the way, to make a hole in plywood, an awl is enough;
It is correct to work with a jigsaw slowly and measuredly, without rushing anywhere; This is especially true for complex elegant designs, so for beginners, by the way, it is better to start with geometric shapes and simple contours on a cutting board;
When changing the cutting angle, you need to unfold the working panel and the unused file;
the work ends with the mandatory processing of all irregularities and roughness;
using a jigsaw, you can not only cut out various patterns on a straight surface, but also, for example, make a medallion, casket or photo frame; diagrams for all these items and images are widely available on the Internet.

Carving with a jigsaw is carried out with such specifications as:

when working, do not put pressure on the saw blade - it will heat up faster and stronger and, as a result, even break;
a wide file will allow you to create a long, straight cut, since the width of the cutting blade will balance the position of the jigsaw;
When working with the device, it is important to periodically change the saw;
cutting with a dull blade will only spoil the material, and, in addition, will increase the load on the motor, and will also worsen the quantity and quality of work;
cutting on metals and plexiglass requires pre-treatment of the material being processed with water or liquid car oil; such an action will not only ensure a clean cut, but will also keep the cutting blade itself in satisfactory condition;
if you need to cut metal with a thickness of less than 1 millimeter, you will additionally have to place a piece of plywood under it, and also reduce the feed so as not to create vibration;
it is important to allow the device to rest periodically, especially in the case of a minimum stroke frequency;
The jigsaw should be periodically cleaned and oiled with a special product.

Products, as a rule, are created according to drawings, which are printed on thick cardboard, cut out along the contour and transferred to a plywood blank. In this case, the contour should be applied from the inside and with a simple pencil so that correction can be made. Experts recommend placing the pattern in such a way that you have to cut along the fibers to a minimum. The first step is to work out the internal contours. To do this, simply move the jigsaw along the fixed panel.

The movement should be up and down.

Sometimes it is not possible to cut straightly, because either the jigsaw is tilted, or the fastenings and tension of the saw have become loose. This can be prevented if you pre-set the equipment and tighten all the fasteners. When the file is already stuck, you need to carefully remove it and start applying the design again, following parallel to the damaged line. You will be able to saw without chipping if you choose high-quality material and also follow the following rules:

processing of low-quality plywood should be carried out as intensively as possible using saws equipped with small teeth; in addition, a cutting blade with a reverse tooth will also come to the rescue;
on the reverse side it is worth sealing the cutting lines with tape or adhesive tape, and also moisturizing the surface;
before you start creating fantasy patterns, you need to work out the basic ones;
to make the inner circle, you will first have to drill a small hole, the diameter of which will allow you to place a file inside; the cutting movement will have to follow the internal contour of the image with a move of medium intensity;
obtuse and right angles are formed by turning the material being processed, combined with the smooth movement of the jigsaw;
sharp corners are obtained from two cuts brought together at one point;
an oval contour is also obtained when unrolling the plywood;
the work always starts from the center and then moves to the edges of the workpiece.

Beware - fake!

Modern manufacturers offer a huge range of replacement materials for power tools and mechanical jigsaws. The average cost for a set of products from well-known brands or new ones can differ tens of times.

It should be remembered that trusted companies value their reputation and monitor the quality of the consumables they produce. Large manufacturers offer a range for amateurs and professionals. But even budget options have excellent performance characteristics.

Care when purchasing will reduce the likelihood of making the mistake of choosing counterfeit files from well-known brands:

a counterfeit blade made from low-quality raw materials may have chips, minor damage or traces of rust;
clear edges of the blade are possible with high quality production; the rounded end part indicates a violation of the process during underground stamping;
blurry, distorted inscriptions are easily erased;
no branded packaging;
low price compared to the original product.

The fake quickly wears out and breaks. A counterfeit accessory can damage the workpiece or cause injury to the craftsman. Therefore, how much the product costs is not decisive when choosing equipment.

What does the color of the shank mean on canvases?

When purchasing, you can see that the tail parts (and sometimes the entire canvas) are painted in different colors. If you're wondering what this means, then it's time to find out the answer to this question. The colors of jigsaw shanks and files are as follows:

Gray ones are the most popular. They are used for wood processing
Blue - used for working with metal materials
White - less common, and means the ability to process metal and woodworking materials
Red - used for cutting plastic
Black - designed for sawing all other materials such as ceramics, marble, granite

Knowing the color, you definitely won’t go wrong in choosing equipment for the appropriate work.

Top 5 Quality Universal Electric Jigsaw Kits

Recognized leaders in the production of saw blades have not changed since 2022. The high quality and product characteristics of popular models are checked daily on construction sites, furniture production and home repairs. The rating of universal configurations, based on customer opinions, will tell you which consumables are best to buy.

5th place. Stayer Station wagon 159488-Н5

Average price: 132 rubles.

The manufacturer produces a wide range of hand and power tools. In Russia since 1999. Many buyers recognize the quality and reliability of the product and vote for it with increasing demand.

Saw consumables are made from resistant carbon steel, which ensures flexibility and long service life; a special protective coating on the cutting edge allows you to maintain the sharpness of the blade.

Stayer Station wagon 159488-Н5

Advantages:

main types of cutting: clean, fast, figured;
processes chipboard, metal, wood, plywood, fiberboard;
5 pieces included;
T-shank;
budget brand.

Flaws:

not found.

4th place. "DeWALT"DT 2294

Average price: 739 rubles.

The company's 90-year history is an example of the reliability of the designed equipment. Powerful, durable and precise power tools are complemented by high-performance accessories. Carbon and bimetallic types of steel are used for it. The recognizable yellow and black colors have become a symbol of Swiss quality.

"DeWALT"DT 2294

Advantages:

for wood and metal blanks;
3 types of cuts: clean, fast, figured;
universal tail section;
10 pieces included.

Flaws:

high price;
confusing markings.

3rd place. Set “Gross”78295

Average price: 738 rubles.

German quality has been repeatedly confirmed by numerous customers. The company produces tools for professional processing of all types of wood, fiberboard, chipboard, PVC up to 60 mm, laminate boards and high-quality blades for it. Durable steel cutting surfaces made of chrome and vanadium have a long service life. Wear-resistant, with increased hardness.

"Gross"78295

Advantages:

perform basic types of cuts: rough, fast, clean;
for metal and wooden surfaces;
T-shaped European shank;
10 pieces per pack.

Flaws:

high price.

2nd place. Set “Bosch” Mixed Wood and Metall 2609256746

Average price: 599 rubles.

occupies a strong place among the leaders in manufacturers of consumables for power tools. The widest range allows you to select both a single item and a specific set. Modern alloys extend the service life of the product.

The company has introduced its own labeling, which is also used by other manufacturers. Components are produced in Switzerland or the UK, the T-shank is compatible with power tools from Makita, Hitachi, AEG, Metabo, etc.

Set “Bosch” Mixed Wood and Metall 2609256746

Advantages:

various files for metal, aluminum, several types of wood;
information packaging;
10 pieces per set, 2 of each type;
universal shank;
average price category.

Flaws:

one type of cut is fast.

1 place. Set “Makita” А-86899

Average price: 350 rubles.

A Japanese brand that produces power tools and high-quality equipment for work in professional fields and private use. Durable steel compounds make the files resistant to mechanical wear, bending and creases.

Set “Makita” А-86899

Advantages:

for wood, metal, plastic;
T-shank;
type of cut: rough, clean, fast;
5 pieces per pack.

Flaws:

unclear markings;
high price.

Sawing purposes and suitable tools

Depending on the purposes of sawing, we select what can be used to cut plywood most effectively. Among the tools used for work are the following:

electric circular saw;
hand saw;
electric jigsaw.

Let's consider the features of using various tools for cutting plywood and in what cases it is more advisable to use one or another device.

Hand saw

When cutting plywood with a hand saw, physical effort is required due to the significant density of the material. This tool is used when it is necessary to cut a sheet of plywood into identical fragments.

A hand jigsaw is considered the best tool and allows you to decide in advance how to cut plywood without chipping, eliminating the need to purchase electric tools. It can be used to produce a small number of elements of complex shapes. Having certain skills in working with a jigsaw, you can make a neat cut, however, due to high labor costs and low productivity, this method cannot be called optimal.

If you don’t have electric tools or a simple jigsaw at hand, you should resort to using a simple hand saw. To make cutting a sheet convenient and to avoid chipping, the tool blade must have a large number of small and well-sharpened teeth. The angle of the saw to the plywood sheet should be sharp. It is recommended to avoid jerking and make even movements with strong pressure.

Tip: The cut of a regular saw is rough, so it is recommended to sand the end parts after finishing the sawing.

Circular Saw

Sheets of plywood can be created into various shapes using a circular saw or circular saw, but the main purpose of these tools is to create square cuts. When cutting material, it is very difficult to get a neat cut because the rotation speed of the discs is very high. In this regard, preference should be given to those cutting wheels that have small teeth and are used for working with wood. When processing plywood, it is good to use cutting wheels designed for sawing chipboard.

Tip: when cutting a plywood sheet, make sure that the pressure on the sheet is insignificant and the rotation speed of the disk is low.

When making furniture or repairing it, you often have to choose what to cut laminated plywood with. To get a clean cut, you need to select discs or blades that have frequent and fine teeth. The angle of their sharpening, as well as the shape, is of great importance. It is advisable to select discs with a positive sharpening angle and different tooth shapes (alternating trapezoidal and straight teeth are observed). If the disk has negative sharpening angles, then it is necessary to reduce the speed, otherwise the wood will burn.

Important: the larger the diameter of the disk, the wider the cut will be and, accordingly, the number of chips will increase. It is completely impossible to avoid the formation of chips, but it is possible to reduce their number and size to such an extent that subsequent processing can completely eliminate all roughness.

A relationship has been established between the size of the chip and the saw teeth: small ones leave less damage than large ones. The amount of tooth set affects the cleanliness of cutting plywood. The best result is achieved with minimal wiring. You can check this parameter using a regular ruler. You should not saw a thick sheet using a disc with minimal tooth spacing, since increased friction will cause it to burn and the disc will become pinched.

Electric jigsaw

An electric jigsaw is best for cutting any plywood. When working with this tool, you should use small files, cut the blade, pressing the jigsaw and avoiding jerky movements. Upon completion of the process, the ends of the material are processed using sandpaper.

Advice: when choosing saws for an electric jigsaw, you should give preference to those models that are marked “clean cut”. Most manufacturers of cutting tools have saws in their assortment for these purposes; for example, BOSCH has a product line called CleanWood. A distinctive feature of the teeth is their regular triangular shape and the ability to cut in opposite directions.

You should not purchase low-quality tools, since after a cut 5 meters long, the cutting edge becomes severely dull, which causes chips to appear. The absence of setting and the opposite sharpening of teeth located next to each other and the small width make it possible to make complex figured cuts. But these qualities of files for finishing cutting cause the fragility of the blades.

Finish cutting of plywood can be done using blades for working with metal parts. The size of the teeth of such saws is minimal, which greatly slows down the cutting speed, but allows you to achieve the highest quality. Since the width of the metal files is large, it is possible to carry out a figured cut only with a large bending radius (0.6-0.8 m).

Top 5 popular models of wood saws for electric jigsaws

5th place. PRACTICE 035-837

Average price: 180 rubles.

The young Russian company appeared in 2003, but already has its own audience of admirers. Consistently high quality of tools and consumables for them, an ever-expanding assortment allows us to quickly conquer the market.

For blade equipment for wooden workpieces, high-strength carbon steel is used, which is resistant to mechanical damage. An extensive range of sizes allows you to select a blade for workpieces of various thicknesses.

PRACTICE 035-837

Advantages:

processes wood and plywood;
type of cut: rough, fast;
universal tail section.

Flaws:

high price;
2 pieces included.

4th place. SMT JT234X-5

Average price: 711 rubles.

An Italian brand with a 40-year history produces cutting tools and accessories. Products are manufactured in Italy, Spain and the United States. The factories operate according to international standards, the process is controlled by the highest class operators.

High-hardness steels and alloys of Swiss and Luxembourg origin provide stable and high-strength characteristics of cutting surfaces. The orange proprietary coating increases service life in the harshest conditions.

SMT JT234X-5

Advantages:

quantity in set: 5 pieces;
universal shank;
working length 90 mm.

Flaws:

high price;
only for wood processing;
1 type of cut: clean.

3rd place. VIRA T111C552025

Average price: 49 rubles.

The manufacturer produces hand tools and consumables in accordance with Russian GOST and DIM certification - a German quality standard.

The cutting blades are made of high-carbon tool steel. Resistant to breaks and bends, they have reliable strength and flexibility.

VIRA T111C552025

Advantages:

processes wood, plastic and plywood;
length 75 mm;
T-shank;
low cost.

Flaws:

one type of cut - fast;
There are 2 pieces in a set.

2nd place. BOSCH 2607011463h

Average price: 49 rubles.

Saw blades for different types of wood are made of HSC carbon steel. Milling or grinding the teeth allows you to make different cuts.

BOSCH 2607011463h

Dignity:

several types of cutting: precise, fast;
15 pieces included;
T-shank;
The set includes saws for regular wood and hardwood;
low cost.

Flaws:

a large set for a small amount of work.

1 place. MAKITA A-85793

Average price: 310 rubles.

The Japanese company carefully monitors product quality. Manufacturing components from reinforced composites allows you to increase their service life. A blade with milled teeth can make several types of cuts. The flexibility and strength of the fabric prevents creases.

MAKITA A-85793

Advantages:

two types of cutting - precise and fast;
European type of shank;
length 70 mm;
set contains 5 pieces;
low price.

Flaws:

only for wood processing.

Parameters of jigsaw files

First you need to decide on the list of saw blade parameters that need to be taken into account. So this:

File fastening standard (shape of shank);
Dimensions (length, width, thickness);
Geometric parameters of teeth;
Purpose (according to the type of material being processed).

Let's look at these parameters in more detail.

File fastening standard (shank shape)

To determine the standard for attaching a saw blade to a jigsaw, you need to look at the passport of your power tool - this should be indicated there. Although quite often several files are included with a jigsaw and by looking at them, you can understand the type of shank that suits you.

Listed below are the main types of shanks found today.

T-shape
U-shaped
Shank for Makita
Shank for Bosh

T-shank

The T-shank type is the most common type nowadays. This solution turned out to be the most successful and was “adopted” by a large number of power tool manufacturers. This type is often called Boschevsky, because it was the Bosch company that first offered this type of jigsaw blade fastening to the market. Subsequently, other manufacturers began to support this type of shank. Such companies include:

Bosch,
Makita,
Metabo,
Hitachi,
Skil,
AEG,
DeWalt,
Sparky

and others.

This shank has proven itself in operation due to its reliability and practicality.

U-shank

The U-shaped shank is considered an American standard, however, it can be considered obsolete, since it is almost never used now, although previously this type of shank was used on jigsaws with screw and block clamps from famous manufacturers:

Ryobi,
stayer,
Black&Decker,
Skil,
DeWalt,
Wolf

and etc.

Makita shank

This is Makita's proprietary shank type. These files are distinguished by their reliability and strong base. This blade can now also be considered outdated and is suitable only for some Makita jigsaws. In this regard, when changing the blade, it may be difficult to purchase it, since the demand for them is now very low, it will be difficult to find such files in the store.

Bosch shank

This type of shank is very similar to the T-shaped one, but unlike it, it is proprietary to Bosch, and accordingly is suitable for jigsaw models only from this manufacturer. This type of fastening can also be considered outdated, and therefore it is very difficult to find it on sale.

conclusions

So, to summarize, it becomes clear that the T-type shank is now some general standard and it has supplanted all other modifications that previously took place. Thus, this greatly simplifies the task for us (consumers) - there is a large selection and there is no need to think too much about shanks, although it is also necessary to know that, theoretically, I can come across non-standard options.

Saw blade dimensions

Like any object in Euclidean space, a file has three geometric dimensions: length, width and thickness. Each of these parameters is important and affects the result of the work in its own way. Now about this in more detail.

Length

The parameter is clear and understandable - the longer the file, the greater the thickness of the sawn workpiece. The range of saw blade lengths for jigsaws is very large - from 40 mm to 250 mm. It would seem that you need to take the longest file and you won’t go wrong. Yes, a long saw is good, as it allows you to cut thick workpieces, but there are a number of issues.

you have to pay for excess length; the longer the file, the more expensive it is; It is obvious;
When sawing workpieces of different thicknesses, there will be uneven wear of the saw blade; accordingly, the wear of the teeth at the base will be higher than at the end of the file.
files bend, and it is much easier to bend a long file than a short one;
There are cases when the excessive length of the file simply interferes with sawing, for example, it rests on something, while a short file would go through without problems.

It is important to pay attention to an important point - to cut thick workpieces you need not only a long saw - you need enough power for the jigsaw to cope with the load. If you don’t take this factor into account, you can simply ruin the tool - the jigsaw can simply “burn out.”

Width

For an even saw (in a straight line), wide files are more suitable, since due to their width they prevent the cut from being pulled to the side. Accordingly, the wider the file, the more even the cut it can give. With narrow files the situation is the opposite - they are used where you need to make a figured or radius cut, respectively, the narrower the file, the greater the curvature of the cut.

Thickness

And the last, but not least important parameter is the thickness of the file. The thicker the blade, the stronger the file, and accordingly, the more resistant it is to the applied forces and will not “be pulled” to the side. It would seem - the conclusion is obvious - we take the thickest files, however, as in the case of length, it is necessary to point out a number of circumstances. The thicker the file, the wider the cut width, which means:

more effort will have to be put in
the cutting time will be longer,
heating of the workpiece will be greater,
more material consumption.

In addition, it should be mentioned that not all thick files are suitable for the quick-release mechanism.

conclusions

As always, there is no one universal solution for all occasions. Each time you need to support a file that is suitable at the moment, for the given task, and, of course, for your tool. You probably shouldn’t run to the store every time and select saw blades, but simply have a set of the most commonly used saw blade options.

Geometric parameters of teeth

The geometry of the cutting edge and the tooth set play an important role. The speed and quality of the cut depends on this. Obviously, the wider the teeth are spread in different directions, the wider the cut will be, and due to the fact that the blade itself does not rub against the edges of the cut, there is less resistance, less heating and a higher cutting speed. Of course, the downside of these advantages will be the poor quality of the saw, as well as the difficulty of making an even cut due to the “pull” of the file to the side (since the blade is not fixed in the plane of the saw). There are several types of cutting edge geometry:

Milled with classic layout;
Milled with wavy layout;
Polished with classic layout;
With conical grinding without routing.

Each of these types of geometries has its own characteristics. Let's take a closer look at them.

Milled with classic layout

This type of geometry is used in simple hand saws and consists of the teeth alternately moving left and right. It is clear that in this case the blade practically does not rub against the walls of the saw, sawing is easy and fast, but in this case there is no need to talk about the quality of the cut and evenness. This type of wiring is quite popular, as it is easy to manufacture and has its undeniable advantages.

Milled with wavy layout

For saw blades with this form of setting, the cutting edge has a wave shape, with several teeth falling into one half-wave and each of them has a different deviation from the central axis. This type of setting gives a clean cut, so it is mainly used when sawing hard wood, metal, etc.

Polished with classic layout

As in the case of the “Milled with classic set” option, the teeth are alternately set in different directions, but at the same time they undergo an additional processing process - grinding. In this case, the cut is much cleaner, but the speed of work is maintained. This type of wiring is used when sawing chipboard, VDP, MDF, etc.

With conical grinding without routing

With this option, the teeth are almost not set, but they are specially sharpened and polished. When sawing with such blades, a very clean and even cut is obtained, but the speed of work suffers accordingly and a greater number of revolutions (saw frequency) of the tool is required.

Purpose

From the very beginning, jigsaws were used exclusively for sawing wood, but over time, the versatility of this tool has significantly expanded the scope of its use. Thus, at the moment it is possible to saw almost any sheet material - this includes wood of various species and densities, metal, glass, ceramics, various glued and pressed boards (fibreboard, MDF, chipboard, OSB, etc.). Manufacturers of saw blades, when developing specific models of files, determine its purpose by the type of material being cut; accordingly, the entire variety of saw blades for jigsaws can be divided into the following groups:

for wood and wood boards;
for metal;
for polymeric materials and plastics;
special purpose.

Let's take a closer look at each group of these classifications.

Saw blades for wood and wood panels

Sawing wood is the main purpose of a jigsaw, which is why there is the greatest variety of wood saws. This is dictated by the wide variety of types of wood and various boards derived from it (plywood, chipboard, fiberboard, OSB, etc.).

All wood files are divided into several categories:

for quick cutting;
for a clean cut;
for figured cutting;
for a “blind” cut.

Saw blades for quick cutting of wood

Quite often you need to quickly saw off a workpiece and the quality and cleanliness of the cut is not at all important. In this case, special files are used, which have some distinctive features:

long length;
large, large teeth;
large tooth set

Saw blades for clean wood cutting

When making furniture, cutting parquet boards and in other cases, a high-quality and clean cut is required. For this purpose, special files are used, which can be recognized by the following distinctive features:

average tooth size;
there is no or very slight tooth spread.

Typically the teeth point towards the jigsaw. This is done so that the main cutting movement occurs at the moment of retraction of the file (the movement of the file towards the jigsaw), while the master does not experience much effort when sawing. The disadvantage of this principle is that chips from the file are obtained on the side that is visible to the master - where the marking line is. But sometimes it happens that you need to do the opposite, so that the front side of the cut (without chips) is on top. In this case, special files with teeth are used that are directed away from the jigsaw. Sawing with such files is accompanied by increased efforts by the master, who must overcome the force of pushing out the file with a jigsaw.

Files for shaped cutting of wood

A jigsaw is a universal tool - it allows you to make figured cuts, that is, with small radii of curvature, and in some cases it is even possible to “turn on the spot” (make the saw not smooth, but at an angle). For such a cut, special files are again needed - they are easy to recognize - they have:

narrow canvas
short length
fine teeth

Files for blind cutting of wood

A blind cut is a cut when the size of the maximum overhang of the file is less than the thickness of the workpiece.

This topic is quite controversial and there are many opinions on this matter. Nevertheless, we will state our position. A blind saw is possible and does occur. But you need to understand a number of points:

The file must have a special shape;
The load on the jigsaw increases many times;

The file must have a special shape of the last tooth and the tip of the file, as shown in the picture.

When making a blind cut, the entire saw blade is used - this is the maximum load for it and the load on the jigsaw itself. In addition, the cut is made in such a way that the last millimeter (or two) of the wood is simply crushed, so there are shock loads on the holder at the moment of maximum projection of the saw. Thus, it is not recommended to make a blind cut on hard wood, or on soft wood - for example, but the master must understand that the wear of the tool at this moment increases many times and the likelihood of breakdowns is very high.

Metal files

The main work of sawing metal is done with a grinder, but sometimes you need to make a curved or radius cut. In such cases, a jigsaw with a special file will help. You can saw both steel blanks and non-ferrous metals. Metal is much denser than wood, so when working with metal you need to understand that the jigsaw works under a heavy load and you need to load it wisely.

Metal files are usually made of durable alloys and have fine teeth with wave winding (see above).

Files for polymeric materials and plastics

A jigsaw can easily cope with sawing various types of polymer materials, plastics, plexiglass, etc. There are specialized files for sawing these materials, although in practice wood or metal files are usually used. A simple rule works: the denser the material, the smaller the saw tooth should be, so simple wood saws are suitable for most plastics. It must be remembered that sawdust from plastic begins to melt at high temperatures; in this case, the saw teeth become clogged with melted plastic and lose their sawing properties. Therefore, it is important to monitor the temperature of the file and not overheat it; accordingly, you need to cut at low speeds and regularly let the file cool.

Special purpose files

There are various situations when it is necessary to saw various exotic materials that are not typical for sawing with a jigsaw - glass, ceramics, etc. There are special-purpose saws for these purposes. They are rare and unique, nevertheless they still find their place among craftsmen who work with these materials.

Top 5 popular models of files for hand tools

In modern realities, hand tools are used in amateur workshops or in children's kits for creating one-piece items from wood blanks. The most popular consumables are saws for different types of wood.

5th place. HOBBI

Average price: 214 rubles.

Products of the ORMIS company, which is dynamically developing in the markets of Russia and Kazakhstan. Equipment made from high-quality materials complies with international DIM standardization. Passes a mandatory quality control system.

HOBBI files

Advantages:

stable and durable bimetallic composition;
increased flexibility;
for wood;
10 pieces per pack;
low price.

Flaws:

4th place. FIT set 130 mm

Average price: 218 rubles.

The Canadian manufacturer produces mechanical and electrical tools and the necessary components. All products comply with American and European standards. Modern technologies and high-quality tool type alloy make the products reliable and in demand.

FIT set 130 mm

Advantages:

long service life;
20 pieces per pack;
low cost.

Flaws:

not found.

3rd place. DREMEL 2615MS50JA

Average price: 420 rubles.

The company has been manufacturing universal tools for 95 years. High-precision equipment for a whole range of operations is very compact, light in weight and has excellent performance.

Wood saw blades are made from durable composites and can process plastic, laminate, fiberboard, and chipboard. Form a long cut.

DREMEL 2615MS50JA

Advantages:

high-quality consumable material;
wide range of processing types;
long-term operation;
resistance to bending and breaks;
5 pieces per set.

Flaws:

high price.

2nd place. PEBARO set

Average price: 149 rubles.

Since 2000, the German company has been one of the best in the production of tools and components for hobbies and children's creativity. The company's products are highly reliable, durable and safe to use.

PEBARO set

Dignity:

Made from high quality steel composite;
for plastic and wood;
12 pieces per pack;
low cost.

Flaws:

1 place. ROS135 mm

Average price: 169 rubles.

Buyers appreciate the company’s wide and constantly expanding range of products, and high Russian quality at affordable prices.

The equipment is manufactured with high tensile strength for extended service life. Special sharpening of the teeth ensures precision in operation and high speed.

ROS135 mm

Advantages:

heavy-duty blade structure;
precision sharpening of the working surface;
50 pieces per pack;

Flaws:

All types of files for woodworking with a jigsaw description and purpose

Let's look at all types of saw blades for wood processing. Each type has a corresponding purpose, which must be taken into account when processing the corresponding types of materials.

How to choose the best and most reliable jigsaw blades?

A review of popular brand models allows you to find the best option for your wallet and the amount of work to be done.

Simple recommendations and convenient markings will help you make the right choice. Retail stores and many specialized online construction sites will help you decide where to buy cutting consumables. Study reviews from real customers, compare products by price and order jigsaw accessories online from the online store.

Very often, abandoning cheap counterfeit products in favor of branded products pays off. Additional costs when purchasing consumables will be paid off by the high quality of the cut, the absence of additional processing, the speed of the process and the absence of injuries during the work.

How to cut plywood

When producing various finishing works or making furniture, the use of plywood is a common practice. At the same time, home craftsmen are faced with a choice: how to cut plywood and how to achieve a perfect cut without chips. When cutting such material, some difficulties arise: the sheet is large in size, and the structure of its base creates difficulties when sawing. Knowing some features, you can achieve excellent results when working with an electric jigsaw, hand saw or circular saw. The main condition is to ensure reliable fixation of the plywood.

Plywood is a material that is practical to use and easy to process.

Features of cutting tools

Each plywood cutting tool has its own characteristics when used. Let's look at the rules for working with plywood with various cutting tools.

Sawing with a circular saw

To effectively cut a sheet using a circular saw, you should adhere to the following rules:

Place the plywood sheet on a stable support and make the first cut closer to the middle of the sheet.
Adjust the cut depth. To do this, lower the disk and start cutting, while the depth of immersion of the disk should be 0.5 cm greater than the thickness of the blade.
To avoid injury due to the high risk of kickback, position yourself to the side of the saw's line of action.
Prepare the saw to make the required cut. To do this, you should attach the saw shoe (its part in front) to the blade and install the blade on the cutting line, having previously bent the casing.
Make sure there are no obstructions at the bottom of the sheet.
Turn on the saw and slowly plunge its blade into the material. To prevent kickback, hold the saw firmly. After immersing the disk in the slot and installing its shoe on the surface of the sheet, the protective casing should be returned.
Run the tool along the line to the end of the canvas.
Turn off the saw and only after it has stopped completely, remove it from the slot.

Cutting with an electric jigsaw

To obtain an even cut, the sequence of actions should be as follows:

Securely fix the material.
If possible, cut perpendicular to the grain of the wood, otherwise it will be very difficult to obtain a straight edge.
Under no circumstances should you put pressure on the tool; this will not increase the cutting speed, but the tool is guaranteed to break.
The surface of the teeth should be lubricated with oil to facilitate work (subject to working with high-strength wood).
It is undesirable to use the tool for a long time due to its heating and damage to the engine.
After use, you need to clean the jigsaw and lubricate it.

Working with a hand saw

Working with a hand saw involves a lot more labor compared to a circular saw. To properly cut a sheet of plywood, you need to consider the following rules:

Make a vertical notch along the cut line. To do this, you need to place a saw blade and pull the blade through to form a groove.
Tilt the saw blade until an acute angle is formed with the plane of the sheet (from 30 to 40 0) and begin to make smooth movements.
To maintain an even cut, the forearm and shoulder should be located in the same plane. If you deviate from the specified direction, you need to slightly bend the saw in the desired direction and continue working.
To avoid the formation of a fracture, you need to hold the part being sawn off with your unoccupied hand.
When you finish cutting, you need to return the blade to a vertical position and finish the work by making several movements perpendicular to the sheet of plywood.

This is interesting: the hard coating of laminated plywood imparts heterogeneity to the material, which causes chipping during processing. Another reason for the appearance of such defects is determined by the speed of movement of the cutting edge, the shape of its teeth and the applied forces. Often the jigsaw blade breaks out large pieces of plywood, which is due to the use of saws with large teeth or pushing through the top of the sheet.

At what speed to cut chipboard, laminated chipboard with a jigsaw

To cut chipboard evenly with a jigsaw, you need to work with an electric or hand tool at low speed, pressing the blade firmly against the workpiece. With fast movements, the cut is not very neat, and the likelihood of chipping increases.

Users note that when cutting with the nozzle in a straight position and at low speed, the jigsaw travels about 50 cm per minute. If you increase the intensity of movements and set the maximum angle of inclination, then in the same time you will be able to cut up to 2 m. But the cut will be rough, with large chips .

Advice! If you need to cut the material carefully, you should turn off the pendulum stroke in the tool.

How smoothly a jigsaw will process chipboard also depends on the sharpness of the blade. New blades allow you to cut material clearly along the intended line and at a constant speed. But after about 3 m of workpiece, the equipment begins to become dull, as a result of which the progress slows down and the cut becomes rougher.

Prongs in the other direction

For most saws, the direction of the teeth goes from bottom to top. This allows you to cut wood without putting much pressure on the jigsaw from top to bottom. The cut itself occurs when the jigsaw moves upward. With standard saws, the lower surface of the plywood produces a better cut than the upper surface.

There are files with the teeth in the opposite direction, i.e. the teeth point away from the jigsaw.

A saw with reverse teeth is designed for finishing cuts on the top surface of plywood. Therefore, such saws are more convenient for cutting chipboard or laminate - without chipping or scoring. True, sawing with such a blade is more difficult, because The jigsaw will make a saw when the saw is directed from top to bottom, and accordingly, resistance of the tooth against the plywood will appear, which is why the tool will try to bounce. Holding a jigsaw smoothly is noticeably more difficult.