Jigsaw Buying Guide

Introduction

Selecting your best jigsaw for your work can sometimes be daunting. If not guided properly, it might consume your project time leading to loss of income. This is because of the diversity and varieties of jigsaws in the market. I am sure that you do not want to waste time in the market but rather spend time on a project. For help choosing the best value jigsaw, you need to read this buying guide to the brim. I am excited to inform you that selecting a jigsaw doesn’t have to waste your time.

Types of jigsaw

There are three types of jigsaw, corded, cordless and pneumatic. Your choice of jigsaw depends majorly on your budget and the nature of your work.

Cordless jigsaws are portable and more versatile but have high battery dependency unlike the corded ones and are somewhat expensive. For instance, you can get a corded jigsaw at $50 but you can’t get cordless at that price. Moreover, cordless jigsaw isn’t as powerful as corded ones.

Things to look for in a jigsaw

As alluded, you budget and nature of your projects will dictate the type of jigsaw you will need. Obviously, you must make the best selection for you to get maximum value for your investments. Below are the things to look out for.

1. The more the intensity of work to be done, the higher the power needed. For instance, an amp corded or cordless jigsaw can handle softwoods up to 2- ¼ and hardwoods up to 1-3/8, while corded jigsaws will handle the heaviest cutting.

2. Orbital action. This is the feature that makes the blade to move up, down, forward, and backward. If you need to make aggressive cuts like on a straight line, this feature comes in handy. Also, this feature allows the adjustment of the type of cut needed, less orbital action for curved and more orbital action for a straight cut.

3. Blade changing. Jigsaws have two shanks, T-shank (or tang shank) and U shank. In the blade clamp, the T-shank allows keyless blade clamping and to lock while the U Shank needs an Allen key to do that. You can select according to your preference, but the keyless blade clamping systems are more popular.

4. The level of vibrations. Lower vibrations make a smoother finish and have less impact on hands. Look out for a jigsaw with variable speed dial to enable you to adjust vibration speeds.

5. To make your work easier, you will need a jigsaw with a dust a collection tray and blower

6. Look out for a feature which will prevent the blades from bending from the workpiece. Simple ones have Blade Roller guides but the advanced ones have a precision roller guide

7. Look for a jigsaw with an air stop brusher

8. Metal casing to protect the gearbox hence last longer

9. Jigsaw foot/shoe to help it keep in a fixed angle

10. Long cord to enable you to work a little far from the power socket

11. Lighting features. For netter line visibility and to know when the jigsaw is on or off

12. Bevel/dual bevel capability which allows angle cuts

Conclusion

After reading this guide, I expect you to visit a store with specific requirements based on your needs and preferences. This will help you select without struggle and save on time.