More often, people buy jigsaws for sawing boards, bars, and slats. This is a good assistant in building a wooden house, assembling furniture, kitchen corners. This power tool can be used to cut various materials. A jigsaw for metal is often used in private workshops and small enterprises.
Jigsaw (Photo: Instagram / prokat_instrumenta26)
Design and principle of operation
The design of the tool depends on the type of drive. A manual jigsaw consists of three elements:
- saw blade;
- frames with clamps;
- wooden, metal or plastic handle.
Jigsaw components:
- plastic case;
- electric motor with brushes;
- pressing platform;
- movable saw feed mechanism;
- moving rollers;
- cable for connecting to an outlet.
Jigsaw machines can be classified as a separate group. They are industrial units that have a cast frame. The remaining elements are fixed on it.
Jigsaw machines are not very popular among private companies, since it is more convenient to use a band saw in a carpentry workshop.
Hand jigsaw (Photo: Instagram / mysternya.by)
Saw alligators
The alligator saw is an interesting type of tool with a reciprocating mechanism. It uses two cutting blades at once, moving in a support rail in counter motion to each other.
Saw BOSCH GFZ 16-35 AC
Thanks to this, the tool works easily, without jerking and vibration typical of, say, a reciprocating saw, the sole of which must be pressed tightly against the surface being processed. The alligator saw is a fairly powerful and productive tool; in terms of the range of tasks it is close to reciprocating saws.
DeWalt
Alligator saws are used to cut a wide variety of materials.
Bosch
The long bar allows you to cut thick logs.
Specifications
Any tool or machine has a number of technical characteristics by which you can find out its capabilities. When choosing a jigsaw, you need to pay attention to the following parameters:
- saw blade size;
- saw blade angle;
- the presence of a mechanism for adjusting the cutting angle;
- electric motor power;
- presence of a speed switch.
You should carefully inspect the jigsaw platform. It can be mobile or static.
What to look for before purchasing
The most important thing is not to buy a professional model that will be used once a month, or a household model and try to work with it for 5 hours a day. Therefore, the user should pay attention not only to the power of the jigsaw. Below are some tips for choosing.
- The relationship between workpiece thickness and power. A manual household jigsaw cuts metal up to 4 mm thick, a professional jigsaw cuts metal up to 10-12 mm. It is desirable that both have a power of at least 500 W.
- Functional. Think about whether you should overpay for a tool with lighting, a blowing system, or a pendulum motion, if the device will be used for 1 hour per month? Wide possibilities are welcomed by professionals; an amateur can do without them.
- Possibility to adjust the frequency of saw movements. If the cutting blade can change speed, the tool is good for multiple metals (for example, steel, copper and aluminum). This is due to the fact that thick workpieces (5-10 mm) are cut at reduced speeds, otherwise the file may crack or become dull.
- Choosing a file. It is important to know the type of shank and the method of fastening the file (this is indicated in the technical data sheet of the product). Also, cutting blades are distinguished by their suitability for certain metals, which affects their parameters - pitch of teeth, their number, thickness of the removable element.
A jigsaw file for metal can be recognized by its characteristic markings - T118 A (workpiece thickness up to 3 mm), T224 D (for aluminum) and so on.
Bosch files (T118A) for jigsaws for metal
Remember that the instrument (especially the amateur one) needs rest. After 20-30 minutes of work, you should put the jigsaw aside to avoid overheating. It’s different with professional models - they work for several hours. If you feel that the body of the tool has become hot (due to the continuous operation of the engine), it makes sense to give the device a break.
In short, this is all you need to know about jigsaws for metal. If you have anything to add, share your thoughts in the comments.
Selection principles
When choosing a tool you need to consider:
- Electric motor power. The higher it is, the more opportunities open to the master.
- Availability of power regulator. It is necessary when you need to frequently cut different materials.
- Possibility of adjusting the angle of the saw blade. This additional feature allows you to use the tool in hard-to-reach places.
- Platform material. If it is plastic, any fall may cause it to break. On sale you can find models with metal soles.
- Cable length. The bigger, the better.
- File type. You need to buy several types of equipment and paste for cooling the metal in advance.
The more teeth there are on the saw blade, the smoother the cut will be.
When choosing a tool, you need to hold it in your hands to feel how convenient it is. Some modern models are equipped with a laser designator and a flashlight that illuminates the work area. These are optional functions, but they make the work process easier and allow you to make even cuts.
Jigsaw (Photo: Instagram / trudyagadv.ru)
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of jigsaws:
- The work process is simplified.
- You don't need to buy expensive industrial equipment to cut metal workpieces.
- Using a power tool you can make straight cuts.
- Compared with stationary units, using a jigsaw you can cut parts in hard-to-reach places.
Flaws:
- High price of equipment for power tools.
- Over time, the files become dull and break. You need to regularly buy new equipment.
- In order not to spoil the metal on the cuts, it is necessary to use a special cooling lubricant.
A jigsaw is necessary for builders and installers who work with metal, wood, and plastic.
Manufacturers and cost
In construction stores you can find tools for cutting metal, wood, and plastic from the following companies:
- Makita is a Japanese manufacturer of power tools. Produces high quality products.
- DeWalt is an American company that produces professional tools for construction work. The price is justified by quality, power, reliability.
- Bosch is a German manufacturer that produces tools for professionals and amateurs.
- Skil is a German manufacturer that produces power tools for construction. The products of this company are of good quality.
- Hitachi is a concern of 1,100 companies that develop equipment for large enterprises and produce power tools.
Among the budget manufacturers we can highlight Interskol, Diold, Zubr.
Jigsaw brand “Maquitta” (Photo: Instagram / joyridertools)
Types of electric jigsaws
A self-respecting master of construction has long ago replaced the existing mechanical analogue with a modernized model. All jigsaws are divided into three groups according to the following criteria:
- power;
- duration of work;
- dimensions;
- additional functionality.
In accordance with these parameters, the following are distinguished:
- household;
- professional;
- industrial models.
Household products include low power products up to 600 W. The functionality is somewhat limited (the master will not be able to process surfaces of large thickness), and the operating time does not exceed a couple of hours per day. But it is an indispensable hand tool for solving one-time household tasks. Jigsaws of this type cost from 1000 rubles, which is quite acceptable for a citizen with an average income.
An example of household-type equipment that has many positive reviews is the Bosch PST 700 E. At a price of 3,000 rubles, the user receives a device with a power of 500 W, which is capable of cutting aluminum sheets up to 10 mm thick and steel sheets up to 4 mm thick. Other characteristics are:
- adjustable speed of web movement (from 500 to 3100/min.);
- blowing off chips;
- the ability to cut at an angle due to the tilt of the sole;
- built-in anti-vibration system;
- rubberized staple handle;
- light weight (1.6 kg);
- Possibility of quick blade change.
Bosch PST 700 E is considered one of the best corded jigsaws. Analogues of the device are Makita 4329 K, DeFort DJS-505-B. The functionality is similar, the price varies by 1000 rubles up or down.
Professional models are distinguished by the possibility of long-term daily operation (6-8 hours) due to increased power. The functionality is expanding - along with sheet blanks, the tools can cut aluminum rods and similar products. The cost of professional models is 5-10 thousand rubles, while cheap models do not have a quick clamp for a metal jigsaw file, their speed mode does not change, and the cable is short.
Jigsaw Makita 4329 K
An example device is Makita 4350 CT. Its parameters:
- thickness of sawn steel billet - up to 10 mm;
- saw blade vibration frequency - from 800 to 2800 per minute;
- the presence of a 4-stage pendulum motion (to increase the cutting speed and maintain the quality of the file);
- smooth start, without jerking;
- anti-vibration system;
- Possibility of tilting the sole by 45 degrees;
- weight 2.5 kg.
The product will cost the user 8-9 thousand rubles, depending on the store.
Industrial electric jigsaws are large-sized units that are more appropriately called a machine tool rather than a hand tool. Their power is thousands of watts, their performance is measured by 15-20 hours of daily work, and the cost varies from 10 thousand rubles. An example is a domestically produced tool Zubr ZSL-250 weighing 21 kg and costing 15-17 tr.
Since an advanced user prefers a convenient hand tool, it is worth mentioning the rules for choosing an electric jigsaw.
Exploitation
Rules for using a jigsaw:
- You need to prepare your workplace in advance. Nothing should interfere with cutting metal.
- Do not cut thick workpieces. This may damage the jigsaw.
- Before turning on the power tool, you need to check the cable and inspect it for damage.
- If the jigsaw was purchased from a specialized store, it is covered by a warranty. It is better to take it to a workshop after a breakdown than to try to repair the mechanism yourself.
- You need to draw a line along which the cut will be made in advance. Without it, the cut may turn out uneven.
- The metal at the cut site must be lubricated with a cooling lubricant.
- It is important to remember to adjust the engine speed when cutting plastic, wood, and metal.
Before starting work, you need to carefully inspect the equipment. The teeth must be intact and sharp. If there are unevenness or chips, it is necessary to replace the equipment with a new one.
You can use a variety of tools to cut metal workpieces. A popular option is a jigsaw with a metal file. Using power tools can simplify your work process. To prevent the metal from overheating due to friction, it is recommended to use a special lubricant.
