9 Practical Jigsaw Uses
- Flooring. The first practical use for a jigsaw is for flooring. Flooring requires many boards to be ripped to certain...
- Roofing. Another practical application for the jigsaw is for roofing. Just like with flooring, roofing requires boards...
- Wall Framing. Yes, just like with flooring and roofing, when making frames for walls, as well as the walls...
What saw should I use?
You may also see blades with other designations:
- Framing blades have 24 teeth and are effective for jobs like rough carpentry where speed is more important than getting a clean cut.
- Plywood blades have 100 or more fine teeth designed to create a finish with minimal splintering.
- Thin-kerf blades have a narrow profile for faster, easier cutting and less material waste.
How to use a jigsaw to cut a hole?
How To Use A Jigsaw To Cut A Hole Method 3: Circle Cutting Jig. Many jigsaws have attachments that will allow you to cut out perfect circles. Alternatively, you can make jigs that allow you to do the same thing. These attachments and jigs all have certain things in common: A rigid piece stretches from the center of the circle to the jigsaw.
Can you use a jigsaw to cut a door?
The answer is yes, you can! Compared to wooden doors, metal ones might seem like a much harder project. Cutting a metal door might be scary, but with the right tools and confidence, you can do it. Herein, can a jigsaw cut through a door? A jigsaw is fine for straight cuts as long as you use a guide.
Can jigsaw cut 2x4?
Jigsaws are suitable for cutting softwood that is less than 1-1/2 in. Thick. In brief, a jigsaw can readily cut a 2x4, but it is not optimal for cutting a 4x4. The saw blade needs to be sharpened after every few cuts. The thickness of the cut determines how easily the wood will fall away from the blade.
What can you do with jig saw?
Jigsaws are ideal for cutting curves and complex shapes in wood (Photo 1). They also work well for making short crosscuts on a board (Photo 2) and finishing inside corner cuts (Photo 3) that you start with a circular saw. Jigsaws are not good for making fast, long, straight cuts. Use a circular saw instead.
What is the point of a jigsaw?
While a table saw or a circular saw won't do the trick, the main purpose of a jigsaw is to cut curved lines into a variety of materials, including thin metal, laminate, plastic, and even ceramic tile, as well as wood (especially soft species such as pine).
Can I use a jigsaw instead of a circular saw?
Although a jigsaw can be used for most of the tasks that a circular saw can perform, including straight cuts and cuts on a tilt, the jigsaw uses that really take advantage of the tool's qualities are jobs such as kitchen fitting and joinery, with their frequent need for complex cuts.
What do you need to use a jigsaw?
23:1229:33How to Use a Jigsaw: The Easiest Tutorial For Newbies! - Thrift DivingYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you need a jigsaw. Or a scroll saw but jigsaw works perfect for this and we're gonna use a scrollMoreSo you need a jigsaw. Or a scroll saw but jigsaw works perfect for this and we're gonna use a scroll blade but before we can even cut this we actually need to drill a hole into.
How do you use a jigsaw for beginners?
3:2112:30Jigsaw BASICS for Beginners. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat will hold the trigger in place until you've finished your cut and then just simply pull thatMoreThat will hold the trigger in place until you've finished your cut and then just simply pull that trigger up again that releases that locking. Button the trigger comes down and the machine stops.
Can I use a jigsaw to cut straight lines?
The jigsaw can be used to make both straight and curved cuts in a wide variety of materials, including wood, particleboard, plywood, plastic, metal, even ceramic tile. It's also safe and easy to use, which is why it's often the very first power saw a new DIYer buys.
Can I cut a 2x4 with a jigsaw?
Want To Share This? A jigsaw is a precision tool with a thin blade, which makes them ideal at cutting intricate designs on thin material. If you ever had to cut a 2x4 piece of framing lumber with a jigsaw and thought to yourself... "there's no way", you might be surprised!
How thick can a jigsaw cut?
Some blades can cut a capacity of up to 3 inches. Just know that using a jigsaw to cut thick pieces of wood will make it difficult to make the curves in the wood. If you decide to tackle it, just remember to go slow.
Whats the difference between a router and a jigsaw?
The most obvious difference between a jigsaw and a router is that the jigsaw uses a reciprocating blade to cut through the wood while a router uses a rotating bit. The wood router has adjustable cutting depth whereas the jigsaw cuts through the thickness of the wood.
What's the difference between jigsaw and reciprocating saw?
With their long, slim blades, jig saws are ideal for jobs that require delicate wood cuts. Reciprocating saws, however, with their horizontal blade action, are designed primarily for rough cutting and demolition jobs, such as cutting wood and metal aggressively.
How do you cut shapes with a jigsaw?
0:481:50How To Cut Shapes With A Jigsaw - Ace Hardware - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou want to follow along the line that you're trying to cut and you may end up over cutting a littleMoreYou want to follow along the line that you're trying to cut and you may end up over cutting a little bit so that you can come back again to cut the shape. If you take your time. Use the right blade.
How do you cut curves with a jigsaw?
0:061:00How To Cut Curves with a Jigsaw - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipInstead cut just on the outside of the line. And then you can come back and sand it smooth you needMoreInstead cut just on the outside of the line. And then you can come back and sand it smooth you need to make multiple curved parts a great tip is to cut one sand the shape smooth.
What does jigsaw do to his victims?
Jigsaw is described as a mysterious person who kidnaps people he believes take their lives for granted and subjects them to "tests", usually mechanical devices rigged to maim or kill the subjects if they fail to complete it within a certain time period.
What's the difference between jigsaw and reciprocating saw?
With their long, slim blades, jig saws are ideal for jobs that require delicate wood cuts. Reciprocating saws, however, with their horizontal blade action, are designed primarily for rough cutting and demolition jobs, such as cutting wood and metal aggressively.
Is a jigsaw and a scroll saw the same thing?
The main difference between the two is that the scroll saw is a stationary saw where you move the workpiece against a reciprocating blade. Conversely, the jigsaw is a portable handheld saw that you pass through the material to cut it.
How thick can a jigsaw cut?
Some blades can cut a capacity of up to 3 inches. Just know that using a jigsaw to cut thick pieces of wood will make it difficult to make the curves in the wood. If you decide to tackle it, just remember to go slow.
Different Types of Cut the Jigsaw Can Make
Being the finesse tool that it is, the jigsaw can make simple and decorative cuts. When used correctly, it may be the best power tool you can have in your workspace.
Some Typical Tasks a Jigsaw Can Handle
Jigsaws can perform the same task as that of the band saw and the circular saw.
Tips in Using
Before you use the jigsaw, it pays to know how to properly operate the tool.
Conclusion
When I was new to using the jigsaw, it was difficult to operate it especially when I was making stencils.
Uses of Jigsaw
Jigsaws are used nearly to create any types of cuts. Also, it can cut through any type of materials, like wood, ceramic tiles and metal sheets. Later on, you will know that jigsaw have settings that must be adjusted according to the type of cut and the material. If you use the right settings, this will give you great results.
Main Types of Jigsaws
This is the most common type, a handle, on which the power switch and the speed control switch, at the top of the motor. This type makes it comfortable for carpenters and DIYers to use the saw for straight cuts, which is why it’s so popular.
Jigsaw Operation Mechanism
Jigsaws have a built-in bevel gearbox, the motor drives the vertical blade at high speed (up to 3000 strokes/min).
What is jigsaw pendulum motion?
You have two types of motion in the jigsaw blade, the first one is up and down (of course), the second one is forward, and backward, which is the pendulum motion, this motion makes it possible to cut through hard materials more efficiently.
Jigsaw settings
Basic models are running at full speed and used on wood. Because of the risk of overheating, the cutting of metals or plastics is virtually excluded. However, if your machine has a speed-changing switch, you can adjust the speed (from 500 to 3,100 strokes/min) depending on the material.
Using the jigsaw to make different cuts
Straight cuts do not require great precision; you just draw a thick line with your pen and follow it. For parallel cuts near the edge (up to 30 cm), use jigsaw parallel guides. These guides will allow you to create cuts parallel to the edge of the material, you should fit the guides on the shoe of the jigsaw and start cutting.
General Steps on How to Use a Jigsaw
Using the Allen wrench, loosen the blade screw and install your blade according to the material that you want to cut. Newer jigsaw models may have blade lock, so make sure you push on it to release the mechanism when you want to remove or install the blade.
What can you cut with a jigsaw?
While jigsaws are most commonly thought of as tools that cut wood, and they do perform best making cuts in softer wood, they can cut lots of things and help you finish jobs you didn’t think they had any application for.
1. Wood
Jigsaws are intended to cut wood, especially softwood. Because their blades are thin, they’re perfect for cutting curves and circles, and they’re usually associated with woodworking projects.
2. Tile
With the right kind of blade and set to one of the faster settings, a jigsaw is an ideal way to cut and shape tile. It can cut quick, precise angles and curves that would otherwise require a much larger, more expensive specialty saw.
3. Metal
It might sound strange, but a jigsaw is actually the recommended way to cut sheet metal. The reason for that is that it’s more accurate than metal shears and less dangerous than using a cutting torch. Once you’re done, use sandpaper to smooth down the edges. Those will be capable of snagging and cutting your skin.
4. Laminate
A jigsaw is a perfect way to make the curved cuts required when installing laminate flooring. It’s thin enough to get the saw’s blade through and isn’t so dense as to overpower it. Most of the time, you’ll want to cut with the bottom facing up in case the saw creates chips.
5. Carpet
You can use a utility knife and change the blade a hundred times trying to install carpet, or you can take measurements, flip the carpet over, draw a pattern matching the shape and size you need, and use your jigsaw. If you do this, we recommend that you go slow and keep an eye on your blade.
6. Pumpkins
You didn’t actually think your neighbors carved the face of that dead celebrity on their Jack O’ Lantern using a knife and imagination, did you? They used a pattern they drew out ahead of time and a jigsaw to cut it out.
Use a versatile jigsaw tool to cut lumber, plywood, metal and tile
A jigsaw tool is the grand master of cutting shapes in a variety of materials. All you need is the right blade. We'll show you how to use this versatile power tool for cutting intricate shapes and for making compound and bevel cuts in boards and other materials.
Cutting wood with handheld jigsaw
Cut smooth curves in wood. Begin by pressing the saw shoe firmly on the workpiece with the blade away from the edge. Start the motor, guide the blade along the outside of the cutting line (for finer sanding later) and move from curves to inside corners.
Cutting countertops
Make precise, no-chip cuts in laminate by drilling a 1/2-in. starter hole in the countertop for the blade. Use a special laminate blade that cuts only on the downstroke, and follow the cutting line drawn on masking tape. Avoid marring the countertop by taping the bottom of the saw shoe.
Cutting ceramic tile
Use a carbide-grit abrasive blade to make curved cuts in ceramic wall tile that’s up to 1/4 in. thick. Speed the work and reduce tile breakage by clamping the tile and using a light mist of water to lubricate the saw cut. Jigsaws that have a movable scrolling head work best to move the blade through tight curves.
Cutting metal
Cut sheet metal without shredding it by clamping the workpiece tightly between two thin sheets of plywood. Begin by drilling saw blade starter holes inside all pattern circles. Cutting through a plywood sandwich is slow-going. For the smoothest cuts, select metal-cutting blades that have 21 to 24 teeth per inch.
Required Tools for this Project
Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.
