An electric jigsaw is a universal tool with which various materials are processed in the workplace or at home. Every craftsman who has to deal with cutting wood, plastic or metal, at least once in his life, wonders how to choose the right jigsaw. Indeed, the range of jigsaws is so wide and represented by such a huge number of brands and models that even an experienced person is not always easy to navigate.
As with the purchase of any other special tool, it is important to carefully study the technical characteristics of the jigsaw, familiarize yourself with its functionality and view customer reviews of the selected model. Immediately make a reservation that each additional option of a jigsaw increases the cost of the product, so it is necessary to clearly determine the nature of the work that the purchased sample will perform. Sometimes the high price of electrical equipment is not formed according to the quality of the cut, but only indicates the presence of additional features of a jigsaw, and whether you need them is up to you.
Characteristics and design features
A household electric jigsaw is a manual tool equipped with an electric drive. Such an aggregate has small dimensions and relatively low weight, which allows it to be held in one hand during the working process. The main functionality of the jigsaw is the ability to make straight and curved cuts of almost any building material (depending on the selected saw blade). Also, it can be used to form rectangular or round technological holes of a given diameter. Such a power tool performs a wide range of work on the longitudinal, transverse and curly cutting of sheet material, so its popularity among masters is extremely high. In order to know how to choose an electric jigsaw and not make a mistake with the purchase, it is advisable to have an idea of its configuration, having studied the description of parts and features.
Basic structural elements
Processing of wooden, ceramic, plastic and metal surfaces is carried out using a file driven by an electric motor, and the frequency of its reciprocating movements can reach 3500 stroke / min. This parameter directly affects the performance of the unit, so before choosing an electric jigsaw, be sure to pay attention to this value. To ensure safe operation, manufacturers usually protect the jigsaw with a special screen made of transparent plexiglass.
Another mandatory element of the design is the sole or, as it is called in a professional language, a support platform that acts as a guide. Its task is to ensure an accurate cut by maintaining the same distance between the workpiece and the machine. Experienced craftsmen recommend buying a jigsaw model with a swivel sole, which makes it possible to cut at an angle. As a rule, the jigsaw base platform is made of steel, aluminum or high-strength plastic substrates.
The jigsaw handle in its configuration can be mushroom-shaped or made in the form of a bracket. In the first case, manufacturers offer an excellent option for work on an inclined plane. In turn, the staple-like structural element provides an overview of the cut line, which is very convenient in operation. It is customary to choose the shape of the handle depending on individual preferences; it does not affect the quality of the cut.
The jigsaw device also indicates the specifics of its functioning, so if you plan to use the home unit in places where there are no electrical outlets, you will have to buy a model with a battery.
We draw your attention to the fact that the battery samples have a short period of continuous operation, and their power is low.
Functional filling
If the basic elements of the jigsaw are more or less simple and their set is usually standard, then with additional options for professional processing of the material you need to understand more thoroughly. So, modern hand-held equipment can demonstrate the following features:
- stroke frequency adjustment. The choice of the necessary parameter can be carried out both before the start of work and in their process, by increasing the pressure on the start button, thereby increasing productivity. Do not forget that with such manipulations the file wears out much faster;
- connection of a multi-stage pendulum mechanism. Most modern jigsaws include a feature that allows you to increase the number of horizontal movements of the torch in the direction of sawing and in the opposite direction. In this case, the file does not wear out faster, but the cutting edge will be less accurate. Performing a high-quality finishing cut, it is better to disable this option, especially when it comes to processing sheet steel and solid wood;
- work area illumination. The lamp integrated in the tool body optimizes the cutting process and makes it more comfortable in places with low light;
- keyless blade change. Quick file replacement using a special lever allows you to save time on the re-equipment of the unit and quickly install the selected cutter;
- automatic removal of sawdust. The fan, designed to cool the electric drive, expands its functional purpose, and allows you to remove sawdust from the cutting line in time, which is especially important at the time of woodwork;
- the presence of an adapter for connecting a vacuum cleaner. This feature provides a thorough cleaning of the treated surface from chips and dust, thereby improving the overview of the cutting line;
- turning the file. A very convenient function, thanks to which the cutting element of the jigsaw rotates 360 degrees, which is indispensable when forming holes of a rounded configuration;
- fixation of the inclination of the sole. Using the lock, you can fix the home jigsaw in the selected position at a given angle (from 0 to 45 degrees).
Pendulum stroke
The pendulum function of an electric jigsaw significantly expands the capabilities of the tool. Experienced craftsmen know why a pendulum move is needed, and in which cases the device is indispensable, and we will be happy to tell newcomers about this useful option. So, a jigsaw blade with a pendulum stroke during operation, in addition to the reciprocating action, additionally performs horizontal movement in the direction of sawing and in the opposite direction. This mechanism is designed in such a way that allows you to quickly cut the part in the process of moving the tool up. On many models of units, the amplitude of the pendulum stroke is provided, which allows you to select the desired sawing mode depending on the characteristics of the workpiece. The more steps the regulator has, the more accurately the master will be able to adjust the device, choosing the optimal balance between cut cleanliness and speed of work.
As you can see, the choice of a jigsaw requires a balanced approach and a careful study of the issue, and here you need to take into account not only the technical characteristics of the unit that you are going to purchase, but it is also desirable to familiarize yourself with some more subtleties. By analogy with the rest of the working tool, manufacturers produce jigsaws for domestic or professional use, and which of the samples is the best, let's try to figure out the next section of our article.
Household or Professional
Of course, the load on household appliances is not so high, because they are used with less intensity, which means they have more modest power than more resourceful professional jigsaws designed for continuous operation. Also, home models for the most part have a much smaller set of additional options that expand the functionality of the unit, and that is why their price is several times lower than that of professional jigsaws.
If you wondered which jigsaw to choose, first decide which material will be processed with it.. For example, low-power household models are capable of cutting wood, the thickness of which does not exceed 70 mm, and for a metal the maximum parameter is 2-4 mm. In the case of professional samples, these figures increase to the limits of 135 mm and 10 mm, respectively. As a rule, a good professional tool is produced in Japan, Germany and Sweden, while manufacturers from China and Poland are engaged in the production of amateur jigsaws, although everything is conditional here, and it is better to choose a jigsaw according to a number of criteria.
What to choose when choosing
The first parameter that both a professional and a beginner in carpentry or metalwork should pay attention to is power, it is with it that the choice of a jigsaw often begins. Household models have a power of 350-500 watts, while professional models have a power of 700 watts or more. This indicator directly affects the depth of cut, the time of continuous operation and the duration of the operational period of the unit. It is worth noting that powerful jigsaws also have more impressive weight, and this must be taken into account when choosing a universal electronic cutter for manual work.
Do not neglect the number of strokes of the jigsaw in one minute, because this indicator indicates not only the cutting speed, but also its cleanliness. Most often on sale you can see models in which the file moves in the range of 0-3100 stroke / min, although there are types of jigsaws with a frequency of 3500 stroke / min, and these are usually professional samples. Before choosing a jigsaw for home or work, be sure to pay attention to the option that allows you to adjust the stroke frequency, which is important if you plan to work with various materials.
Convenience in work depends on the system of replacing the saw blade of the jigsaw, fixed with screws or a clamping mechanism. It is preferable to purchase a jigsaw with a torch lock arranged in the second embodiment, since it does not require the use of a special key, which will allow for an accelerated replacement of the saw. To work in conditions of cleanliness, as well as protect your eyes and respiratory organs from the dust that inevitably accompanies the cutting process, buy a power tool with a nozzle for connecting a vacuum cleaner. We really hope that after reading our article and watching the video below, you can choose a high-quality electric jigsaw and save money by abandoning options that you simply don’t need.