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The jigsaw is a handheld power tool used to make precision cuts in many materials including wood, plastic and various metals.
The versatility of jigsaws is far greater than other power saws in that it has a thin blade which allows for greater accuracy and manoeuvrability when in use. Cutting curves with a jigsaw can take practice, but once learned, is a valuable skill you can use over and over.
Here we’ll break down the various uses of the jigsaw. This guide covers some situations when you might need it, the various blades that are available, how to prepare for your cut, and how to make a perfect curve using the saw.
If you’re already familiar with the ins and outs of how jigsaws work, scroll down to the second half of this guide where we’ll get into the techniques and methods to use.
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Jigsaws are perfect for DIY projects around the house and commercial building work that requires precision cutting. These uses include building, hobby projects, renovations such as cutting a hole in a bench for a sink or artistic ventures such as creating sculptures or stencils.
For jobs that require straight cuts and minimal manoeuvring, a jigsaw may not be the right fit. In fact, it’s possible to end up with an inferior result when using a jigsaw for long, straight cuts. These are better handled with hand saws for smaller jobs and a bigger table saw for the more heavy-duty cuts, but if your project involves curved lines or complex, detailed shapes or stencils then a jigsaw is the tool you need. Unsure what saw or combination of tools you need? We have a huge range of saws at Hirepool and our local experts can help you select the best ones for your project.
Before you start making any kind of cut with the jigsaw, there are a few key facts and health considerations to take into account. Though this tool is small in size, it is powerful and potentially dangerous if used incorrectly.
Not knowing how the saw works, using the wrong type of blade or not wearing the appropriate protective gear means you may not achieve the best result; not to mention the possibility of causing an injury in the process.
It’s essential that you know what each part of the jigsaw does - Here’s a brief rundown. The power control is the trigger situated on the handle of the jigsaw. The blade clamp, as well as the blade, are situated at the front. The latter must be secured tightly into the former before cutting. The base plate is comprised of the two parallel planes on the bottom of the saw, used to hold it steady and guide your cut. The dust exhaust is the opening at the rear end of some jigsaws, which is used to expel any excess dust. Finally, the power supply is the cord that must be plugged into your mains power before the jigsaw can operate.
It is important to select the correct blade before starting your job. There are many different kinds of blades for different materials and jobs. The most common types are U-Shank blades, which are generally used with older jigsaws, and T-Shank blades which are easier to fit into the blade clamp and are thus used much more often in newer jigsaw models.
First, ensure you have everything you need to begin the job. We recommend having a drill, pencil, ruler, compass, protractor and a set of clamps on hand before you start. This will help you prepare your cut, mark out your guidelines and ensure the material you’re cutting is fastened down securely.
Second, make certain that you are wearing appropriate protective gear. This includes covered clothes and shoes, protective eyewear and a face mask. Check that your hair or any loose clothing is tied up and out of the way.
Here are five key steps to keep in mind to ensure you end up with the best possible result. Follow these steps a few times over and you’ll have the skills to cut accurate jigsaw curves with ease.
First, remove any unnecessary clutter from your work area and clear the work surface. Make sure there’s nothing on the floor that you could trip on while you cut. Make sure there is plenty of clearance between the material you are cutting and the floor/worksurface - this is to make sure the blade doesn’t come into contact with anything except the cutting material. Check that the material is tightly fastened down with clamps and that it doesn’t move under reasonable force.
Select the appropriate blade for your jigsaw and the material that you’ll be cutting. As mentioned earlier, newer jigsaws will likely require the T-Shank variety of blades, whereas older models sometimes use U-Shanks. Take this into account when selecting your blade.
Once the blade is installed, mark out your curve on the material using a ruler, compass or protractor for the most even line. It can help to mark dots between the two points you want to cut, then draw a line between them for the best result. Once your line is drawn, double-check and re-mark it if necessary before moving on to the second step.
If you’re not starting your cut from the edge of the material, drill a hole at the point where you wish to start your cut. Make sure you use a drill and drill bit that creates a large enough hole to fit the jigsaw blade.
Turn on the jigsaw at the wall and position the base plate flat on the cutting surface, in line with the markings you’ve made. Gently squeeze the trigger and pay attention to the blade as it starts to move.
Standing in a secure stance, carefully ease the moving blade into the material at the start of the line you’ve drawn. Guide the jigsaw along the curvature of the line at a slow and steady pace, paying attention to where the blade is on the surface at all times. Try not to stop and start too much - one smooth and slow motion will produce the best result. As you get more confident making these cuts, you can start to do them a little faster - but just take it slow to begin with.
If the cut ends at the edge of the surface, be wary of falling offcuts and the amount of force you’re putting on the jigsaw. Too much and your balance might be thrown when the blade comes free at the edge of the material you’re cutting.
Congratulations, you completed your first curved cut! Here are some extra tips and tricks to help with your jigsaw cuts in the future.
We recommend repeating the above steps several times on offcuts or unwanted pieces of material. That way you can become a jigsaw pro without worrying about the high stakes project you’re working on. Once you’ve made over ten cuts, you’ll be used to how the jigsaw works and ready to get the results you want.
For situations when exact measurements are very important, take the width of the saw blade into account. Cutting just outside your marking line will ensure you don’t shave off more than you intended!
If you’re using different jigsaws for different jobs, just bear in mind that the exact feel and functionality differs from one jigsaw to another. Take the time to get acquainted if you find yourself using equipment you’re not used to.
The benefits of hiring a jigsaw (as opposed to buying one outright) include a lesser upfront cost, increased reliability, better versatility and no storage responsibilities.
The main attraction of hiring a jigsaw (instead of buying one new from a hardware store) is always the cost. This is especially the case if you don’t have a need for one all that often. For some, a jigsaw might be needed for a particular project, but sit on the shelf collecting dust when not in use as often as other saws. If you buy, you’ll have to use the tool many times over to see a return on that initial investment.
Another benefit of hiring a jigsaw - instead of, for example, borrowing from a friend - is the increased reliability. Hire tools are maintained by trained engineers, which means you’ll almost never have to deal with faulty equipment. Hirepool tools are designed to last and often the best available on the market, which will save you time deciding and will ensure the best tool performance. With competitive hire rates, you can hire the right tools and expect to complete your project quickly and smoothly without issues. The returning of the jigsaw after the fact means that you don’t have to store it, either - an important factor for those who have little space to spare.
At Hirepool, we have a variety of different saws for every kind of renovation and hobby project you can imagine. Our stores are situated all throughout New Zealand, so there’s always a Hirepool near you. To hire out the best brands of jigsaws and anything else you might need, get in touch with us today on 0800 151515 or fill out our easy online booking form.
