Plywood Jigsaws: What Can You Cut With A Hand Jigsaw? Jigsaw Blades. How To Cut Plywood Without Chips?

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 05:33

Shape cutting is most easily done with a jigsaw. Thanks to the presence of a large number of different files, as well as the models themselves, the craftsmen manage to create neat and graceful images without much difficulty.

Peculiarities

The plywood jigsaw is equipped with a support that allows you to control the process and direct the movement in the desired direction. The cutting itself is carried out thanks to a special file with small teeth. This part is replaceable, which allows you to perform various types of work. In addition, the jigsaw has an engine, which is responsible for the implementation of the process itself. The power of the device ranges from 200 to 900 watts.

Which device to choose will largely depend on what material is to be processed . Convenience of use is provided by a special handle. In addition, the electric jigsaw is equipped with guide jaws or rollers that adjust the movement of the saw. Many advanced variations additionally have backlighting, garbage collection, and sound protection. The jigsaw always starts working after pressing the "Start" button.

By the way, keeping it pressed all the time is completely optional.

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Manual

The hand jigsaw is the simplest version of this device. It looks like a metal structure in the shape of the letter U, at the ends of which a cutting blade is fixed with clamps. On the other side of the frame is the jigsaw handle. Clamps are used to not only hold the plate, but also to adjust its tension and vary the working planes. A manual jigsaw is a rather fragile device that does not differ in a long service life, therefore, experts always recommend that you immediately purchase spare cutting blades for it.

Electric

The jigsaw is the most popular variety with maximum ease of use. The thin saw moves straight up and down along the markings, and the working stroke is carried out only when moving up. This mechanism encourages the jigsaw to dock with the surface instead of pushing it away. As a result, the lines are very neat and smooth, requiring no additional sanding.

The electrical appliance is powered by a taut motor.

It does not require additional adjustment - it is enough to carry out the initial adjustment correctly . The cutting blade is tightened immediately before use, and this is sufficient. The jigsaw can be equipped with different files to create different cuts on different metals. For example, it can be straight or curved lines, circles and rectangles made on wood, plastic, ceramic tiles, brick and even steel. Saws change very quickly.

Laser

A laser jigsaw is an electrical device with a laser that allows you to perform a wider range of jobs. In addition to the usual straight cut line, the laser jigsaw is capable of other types of cutting, such as corner cuts. The main part of the device is a motor in a plastic case, where a garbage collection system is also equipped. The cutting blade is fixed to the drive shaft, which is also hidden under a plastic surface that prevents sawdust from flying directly into the worker's face.

The metal bar acts as a support, and the laser pointer helps you cut precisely along the marked lines.

How to choose?

In addition, the choice of the cutting blade is of course important. Jigsaw blades are made from different materials with different shapes, sizes and sharpenings. If materials with a low density will be processed, files with a length of 75, 85 or 100 millimeters are sufficient. The file pitch varies from 2.5 to 4 millimeters in the case of wood materials, and from 1 to 2 millimeters when cutting metal. Abrasive spraying on cutting blades is mainly diamond, which is indispensable for tiles, ceramics and glass.

You can cut the non-ferrous metal with a wavy file . When buying a cutting blade, be sure to see if it will fit your existing jigsaw. And also the choice is often made between professional and amateur jigsaws. The latter are less powerful, but still suitable for typical household work.

It is believed that such a device is capable of making a cut in wood up to 50 millimeters deep, and on metal - from 2 to 3 millimeters.

Work rules

With a jigsaw, you can complete both ordinary construction tasks and saw out a variety of decorative figures and patterns. For beginners, there are the following simple tips to get the job done as efficiently as possible:

• starting to cut, you will have to create an emphasis in the lower back; this position makes it possible to both hold the canvas, and work while sitting, and even do it while standing;
• when you need to cut a small fragment, first a small hole is made in the workpiece with another tool, and then a jigsaw file is inserted there; by the way, to make a hole in the plywood, it is enough to sew;
• work correctly with a jigsaw slowly and measuredly, without haste; this is especially true for complex graceful drawings, so for beginners, by the way, it is better to start with geometric shapes and simple outlines on a cutting board;
• changing the cutting angle, it is necessary to unfold the working panel, and an unused file;
• the work ends with the obligatory processing of all irregularities and roughness;
• using a jigsaw, you can not only cut out various patterns on a straight surface, but also, for example, make a medal, a box or a photo frame; diagrams for all these objects and images are extensively presented on the Internet.

Jigsaw carving is carried out with such specifications as:

• when working, do not put pressure on the saw blade - it will heat up faster and more strongly and, as a result, even break;
• a wide file will allow you to create a long, straight cut, since the width of the cutting blade will balance the position of the jigsaw;
• when working with the device, it is important to periodically change the saw;
• cutting with a blunt blade will only spoil the material, and, moreover, will increase the load on the motor, and also worsen the quantity and quality of work;
• cutting on metals and plexiglass requires preliminary treatment of the processed material with water or liquid oil for a car; such an action will not only ensure a clean cut, but also keep the cutting blade itself in a satisfactory condition;
• if you need to cut metal with a thickness of less than 1 millimeter, you will additionally have to put a piece of plywood under it, and also reduce the feed so as not to create vibrations;
• It is important to allow the device to rest periodically, especially in the case of a minimum frequency of strokes;
• The jigsaw should be periodically cleaned and oiled with a special tool.

Products, as a rule, are created according to drawings, which are printed on thick cardboard, cut along the contour and transferred to a plywood blank. In this case, the contour should be applied from the inside and with a simple pencil so that there is an opportunity to carry out the correction. Experts recommend placing the pattern in such a way that you have to cut along the grain to a minimum. The first step is to work out the internal contours. To do this, simply guide the jigsaw over the fixed panel.

The movement should be up and down.

Sometimes it is impossible to cut straight off, because either the jigsaw turned out to be tilted, or the fasteners and the tension of the saw were weakened. This can be prevented by pre-setting the equipment and tightening all the fasteners. When the file is already stuck, you need to carefully remove it and start applying the pattern again, following parallel to the damaged line. Sawing without chips will work if you choose high-quality material, and also observe the following rules:

• processing of low-quality plywood should be carried out as intensively as possible using saws equipped with small teeth; in addition, a cutting blade with a reverse tooth will come to the rescue;
• on the reverse side, it is worth sticking the cutting lines with tape or adhesive tape, and also moisten the surface;
• before you start creating fantasy patterns, you need to work out the basic ones;
• to make an inner circle, you will first have to drill a small hole, the diameter of which will allow you to place the file inside; the movement of the cut will have to go along the inner contour of the image with a course of medium intensity;
• obtuse and right angles are formed by turning the material to be processed, combined with the smooth movement of the jigsaw;
• sharp corners are obtained from two cuts brought together at one point;
• an oval contour is also obtained when unfolding the plywood;
• work always starts from the center and then moves to the edges of the workpiece.

Safety engineering

It is necessary to work with a jigsaw, especially an electric one, observing such safety measures as:

• you should always wear safety glasses and, just in case, long-sleeved clothing;
• gloves and a dressing gown that can protect against dust will not damage;
• the work surface must be strong, so the old, wobbly table is strongly discouraged;
• provide the master with good lighting and first check the condition of the saw attachment;
• you cannot start work without studying the instructions.

When using a hand jigsaw, it is also important to be careful with your hands and maintain a distance between the tip and your fingers. For beginners, of course, you shouldn't start a workflow without studying the instructions.