How to choose a jigsaw - expert advice

There are tools that do not need advertising and an intrusive offer, they can rightfully be called "folk" - all this is about hand-held electric jigsaws. The multipurpose unit has a simple design, it can make cuts along a straight or curved path, as well as at an angle of 45 degrees.

To decide how to choose a good jigsaw for your home or workshop, you should turn to the experience of qualified specialists in the field of construction and repair. Useful advice from our experts will help you decide which jigsaw to buy for the upcoming work and not regret the money spent.

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 intended for rare use in the country, at home or in the garage. Also, DIY tools can be used in production for rare operations. Such models always have a limit on the time of continuous operation: for the most budgetary ones, the parameter can go up to 10-20 minutes. Conventionally household models can be operated no more than 4-8 hours a day (or about 30-50 hours a week) with regular breaks.

The transitional link between household and professional models was the tools of the unspoken semi-professional (Hobby)... If the 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 slightly higher than inexpensive amateur models, and the functionality is comparable to the top positions. Such jigsaws are suitable for work and at home or in a small production. Techniques of the "Hobby" class are rarely limited in terms of the time of continuous operation, but it will not be possible to use them "to the full" - the mechanism is not designed for such loads.

Models professional and industrial grade found their application in the production shops of woodworking, the manufacture of cabinet furniture or wooden structures, in the construction and decoration of premises. As practice shows, amateur craftsmen often opt for top-end equipment, but this is not always rational. If the tool is rarely used, there is no way to fully realize its potential, for which, by the way, you will have to pay a lot. Besides, repairing expensive equipment is never cheap.

How to choose an electric jigsaw - the main parameters

When choosing a good jigsaw model, you should focus on the key factors that determine its performance and convenience:

• saw stroke frequency;
• electric motor power;
• the presence of a pendulum stroke;
• type of consumables;
• dimensions and weight;
• functional.

High-quality jigsaws are distinguished by a competent combination of technical characteristics, however, you cannot choose a tool solely by parameters.An important component of a good tool is decent ergonomics; such a tool fits comfortably in the hands and does not tire the operator during operation.

Power

The power consumption of the jigsaw can vary from 450 W to 850 W. As practice shows, high power consumption does not always characterize the performance of the tool. The low-power professional-grade model is comparable in efficiency to the more powerful DYI series.

How to decide on the choice of power jigsaw? It all depends on the needs: if speed and productivity are required, then medium to high power must be combined with a good cutting frequency. If “working quickly and a lot” is not the main task - you can choose any unit from the “pro” class or a household model more powerful than 550 watts.

File movement frequency

The frequency of the saw blade is one of the main parameters for choosing an electric jigsaw. The higher the value, the faster the sawing process. Products made of aluminum, plywood or wood are sawn at maximum speed, and at low speeds they cut materials that are sensitive to overheating - plastic, stainless steel.

In most cases, jigsaws are equipped with stepped speed control, but this does not apply to the most budget versions. The minimum threshold can range from 0 to 800 strokes per minute, the maximum speed reaches 3200-3500 strokes. When buying, it is not necessary to choose the "fastest model", for ordinary saws and good performance, 2600 - 2800 strokes / min are more than enough.

Pendulum stroke or pumping

Many models are equipped with a pendulum motion system, this design solution increases the cutting speed. When one of the 3-4 stages of the pendulum is installed, the file moves not only up and down, but also back and forth along the trajectory of the pendulum. The higher the stage, the stronger the pumping. The pendulum motion system is applicable only to straight cuts, if the tool is needed for artistic cutting along a curved path, you can choose a model without pumping, or with the possibility of turning it off.

Cutting depth

The maximum cutting depth indicates the maximum thickness of the workpiece that can be cut. Limit values ​​are always specified in the technical manual, with different material limitations. So, the maximum cutting depth of a wooden workpiece can reach 70 or 100 mm, for metal (aluminum) 15 - 20 mm, for plastic - 80 mm, and for ceramics - up to 10 mm. The depth of cut in a tree is also influenced by such parameters as the type and moisture content of the wood, the type of sawing, the presence of a pendulum motion, etc.

Do not neglect this characteristic, the use of the tool for other purposes can lead to overloads and early breakdown.

File and types of its attachment

Varieties of canvases

The jigsaw is equipped with special saws, which are a blade with teeth and a shank of a certain shape. Each type of material has its own files, as indicated by the letter marking:

• on wood (B, C, D, BO, BR);
• for metal (A);
• for glass and ceramics (Riff);
• on plastic.

Also, the saw blades are distinguished by the type of cutting: files with fine teeth are designed for a clean cut (B, C), with large ones - for a quick and rough cut (D). For curved cuts, narrow blades with straight fine teeth (letter O) are used. To cut laminate or other delicate material, you need a file with a reverse tooth direction (revers - letter R in the marking).

PVC products can be sawn with almost any saw for wood, large and medium teeth are not clogged with soft chips. A metal blade is also suitable, but at the same time sawing is carried out at a minimum speed.

The numerical designation indicates the length of the file:

• 1 - up to 75 mm
• 2 - 75-90 mm
• 3 - 90-150 mm
• 4 - more than 150 mm

File attachment type

There are two types of shanks:

1. T-shaped
2. U-shaped

For the vast majority of jigsaws, T-shank files are used. A sample of the canvas is almost always included with the tool, you can also try on different types of canvas when purchasing. However, budget models of the amateur class are "omnivorous". The simplest chuck is installed in them, which simply grips the file from both sides, regardless of the type of fit.

Types of handles

Among modern models of jigsaws, two designs are widespread: with a staple or mushroom-shaped handle. The mushroom-shaped handle is the prerogative of jigsaws for professional work, but such a constructive solution is quite rare.

The more common staple handle is versatile and comes in two types. Compact models are equipped with a square "bracket", larger ones - with a semicircular one.

To a greater extent, the comfort of operation is influenced by ergonomics - the presence of rubber pads, finger projections, thickening in the grip points.

Sole

The support platform of the electric jigsaw can be cast or stamped. This design decision plays an important role when buying a professional grade tool when continuous use is meant.

The stamped sole is found in all household and semi-professional models, as well as on inexpensive professional jigsaws. Such a platform is made of a relatively thin metal; under continuous loads, it is subject to deformation. As a result, the positioning of the saw blade is shifted, there is no proper contact with the workpiece, and cutting at an angle becomes almost impossible.

High-quality jigsaws are equipped with a cast platform, it is stronger and more durable, but somewhat increases the final cost of the unit. You can often see a plastic overlay on it to protect soft materials from chips.

Sole angle adjustment

The option allows you to cut not only at a 90 degree angle. However, for such work, the master must have considerable experience - one wrong movement and the cutting angle will be violated.

Food type

A separate item can be taken out the type of food. The networked electric jigsaw is not intended for operation in the "field conditions"; a mobile power station will be required in pair with it. The solution will be to buy a wireless model, of which there are quite a few on the market now. The duration of continuous operation and power here depends on the capacity of the battery and the availability of replaceable batteries.

If you decide to purchase a cordless jigsaw, pay attention to the ONE + Ryobi cordless tool lines. Any position from the model range, be it a jigsaw or a screwdriver, can be powered by one battery - this is, indeed, convenient and profitable from an economic point of view.

Functions that might be useful

When choosing a reliable jigsaw for home use, its functionality will be an important aspect. There are some very useful options that dramatically increase productivity and usability.

What functions are equipped with electric jigsaws:

• Forced blowing of the working area - a directed air jet cleans the workpiece and platform from sawdust, providing a full view.
• Smooth start - the advantage of powerful tools, although this option is quite rare. The inrush current limitation protects the operator from jerking during start-up and also protects all internal mechanisms from overload.
• Laser pointer Is a pretty useful option. Rough markings on the workpiece can be covered with sawing products, the user will have to turn off the tool and clean the working area - all this takes time. The laser, in turn, indicates the direction even over small chips.
• Chuck type... Many modern models are equipped with a quick-change saw blade chuck. To change the equipment, just bend the lever and install the file.
• Illumination of the working area with LED provides comfort and maximum cutting accuracy.
• Maintaining power under load - a serious design solution that can increase the service life of the tool and protects all internal assemblies from unintentional overload. As a rule, in household models, when the speed decreases, the power also decreases, therefore, it is easy to overload the tool.
• Anti-vibration system - useful for frequent work with metal, since the vibration level in this case increases significantly.
• Emphasis compass - handy function for cutting circles.
• Vacuum cleaner connection - most modern models are equipped with it. By connecting the hose of the vacuum cleaner to the tool, you can use it in the apartment if necessary.

Which company jigsaw to buy

When deciding which jigsaw is better to choose, it is recommended to give preference only to reliable manufacturers. There are many popular Chinese brands out there, but the dubious cost hides even more dubious workmanship. It is for this reason that we will present the best manufacturers of jigsaws in terms of price-quality ratio for 2020:

• Bosch
• Makita
• DeWalt
• ZUBR
• Interskol

Read also: Rating of the best electric jigsaws

Conclusion

After the choice is limited to a few positions, it is useful to read reviews of the selected models on thematic forums. Common opinions are not always full of objective judgments, however, among the information received, we can conclude on how to choose a high-quality jigsaw for home or work. Guided by the experience of the craftsmen and their own priorities, it will be easy and quick to make a successful purchase.