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How to Use a Jig Saw? A Guide For Beginners

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A jigsaw is a handy tool that is used for a variety of usage. It is a must-have tool if you going for a remodeling of your kitchen or your bathroom. When you’re in the middle of remodeling or retiling, some certain nooks and crannies cannot be done with the normal saw. This is why using a jigsaw comes as a viable solution as they allow you to cut the curved lines and give you the desired curve on the tile or the wood.

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Jigsaws are available at various price points and you don’t have to shelve loads of money to get even the professional ones. Getting a jigsaw can help you save on the large splurge for the remodeling that any other professional would take. But that would mean you will have to use the jigsaw by yourself. Thankfully here’s a complete step-by-step guide for it.

How to Use a Jig Saw?

Jig Saw

1. Pick the right blade

  • Various blades go with the jigsaw. The type of blades and the sizes differ based on the usage and the material surface that they are going to be used on. Normally you’d be cutting wood, tile, or metal with the jigsaw. This is why you need to find the right type of blade for the type of work. For this, you can check the teeth-per-inch (TPI) number of the blade. A blade suited for the woodwork will have a TPI of 10 or 12 while the metals would require another one. The general rule of the thumb is that lower the TPI number faster but rougher cuts while higher TPI’s give a smooth cut but takes time. There are also reverse blades and the normal facing blades to choose from. The normal facing blades are used for basic works while the reverse facing ones are used on pre-finished surfaces.

2. Always use safety equipment

  • Safety is one of the first and foremost parameters whenever you go for works like using saws for tiling and other things. Always make sure that you use the right safety tools like eye protection goggles, helmets with yourself. Also, make sure that you have an extension cord to plug into as it will give you a longer surface area to work with. And lastly do not use the jigsaw near the swimming pool area or water areas to avoid any hazards.

3. Set the position of the shoe

  • Once you have collected the right type of blade and also made sure of all the safety norms and equipment, it’s time to get going with the jigsaw part. The first thing to do is set the position of the shoe. Always make sure that the shoe is positioned firmly and is placed flat against the material. This will give you a nice bit of control to work with. Do put the shoe in such a way that the blade would only come into touch with the surface of the tile or the wood when the jigsaw is all set.

4. Make holes in the center with the drill

  • Whenever you’re looking to make cuts with the jigsaw, the first thing you have to do is make holes with the drill machine. This will help you to make a clean cut and easily go through to cut with the jigsaw. This will give you the space to insert the jigsaw blade which will then get the job done for you.

5. Special precaution for sheet materials and laminated surfaces

  • If you are looking to cut the sheet metal or any of the hard plastic then the best way to cut it is by sandwiching them between two plywood. This will create leverage and hold the sheets in place for your to cut. This way you can make clean cuts carefully. Simply put the sheets inside two plywood and cut the three layers. When it comes to laminated surfaces you need to make sure that the surface is not scratched or cut. Sometimes the jigsaw blade can cut the lamination so make sure to use masking tapes and other materials to keep it safe.

6. Never hasten the cutting process

  • Once you’ve set everything and taken special consideration for sheets and laminated surfaces, you’ll be set to cut them. As you’ve already set the shoe of the jigsaw, it will be easy to cut through them. But take special care not to hasten the cutting process. Such acts can damage the cuts and surface. Instead, take the time to cut through the surfaces. This is why make sure you go slow and build the pace to let the blade to the cutting in due time. Special consideration needs to be done when cutting the tiles as they require additional time.

Wrapping Up

A jigsaw allows you to make those corner cuts that a normal saw cannot do. This is great when it comes to works like tile relaying, kitchen and bathroom remodeling, and more. It’s pretty easy to work with a jig saw and the aforementioned steps will help you to get going.

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