A jigsaw is one of the most versatile tools that can be used to cut the most intricate and trickiest of designs in wood – or a variety of other materials such as plastic, metal, or ceramic tiles. It allows you to cut absolutely fascinating designs with little practice. This makes it one of the best tools for all do-it-yourselfers and professionals alike, whether you are cutting posts for a new fence or redoing your kitchen.
Choosing the Right Jigsaw
To start with, you are going to need the right jigsaw, and that will take quite a bit of thought, as not all jigsaws are created equal. You will need to choose between battery-operated jigsaws or those with a power cord. Another important feature to look out for is speed control. Variable-speed jigsaws are definitely better for cutting different kinds of materials.
Choosing the right blade is extremely important to getting the right performance from your jigsaw. They can cut from metal to plastic, as long as you have the right blade. You must choose the right teeth per inch, or TPI, and also choose the blade with the right width.
How to Use a Jigsaw
The first step is to prepare the material you are about to cut. Carefully draw an outline of the design you wish to cut. It’s always a good idea to cut out a paper or cardboard impression of the actual design and use it to mark the final material you are going to cut, for accuracy.
Secure the Material to Cut
When cutting intricate patterns, it’s important that you have both hands free for effectively guiding the saw. It is therefore important that you place the material on a workbench and secure it with clamps so that it stays firmly in place. Make sure you have plenty of lighting to see the lines you are cutting clearly.
Start Cutting
Carefully position the jigsaw blade close to the line where you will start cutting. Press the trigger of the jigsaw slowly and firmly, and once it is at the desired speed, push it through the material. Now slowly begin to guide the jigsaw along the line you drew for the cutout. If at any time it appears that the jigsaw is being strained or loading up, stop, clear off the area of debris, and start again. Once you have cut through the entire design, use a sander to finish the edges and make them smooth and ready for use.
Looking for Experts?
If you have any home improvement tasks that require sawing or woodworking, let us connect you to the best professionals in town. At TalkLocal, we do the legwork and find the best professionals suited to your kind of job and let you choose from a narrowed-down list, connecting you directly to the person chosen by you.
