Varieties of jigsaw saws and the rules for their selection

Today, various tools are used for domestic and professional needs in construction and repair. Among its wide assortment, one can single out a jigsaw, with the help of which a number of tasks related to cutting products and materials made from different raw materials are solved. However, without a basic part, such as a file, this tool will not be able to function productively, so it is important to have the most complete understanding of this component.

In a sawing tool, the accuracy of the work performed, the cutting speed and the quality of the cut depend on the correctly selected saw blade, therefore, in each case, the requirements for this element of the jigsaw will differ. Also, the type of raw materials that will be used in the work plays a key role. For example, for products made of plywood, chipboard or soft metal, a neat cut will be required if the cut is made for finishing, and for rough work with wood and other materials, in some situations, you can limit yourself to a rougher working technique. In either case, it is important to choose the right file for the jigsaw.

Saw blades for hand tools when cutting wood or metal will allow you to make an accurate cut, even if it is necessary to prepare thin and small products from working material with a minimum density.

It is possible to distinguish and classify jigsaw files for hand and power tools according to the following characteristics.

• Product size. Since the main raw material for working with a jigsaw is wood, which stands out for its thickness, the saw blade for effective work is made as long as possible so that the saw can cover the entire thickness. Usually the length of the part is 150 mm, but there are elements of a larger size.
• The type of material from which the file is made. Most often, products are made from carbon steel alloy, since such tools do very well with the task of cutting both fresh and dry wood. In addition, such a tool can also work with polymer raw materials. Also, to equip the jigsaw with a cutting part, saws made of hardened steel are used, which is recommended for working with soft types of metals and other pliable materials. Bimetallic saws are an improved version that combines the advantages of different types of steel, in addition, to improve the quality of such files are diamond-coated, which increases their cost. As a rule, such blades are intended for cutting dense metal alloys, for working on aluminum and tiles. Carbide saw blades are used for tiles and ceramics.

• Blade type. This criterion is responsible for the appearance of the cut made. To select one or another type of teeth on the files, you should pay attention to the marking of the parts. The teeth can be wavy, set apart, polished and placed at a certain angle.
• Saw tail type. The ability to use parts with different tail shapes and sizes depends on the configuration of the working tool.However, more and more manufacturers are trying to make their products universal. This part in the file can have a T-shape, be in the shape of a U-shaped end, straight or with special holes for a specific modification of the jigsaw.

Taking into account the marking of the files, you can choose the right tool for the job. There is currently no single standard for designating all cutting parts for jigsaws, in light of which most brands use the Bosch saw blade brand classification as a base. Typically, the character set includes alphanumeric values.

• The first character characterizes the type of tail of the canvas, for the most part these are letters - T and X.
• Then a numerical marking is applied to the canvas, which will indicate the length of the file. This value can vary between 75-150 mm, but there are other size options. Long blades may be needed for work on concrete, porcelain stoneware or stone.

• The type of material from which the file itself is made will be indicated by the symbols placed under the projections near the tail. So, high-speed stainless steel is designated by the abbreviation HSS, HSC symbols indicate high carbon steel, BiM is bimetallic products.
• The size range of saw blades for a hand jigsaw is indicated by analogy with the marking of machine parts, as a rule, the gradation is indicated in the range # 2/0 - # 12. Sizes # 3 to # 9 are considered the most popular options for work.
• Also files for hand tools are marked with symbols indicating the number of teeth per inch. This indicator is indicated by the abbreviation TPI. The average characteristic is 15 teeth.

• Further, the set of symbols on the canvas is continued by letters that indicate the size of the teeth at the saw. They can be small, then the letter A will be present in the marking. The average size assumes designation with the symbols B and C. At the maximum size, the letter D will be applied to the canvas.
• The following is the designation of the type of raw materials used for the work, as well as the characteristics of the cut. Universal cutting parts will be marked with an X, files with an O symbol belong to the category of parts that can be used to make a curved cut on a product. Blades marked with the letter P are recommended for working with dense raw materials in order to create oblique cuts.

The classification of the saw blade is also carried out taking into account the configuration of the teeth.

A versatile cutting part where all teeth are the same size and shape. Standard Tooth also assumes uniform focus and placement at the same pitch from each other. With the help of jigsaws with this complete set, you can work with wood and similar materials. However, the cut will not have a high level of accuracy, therefore, most often this type of file is used in domestic needs for rough cutting of materials.

This type is distinguished by its efficiency, minimal heating during operation, as well as fast removal of chips from the working surface. Such a canvas should be used for plastic, laminate and wood. Using a file, you can make a curly cut.

Such saws are less productive in work, however, their main advantage is the creation of an ideal line at the point of dividing the material. Double-tooth Blades remove sawdust well from the product, do not get very hot during movement.

The configuration of such files involves the placement of a part of the teeth in the upward direction.With this type of files, you can make a better cut, reducing the number of possible chips and chipping on the working surface from below. For household needs, these canvases are practically not purchased. Their main field of application is jewelry work with wood, and similar saws are also used for table-top machines. It is recommended to operate such blades only if you have experience in working with the tool.

In addition to the above options for saw blades, there is another type - spiral files. Such cutting elements are in demand for curly cutting. A distinctive feature of this type is the ability to quickly change the cut angle during work with the workpiece. In addition to hand tools, they are used for jigsaw and machine tools.

Since the saw blade, regardless of its configuration, plays a very important role, when choosing the necessary part, it is worth adhering to some recommendations.

• For craftsmen who use the tool regularly, it would be more correct to stop at the purchase of several files in a set at once. The presence of different types of cutting elements will save time, and will also allow you to select a part for a particular cut option on the material. For beginners planning to use a jigsaw for household needs, it is recommended to stay on a set containing from 5 to 10 products of various configurations and purposes.
• During the operation of the jigsaw, you should carefully read the instructions attached to it. As a rule, in this document, the manufacturer leaves valuable recommendations regarding the selection of consumables for it. This knowledge will help you navigate the supermarket.

• When buying a saw blade, it is important to clearly define the task that the saw should perform. Having decided on the goal, it will be many times easier to accurately select the size, shape of the teeth and other parameters of the product. It is worth focusing on the width and thickness of the blade, on which the quality of the work performed, as well as the cutting speed, directly depends.
• Preference should be given to popular and reliable brands that sell their products all over the world. This can be a Bosch or Makita brand saw blade. Such files very rarely fail prematurely, which fully justifies their cost.

For information on how to choose jigsaw files, see the next video.