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 boards, jigsaws are ideal for cutting many different materials. Operators just need to be sure they are using the right blade for the application and a jigsaw will eat through most materials. Jigsaws are generally used for more aesthetic purposes and embellishments than traditional saws. Built to cut intricate patterns, most jigsaws also have a bevel capacity of 450 right or left, sometimes both. Because the tool shoe (saw bed or platform) slopes, the blade can cut materials at an angle to achieve compound shapes. Because jigsaws are designed to move around curves and templates, however, they have difficulty cutting a straight line, even with the help of a fence.

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 making contact with the blade will hurt and cut you, it likely won’t result in serious injury or loss of limb. Although the safety risks are minor with jigsaws, it is important to be careful when cutting, touching, and changing blades. During use, up-down and cutting friction causes the blades to become very hot; grabbing hot blades will burn you so be careful with that too.

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

Characteristics:

Variable Speed ​​– With a variable speed option, most jigsaws can run between 500 and 3,000 strokes per minute. On jigsaws, the variable speed is controlled by a separate knob or by applied trigger pressure. Some jigsaws have a single knob with settings from zero up, zero means the variable speed feature is not on; settings one and higher offer a progressively more aggressive cut. On other models, the variable speed is controlled by the amount of pressure exerted on the tool trigger.

Orbital Action – Most jigsaws offer an orbital blade action that allows for faster, coarser cuts. The orbital motion pushes the blade forward on the upstroke (instead of just up and down) cutting materials faster and more aggressively. Keep in mind, however, that the more aggressively you cut, the more likely it is to tear.

Blower – Many jigsaws offer a blower designed to shoot a stream of air at the point of cut. The idea is that the blower will remove saw dust from the path of the cut, making materials, patterns and cut lines more visible to the operator. On most models, the blower function can be turned on or off, and on some models the air pressure can also be controlled. Some jigsaws can also be hooked up to a shop vac, but still, dust collection is noticeably less than these saws.

Blade release:

Almost all jigsaws today offer tool-less 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 twist of the blade to fully remove it, while others simply eject the blade completely. Blade ejection feature keeps fingers safe from cuts and burns.

Choose a puzzle:

Power – It’s not always the best answer to simply buy the most powerful saw. Buy the saw with the amperage that best suits the applications you will be using it for.

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

Blade Guide System – Because jigsaw blades can drift off course, a good blade guide system is a vitally important part of finding the right jig saw. A deflected blade can easily cut the mark or even result in an unintentional bevel of sorts where the blade bends at a slight angle. This usually produces pretty bad cuts, so good blade guidance is essential. All jigsaws support the blade from the rear, and most are supported from the sides as well. However, the amount of lateral support provided varies between models and manufacturers. Look for a proper side-supported blade guide system to keep the blade on the right track and reduce flexing during cuts.

General maintenance:

Brushes – Because the action of the puzzle is usually short-lived, the tool’s factory brushes typically last the life of the tool. If your brushes go dead, you can simply remove the motor housing to get to them.

Cleaning: Keeping your jigsaw clean is an important component in improving performance and lifespan. Things can get very dusty inside the saw, and the grease and oil used to ensure the blade and parts move smoothly act as the worst kind of trap for dust and debris. Simply cleaning the blade guide and clamping mechanisms (ideally after each use) will save you a lot of headaches. Any accumulated debris can throw the blade out of alignment, so keeping it clean will allow you to cut smoothly and accurately. Using a toothbrush (or something similar in design) provides the best reach and leverage.

Saw shoe or base: Try to keep your shoe looking new. If the shoe bends, it will disrupt the angle of your cut. Replace the shoe on your jigsaw if, for example, you drop the saw and it bends. It is also possible that the surface of the shoe will get some scratches or scratches. Sharp, protruding edges can come out around these gouges and mar 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 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 crafters. Cordless jigsaws range from 12? 28v; In general, the higher the voltage, the better the tool’s performance. Also, because saw stress occurs over relatively short lifetimes, jigsaw batteries tend to last longer. This makes wireless a pretty good and convenient option.

Advice:

When using a jigsaw, take it easy; let the blade do the work. Don’t push 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 of 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 in the workshop than a jigsaw.