This short review will not take up much of your time, but will help you decide on the choice of saw for cutting laminate. First of all, let's define: laminate refers to wood products and we will need jigsaw files for wood.
Online stores may have an additional definition: saws for cutting hardwood and for cutting laminate. I note that you do not need to buy long blades; a length of 10 cm is sufficient.
For cutting wood and laminate, there are several options for suitable saw blades: T101B, T101BR, T101D, T101AO, T101BIF.
Laminate saw T101B
Personally, my partner and I use this type of T101B file, I’ll explain why. This type of blade has teeth pointing upward. Modern jigsaws have a pendulum motion system. The return of the file to the sole of the tool and the material being sawed occurs simultaneously both forward and upward. Thus, the T101B made of HCS-marked metal presses the board to the bottom of the jigsaw and the part does not hit the work table. Here is an article about the necessary tools for laying laminate flooring.
Jigsaw file 101B
Laminate cutting with this type of blade occurs quickly, without chipping as much as possible, however, cutting lines must be marked on the back side of the laminated strip. Which can cause difficulties for a novice master. This type of blade is relatively inexpensive, but dulls fairly quickly. It is better to set the jigsaw speed for cutting laminate as high as possible - this will prevent chips.
How to choose a canvas
Laminate is not the material itself, but its cladding (laminated coating). Can be applied to chipboard, fibreboard, OSB, wood, plywood, parquet boards of various thicknesses. Therefore, when selecting a saw blade for cutting, the structure of the entire material is taken into account. At the same time, it should not only be suitable for cutting chipboard or OSB, but also not tear the laminated coating.
As an example, a jigsaw file from Bosch, marked T101BF for quick rough cutting of laminated material, where:
- T – shaped (cruciform) shank,
- 1 – the first number in length (the shortest canvas).
- 01 – classification by purpose, verified using a special table. In this case, for sawing laminated and non-laminated chipboard, wood and parquet boards, ground teeth without marking ensure a clean cut.
- letter B – tooth pitch. It is verified using a special table. In this case, the step is closer to average, from 2 to 3 mm.
- F – the blade is made of two metals (bimetal). The blade itself is made of HCS steel, the teeth are made of hard cutting steel HSS.
Today, manufacturers are trying to free users from deciphering complex alphanumeric markings. On the packaging they simply write what this file is for. And since the products of major global manufacturers are supplied to different countries, in addition to words in English, pictures are used. Thus, on the packaging of a laminate saw, the following can simply be written:
- laminated chipboard;
- tree;
- parquet board.
Files for this type of jigsaw can have different tooth directions - with the tip tilted up or down.
A saw with sharp teeth pointing upward throws sawdust up and tears less at the underside of the material.
A file with the traditional direction of the teeth - with the tips down, throws sawdust down and tears the lower side of the material more than the upper.
If the packaging shows wood and rough chipboard, it is not suitable for cutting laminated surfaces.
Should you pay attention to the brand?
The brand of the jigsaw blade is important today. Only large global manufacturers can organize mass production of blades, for example, from bimetal, with careful selection of steels and alloys, adherence to production and heat treatment technology, correct setting and grinding of teeth.
A file for a jigsaw for laminate from an unknown manufacturer can be made from random, cheapest metal using simple stamping with cutting teeth, without cutting or grinding. Such a product will not cut, in principle, not only laminate, but also any other material.
When choosing a brand, those that deservedly have a good reputation for quality are preferable. First of all, these are Bosch and Makita.
Features of choosing a canvas for parquet
For laminated parquet boards, the same files are used as those described above for laminate. The only difference is that parquet boards are usually thin, therefore, the maximum cutting thickness (30 mm or more) indicated on the packaging has little meaning. You can use the shortest blades.
To cut traditional wooden parquet without laminate with a jigsaw, use wood saws for a clean cut. They make cleaner cuts than those designed for rough cuts.
Laminate cutting blade T101AO
T101AO has a shorter length of about 75 mm, which does not affect the cutting of the laminate. It has a fine tooth, which gives an even cut. However, the sawing speed is very low. Not suitable for normal use. We use it only for curved cuts, such as bypassing heating pipes. For a curved cut, set the jigsaw speed to medium.
Which jigsaw is best for sawing?
In principle, laminate can be cut with any working jigsaw. It is important to use a high-quality, suitable file. However, it is more convenient and more productive to work with a high-quality professional tool, especially for large volumes of work.
Domestic models overheat faster when working for a long time and require a break from work to cool down. Ergonomics is also important. A jigsaw must not only be professionally reliable, but also powerful enough. At the same time, it is not too heavy, with a comfortable center of gravity, handles and visibility of the sawing field. The most advanced in terms of convenient ergonomics and weight are jigsaw models from Japanese brands (Makita, Hitachi).
The presence of a pendulum stroke (the function of swinging the saw) for cutting laminate does not matter, since in this mode the finishing coating tears more strongly and is not used when cutting laminate.
The speed of the blade matters - the higher it is, the cleaner the cut. Some models have a maximum of 3200 up/down cycles per minute. Others - 3500 cycles/min. But, some materials are cut better not at maximum speed, but at optimal speed, which is selected by adjusting the speed and trial sawing.
Laminate saw blade T101BIF
This saw blade is made of bimetallic (Bim), the most durable material, so it lasts a long time. The teeth are evenly spaced without a specific direction.
T101Bif can be safely used both for cutting along the front part of the laminate, and for cutting along the back part. It has a fairly even cut and good speed, slightly inferior to the T101B, and does not hit the workpiece when working with a jigsaw.
For those who install laminate flooring themselves without much experience, I would recommend this type of file. According to the manufacturer, we use Bosch or Praktika.
How to cut laminate with a jigsaw
Despite the relative simplicity of the process, you need to know some of the nuances of how to properly cut laminate with a jigsaw.
High power of a jigsaw is a prerequisite for cutting the material and ensuring high-quality cutting.
In order to cut and saw laminate flooring and obtain a good result, certain requirements must be met:
- Make the cut by setting the jigsaw to maximum speed.
- You should try to complete the entire cut in one go: with different decelerations, unevenness, chipping and other damage to the laminate can form.
- Press the material along the cut line: securely fixing the panel will help prevent the formation of various defects on the cut.
- It is necessary to disable the pendulum mechanism of the jigsaw.
- Use only those files that are intended for laminate: if they are not available, then choose a file with fine teeth, etc.
How can you cut straight with a jigsaw if there are no special files? A blade with reverse-directed teeth is suitable.
Important! Often the manufacturer indicates on the packaging how exactly the laminate should be cut.
Cutting laminate flooring with a jigsaw is usually not difficult.
Rating of the best jigsaw files for wood
For sawing wood, you can choose high-quality, but inexpensive blades. They cope especially well with soft materials, but can also successfully cut hard rocks.
Practice 035-837
Electric jigsaw blades are made of durable carbon steel and are highly resistant to damage. Suitable for wood and plywood, provide fast cutting.
You can buy the Practice 035-837 set from 190 rubles Pros
- universal shank;
- quickly cuts wood and plywood;
- quality material.
Minuses
- Only two files are supplied in the kit;
- Products are not suitable for precise cutting.
GMT JT234X-5
Italian-made products are made according to international standards from high-strength alloy. They have a proprietary coating that increases their service life. The working length is 90 cm - blades of this size are sufficient to solve most problems.
Attention! GMT electric jigsaw files are only suitable for clean, neat cuts.
The price of files for a GMT electric jigsaw starts from 700 rubles
Pros
- five pieces in a set;
- good working length;
- universal tail section.
Minuses
- high price;
- Suitable for wood only.
VIRA T111C552025
Budget jigsaw blades are 75 mm long and are suitable for sawing workpieces of medium thickness. The products can be used for cutting plywood, wood and plastic. The files are certified according to the German DIM standard and meet the requirements of the Russian GOST. Made from high carbon steel, resistant to breakage.
You can buy saw blades for the VIRA electric jigsaw from 60 rubles
pros
- cheap;
- T-tail;
- comfortable length.
Minuses
- only two pieces in the set;
- Only suitable for quick cutting with an electric jigsaw.
How to cut laminate flooring at home?
You can choose one of the most popular and affordable options. Before you pay for a device, find out more about its capabilities and nature of operation:
- Hacksaw. This cannot be said to be a modern option, but in some cases it comes in very handy. The hacksaw never fails. For better results, it is better to use a hacksaw for metal or wood with a fine tooth. Start cutting from the back of the panel to prevent possible chips on the surface of the board;
- Bulgarian. This is an angle grinder with a metal disc. How to cut laminate correctly? Fix the lamella and slowly lower the grinder so that it does not break out of your hands and does not stall. Be prepared for an unpleasant odor to appear during operation due to the heating of the disk;
- cutter. Here is another popular device for cutting laminated material. It allows you to cut boards quickly and efficiently. The cutter can effortlessly cut both thin and thick panels. Such an ideal result cannot be achieved either using an angle grinder or using a jigsaw. This is a device with a sharp blade that can be easily moved using a handle. This mechanism operates very quietly, without noise and dust and does not require power supply;
- a circular saw. What saw to use to cut laminate? This is an option for neat cutting, equipped with a special disc. Place the board face up on a hard, flat surface, securely fasten it, and mark the cutting line. Then smoothly lower the grinder disk and gradually move it along the intended line without getting stuck in the board. This option requires skills in working with a circular saw, as well as a lot of patience. But the advantage is high-quality and fast results. Are there any disadvantages? Yes, if the downside is the smell of burnt wood that appears during the sawing process;
- electric jigsaw. This is a fairly effective but simple option. Make sure the jigsaw is equipped with a special wood attachment. Before starting work, you need to fix the lamella to the floor. Turn on the device and set it to high speed to protect the material from possible chips. Your movements should be smooth.
! At least two people should operate the jigsaw.
