Whether you’re doing fine woodworking or tackling a kitchen or bathroom remodel, a jigsaw is the power tool to use. However, if you’re new to this type of saw, it’s important to learn everything you can about how to operate them before beginning your project.
Follow this guide to learn how to use a jigsaw safely and avoid some common mistakes to get great results on all types of projects.
How to Use a Jigsaw
Without further ado, let’s jump straight into the cutting process.
Step 1: Choose the Right Blade
Before you even begin thinking about making the first cut, you should choose the right blade for your project. The jigsaw blade package will almost always specify the material the blade is designed to cut, saying “wood” or “metal” right on the label.
The blade’s teeth-per-inch (TPI) number will also appear on the package and sometimes on the blade itself. A TPI of 10 or 12 should be enough for cutting most wood. Lower TPIs allow you to cut faster but the cut will be rougher, while higher TPIs cut slower and create smoother finishes.
You should also select the proper blade width that suits the tightness of the curves you’ll be cutting. Jigsaw blades come in two widths, 1/4 inch for cutting tight radius curves and 3/8 inch for more gradual curves.
Finally, a standard jigsaw blade has teeth pointing upward to cut on the blade’s upstroke which is the best choice for all-purpose cutting. A reverse blade (teeth pointing downward) should be used on material with a pre-finished surface to reduce the risk of chipping or nicking during the cutting process.
For more details, read my complete guide to jigsaw blade types.
Step 2: Position the Shoe
The shoe, which is a flat base that extends a few inches past the front, sides, and back of the blade, must remain flat against the material you’re cutting to make an accurate cut.
Position the front end of the shoe flat on the material and align the cutting guide on the front of the shoe with the line you’ve marked on the material to cut.
The saw blade should not touch the material until the jigsaw is running. Hold it back just a bit, turn on the tool, and then ease the jigsaw forward to begin the cut. If the blade is touching the material when you turn the saw on, the blade can catch it and jerk the saw. This can cut the wrong spot or, even worse, break the blade.
Step 3: Cut Center Holes
To cut a hole in the center of your material, drill a 1/2-inch hole, and then insert the jigsaw blade in the hole and start cutting there. Don’t turn the saw on until the blade is all the way in the hole and the shoe is resting on the material’s surface.
An alternative to this method is to use a plunge cut. On rough work, lean the saw forward onto the front lip of the shoe so that the blade is parallel to the material. Start the saw and when at full speed, tip the saw back to ease the blade into the material.
That’s all there is to it, after this you can begin making the cuts you need for your project. Of course, before you begin any of these steps you must follow the steps in the next section to keep everything in order.
The Basics of Jigsaw Safety
Safely operating a jigsaw is the most important part of learning how to use this dangerous power tool. They can be easy to operate but careful precautions should always be taken to prevent serious injury.
Be sure to unplug the saw or remove its battery when changing blades or when the saw is not in use. You always want to make absolutely sure the saw cannot turn on unexpectedly and cause any damage to the project you are working on or harm yourself when changing blades.
When actually cutting, always use sharp blades that are intended for the material you wish to cut and follow the blade manufacturer’s guidelines. Dull blades can cause dangerous knockback and should be replaced as soon as possible.
Furthermore, do not try to use blades that are designed for certain materials on others. You may think the blade used for cutting steel will cut through wood faster but this is not the case whatsoever.
Another important thing to keep in mind is not to attempt to turn on a jigsaw when the blade is against the material to be cut and never try to force the saw while it is cutting. Allow it to cut at its own speed to avoid any knockback or damage to the blades.
Keep the jigsaw shoe firmly placed flat on the cutting surface and wait for the blade to completely stop before lifting the saw from a cut. Also, be sure to wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from dust or flying debris.
Use appropriate ear protection such as noise-canceling earplugs to dampen the loud noise as continued use of this saw can damage your eardrums and put on a dust mask to avoid inhaling any sawdust.
Finally, do not wear loose clothing or jewelry when operating the saw as this can get caught in the saw and pull you in towards it and keep your hands as far away from running blades as possible.
Mistakes to Avoid, Tips & Tricks
The jigsaw is mostly used for cutting circles, scrolls, and other shapes but it can also be used to cut along a straight line. You can use a framing square as a guide for shorter straight cuts and this is particularly useful when making a bevel cut.
Another tip for using a jigsaw is to remember to stay outside of your cut line. You can always trim more or sand for fine-tuning but if you cut too much it’s just a waste of material. Try to allocate enough time to finish your project so you do not need to make the perfect cut immediately.
Also, use relief cuts to remove waste and prevent the blade from binding when a curve is too tight to make with a single cut. Again, there’s no need to get too fancy when cutting curves, it is perfectly fine to use relief cuts to make sure you’re not wasting material if you mess up the cut.
If you’re working with fine finishes, you can protect the surface by using masking tape on the bottom of the saw’s shoe as well. This can really give your work an extra layer of quality and make it look very professional.
One last note: you can also cut thin sheet metal with a jigsaw, just be sure to use the proper blade. When doing this it is best to clamp wood to the bottom of the sheet to reduce vibration and help ensure a clean cut.
Summary
A jigsaw is one of the most versatile power tools you can have in your workshop. It can cut through materials like wood, metal, laminate, and PVC.
Hopefully, with this guide, you have learned all you need to know about how to operate jigsaws. Be sure to keep the safety precautions as well as the tips and tricks in mind, and best of luck on your next DIY project!