Jigsaw

A jigsaw is a handy power tool that is very different from other power saws. Most people are familiar with a circular saw that has a round blade that spins like a wheel. A jigsaw has a flat, narrow blade that moves up and down very similar to the motion of a traditional hand saw.

A jigsaw is the perfect tool to cut curved lines in thin material. It is not the tool I would use to cut long, straight lines. When outfitted with the correct blade, a jigsaw will easily cut wood, plastic, metal or even ceramic tile. My first memory of a jigsaw was generated by my father. When I was a wee lad. I remember him using a jigsaw in our basement to carefully cut out the pattern of a large, color Santa Claus image that had been glued to a piece of plywood. The jigsaw was able to easily follow the outline of the waving Santa that stood proudly in our front yard during the Christmas season.

Jigsaw technology has changed dramatically since that night in my basement. The jigsaw my dad used was a simple 120-volt corded tool that had an on and off switch. The motor produced one speed. One had to use a clumsy allen wrench to change saw blades.

Modern jigsaws offer variable-speed motors, tilt tables that allow you to angle the blade as it is cutting, oscillating cutting strokes, and numerous other handy features. Many jigsaw manufacturers try to tweak features to get a competitive marketing edge, as the competition to sell jigsaws is fierce. For example, you may see one jigsaw that offers higher horsepower, a longer blade stroke, ergonomic grips, or is lightweight.

Cordless jigsaws are available as well. This is a dream come true for many carpenters and serious do-it-yourselfers, as the traditional power cord for a 120-volt corded jigsaw could cause havoc in short order. I clearly remember days were I was nearing the end of a cut and the cord got stuck on the edge of the sheet of plywood. Failure to secure the plug into the extension cord can cause frustration if you push the tool too hard and it comes unplugged. These pesky problems are easy to solve, but a cordless jigsaw eliminates them forever.

Two of the best jigsaw features, in my opinion, are the quick-release levers for blade changing and the oscillating blade cutting feature. The quick-release blade lever allows you to change saw blades in seconds without any tools. The oscillating blade cut feature allows you to set the blade stroke so it cuts straight up and down or with a more elliptical motion which produces a very aggressive cutting stroke.

This oscillating cutting feature comes in very handy when you are cutting different materials. For example, you want the blade to go straight up and down when you are cutting any type of metal or plastic. This will produce smooth cuts, and prevent the blade from jumping around. The aggressive elliptical cut can be used in soft woods when you want to rapidly cut material. Practice on scrap wood if you have never used an oscillating cutting stroke. You will be surprised how aggressively the blade attacks the wood, especially if you are using a high-quality jigsaw blade.

Jigsaws come in different shapes. You may like the barrel-shaped tool versus the traditional jigsaw with a D-shaped handle. As you might expect, the different shapes offer different levels of control and comfort.

When you decide to buy a jigsaw, pay attention to price. Higher prices almost always mean better quality. The internal parts of a jigsaw can be cheap, precision or somewhere in between. If you want a jigsaw that will provide accurate cuts, minimal vibration and lots of features, then be prepared to spend more money. But in the long run, it may be well worth it.