- Generally, the more detailed the cut you are making, the thinner the blade should be, and the smaller the teeth. Consult the blade packaging to determine whether you have the right ones for the job. If you are cutting wood that is more than two inches thick, it's probably too thick for a jig saw and you should try a different approach. When you start your project, get several of each type of blade, to account for breakage.
- The most basic cut with a jig saw is a cut that comes in from the side of a piece of wood or other material, then travels around whatever line you have marked. This is good for cutting out one edge of a board so it can fit around obstructions, or art projects in which you need a cutout from the middle of a material.
- The ability of a jig saw to plunge right into the middle of a piece of wood so it can cut out holes from within is among its most valuable characteristics. These so-called plunge cuts allow you to, for example, cut a perfect circle into the side of house to install a dryer vent. Hold the saw over the middle of the marked area, pitching it forward so the blade is almost parallel with the wood. Hold in the trigger and get the blade going full speed, then slowly lower the tip to the wood, keeping an almost-parallel angle. Do not press the saw into the wood, but let work its way in slowly. Once the blade is completely through, get it back into its vertical position and cut toward the outer border of your marked lines.
- For cutting sheet metal or other very thin material, clamp it to a piece of plywood to keep it from jumping around as you cut it. To cut something that has been laminated, lay a piece of thick clear tape over the line to prevent the laminate from splintering as you cut it. For very straight cuts, clamp on a makeshift wooden guide that the saw can slide against as you cut.
Blades
Side Cuts
Plunge Cuts
Tricks of the Trade
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