Today, a jigsaw is one of the most popular tools, found in every woodworking workshop and most households. A convenient, economical, small-sized, safe and productive unit, capable of solving a lot of problems related to sawing wood, plastics, and some types of metals.
When starting to choose a jigsaw, you should decide on the main thing: in what capacity and how often you will use this tool. If you decide to get into the furniture business and come up with the idea of opening a workshop for the production of musical instruments, you should choose an industrial jigsaw. It makes sense to buy a professional jigsaw if you are doing repairs and regularly use it intensively. Most households use a jigsaw occasionally, so there is no point in spending extra money on an expensive tool. In this case, you should choose a household jigsaw from a well-known manufacturer - it will completely satisfy your needs.
Classification of jigsaws
Depending on their purpose, jigsaws are divided into household, professional and industrial.
According to the type of power supply, jigsaws are either corded or cordless. There are also manual jigsaws and they still have some popularity among craftsmen, and are also used in workshops for teaching schoolchildren.
Shaped like a handle. The bulk of jigsaws supplied to the market have a staple or mushroom handle.
Jigsaw Bort BPS 725N-L
Household or professional
Like any construction tools, jigsaws are divided into household and professional. The classification determines the maximum load that the equipment can handle, the time of continuous operation and, of course, the comfort of use.
Household jigsaws are intended for rare use in the country, at home or in the garage. Also, DIY class tools can be used in production for rare operations. Such models always have a limit on the time of continuous operation: for the most budget ones, the parameter can reach up to 10-20 minutes. Conventionally, household models can be used for no more than 4-8 hours a day (or about 30-50 hours a week) with regular breaks.
semi-professional level (Hobby) have become a transitional link between household and professional models . If your task is to buy an inexpensive but good jigsaw, you should take a closer look at this segment. At the same time, the resource of the device is somewhat higher than that of inexpensive amateur models, and the functionality is comparable to the top positions. These jigsaws are suitable for work at home or in small production. Hobby class equipment is rarely limited in terms of continuous operation time, but it will not be possible to use them “to the fullest” - the mechanism is not designed for such loads.
Professional and industrial class models have found their application in woodworking workshops, manufacturing of cabinet furniture or wooden structures, in construction and interior decoration. As practice shows, amateur craftsmen often opt for top-end equipment, but this is not always rational. If a tool is rarely used, there is no way to realize its full potential, for which, by the way, you will have to pay a lot. In addition, repairing expensive equipment is never cheap.
Criteria for choosing a jigsaw
And so we have already decided - the main thing is to understand before purchasing a tool for what purposes you will use the jigsaw. Now it’s worth considering other criteria by which you should choose a jigsaw.
Power. According to many users, this is the most important parameter on which the performance of a jigsaw largely depends. For household use, a jigsaw with a motor from 350 to 700 watts is suitable. It can easily cope with sawing a variety of materials, while being lightweight and consuming minimal electricity. To solve serious problems, you should buy a jigsaw with a more powerful motor.
Saw blade stroke frequency . The indicator determines the number of reciprocating movements of the saw blade per unit of time. According to most masters, the optimal rate can be considered to be from 2,500 to 3,200 moves/minute. Most manufacturers today supply their jigsaws with blade speed regulators. Ask the seller about the presence of this function, the minimum and maximum frequency of the saw blade.
Depth of cut. This parameter shows to what depth a particular jigsaw model can cut wood or other materials. We recommend purchasing jigsaws with a cutting depth in wood from 50 to 85 millimeters, in aluminum up to 15 mm, and in steel up to 8-10 millimeters.
The presence of a pendulum stroke. This function increases the speed of the jigsaw, but reduces the cutting accuracy. For a household tool it doesn't matter much.
Sloping sole. Experience shows that a jigsaw with an inclined base has a wider range of uses and allows you to more accurately cut materials at different angles.
Backlight and laser. These functions allow you to work with a jigsaw in poor visibility conditions with greater accuracy. If the backlight illuminates the work area, then the laser acts as an alternative to markings made using a ruler and a regular pencil.
Dust removal system. As a rule, modern jigsaws are equipped with a connection pipe for connecting a household vacuum cleaner. The function protects the operator from dust and chips and allows for more precise cuts. Some jigsaws have an integrated dust extraction system.
Jigsaw DeWALT DW349
Classes of jigsaws
What types of jigsaws are there? Devices are divided into home and professional. They are similar in appearance, but in technical terms, functionality, performance, there are big differences,
Household
These models can only work for a short time and are not suitable for daily use. With their help, you can open wood, plywood, any sheet material whose thickness does not exceed 7 cm, or metal up to 4 cm thick.
Jigsaw for home use
Note! Jigsaws have low power, overheat quickly, and have limited functionality. However, their cost is low and they are convenient to store due to their small size and weight.
Professional
You can work with such a tool for a very long time, it will not turn off due to overheating. It has a large arsenal of various functions. Power does not exceed 1000 W. You can cut wood up to 13.5 cm thick, steel up to 1 cm, aluminum up to 2 cm. However, they are much larger in size and several times higher in price.
Professional tool
Industrial
This type of jigsaws are stationary machines that can operate around the clock. They are usually used by furniture factories and factories.
Note! For household chores, small volumes of work, the best option is a household jigsaw.
Jigsaw machine
Household or professional for home
The professional option is much higher in price. Of course, it is much more powerful, more wear-resistant, has an expanded configuration, and is equipped with additional devices. However, if large volumes of work are not planned, then it is quite possible to get by with a household type of device.
Rating of popular jigsaws for household use: top 10 of 2021
DeWALT DW349 . The tool is driven by a reliable 500-watt electric motor and an electronic unit for maintaining constant speed. The jigsaw is characterized by high productivity with excellent quality of material processing. The clamp-like rubberized handle in combination with a counterweight system eliminates vibration, and the tool-free mechanism allows you to quickly change the saw blade. The depth of the cut in the wood is 75 millimeters, weight is 2.5 kilograms.
Bosch PST 900PEL
Bosch PST 900PEL. Green jigsaw (household series), intended for use at home and small workshops. The tool is driven by a fairly powerful 620-watt motor, which allows you to cut wood to a depth of up to 90 millimeters. Users note low vibration and the innovative Bosch SDS system, which allows you to change the blade without using tools in the shortest possible time. Among the additional functions of the jigsaw, it is worth noting the presence of a pendulum stroke and powerful illumination of the work area.
Popular professional jigsaws
Bosch GST 850 BE Professional
Bosch GST 850 BE Professional. One of the best professional jigsaws on the domestic market. A powerful 600-watt motor provides the ability to saw various materials in intensive mode: the engine does not heat up, all systems work perfectly. The model is equipped with a tool-free saw blade replacement system, has four pendulum speeds, and the tool handle is adapted for gripping with one or two hands. Users note the high build quality of the jigsaw and the excellent performance of the unit; one of the disadvantages is its rather large weight - 2.6 kg.
Jigsaw Dewalt DW331K
DeWalt 331 K. The only drawback of this tool is also its excess weight (2.8 kg), however, this is a feature of all professional jigsaws. The unit is equipped with a powerful 700-watt motor, which allows you to make curved and straight cuts in wood to a depth of 135 millimeters. The jigsaw is equipped with a pendulum system, a laser, a protective screen and an electronic speed control unit. The manufacturer took care of the presence of a soft start function and the ability to connect the jigsaw to a vacuum cleaner; the cast sole is equipped with a tool-free tilt mechanism in both directions. Another advantage of this tool is the fact that it comes in a plastic case.
Jigsaw Makita 4350FCT
Makita 4350FCT. An excellent professional jigsaw for intensive use both at home and in small workshops. The jigsaw is powered by a 720-watt single-phase motor, which allows you to cut wood, metal and plastic to an impressive depth. Users note the high accuracy of shaped processing of parts and high productivity of the tool. The cutting speed is set using a pendulum mechanism; the jigsaw is equipped with illumination of the working area, a quick-release fastening of the saw blade and a button for fixing constant operation.
Rating of cordless jigsaws
Bosch GST18 V-LI B 0
Bosch GST 18 V - LI B 0. High-quality professional jigsaw, designed for use in intensive conditions when working with wood, plastic, and metals. Let us note the impressive depth of cut in wood – up to 150 mm; aluminum can be cut to a depth of up to 15 millimeters. A comfortable rubberized staple handle and an anti-vibration system ensure operator comfort; a four-position pendulum mechanism allows you to select the optimal sawing speed and accuracy. The jigsaw is equipped with a keyless system for replacing the saw blade and a function for instantly stopping the saw when the tool is turned off. The weight of the model is 2.4 kilograms, without battery.
Jigsaw Makita JV100DWE
Makita JV 100 DWE . This popular model from a well-known manufacturer is distinguished by high performance and reliability. The jigsaw is characterized by its low weight (only 1.7 kg without battery) and a comfortable handle designed so that the operator can work with one hand. We note the excellent functionality of this jigsaw, which includes a three-stage pendulum mechanism, electronic speed control and an integrated function for blowing the working area. The jigsaw is equipped with a cast inclined platform that can tilt left and right up to 45 degrees, allowing you to make precise and neat bevel cuts. Let us note the unusually rich package package of the Makita JV100DWE jigsaw, which, among other things, includes a charger and two batteries.
Jigsaw Metabo STAB 18 LTX 100
Metabo STA 18 LTX 100. The jigsaw is equipped with a somewhat unusual angular bracket-shaped handle, which nevertheless fits comfortably in the hand and allows you to operate the tool without excessive effort. The jigsaw is equipped with all systems that ensure operator comfort, high speed and clean processing of the part. The unit is powered by a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 4 A/h, which provides up to 40 minutes of operation in intensive mode. It should be noted the large depth of cut (wood - up to 140 mm), the presence of lighting, a pendulum stroke and a turntable. The disadvantage of the jigsaw is its heavy weight (2.8 kg without battery) and the lack of a charger and battery in the basic configuration.
If you live in a private house or have a summer house, or you just like to create comfort around yourself with your own hands, a jigsaw is the tool that you will sooner or later feel the urgent need for. This tool can be useful when installing doors or wall panels, or laying many types of flooring. In this article we will tell you how to choose the right jigsaw and give some recommendations for its use.
Content
- What types of jigsaws are there?
- Design features of jigsaws
- Characteristics of an electric jigsaw
- Jigsaw files video
- Recommendations for working with a jigsaw video
- Most Popular Video Brands
What types of jigsaws are there?
Like other tools, jigsaws are divided into two types based on their purpose - professional and household. Moreover, the first type differs from the second both in the power of the devices and the service life, as well as in the set of functions provided in them.
For example, with a professional jigsaw you can easily cut wood up to 135 mm thick or steel up to 10 mm thick. The household model can “pull” wood up to 70mm thick and has become up to 4mm thick. The available set of functions is also different - a set of adjustments with special locks, increased accuracy, accuracy of the cuts and other features.
Of course, based on the power of the tool and its capabilities, the price for it will also be determined - a household jigsaw will cost less, while a professional jigsaw will cost more. However, price is, of course, not the only thing based on what you need to choose a tool. You also need to pay attention to the design of the electric jigsaw and its internal structure.
Design features of jigsaws
The first thing you should pay attention to when choosing an electric jigsaw is the design of its motor, since both the durability of the tool and its power will depend on its quality. Today, there are two types of jigsaw motors - closed and open. At the same time, purchasing a tool with an open motor would not be the best solution, since such a motor is susceptible to dust, which, of course, will not have the best effect on the operation of the tool.
Next, you should pay attention to the material of the gear - they form the reciprocating movements of the rack, on which there is a mechanism responsible for securely fastening the file. Therefore, if plastic, even very durable, is used to make the gear, the long-term service of the tool is in doubt. The only correct material for the gear and other jigsaw elements is metal. Only the body and other fixed elements of the instrument can be plastic.
Characteristics of an electric jigsaw
Of course, when choosing a reliable tool, you must also pay attention to its characteristics.
Power. Since power is directly related to the performance of the tool, you need to determine in advance how much work you need to do with an electric jigsaw. The majority of devices have a power of 300-850W. If you need a jigsaw exclusively for home use, then a power of 500-700 W will be quite enough.
Stroke frequency. The quality with which your future tool will make cuts depends on this characteristic. In modern electric jigsaws, the cutting frequency can reach 3100 strokes/min, which, together with the function of adjusting the stroke frequency, will allow you to cut a wide variety of materials as quickly as possible.
Adjusting the stroke rate allows you to set a certain stroke rate in the most convenient way, depending on the material you plan to work with.
Size of stroke. This characteristic affects the performance of our tool. Thus, the magnitude of the stroke is usually called the distance from the lowest point of ascent to the highest. The greater this distance, the longer the electric jig saw is in contact with the material, which means its productivity will also be greater. In modern instruments this value can reach 26 mm.
Pendulum stroke . This function gives the saw a forward movement when working with materials. This function is missing only in low-power models. It is recommended to use a pendulum stroke only when working with soft materials such as wood, chipboard, and fiberboard. But under no circumstances should you try to saw non-ferrous materials and steel if this function is turned on on the device.
Depth of cut. The width of the material the jigsaw can cut through depends on this value. As we said above, for professional models of electric jigsaws, the cutting width can reach up to 135mm for wood, 10mm for steel and 25mm for non-ferrous materials.
Here, in fact, are all the most important functions of any jigsaw. These are the ones you should pay attention to when choosing a tool. There are also some additional functions that are not so important, but can make working with the tool more comfortable.
In particular, we are talking about such functions as a laser pointer, illumination of the cut point, quick clamping of the saw, and blowing of the cut point. Optional also includes the presence of a pipe for connecting the tool to the vacuum cleaner.
Jigsaw files
Files are one of the main parts of any electric jigsaw. They can be made from various materials and may differ in size, teeth and shank shape.
Jigsaw files can be made of carbon steel (suitable for working with soft woods), high-speed steel (suitable for working with metals), bimetallic blades (universal files with a long service life).
The saw blade shank - the shape of the end of the saw blade - can be cross-shaped, universal, smooth or with round holes. In Bosch jigsaws, the shank can have two stops. In fact, it does not affect the operation of the tool, but if you choose a shank of a rare shape, you may experience some difficulties in purchasing a replacement blade.
The saw blade teeth of an electric jigsaw may have unequal pitches and vary in size and shape. Some saw blades are characterized by tooth alignment, which has a positive effect on work productivity, but negatively affects the quality of the cut.
It should be noted that if you plan to cut glass or ceramic tiles using an electric jigsaw, then for these purposes it is best to use saws without teeth, but with diamond coating or carbide coating.
Recommendations for working with a jigsaw
- The first rule when operating any tool is to keep it clean and lubricate all mechanisms in a timely manner.
- When working with some materials, do not forget about cooling (machine oil or water, soap solution).
- Change a dull file in a timely manner, otherwise the load on the tool’s engine will increase significantly.
- When working with plastic, remember: you need to cut it with a minimum frequency of 1000 strokes.
- Remember to allow time for the engine to cool down if you are working at a low speed.
- When cutting through thin metal, place a sheet of plywood underneath it.
- The steel sheet should be cut with an electric jigsaw at high speed and with high power.
Most Popular Brands
Today, jigsaws from companies such as Bosch, Metabo, Skil, Makita, Hitachi and Meister are the most popular among buyers. Also pay attention to interskol jigsaws.
Bosch jigsaws are one of the most popular jigsaws. Here you can pay attention to such tools as the Bosch GST 65 B jigsaw for home use and the Bosch GST 135 BCE for professionals.
Makita jigsaws are distinguished by high quality, a set of convenient functions and a universal clamp for files. Particularly popular among this company’s jigsaws are the battery-powered Makita BJV 140 RF and the new Makita 4329.
Author: Sergey and Svetlana Khudentsov
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