TALK ESSENT I AL GUIDETool THE JIGSAW

Discover How Much Easier Diy Can Be With This Versatile Cutting Companion

Words GUN ARVIDSSEN

An essential power tool for the handyperson’s workshop is the jigsaw. This powerful yet nimble must-have is highly manoeuvrable, with a narrow blade that extends down through the base plate and moves in a vertical action at high speed. It can easily cut curves and intricate shapes, is equally great for straight lines, and there’s almost nothing to set up or adjust – aim along the cut line and away you go.

Battery or cord?

Cordless jigsaws are convenient and portable, making them handy for projects such as outdoor planter boxes. However, if you’re planning to do a lot of jigsawing – especially in a workshop or garage, where plugging in is not a problem –a corded model will provide more power and higher performance.

Mains-powered jigsaws are available in a range of power options, from around 350W to more than 800W. The more powerful models will cut through thicker timber and other materials more easily, however a lot depends on the quality of the saw and the blade. Tools aimed at DIYers are a great entry point but, for a truly professional finish, high-end tools are worth the investment.

How it works

The base plate of a jigsaw is like a ‘skid’ that runs along the material you’re cutting. It can be tilted to either side – typically by loosening a retaining bolt using a hex key –allowing you to make bevel (angled) cuts. Base plates are not meant to be interchangeable. Some brands include a plastic shoe attached to the underside of the base plate, intended to prevent scuff marks that can be caused by the steel of the base plate. Many jigsaws are sold with a rip fence that allows you to make cuts parallel to the edge of a workpiece; for example, to cut decking boards to a non-standard width.

Cutting moves

Using the pendulum feature of a jigsaw angles the blade slightly forward for a swinging, circular/ oscillating action, rather than just straight up and down, explains Scott Tinsley of Ryobi.

“This provides a faster, more aggressive cut, but can leave you with a rougher finish and more splintering along the edges,” he says. “The pendulum action is perfect for thicker applications like cutting into laminate countertops for installation of sinks or basins.”

Safety first

All jigsaws have a metal guard in front of the blade mount, shielding fingers and random bits of timber from the blade or mount. Variable speed is another standard feature. While jigsaw cutting is mostly done at full speed, Paul Nosko of Bosch says there are times when it’s wise to slow the stroke rate. “When cutting plastictype materials, a fast stroke rate can create too much heat, potentially melting the plastic,” he warns.

Blade options

Most jigsaws are sold with generalpurpose blades, but it’s worth buying specialised blades if you’re planning to cut materials such as laminate or acrylic. “As a rule of thumb, less teeth means a more aggressive, faster cut, as the gullets between the teeth are deeper,” Paul says. “On blades with a higher tooth count, teeth will be smaller, giving a cleaner finish.”

Specialty blades (either sold separately or as kits) will let you cut materials ranging from metal to ceramics effectively and neatly. “Materials that are quite dense should be sawed at a lower speed to reduce friction/heat as much as possible, with the pendulum action off,” he says.

Before changing the blade of a cordless jigsaw, remove the battery from the unit. “For a corded model, ensure the AC outlet powering it has been turned off,” says Scott. “Wear gloves to avoid cuts and scratches when handling blades, and ensure the blade is seated securely,” he warns.

Keep in mind… n

1 Bosch ‘Blue’ 18V jigsaw, $309/ skin only (battery and charger sold separately), I/N: 0111172.

2 PowerFit 20TPI laminate jigsaw blades, $7.90/pack of 2, I/N: 0073678. 3 Ryobi ‘ONE+ HP’ 18V brushless jigsaw, $249/skin only (battery and charger sold separately), I/N: 0291678.

4 Ozito ‘JSW-8100’ 810W pendulum jigsaw, $69.90, I/N: 0048823. 5 AEG 700W variable speed jigsaw, $119, I/N: 6230262. 6 Diablo 3mm metal jigsaw blades, $25.95/pack of 5, I/N: 6370837. 7 Diablo ‘Ultimate’ ceramic jigsaw blade, $21.50, I/N: 6370208. 8 Diablo ‘Ultimate’ acrylic jigsaw blade, $18.95, I/N: 6370209. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores but may be ordered.

Tool Tips

For next-level jigsawing, try these awesome ideas

Make A Bevel Cut

TOOL TIPS Beginner

Tool Tips

Step up

Use the included hex key to loosen the retaining bolt that locks the base plate into its default perpendicular position, then push the base plate backwards to disengage the locking teeth and tilt it to the angle you require. Once you have set the angle, return the base plate to its forward (locking) position and re-tighten the bolt. On some jigsaws, the base plate is unlocked using a quick-release lever instead of a hex key.

CUT AN ENCLOSED OPENING

The narrow blade on a jigsaw means you can create openings in timber or sheet materials without cutting in from the edge of your workpiece. Just drill a 10mm starter hole inside the shape you need to cut out, position the blade inside it, and saw to the cut line from inside the waste area.

Tool Tips

More expert

MAKE A PLUNGE CUT thermacellrepellents.com.au

You can also ‘dive in’ to a cut without drilling a starter hole by resting the front edge of the base plate against the surface of your work piece. With the pendulum action disengaged, switch the saw on at maximum speed and gently swing the base plate down onto the timber or other material you’re cutting, so the blade starts sawing into the surface. Once the blade has penetrated all the way through the work piece, you can continue sawing as usual.

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