In the rating of household building and electrical appliances, the jigsaw takes pride of place. This fact is not surprising, since it is possible to cut various building materials with high quality. You can choose a jigsaw without problems if you know what you need to pay attention to.

how to choose a jigsaw

Types of jigsaws

Choosing a good jigsaw for home use correctly is possible only when you know what parameters it should be with. You also need to understand the difference between industrial, household and battery devices.

Domestic

In the segment of this category are models with a power of ≥ 500 W and a small amplitude of vibration of the saw blade. It is suitable for cutting MDF and fiberboard with a thickness of not more than 60 mm, or cutting metal sheets up to 6 mm thick.

household jigsaw

pros
  • low cost;
  • sole reliability (usually made of steel);
  • light weight;
  • the ability to connect a household vacuum cleaner to blow chips.
Minuses
  • cut quality is much inferior to professional counterparts;
  • power is relatively low;
  • the operating time of the device should not exceed 2 hours per day.

For home use, where the cutting of materials is done occasionally, the choice in favor of a household device will be optimal.

Professional

These devices have a capacity of almost twice the previous counterpart. They can freely cut wood 160 mm thick and steel 20 mm.

professional jigsaw

pros
  • the presence of a pendulum, which accelerates the cutting of the material;
  • many types of hand saws;
  • the device has a backlight, which allows you to cut correctly with maximum accuracy;
  • laser mark - another additional feature that facilitates the work of the wizard;
  • professional models have the ability to adjust the speed;
  • quick file change.
Minuses
  • the cost is much higher than in previous models;
  • A professional machine is heavier than a household one.

These units are used by professionals at construction sites, as well as in the manufacture of furniture, including cabinet furniture.

Rechargeable

These jigsaws work offline.

cordless jigsaw

pros
  • backlit models available;
  • there is an option for quick replacement of the blade;
  • the device has average cut rates.
Minuses
  • models may come on sale, the bundle of which does not include a battery;
  • high price;
  • it is difficult to find a model with a change of sole;
  • their case is rarely metal, most often it is plastic;
  • There are restrictions on the operating time without recharging.

Without the need for power supply, battery-powered views allow you to make holes in the walls or metal at any distance.

How to choose a jigsaw - a list of points to which you need to pay attention

The electric jigsaw device is relatively simple. But if the purpose of the purchase is to choose a jigsaw for domestic use with good characteristics, that is, moments that you will need to pay attention to.

Electric motor power

This indicator can be in the range of 350-900 watts. The speed of the device depends on it, as well as the possibility of cutting materials with a high degree of hardness. Requirements that a jigsaw must meet:

  1. For a house, a summer residence, a small workshop, a power of 400-500 watts will be enough.It is enough to cut a 65 mm board or 6 mm steel.
  2. It is advisable to choose a professional fretsaw of 600-900 watts if you have to use the device daily, many times.

You need to choose the right power. It is unlikely that buying a professional home jigsaw will be justified.

Saw Speed

This parameter fluctuates between 2600-3700 stroke / min. The stroke frequency for cutting different materials is as follows:

  • soft wood - 3700 stroke / min;
  • solid wood or plastic - 3000 strokes / min;
  • ceramics, aluminum - 2600-2700 rpm.

This information should be remembered when going to the store for a purchase.

Pendulum mechanism

Some models are endowed with the ability to cut materials not only in the forward / backward direction, but in the up / down position. This ability is called the pendulum mechanism. The direction of rotation of the saw is switched by a lever.

It is used for the following purposes:

  1. Production of draft blanks that require further processing.
  2. Production of furniture, frames for photographs.
  3. Other manipulations that do not require extreme accuracy, cleanliness, and exceptionally high efficiency.

The pendulum mechanism increases the cutting speed and affects the quality and productivity.

Cutting Thickness

This parameter indicates the thickness of the material that the tool can cut:

  1. If you have to work with thick bars, it is advisable to buy models that can cut a “hundred” (with a section of 100 × 120 mm) or steel with a thickness of 20-30 mm.
  2. To work with thin canvases, an apparatus with sawing parameters of 70-80 mm for wood and 6 mm for steel is sufficient.

Such models can be bought by those who produce furniture, frames and more.

Maximum number of moves

This indicator affects the degree of quality of the cut and is directly related to the rate of sawing through the material (speed). In most models offered by stores, the number of strokes reaches 300 strokes / min.

For different types of blanks, a certain number (frequency) of moves is required. For wood products, high is required, for steel - their number must be reduced, because from heating steel saws are quickly dull.

Pen shape

There are two types of pens:

  1. Skoboboobraznaya - convenient for working not on the surface, but in a spatial arrangement: cutting an opening in a drywall, curly sawing on wood.
  2. Mushroom-shaped. It is more convenient to make straight cuts with it or at a certain angle.

You can choose any type of handle, the main thing is that the master would be comfortable holding the device during operation.

Case availability

Jigsaws come on sale in two types of packaging: paper (in boxes) or in a plastic case.

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If you have to work with the tool constantly, it is better to give preference in favor of the second option.

If the work has to be episodic, then it is not necessary to spend money on a suitcase.

Weight

The weight of electric jigsaws is in the range of 1-3 kg:

  1. Lightweight models of 1-3 kg are worth buying if the cuts are often made on wood no more than 5 mm thick.
  2. For permanent carpentry work with thick materials, it is better to choose more massive options - 1.5-3 kg.

The weight of the device puts a strain on the hands of the master and the material with which he works. You need to know this when choosing the weight of the device.

Additional functionality

Any of the additional options does the work of cutting the material more efficiently. Choosing a jigsaw with additional functionality is the right solution in cases where they work constantly, or when high demands are placed on workpieces. There are several functions that are useful in your work.

Speed ​​adjustment

This important option allows you to adjust the operation of the jigsaw based on the material with which the master deals:

  1. When cutting chipboard, you often have to adjust the speed.
  2. If the master works with only one material, he does not need this function.

Quick file change

This option allows you to quickly change a broken saw blade. Replacement can be done with one hand in minutes. The option will be useful to craftsmen working with diverse materials. For summer work, this function is not required.

Backlight

Built-in diode lighting facilitates the work of the master. Thanks to him, the cut line is clearly visible, which means that the cut will be easier to complete. The backlit device is relevant in rooms with low light. With good lighting, this option can be saved.

Outsole adjustment

This functionality will be useful not to those who are building a house or a cottage, but to furniture manufacturers. In this craft, you often have to make cuts at a certain angle. Masters working with plastic or steel, this option will be superfluous.

Laser mark

Laser marking is required when cutting the material must be high precision. This may be the manufacture of external elements for shelves, lining on doors, panels, ceramic work. The option allows you to constantly trace the cut line, even when it is clogged with sawdust. If the master is engaged in construction all the time, then it will be correct to choose a jigsaw for the house and garden with this functionality.

Smooth start

Unfortunately, the device twitches and vibrates during operation. This complicates the process, especially if the master is new to this business. The first cuts he can get sloppy. A soft start will allow him to enter correctly and accurately.

Constant rpm support under load

Types of jigsaws with built-in electronic unit can stabilize the operation of the device, regardless of the degree of pressure of the master and the type of material that he saws. The block allows you to save the operating mode in the desired parameters.