Jigsaws Buying Guide

Jigsaws and their cousins, scroll saws and reciprocating saws, are distinguished by the up-and-down movement of their blades. Unlike the circular blades in many power saws, or the continuous loop blades of the bandsaw, jigsaw and reciprocating saw blades are shaped like knives, while the scroll saw blade is a straight, thin, and narrow.

Of these saws, only the scroll saw is meant to be stationary. The great advantage of both the jigsaw and the reciprocating saw is their versatility and portability. One disadvantage of the jigsaw compared to the scroll saw is that the jigsaw blade will tend to bend slightly as it cuts. For this reason, its better to position the blade slightly off the cut line and sand the wood down to shape.

Bevel cuts are possible on both the jigsaw and the scroll saws. Jigsaws adjust by tilting the base plate (the part of the saw that sits on the wood), while scroll saws change the angle by adjusting the tilt of the table. Reciprocating saws are not designed to cut precise angles or bevels.

Jigsaw The jigsaw is primarily designed to cut curves, whether in wood, metal, leather, glass, brick, tile, plastic, or fiberglass. Jigsaws are meant to be used on material that is held in place horizontally. The saw is pushed slowly forward through the material as the blade moves up and down. This gives the user great control in where the blade cuts.

Jigsaws come in two varieties: D-handle and barrel grip. The D-handle curves up over the saw and is easy for users, even those with smaller hands, to hold on to.

A barrel grip jigsaw is held by clutching the main barrel of the saw. Or, you can push the saw by placing your into the crook where the barrel meets the front shaft. Some people feel this gives more control than a D-handled saw, but it requires that you have larger hands. Also, because your hand is right on the motor, you will feel more of the vibration and heat than with a D-handle machine.

Cordless Jigsaw A cordless jigsaw is going to have many of the same features as a corded version. The main difference is that the cordless jigsaw can be grabbed quickly and used for short periods of time. Long jobs will need the power of a continuous electrical supply. Cordless jigsaws are not available with barrel grips.

Scrolling Jigsaw There is one feature that makes the scrolling jigsaw superior to an ordinary jigsaw. That is the ability to turn the blade as it cuts by turning a knob at the top of the tool. This allows the user to cut much tighter curves than an ordering jigsaw, but it is not as steady as a scroll saw. On the other hand, a scrolling jigsaw is portable and you aren't limited, as with a scroll saw, to the throat capacity of the machine.

Scroll Saw Although it uses the same up and down blade movement of a jigsaw, the scroll saw looks more like a small bandsaw. It uses a very thin blade threaded through an opening in a round table. The material sits on the table and is pushed freely in any direction by the user. The great advantage to a scroll saw is that, because the blade is so small, it's easier to cut curves in your material. The most obvious disadvantage is that it isn't as versatile or portable as the jigsaw or reciprocating saw.

Scroll saws are made to stay in one place. Clamping or bolting them to a table cuts down on the vibration of the motor. The blades are very delicate, so it's important to keep the motor lubricated and to avoid overheating the blade. Variable speed control is a useful feature, since it helps to vary your speed according to the softness or hardness of the material being cut.

Reciprocating Saw Sometimes called a sabre saw, or simply a sawzall, the reciprocating saw is larger and more powerful than a jigsaw. It generally uses a rougher blade designed for tearing quickly through material. Unlike the jigsaw, in which the blade faces forward, the teeth on a reciprocating saw blade face to the rear. This means that the saw works best cutting downwards on vertical space--for example, cutting through drywall.

It is often used for cutting through pipes and other metal, but it can also be very handy for pruning and other garden tasks.

Blade Changing

The ease (or difficulty) in changing blades on any power saw is a major consideration. Each manufacturer tends to design their own unique blade changing method. Some of them are easier than others.

Orbital Action

Many jigsaws come with a feature known as orbital action (or sometimes oscillation). This moves the blade back as the blade moves downwards, then forwards as the blade cuts on the upstrokes. The result is that the blade doesn't get as heated or dull as quickly. Over the long run, this is going to be a very cost-effective feature.

However, it does not work well with all materials. So, it is important to find a jigsaw with the option to turn the orbital action off--unless you instead to stick to cutting wood.

Variable Speed

Variable speed is a very important feature, as it makes it easier to work with different materials. For example, metal requires a different cutting speed than wood. Also, cutting at a slower speed helps you maintain control when working on intricate designs.

Some jigsaws control the speed using a dial and some control it by holding the trigger down. Dial control is better, since it allows you to keep the speed constant.

Depth Of Cut

Most jigsaws will cut up to 2" on wood and 1/2" on metal. Reciprocating saws have a larger depth capacity. Some jigsaws will cut deeper, but that increases the danger of the blade bending or breaking. If you need to do deeper cuts, you may need to consider using a bandsaw instead.

Switches

Check the switch control and switch placement to make sure it works for you. Some switches are only convenient for right or left-handed users. A central switch will work best for either hand. A padlock switch on a scroll saw can keep other people from switching it on accidently.

Stands As scroll saws require a sturdy base, it's helpful to have a stand for yours. A heavy stand that you can bolt or clamp the saw to is especially nice, as it cuts down considerably on the motor's vibration.

Jigsaw Guides Guides are handy accessories to use with jigsaws. An edge guide will help with keeping your line straight for long cuts. Other guides can help in cutting angles or even circles.

Saw Blades The most important accessory for your saw will always be the saw blade. Different blades are designed for different materials. Since jigsaws work on such wide variety of materials, you may find yourself needing to purchase a variety of different jigsaw blades. It's a good idea to buy extra blades, in case one breaks in the middle of a task.

If you use a scroll saw, you'll find yourself going through many scroll saw blades. These blades are built for tight curves. Unfortunately, this means that they are extremely thin and narrow. Keeping the saw lubricated will help keep down the wear on the blades.

Reciprocating saws use blades that are more triangular in shape. These are larger and sturdier than jigsaw blades, but will still need to be replaced often, as reciprocating saws handle rougher tasks.

Under $50

There are plenty of basic, economy jigsaws available for under $50. This will probably suit you fine if you do occasional projects. They may not have all the features or power you want, though, if you need to cut curves on a regular basis.

$50-100

For a little more money, you can get a jigsaw with more features, including orbital action, scrolling action, and built-in laser guide. As in the economy models, these are going to be fine for the occasional woodworker. But be sure you are getting the power you need. If possible test the saw for vibration and noise.

$100-200

Most reciprocating saws are going to be priced in the $100-200 range. You can also find some basic scroll saws starting at about $100.

$200-300

If you want a mid-quality cordless jigsaw with battery pack included, you'll be looking at this price range. If you already have a compatible battery and charger, you can save $100 or more by buying the saw by itself.

Over $300

The most powerful jigsaws may cost more than $300. For this price, you should expect top of the line features, accessories, and performance.

Bosch
Black&Decker
DeWalt
Milwaukee
Northern Industrial
Porter-Cable
Skil