Specifications
The main characteristics of a stationary jigsaw are certain parameters that determine the radius of its capabilities and its effectiveness.
Power
The power of the jigsaw motor is the most important parameter on which the operation of this tool depends. Power directly affects the functional ability of the machine to cut material: jigsaws with more powerful motors are able to cut the densest and thickest material.
Cutting depth
This is another important parameter. It sets the thickest material the jigsaw can cut. Most often, the cutting depth for wood parts is 5 cm. This thickness indicator is explained by the design feature of the table jigsaw frame, which does not make it possible to process thicker workpieces.
Number of strokes
The cutting speed and its accuracy directly depend on this characteristic. The large number of saw strokes per minute (that is, reciprocating movements) allows you to cut without chipping wood. The cutting line is very straight. The average indicator of this characteristic is 1500 strokes per minute. This figure is enough to create a clean and straight line when using saw blades with double skipped teeth. When using a jigsaw for artistic and high-quality cutting of products, you will need a machine with a higher frequency of the saw blade - up to 3000.
Desktop dimensions
The dimensions of the working surface affect the convenience when working with large parts. The large desktop surface makes this work easier and more comfortable. Budget options for stationary jigsaws have dimensions: length - 350 m, width - 250 mm. The larger these dimensions, the larger workpieces can be processed.
Additional functions
To expand the functionality of the jigsaw, special devices and devices allow. This makes the device versatile and increases the efficiency of its work. Table jigsaws are often supplemented with such elements: a pedal, a light, a mechanism for tilting the working surface, a dust collector and an engraver.
Often jigsaw machines are equipped with a speed control device. This additional function makes it possible to set the required frequency of the file stroke per minute. When processing wood materials, the maximum speed is set, with medium, PVC parts are processed, and for metal, a minimum speed is required, which prolongs the life of the saw blade.
It is often necessary to cut a part at the desired angle. The adjustment of the tilt of the desktop helps in this. Professional devices provide for the installation of a tilt in two directions and the possibility of sawing even at 45 degrees. For budget options, the installation of the working bed is carried out in only one direction.
The backlight creates additional illumination during work, making the process much easier. Dust extractors are designed to remove sawdust and other wood waste generated during operation. An engraver or a flexible shaft greatly expands the functionality of a jigsaw: it can be used to perform such types of work as: drilling, grinding, polishing.
What is a jigsaw?
Figure 1 - What does a jigsaw look like?
The first jigsaws were invented in the middle of the 16th century.
At that time, they had a primitive design, consisting of a U-shaped or U-shaped frame, a working blade.
There was a serious drawback - to work with any material, you had to adjust the voltage manually, which made the sawing process difficult.
The configuration of modern manual models has not changed, but elements responsible for the tension of the file have been added (the first clamping mechanism was patented in 1876).
A jigsaw is a shape or precision cutting tool for wood or other material. With the help of it, cuts of wood, metal, ceramic and composite workpieces of various complexity are carried out. It consists of a metal frame with a fastening clamping system, a handle and a working blade - a file with teeth of various lengths and sizes. The cutting blade moves in only one direction; to change the cutting plane, you need to turn the workpiece or file.
Choice of hand tools
Now a few words about the hand jigsaw. There is no sense in contacting specialists with the question "advise a jigsaw", since they are almost all the same, and not much different. So you can safely go and buy it
When choosing, pay attention to the quality of the material from which it is made. The frame must be strong and not bend
Also check the quality of the clamping washers and the tightness of the file. They should be tightly tightened, but also unscrew without problems if necessary.
Note! A manual jigsaw should not be heavy, as it requires physical energy to work with it, and you can quickly get tired. It will not be difficult to choose a tool if you clearly know for what purposes it is needed, how much work will be performed and the specifics of the operations for which it is purchased. If there is no clear idea about this, then when choosing it is better to consult with a specialist.
Classification
To choose the best tool for yourself, you need to understand how it is classified, which parameters you should pay attention to in the first place, and which functionality is not at all mandatory.
Stroke frequency
Indicates how often the jigsaw blade moves. For domestic use, it is recommended to select in the range from 2500 to 3200 rpm. An even better option is to buy a variable frequency model, but these are slightly more expensive.
In this case, the following nuances should be taken into account:
When choosing a tool, pay attention to the stroke rate, power, cutting depth, handle shape and power.
Power
It is indicated in watts, the higher the power, the more rigid materials the jigsaw can work with. For home use, you should target an instrument in the range of 350 to 700 watts. For work only on wood, you should buy low power models, for "universal" use - with high power.
Cutting depth
Indicates how deep the jigsaw blade "enters". At the same time, the characteristics often indicate a separate depth for wood and metal (aluminum, for steel there will be a much lower indicator). For domestic use in 90% of cases, 50/10 mm is sufficient.
Nutrition
Jigsaws are of two types: mains and battery. The former are cheaper, but require a mandatory connection to the network. The latter are more convenient, but the batteries in them are short-lived (since they always work in a high load mode), and the motors are of low power (as a rule, no more than 100 W). For regular use, it is recommended to buy exactly the network ones.
By the shape of the handle
The most common are staple, where the grip is carried out with one palm. Their disadvantage is the difficulty in making accurate cuts. The mushroom-shaped handle allows you to grip with two hands (but you can't work with one hand at all). The first option for household use is more optimal, but the mushroom-shaped handle is very convenient for curly cutting.
Is the jigsaw already helping you with the housework?
Constantly! No, but it will be!
Additional functions
Of the additional (but not required) functions, a jigsaw can have:
- Backlight and laser pointer. Improves the positioning of the tool when cutting, allows you to get a more accurate cut.
- Adjustable outsole slope. In cheap models of tools, the bias is 2 or 3 positions, while in more expensive models there is the possibility of smooth adjustment (which is necessary when curly carving on wood).
- Branch pipe for removal of sawdust. It is highly desirable when working indoors. You can connect a construction vacuum cleaner or a bag to the branch pipe, so there will be almost no dust during operation.
Expert opinion
Vasily Kuznetsov
More expensive and "professional" models also have vibration and sound damping systems. But these functions will be useful only with the active use of the jigsaw. Choosing a tool for household use, you can not pay attention to them (after all, the reliability of the tool and the availability of consumable components, namely files, are much more important).
Jigsaw for household work
There can be a huge number of criteria by which tools for home use are selected. But there are not many main indicators.
When choosing a jigsaw, you need to pay attention to the following:
- engine power, its type of power supply and the class of the jigsaw;
- tool saw stroke frequency;
- what type of attachment is available;
- is there a pendulum motion;
- possible functions;
- manufacturer, model, tool cost.
Video - Choosing a jigsaw for home use
Now let's take a closer look at each of these points and find out what the average values of a good instrument should be.
Electric motor power
The purpose or class of the jigsaw depends on this indicator: will it be intended for home or for professional use.
The power of common household models usually varies between 380-700 watts. They are capable of processing steel up to 40 mm in size and wood up to 70 mm. These tools do not provide a large number of functions.
The cost of these jigsaws can vary greatly in relation to professional ones. It depends on the manufacturing company and of course it is the ability of the tools. So, for example, the latter are able to "take" centimeter steel and two centimeter aluminum, and wood cutting increases from 7 to 15 centimeters.
The structure of the jigsaw
Saw stroke frequency
This section defines the speed of the jigsaw and means the movement of the saw
When choosing a jigsaw, it is important to consider why it will be more useful to you, since the stroke frequency is different for each material. For example, on wood it is better to work with a tool with a high stroke rate, and on steel - with a lower
You can change the frequency of the file either immediately before work, until the tool is turned on, or already during work with a special fixing button. The higher this indicator, the less time it will take to work and, accordingly, productivity increases.
Jigsaws with low engine power differ only in a shorter service life
Pendulum mechanism
This mechanism is currently used in almost all models of electric jigsaws. Thanks to this, the file moves not only in the vertical, but also in the horizontal direction, thereby improving the work and its speed, as well as the operating time of the tool.
The pendulum mechanism has one big drawback. It consists in the fact that the canvas can deteriorate greatly due to the use of this function. Therefore, when working with a finishing cut, it is better not to turn on the pendulum mechanism. But when working with steel or dense wood, this is not the case and the function is practically necessary.
Differences between direct and pendulum mechanisms
Additional set of functions
Nowadays, many tools are made the most comfortable to use, and therefore create a lot of new functions.One of these is additional illumination on an electrical appliance when working at night or in a poorly lit room.
Also, the engine fan has the ability to earn extra money and some kind of cleaner of dust and sawdust, blowing them off with a stream of air along the cut line. In addition, for the same function, now some devices can be connected to an ordinary vacuum cleaner. There is another function - the ability to rotate the saw, which is very helpful when working with round holes.
Electric jigsaw with sawdust blowing function can be connected to a vacuum cleaner
Which company to give preference to when choosing a jigsaw for home use
To say that the instrument is bad or, on the contrary, good, is now quite difficult. Each of them is designed for a specific purpose and may please one buyer, but disappoint another. From this point of view, it is much easier to talk about inexpensive but high-quality tools. Among them, the following stand out:
- Bosch, Makita devices have excellent quality;
- Hitachi tool is gaining popularity;
- Black & Decker, Skil, Bosch (green), as well as the Russian-made Baikal jigsaw are ideal for household purposes;
- professional: Makita, Bosch (blue), Metabo, Hitachi;
- Hilti makes the best jigsaws, but not everyone can afford them.
You can cut shapes with jigsaws