Power ToolsCutting tool
Jigsaw
A short reciprocating blade that can start from a drilled hole and follow a curved line. The tool for a cut that is not straight.
What it does
- Curved and internal cuts
- Cut-outs for sinks, sockets and openings
- Cutting sheet goods too awkward to take to a saw bench
Materialswhat it is used on
All materialsWhat to look forthe judgement calls, before the spec sheet
- The blade is the choice, not the machine: a down-cut blade leaves the visible face clean, a metal blade has finer teeth, and a scroll blade turns a tighter radius than any of them.
- Orbital action lifts the blade on the cutting stroke and speeds up soft material at the cost of edge quality. Turn it off for anything where the edge is seen.
- Blade support behind the cut is what keeps the line true. Cutting over an open gap lets the blade flex, and the cut wanders.
Misuse and safetythe ways this tool causes rework
- It cannot cut a square edge on thick stock. The blade is thin and unsupported, so the kerf follows the blade's deflection — for a joint surface, use a saw with a table.
- The underside of the cut splinters. Cut from the face that will be seen, or clamp a sacrificial board underneath.
Frequently asked questions
Can a jigsaw cut a straight line?
With a guide and a coarse blade, well enough for rough work. For anything that has to meet another part, a saw with a shoe running on a table is the tool that produces a straight edge reliably.
Which way up should the visible face be?
Up, if the blade cuts on the upstroke — which is how most jigsaws are set. The face that is down is the face that splinters, so put the splintering on the hidden side.