The facts about puzzles

A jigsaw is a very versatile power tool used to cut curves and patterns in a variety of materials. From oak, plywood, PVC, aluminum, and even concrete board, jigsaws are ideal for cutting many different materials. Operators just need to be sure they are using the correct blade for each application and a jigsaw will devour most materials. Jigsaws are generally used for more aesthetic and embellishment purposes than traditional saws. Built to cut intricate patterns, most jigsaws also have a 450 left or right bevel capacity, sometimes both. Because the shoe of the tool (base plate or saw base) tilts, the blade can cut materials at an angle to achieve compound shapes. Because jigsaws are designed to move around curves and jigs, however, they have a difficult time cutting a straight line, even with the help of a guide.

Scroll saws tend to be quite safe and generally easy to use and maintain. The blade on jigsaws only moves up and down about 3/4 “- 1” per stroke, and moves through materials only as fast as it is pushed; This means that while contacting the blade will injure and cut you, it probably will not result in severe damage or loss of the limb. Although the safety risks are less with jigsaws, it is important to be careful when cutting, touching, and changing blades. During use, the top-down and shear friction causes the blades to become very hot; grabbing hot blades will burn you, so watch out for that too.

The motor power in jigsaws ranges from 3.6? 6.4 amps. This motor drives an eccentric gear that drives the blade holder shaft and consequently moves the blade up and down. A jigsaw is primarily made up of a plastic body, a metal gearbox, a shoe (which acts as a support for the saw while cutting), a blade holder, and a blade guide. There are two basic designs for jigsaws: the barrel handle and the top handle. The top handle design has a handle grafted on top of the tool’s motor housing. The barrel grip is designed without a handle for the operator to operate the saw with its barrel-shaped motor housing. Each of these designs is popular, but choosing between the two is usually up to personal preference. One of the most important factors when choosing a jigsaw is comfort. Ensuring that you can maneuver the saw and that it is comfortable and stable in your hands are crucial to finding the right jigsaw. Due to its lower center of gravity, many craftsmen claim that the upper handle has greater controllability.

Characteristics:

Variable speed – With a variable speed option, most jigsaws can run between 500 and 3000 strokes per minute. On jigsaws, variable speed is controlled with a separate knob or by applied trigger pressure. Some jigsaws have a single knob with adjustments from zero upwards, which means that the variable speed function is not activated; settings one and higher offer a progressively more aggressive cut. In other models, the variable speed is controlled by the amount of pressure that is exerted on the tool’s trigger.

Orbital Action – Most jigsaws offer an orbital blade action that allows for faster, rougher cuts. The orbital motion pushes the blade forward in the upward motion (as opposed to simply up and down) cutting materials faster and more aggressively. However, keep in mind that the more aggressively you cut, the more likely it is to break.

Blower – Many jigsaws offer a blower designed to shoot a stream of air at the point of cut. The idea is that the blower clears the saw dust from the path of the cut, making materials, patterns and cut lines more visible to the operator. In most models, the blower function can be turned on or off, and in some cases, the air pressure can also be controlled. Some jig saws can also be connected to a shop vacuum, but even so, dust collection is notoriously below average with these saws.

Blade release:

Almost all jigsaws today offer tool-free blade changes. A button activates a spring-loaded release mechanism that unlocks the blade from the locking clamp and the blade is released. Some systems require a manual turn of the blade to remove it completely, while others simply eject it completely. Blade ejection feature keeps fingers safe from cuts and burns.

Choosing a jigsaw:

Power – Simply buying the most powerful saw is not always the best answer. Buy the saw with the amperage that best suits the applications for which it will be used.

Comfort and Controllability – Making sure the jigsaw you choose feels good in your hands and is comfortable to push and maneuver is critical. Vibration in the tool is also an important factor for comfort and quality of the cut.

Blade Guide System – Because jigsaw blades can drift, a good blade guide system is a vital part of finding the right jigsaw. A rotating blade can easily cut the mark or even result in a kind of inadvertent bevel where the blade bends at a slight angle. This generally produces fairly poor cuts, so a good blade guide is essential. All jigsaws have blade support from behind and most are supported from the sides as well. However, the amount of lateral support that is provided varies between models and manufacturers. Look for a blade guide system with adequate lateral support to keep the blade on the road and reduce flex during cuts.

General maintenance:

Brushes – Because jigsaw action is typically short-lived, the tool’s factory brushes generally last the life of the tool. If your brushes go out, you can simply remove the motor housing to reach them.

Cleaning: Keeping your jigsaw clean is an important component in improving performance and life. Things can get quite dusty inside the saw, and the grease and oil that goes into ensuring the blade and parts move smoothly acts as the worst kind of dust and debris trap. Simply cleaning the blade guide and clamping mechanisms (ideally after each use) will save you a lot of headaches. Any accumulated debris can cause the blade to become misaligned, so keeping it clean will allow you to cut smoothly and accurately. Using a toothbrush (or something with a similar design) provides the best reach and leverage.

Shoe or saw base: Try to keep your shoe looking like new. If the shoe buckles, it will disrupt the angle of your cut. Replace the shoe on your jigsaw if, for example, you drop the saw and bend. It is also possible for the surface of the shoe to be scratched or scraped. Sharp, protruding edges can come out of these grooves and damage the cutting surfaces. To keep your materials safe, simply use sandpaper or a scouring pad to smooth out scratches and sharp edges. Most shoes can also be fitted with a plastic shoe cover when working with soft or finished wood, or with plastic.

Cord – As with all corded power tools, check the cord periodically for cracks, cuts, or breaks, and replace if damaged.

Cordless – As battery technology gets better and better, cordless power tools are becoming a much more viable resource for craftsmen. Cordless jigsaws range from 12? 28v; generally, the higher the voltage, the better the performance of the tool. Also, because saw stress occurs over relatively short life spans, jigsaw batteries tend to last longer. This makes wireless technology quite a good and convenient option.

Advice:

When using a jigsaw, take it easy; let the blade do the work. Don’t press too hard and don’t turn too fast. Also, you should cut at the bottom of your workpiece whenever possible. Because the blade cuts on the upstroke, cutting at the bottom of the part will reduce visible tearing in the workpiece.

Jigsaws are an incredibly versatile tool and are the undisputed king of curved cutting. For cutting aesthetic patterns and shapes, there is no better tool to have in the shop than a jigsaw.