Jigsaw: for precision or shaped cutting. Rating based on quality, reliability and price. Review of budget models for home

The principle of operation and design of a jigsaw

An electric jigsaw consists of a small number of components and parts, but most of them require high precision manufacturing and assembly. The main working part of the device is the file. It is attached to a rod that moves up and down with an adjustable frequency and is located at the front of the device. The rod is driven by an electric motor through a gearbox and a crank mechanism. To increase cutting speed, many devices have a pendulum function added: the blade moves not only down and up, but also back and forth. A work area illumination and a laser sight are placed near the attachment point. The pendulum stroke regulator is located on the side of the body. The device rests on the workpiece with a flat platform; in many devices, this platform can be rotated around the longitudinal axis at a fixed or arbitrary angle. On the back side of the platform there is a pipe for connecting a construction vacuum cleaner and removing sawdust from the work area.

At the top there is a handle in the shape of a bracket or a mushroom; on it there is a regulator of the engine speed and a switch.

Jigsaw and methods of its use

There are several methods for using an electric jigsaw. In everyday life, straight and curved cuts are most often used. In the case of a direct cut, the device is brought to the beginning of the line and the beginning of the platform is supported on a securely fastened board or sheet. The pointer on the edge of the platform or laser marker is aligned with the marking line. The jigsaw is turned on at the lowest speed to mark the beginning of the cut, then the cut is slowly carried out until the platform is completely resting on the part. Now you can turn up the speed.

Curvilinear cut: a hole is drilled inside the marked contour. A special file for curved cutting is attached to the chuck of an electric jigsaw, the pendulum mechanism is turned off, it is inserted into the hole until the platform is in full contact with the part, and they begin to saw at low speed. Bring the cutting line to the intended contour tangentially at a slight angle and make a working cut.

Main types of jigsaws

When choosing a model, you first need to decide on the class of the device. Based on the type of power supply, electric jigsaws are divided into mains and battery-powered. Cordless ones do not depend on wires and are convenient where you need to make a lot of cuts in places at a construction site that are spaced apart from each other. Their power decreases as the battery discharges. Mains ones require sockets and extension cords, but are much lighter, do not require breaks to change and charge batteries, and have constant power that does not depend on the duration of operation. According to their purpose, electric jigsaws are divided into household and professional.

Household

The motor power in household appliances rarely exceeds 500 watts; their performance, continuous operation time and overall resource are limited. They are suitable for small volumes of work and can cut wooden parts up to 80 mm thick, as well as metal up to 4 mm. Continuous operation time rarely exceeds half an hour.

Household jigsaw

Advantages:

• Low price.
• Low weight.
• Rich choice.

Flaws:

• Small resource.
• Short time of continuous operation.
• Small thicknesses of sawn parts.
• Few optional accessories and functions.

Professional

Professional models have more powerful motors - from 750 to 1500 watts, this makes it possible to handle wooden workpieces up to 130 mm, steel up to 10 mm and aluminum up to 20 mm. Daily operating time is from 8 to 16 hours, continuous operating time is up to 3 hours. Advantages:

• High performance.
• Wide functionality.
• Increased resource.
• A large number of additional functions and devices. Disadvantages Increased weight and dimensions.
• High price.

Professional jigsaw

Chinese semi-professional devices try to combine the advantages of household and professional devices, but this often comes at the expense of quality.

Types of jigsaws

The largest categories into which jigsaws are divided are “household” and “professional” tools. Household jigsaws are inexpensive, low-power tools that are suitable for short-term household work.

Jigsaw Diold for home use

Among them, some tools are simpler, while others have additional functions. Budget models include jigsaws from the Instar, Diold, and Status brands. The tools of each of these companies have their own advantages: Instar jigsaws are equipped with a speed control system, quick-release fastening of the blade, and blowing of the cutting line; Status - regulator of the number of double strokes, 4-position switch of pendulum mode; “Diold” is widely used for processing a wide variety of materials.

Moreover, all of them are made with a pendulum mechanism. This feature increases operating speed and productivity, as well as service life.

Professional electric jigsaw from DeWalt

Professional jigsaws work continuously throughout the entire work shift. When choosing, you should pay attention to their power and reliability. I’ll immediately give an example of such instruments whose characteristics speak for themselves. These are models of electric jigsaws from well-known companies: Hitachi CJ110MU, Dewalt DW349A, Bosch GST605B and others.

Jigsaws can also be classified according to their feeding method. There is continuous power from the network, but there is no mobility. The cordless tool requires regular charging, but can be used in any workplace.

The design is distinguished by mushroom-shaped jigsaws, in which the shape of the handle allows the operator to hold it with both hands, which guarantees more stable, confident work and a smooth, high-quality cut. And also staple-shaped jigsaws - for working with one hand, they are the most common. An excellent example of mushroom-shaped jigsaws are the AEG models: jigsaw “Interskol MP-120/75 OE”; jigsaw "AEG ST 700 E". Bracket jigsaws are represented by well-known companies Makita (Jigsaw Makita 4329X1) and Metabo (Jigsaw Metabo STE B80 Quick).

Characteristics and design features

Characteristics of an electric jigsaw that must be taken into account in order to choose the right model:

• The engine power affects both the maximum thickness of the workpiece processed and the frequency of the rod stroke.
• The frequency of the working stroke determines the productivity and maximum cutting speed
• Cutting depth is the maximum thickness that the device can handle, depending on the material.
• Power type: battery or mains.
• Continuous operation time - how many minutes or hours the device can work without interruption.
• Availability of additional functions.

Jigsaw power

The functionality and performance of the entire device directly depend on its heart - the electric motor. Power determines the force with which the blade will move. For example, an electric jigsaw with a power of 400 W. will be able to handle 60 mm of wood and 4 mm of metal, and a 600-watt one will be able to handle 80-85 mm of wood and 6-8 mm of metal. Power varies from 300 to 1000 watts. For a home craftsman, it would be wise to choose among devices with an average value of 500-600 W. Weak devices are useful only for a narrow range of tasks, while more powerful, professional ones are too heavy and expensive, and also consume a lot of electricity.

Blade movement frequency

The stroke frequency directly determines the speed of movement of the saw - the more often it moves up and down, the faster it will cut the material. For different models, the maximum frequency lies in the range of 2300-3200 strokes per minute, and the most powerful models, the frequency of the rod movement reaches 4000 per minute. Most modern models allow you to adjust the stroke frequency: stepwise using a separate regulator or smoothly as you press the power button harder.

The second option is better suited if the master is going to do sawing or shaped cutting of material. Frequency control makes it possible to work with various workpiece materials, so for wood the frequency should be maximum, for a more even cut surface, and for metals, on the contrary, low, in order to avoid overheating of the saw and its breakage.

Another important parameter is the cutting depth

Cutting depth is a key characteristic of an electric jigsaw. It determines what maximum thickness of the workpiece the device can handle, provided that a blade of the appropriate length is installed in it. By the way, if you use a 100 mm saw to saw a beam 100 mm thick, the end of the cut may turn out sloppy, with burrs. It is better to have a length reserve of 5-10 mm. The depth depends on the material and is indicated separately for wood and steel. Aluminum blanks, as a rule, can be cut one and a half times thicker than steel ones. For household models, the depth is 50-110 mm for wood and 4-6 mm for iron. For professional ones - 150 and 10 mm, respectively

Jigsaw design

At its core, an electric jigsaw is a fairly simple device in which the rotation of an electric motor shaft is converted into a reciprocating motion of the saw blade. Regardless of functionality and design, the device consists of several structural elements:

1. Housing with handle, trigger and device controls;
2. Sole;
3. Electric motor with gearbox;
4. Saw blade;
5. Pipe branch.

Jigsaw device

Let's look at some design elements in more detail.

Body with handle

The device body is made of plastic resistant to mechanical damage and temperature effects. There are ventilation grilles on the sides of the case. The handle is part of the body structure and can be made in two versions:

• staple-shaped;
• mushroom-shaped.

Mushroom handle Bracket handle

According to most users, the staple handle is more convenient when making straight cuts; mushroom-shaped - for curvilinear cutting of sheet materials.

Advice! When choosing a device, pay attention to models whose handles are made of non-slip materials.

Sole

The supporting platform, popularly called the “sole,” is made of metal. Depending on the model and class of the tool, it can be cast or made by stamping.

The sole of the jigsaw is made of metal

The advantage of cast platforms is their strength, which results in resistance to deformation, which significantly improves cutting accuracy. The disadvantage is the high cost, which significantly affects the final price of the product.

Stamped “soles” are used in models of the budget class and mid-price segment. Despite the significantly lower strength characteristics, it is extremely difficult to deform the stamped support platform during proper operation of the device.

Saw blade and locking mechanism

Depending on the type, rigidity and structure of the material being processed, jigsaws use saw blades that differ in thickness, width, tooth pitch and shape, and type of shank.

Jigsaw saw blades

When choosing a file, first of all, you should pay attention to the mechanism for attaching it to the jigsaw, which can be:

1. Collet or block. The fixation mechanism is a block with a slot and two front-mounted clamping screws. Among the advantages are the fastening of saw blades of any size. The disadvantage is the possible distortion of the file due to uneven tightening of the pressure block;
2. The blade is fixed in the mechanism with one side clamping screw. Advantages: ease of fastening, ability to install nail files with any shank shape. Disadvantages: possible distortion of the saw blade if installed incorrectly in the mechanism;
3. Quick release fastener. To change files and attach them, no additional tools are required. Advantages: convenience and high speed of replacing consumables. Disadvantages include questionable reliability and compatibility with blades only with a certain shank shape.

Saws for different materials

Dust collector pipe

Most modern models are equipped with a connection pipe for connecting a vacuum cleaner hose, a special bag or a cyclone filter. The pipe can be made as a removable element or be an integral part of the housing structure.

Additional functions

To choose an electric jigsaw that has all the functions you need, but is not overloaded at your expense with unnecessary bells and whistles, you need to understand these functions.

Pendulum stroke

Currently, the pendulum stroke has become an attribute of even the most budget models. When this option is enabled, the blade begins to move not only up and down, but also back and forth. This speeds up cutting, but at the same time reduces the quality of the surface. The length of the pendulum stroke is adjusted by a switch located on the side wall of the device. It makes sense to enable the option for large volumes of sawing and disable it when performing a curved cut or one that requires special precision and quality of the cut surface.

Sole angle

If your budget allows, then it is better to choose a model that has this function. By turning the sole at a certain angle around the longitudinal axis, you can make a cut at an angle of 30, 45, 60 degrees. In professional models, these positions are not fixed, and the angle can be changed smoothly, focusing on the protractor.

Jigsaw with pendulum stroke and variable angle of inclination of the sole

On inexpensive models, the sole is fastened with a hex key, on more expensive ones - in a quick way, using a special clamping lever.

Smooth start

For a novice master who does not yet have much experience, it is better to choose a model that has the ability to start softly. It allows you to start cutting at minimum speed, gradually increasing it. This will allow you to accurately start the cut along the intended line, eliminating the blade falling off or moving to the side.

Maintaining speed under load

It is worth choosing an electric jigsaw with this function if you plan to do a large amount of work with hard wood or metal. The function protects the engine from overload by stabilizing the speed using an electronic circuit.

Chip blowing

This option should definitely be chosen by those who intend to do sawing. The chip blower system, using the air flow from the engine cooler fan, blows sawdust away from the work area, providing good visibility.

Backlight

Illumination of the work area will be very useful in low light conditions and in cramped conditions.

Laser pointer

It is reasonable to choose a device with a laser pointer when a large number of straight cuts are required.

This option allows you to save time on marking by marking only the start and end points of the cut on the workpiece, and guide the electric jigsaw along a laser-illuminated straight line.

Rating of the best manufacturers of jigsaws

Which reliable jigsaw to choose from a huge range of products? A rating of popular models compiled by experts based on reviews from real users will help answer this question.

Budget models

Middle price segment

Premium models

How to choose the right electric jigsaw

To choose the right jigsaw, you need to analyze all its characteristics together.

Speed ​​​​adjustment as an aspect when choosing

The number of revolutions, which determines the stroke frequency of the rod, is set depending on the material of the workpiece. So, for wood you should choose the maximum number of revolutions in order to get an even and neat cut. For plastic and metal, on the contrary, it is minimal to avoid overheating of the blade and material, respectively.

Carving with an electric jigsaw

Adjusting the pendulum stroke

You should choose a model with a pendulum stroke if you have a large number of straight cuts to make. The pendulum stroke, or additionally the oscillation of the blade back and forth with a small amplitude, can significantly increase the cutting speed, while reducing the quality of the surface. True, it is now difficult to find a model without a pendulum stroke.

Replacing the file

The method of replacing the blade greatly influences the ease of working with an electric jigsaw, and if a large volume of various cuts is planned with frequent changes of material and cutting method, it directly affects productivity. For common European-style cartridges and saws with a cross-shaped file head, there are two ways to change the file:

• Screw clamp - the file is fixed in the chuck with a hexagon screw.
• Quick-release clamp - the file is fixed using a special lever that is pressed with your finger. Changing the blade occurs in a couple of seconds.

Cutting the workpiece at an angle; sole rotation function

Adjusting the angle of the sole also allows for two methods of fixation - with a hexagon screw or in a keyless way by pressing the lever.

The keyless method is much faster and more convenient, but requires careful checking of the quality of fixation in the selected position to avoid play and rattling during operation.

Main selection criteria

If you have already decided on the type of device, the design of the saw blade fastening mechanism and the shape of the body, then the next step is to study the technical characteristics.

Power type

Today, jigsaws are widely represented on the domestic power tools market in two power supply options:

1. Wired, operate from a household network 200 V/50 Hz;
2. From a battery with a voltage of 10.8 V, 12 V, 14.4 V, 18 V and a capacity of 1-4 Ah.

Mains power Cordless jigsaw

When choosing a wired model, always pay attention to the length, cross-section of the cable and the quality of its insulation. If you need autonomy, then purchase cordless jigsaws. However, do not forget that wireless models have much more disadvantages than advantages. The main disadvantage is the limited operating time of the tool on one battery charge.

Power consumption

The capabilities of any electric jigsaw are largely limited by the power of its power unit. The power of devices available for sale today can vary in the range from 350 W to 1 kW:

1. A device with a power of 350-400 W can cope with wooden workpieces with a thickness of no more than 65 mm and steel sheets of 2 mm;
2. For cutting plywood, fiberboard sheets, MDF, chipboard, plastic, 32 mm thick, metal, 4-5 mm thick, a device with a power of 400-500 W is sufficient;
3. A device with a power of 600-750 W can cope with a wooden workpiece 85 mm thick and a sheet of metal up to 8 mm.

Saw stroke

This parameter affects the performance of the jigsaw:

1. The value from 15 to 26 mm is the maximum possible stroke of the saw blade;
2. A short stroke of 15-17 mm for a tool with low productivity, which, by the way, is quite enough for work in a home workshop;
3. A tool with a saw blade stroke of 19-26 mm has high productivity and will be useful in the process of regular production of cabinet furniture or procurement operations on a construction site.

File material

Depending on the purpose, saw blades can be made from:

1. Carbon steel. Used for sawing workpieces made of soft wood and artificial materials;
2. High speed steel. Used for cutting sheet steel and non-ferrous metals;
3. Bimetal. They have an increased resource, tolerate overheating well;
4. Diamond coated steel. Used for cutting glass and ceramic tiles.

Jigsaw blade materials

File tail shape

Today, the most common type of saw blade shank for electric jigsaws are:

1. T-shaped with one stop (cross). Suitable for most modern models of jigsaws from brands such as AEG, Bosch, Makita, Metabo, Hitachi, De Walt, etc.;
2. T-shaped with two stops, used in older Bosch models;
3. U-shaped (circle-shaped notch). Files with this shank shape are suitable for all types of jigsaws with a screw or collet clamp;
4. L-shaped, used only for Peugeot jigsaws;
5. Straight with two holes, used in older Makita models.

Types of saw shanks

engine's type

In modern models of electric jigsaws, two types of motors are used:

• open;
• closed.

When choosing a model for your home, pay attention to devices with a closed motor design. The open type of engine is susceptible to dust, which clogs the armature, which adversely affects the operation of the tool.

Maximum stroke rate

For a knowledgeable person, the stroke frequency of the rod characterizes the quality of the cut and the operating speed of the tool. For most models, this parameter varies in the range from 2500 to 3700 strokes/min. The stroke frequency of the rod for the most popular jigsaws is in the range of 3000-3200 strokes/min.

Cutting depth

The depth of the cut depends on the power of the jigsaw, the type of saw blade and the type of material being processed. Manufacturers in the jigsaw documentation indicate several values ​​for the permissible cutting depth: for wood, aluminum and steel.

The depth of cut depends on the power, type of saw blade and type of material

For devices belonging to the class of household tools, this parameter is in the range of 40-160 mm for sawing wood and 5-10 mm for non-ferrous metals.

Presence of a pendulum

All modern models of jigsaws are equipped with a pendulum stroke. The presence of a pendulum, or, as it is popularly called, a “swing,” allows you to significantly increase the sawing speed, often at the expense of reducing the quality of the cut. It is necessary to “swing” the blade when it is necessary to cut a large volume of wooden blanks. In other words, when speed is important, not cleanliness and precision of the cut.

Pendulum stroke

Speed ​​adjustment

Many models have the ability to adjust the engine speed and, accordingly, the stroke of the rod. This useful feature allows the operator to process materials of different densities and viscosities with the highest quality. The harder the material, the lower the speed of the saw blade should be. Wood requires maximum speed, metal requires minimum.

Depending on the design, adjusting the speed of the jigsaw motor for different models of jigsaws can be done in two ways:

1. The required speed is set with a special switch before starting work;
2. The speed of the saw blade is adjusted during operation by pressing the start button.

If you often have to cut various materials, then you should pay attention to a device with speed control. For continuous work with the bottom material, this function is not mandatory.

Method of fastening the canvas

The design of the fixation mechanism assumes the use of the following as the main fastening element:

• screws;
• clamping device.

The screws allow you to secure files with any shank configuration, but require a screwdriver or hex socket wrench. The clamping device is designed to hold specific saw blades, but does not require a tool. What type of instrument you choose is a matter of taste and the availability of the necessary consumables.

Ease of use

What else should you pay attention to when choosing a jigsaw? On options that determine the convenience of regular use of the device:

1. Handle shape: C-shaped greatly simplifies straight cutting of material in a horizontal plane. Mushroom-shaped allows you to better perform figured cuts and sawing material at an oblique angle;
2. The presence of a case allows you to keep the instrument in order. This is especially important if it needs to be transported regularly;
3. Device weight. Most models weigh between 1 and 3 kg. The mass of the device exerts pressure on the material being processed, subjecting it to deformation. Based on this, to work with thin sheets of fiberboard, metal or plastic, you need to choose a device with a mass of 1-1.5 kg. To work with thick material, pay attention to models weighing from 1.5 to 3 kg.

How to choose an electric jigsaw with additional functions

There are several additional features that make the purchase more expensive, but certainly make it easier to interact with an electric jigsaw. Before choosing, the buyer should decide whether increased convenience is worth that kind of money in each specific case or not. These include:

• Vacuum cleaner connection (you should at least have a construction vacuum cleaner).
• Laser pointer (very helpful when making large volumes of straight cuts).
• Parallel guide (allows you to save on markings when cutting sheet materials).
• Circular guide (allows you to cut out perfect circles without marking).

In addition to convenience, the reason for choosing an electric jigsaw with one or another addition can be the large volume of work for which this addition is intended.

What are the differences between electric jigsaw models and how to make your choice?

We have already found out that jigsaws differ in purpose (for domestic and professional use), as well as in the way they are powered. Now let's talk in more detail about the design difference.

Convenience in operation is ensured, as we noted, by a universal bracket-shaped handle, while the jigsaw is located on top of the workpiece. The mushroom-shaped handle allows you to make cuts from the underside of the part, as well as at an angle, which is another design feature of the jigsaw. Thanks to this, the sole of the tool can be tilted for cutting at 45°.

The design also includes a quick-release device for keyless blade replacement. The presence of a pipe on the body will help you do work without dust and sawdust, since it is possible to install a dust collector or connect a vacuum cleaner to the tool. Knowing these features, you can take them into account when choosing a jigsaw.

By type of handle design

The consumer can choose between the two most common forms of handles:

• Staple-shaped. The convenient bracket-shaped handle is more widespread; it allows you to hold the electric jigsaw with one hand and control its position and direction of the cut.
• Mushroom-shaped, preferable for curved cutting and cutting inclined sheets and boards. You will have to hold the device with both hands.

Electric jigsaw with staple handle

Which jigsaw is better to choose, professional or household?

To answer the question: which jigsaw to choose, household or professional, the consumer should first of all evaluate:

• Scope of upcoming work.
• Their nomenclature.
• Materials.
• Affordable budget.

Household unit

It makes sense to choose a household appliance if there is a small amount of simple work to be done in a home workshop with a material of small thickness, for example, making a cabinet or shelf. A jigsaw for the home will not have a long service life and many additional functions, but it will be light, affordable and will not end up as a dead weight on the shelf.

Industrial

Industrial-grade devices are heavier, power-hungry, and bulkier. High performance, long service life and a large number of additional functions make them several times more expensive than household ones.

Stationary industrial jigsaw

Choosing such a device will make sense in case of commercial use or when building a large house with your own hands.

Power of household and industrial hand tools

The power of a household-grade device is from 300 to 700 watts, while industrial designs have a power of 500 to 1000 watts. It should be remembered that when cutting 1 linear meter, an industrial device will consume more electrical energy, in proportion to its superiority in power.

What actually affects the power of an electric jigsaw?

Engine power affects several parameters:

• The frequency of the rod movement and therefore the performance.
• Maximum cutting depth.
• For battery models - for the duration of operation without recharging: the greater the power, the faster the charge will be used up.

For all types of power supply, wattage affects power consumption - the higher the wattage, the higher the bill for the same amount of work.

Tips for choosing

1. Decide on the purpose and scope of use of the tool. In most cases, a household or semi-professional model in the mid-price category is sufficient for home use;
2. The higher the power of the device, the greater its mass. Think several times whether you are ready to physically work all day with a heavy tool;
3. For home and garden use, pay attention to models with a D-shaped handle. It is much more convenient and provides greater accuracy of straight cutting when operated with one hand;
4. Choose a tool with a saw blade speed control if there is a need to work with different materials;
5. The quick-release locking mechanism often requires “original” saw blades, which may not be on sale at the most inopportune moment. As practice has shown, the most unreliable mounting option is a block with a slot and two screws. A universal option is a key lock or a screwdriver.

Watch a video on how to choose a jigsaw

Consumables and contents

The models offered on the market differ greatly in their configuration. Cheap ones, as a rule, only have the electric jigsaw itself and a warranty card. The more expensive ones include a starter set of saws, hex wrenches, a parallel guide and a well-printed user manual. For cordless models, a spare battery will be a big plus - if you buy it separately, it can cost up to half the price of the electric jigsaw itself.

Electric jigsaw complete set

The starter kit also sometimes includes oil for periodic lubrication. Any components and consumables sold as a set increase the price, but are noticeably cheaper than those purchased separately.