8 best jigsaws

5. Overview of additional functions

In addition to the basic characteristics, there are a number of useful functions that modern manufacturers have generously endowed their products with. Naturally, the more "bells and whistles" a tool has, the higher its cost will be. However, in this case it is not worth operating with the established stereotype “the more expensive the better”. Perhaps some of the functions just for you will turn out to be completely unnecessary and useless, so why overpay for them?

• AVR - anti-vibration system. The presence of this function significantly reduces the vibration transmitted to the performer from the engine through the housing. Thus, this contributes to less fatigue and more controllability of the jigsaw. The durability of the tool is also increased. It is advisable to purchase models with ATS if you plan to perform work often and for several hours in a row;
• Adjusting the frequency of the saw blade. This feature is very useful if you are supposed to work with a jigsaw with different materials. This moment also determines the ability to achieve a clean cut. After all, it is better to process wooden blanks at a high stroke frequency, while avoiding the formation of teeth at the edges of sheet metal is obtained only at a low speed;
• Pendulum stroke. The presence of this element makes it possible to move the saw not only up / down, but also forward / backward. This significantly speeds up the cutting speed, but impairs its cleanliness and reduces the controllability of the tool. Most often, models with this function are purchased if it is necessary to frequently saw a large number of wooden parts;
• Saw at an angle. The ability to make an oblique cut is only possible if the tool sole can change its position. In this case, the angle can be 0-45 degrees. You will have to set the desired angle yourself, focusing on the corresponding marks. More expensive models have a clearly fixed position of the sole at an angle of 15, 30 or 45 degrees. After tilting it to the required angle, it will be fixed by the built-in limiter. It is advisable to purchase jigsaws with this function if you are engaged in the production of furniture or, for example, window glazing beads;
• Smooth start. The possibility of a smooth start, firstly, will allow you to maintain the integrity of the workpiece at the start of work, and not to pull out pieces at the beginning of the cut. Secondly, it will protect the motor from high starting current;
• The ability to connect a vacuum cleaner. In this case, a special branch pipe for removing sawdust will be connected to the sole of the jigsaw. The function is useful even, which allows you to perform "clean" work and minimizes the amount of wood or metal dust that the user inevitably inhales during work;
• Saw spot illumination. A handy little thing that makes the markings more visible, which means that cutting will be more accurate;
• Laser marker. Can be implemented as a point or line. Allows you to foresee the direction of the cut and prevent it from deviating from the marking;
• Saw blade quick change system. Allows you to remove a worn or broken saw with a single push of the lever;
• Blowing off dust and sawdust from the cutting line. In some models, the fan, which is necessary to cool the engine during operation, can also perform an additional function of blowing debris off the workpiece;
• Protective screen. Designed to protect the organ of vision from dust or shavings getting into them, and their transparent plexiglass is performed;
• Attachment table. With this element, a conventional portable tool can be converted into a stationary one.

Makita 4329 - lightweight, powerful, reliable

Makita 4329

Makita 4329

The tool with the highest indicator of the maximum frequency of the saw movement - 3100 strokes per minute. The device has an aluminum die-cast sole that can be tilted by 45 degrees and is complemented by a rubberized brace handle. The device fits comfortably in the hand and weighs only 1.9 kg.

In the kit, the manufacturer provides a file and a key, as well as a protective shield to eliminate the threat of injury. When sawing wood and metal, sawdust is removed with a vacuum cleaner connected to the branch pipe.

The pendulum stroke works in 4 steps, it is possible to adjust the blade speed. Users advise installing a cover on the ventilation holes for protection, but in general, the model is considered one of the best for domestic needs.

Saws well chipboard, plastic; when cutting metal, it is better to lubricate the working surface.

Advantages:

• there are fasteners for retrofitting with Makita stops
• the file is fixed with screws
• ease
• quiet even cut
• saw blade pumping adjustment
• no vibration

Disadvantages:

• short wire (only 2 m)
• no soft start
• no backlight
• ineffective blowing off of sawdust

the best jigsaw for the home | MAKITA 4329 or METABO STEB 65 Quick

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Classification of electric jigsaws by power and application

Despite the fact that today the line between professional and household tools was noticeably rubbed, this did not affect the classification of jigsaws. Let's consider what groups such equipment is divided into. The main ones are:

• Professional network jigsaws;
• Professional rechargeable batteries;
• Household network;
• Household battery equipment;
• Industrial apparatus.

You need to understand what is the difference between these groups.

Most jigsaws allow you to set the angle of inclination of the cut by degrees

Mains and battery professional jigsaws and their features

Network equipment is more powerful than battery equipment. After all, if you imagine the power of a storage battery, comparable to the power grid, then it will be heavy and cumbersome. A logical question arises: "Why then such a battery?" The only drawback of network equipment is its "attachment" to the outlet. If you need to produce work on the street, you will have to pull the extension cord, which is not always convenient.

Professional equipment is distinguished by advanced functionality, settings for the position of the blades (files), power and endurance (the ability to work in aggressive environments and a rigid rhythm).

If you need to install a sink in the kitchen, a jigsaw is what you need.

Household electric jigsaws of network and battery type

Household equipment is less powerful. But it is enough for housework. Studies have confirmed that such equipment, with a power of 350 W, is capable of sawing boards with a thickness of 70 mm. And household jigsaws offered by the manufacturer today consume 600 ÷ 700 watts. Draw conclusions.

A household jigsaw, despite its sufficient power, is only suitable for short-term work. Home workshop, where the owner is engaged in wood processing "for the soul" - this is their element. But if a large-scale construction is planned, a household jigsaw will not work. Here you need a professional device capable of working 7-8 hours a day.

The laser cut indicator on the jigsaw will keep you from leaving the mark

Industrial jigsaws: differences from professional

Industrial devices are stationary. They are machine tools. The wood is cut on them differently than with an industrial jigsaw - it is not the device that moves, but the material.

Such machines are installed in workshops and rarely move from place. They are used in the furniture industry and can work up to 24 hours a day. A home craftsman, regardless of employment with woodworking, does not need such units - their cost is significant.

Industrial jigsaws are expensive

Having summarized the information provided, we will answer the question of which is better to buy a jigsaw for the house as follows: if no construction is planned, and the jigsaw is needed only periodically, the option with a household tool will do. For a construction site or small furniture production - professional.

What are the best jigsaw files

If you have ever been to a tool store, you have seen that there are letters and numbers on the shank of any file. Let's figure out what they mean.

The letter T means the type of attachment, that is, T-shaped. There is also U, it is much less common.

The numbers on the shank mean.

• The first digit is the length:
• 1 - standard short, length up to 75 mm.
• 2 - average length, up to 90 mm.
• 3 - extended, up to 150 mm.
• 7 - the longest (over 150 mm).
• The following letters indicate the size of the teeth: A, B, C, D.

Tooth A is the smallest, so all metal files have an A, for example T118A means a T-shank file, short, very fine tooth.

Further, respectively - B - a slightly larger tooth (most often these are files with a fine tooth on plywood, chipboard, fiberboard and wood for a clean cut). Files with the letters C and D - with the largest teeth, for rough sawing wood.

1. There are also files with two letters at the end, for example, model T119BO, so let's analyze what the last letter means:
2. F - bimetal (the coolest, highest quality).
3. R - with a reverse tooth.
4. X - universal for wood, metal and plastic.
5. O - for a curved cut (cut a circle, for example, as a rule, thin, so that the file can be turned right during sawing).
6. P - thick options for cutting strictly at the exact selected angle (thick, do not bend, so they cut perfectly). A striking representative is the T144DP, which costs much more than the standard ones.

By wood

The main purpose of an electric jigsaw is to cut wood. For this purpose, there are a huge number of files and they are all different. Let's go in order.

If you need to cut ordinary boards and you do not care about the quality of the cut, its cleanliness, you work at speed (for example, sawing ordinary boards for firewood or a fence), then buy jigsaw files with a large tooth. Thanks to this, the cutting speed will be high, and if you work with a jigsaw in pendulum mode, then everything will be just fine.

In addition, also pay attention to the length of the file, since it will not work to cut a board or a block with a thickness of 70 mm (for example), you will need an elongated one.

Well, the third nuance when choosing is thickness, standard files are not thick, but there are thickened ones (they saw much better, since they do not bend). Since most jigsaws use a standard mount (T-shaped), the name of the files for such a mount begins with the letter T.

A standard set of files, see the photo:

Well, now we will analyze each file separately, what can be sawed for it, for what work it is more suitable.

T101D

Usually, when buying a jigsaw, the buyer asks to pick up some files for the household, so the 101D is included in the kit. It has a large tooth, good cutting speed, and acceptable cut quality. In addition to boards, you can saw chipboard, thick plywood.

T101BT101BRT119BO

Saw out circles, rhombuses, ovals in plywood, fiberboard, chipboard for her. The tooth is shallow so that the cut is even and smooth. Before you start cutting a hole in the plywood, first drill a "hole" with a regular drill, then insert the file into the hole and start cutting in a circle.

There are also progressive models that are more expensive, but they cut much more efficiently and faster than standard ones. One of these - T234X - for cutting chipboard, fiberboard, any wood, and most importantly - for sawing wood along the grain.

The saw cuts very quickly, therefore it is in demand among buyers. She can also work on sheet metal, plastic, plexiglass.

Long - T345 XF, for sawing thick timber."Figachil" with such a saw a bar of 90 mm, no problem at all. It has the BIM brand, so the file is bimetal, you can cut everything except stone.

For metal

T118A

These are 5 files that we constantly sell together with jigsaws. By and large, they are enough for all household chores.

In addition to the standard metal file, there are special options for any other metal. For example, an aluminum file has a larger tooth, which prevents the teeth from clogging. After all, aluminum is a soft metal, so the standard metal is very quickly clogged with shavings.

T224D
In addition to the jigsaw, you may need a sander wood car, the best models of which we have considered in a separate article.

Rating of the TOP-10 best jigsaws of 2017-2018

To clarify the analysis, information on some positions in the 2017-2018 jigsaw rating has been supplemented with consumer reviews.

10th place: jigsaw AEG PST 500 X

This technique is equipped with everything you need to be productive.

9th place: electric jigsaw Hammer LZK850L

The laser pointer will help you make a straight cut without additional tools and special markings

8th place: Makita 4350CT

Well thought-out airflow system effectively removes sawdust from the cutting area

7th place: electric jigsaw Interskol MP-85 / 600E

In practice, the ability to install the web at the desired angle of inclination is useful.

6th place: model Bosch GST 850 BE

This jigsaw has a pendulum stroke adjustment for working with different materials. Sawdust blowing can be turned off if necessary

5th place: DeWALT DW331B cordless jigsaw

After setting the switch to the desired position, the stroke rate is automatically maintained

4th place: Bort BPS-650-Q

Inexpensive handy jigsaw with average consumer characteristics

3rd place: Makita JV0600K

With the help of a button with a lock, the long-term operation of the electric jigsaw is switched on

2nd place: electric jigsaw ZUBR L-570-65

This compact, inexpensive model is equipped no worse than many analogs, which are represented by well-known international brands.

1st place: Bosch PST 900 PEL

For carrying and storing the Bosch PST 900 PEL jigsaw, along with attachments and accessories, the manufacturer offers a convenient plastic case

Reviews largely determine which electric jigsaw is better, but you should not rely solely on them. Some shortcomings are explained by too hasty preparation, when the future user did not specify the equipment, the width of the adjustment range, and other important parameters.Sometimes, using low-power equipment, they try to cut thick sheets of metal. A typical mistake is the wrong choice of blades for processing workpieces from different materials. The official instructions of the manufacturers should be consulted in advance.