How To Use A Jigsaw To Cut A Curve & Straight Line?

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Do you have no idea how to use a Jigsaw? Are you finding it difficult to cut a curve or straight line with a Jigsaw? There is no doubt that it is genuine to have difficulties while using the jigsaw for the very first time. And now you want to know how to use a jigsaw to cut a straight line? Or how to use a jigsaw to cut a curve? Well don’t despair yet, I have heard your call. As I had been in a similar situation before, and with the years of experience under my belt of using all the different types of saws, now I have mastered the skill of using a Jigsaw effectively.

In this article, I will be answering basic questions like how to use a jigsaw to cut a curve? How to use a jigsaw to cut a straight line? Can you use a jigsaw to cut a door? And other questions regarding how to use a jigsaw for beginners. So let’s dive in.

Why Is It So Important To Learn How To Use A Jigsaw?

Here is the thing, many customers don’t know how to use the Jigsaw correctly and hence they can’t use it efficiently. You have to know how it works, otherwise, it will be a total waste of money and you will regret buying it. However, if you know the right techniques of how to use it, you can do things beyond your imagination. And don’t panic, because I’m here to guide you and share some of my tips and tricks on how to use a Jigsaw.

The Basic Parts Of A Jigsaw

THE BASIC PARTS OF A JIGSAW

1. Shoe

The shoe is very strong because it needs to withstand the high force and the vibration created by the blade during working. You can change the angle of the blade to cut the material in angles.

2. Blade

The blade is the most important part of a Jigsaw. Blades are available with varying numbers of teeth to produce different finishes. The type of blade installed in a jigsaw will determine the materials it can be used to cut.

3. Blade Clamp

The blade clamp holds the blade in position. There are two to three screws to hold the blade and loosen it when needed.

4. Blade Clamp Roller

They improve the quality of the cuts by supporting the blade. Hence giving a straighter and finer cut.

5. Orbital Action Dial

This is also another important feature which most of the Jigsaws have. When the orbital action of a jigsaw is activated, the blade is moved forwards and backward as well as up and down, resulting in a more aggressive cut.

6. Speed Control Dial

As the name suggests, helps to control the speed of the Jigsaw.

7. On And Off Switch

Giving pressure on the switch will raise the speed of the Jigsaw to the speed dialed in the Control Dial.

8. The Lock-on Button

This helps to lock the Jigsaw at a fixed speed. So that you don’t have to use them on and off switch every time. This helps during prolonged work.

9. Power Cord

This depends on whether you have a cordless or corded Jigsaw.

10. Handle

Every Jigsaw has a handle, which allows comfort and helps to guide the tool along with the cut.

How To Use A Jigsaw?

All the above information means nothing to you if you don’t know how to use it. The basic things that you need to know before you start mastering the difficult ones-

  • First, wear a dust mask and goggles before using the Jigsaw.
  • The most important is to choose a blade. This determines the type of materials you can cut.
  • Make sure your Jigsaw is unplugged before changing the blade. With the help of a blade clamp, you can position the blade correctly.
  • Wrap the cables around your arms.
  • Work slowly and let the blade do the work.
  • Change the speed accordingly.
  • And finally, if you know the function of each part mentioned above then surely you won’t have any further problems.

How To Use A Jigsaw To Cut A Straight Line?

The jigsaw can be used to make both straight and curved cuts in a wide variety of materials, including wood, particleboard, plywood, plastic, metal, even ceramic tile. There are different methods used to cut woods straight with a jigsaw. One of them is a jigsaw cutting station. In this method, you will keep two straight boards to help the Jigsaw run against the boards like a train moving in the railway. So jigsaw not cutting straight is only a myth. Now we will only be focusing on how to use a jigsaw to cut a straight line.

  • Choosing the right blade is the first thing you need to do. Stay away from thin and small blades that are used for cutting curves and scrolling. Also, don’t use an aggressive blade with 60 teeth per inch. The best blade you should choose to cut straight is a thick one with 14 teeth per inch. The reason for this is a thicker blade will not bend like a thin blade resulting in much better long rip cuts.
  • Use a piece of board that will act as a guide for the jigsaw to ride against.
  • Take measurements with a meter rule and mark them with a pencil. The measurement is very important for a precise long cut.
  • Place the board firmly with two clamps on two ends.
  • Make sure the straight edges of the board is longer than the workpiece itself. This is to eliminate mistakes at the start & end of the cut.
  • Then you can start your cut.
  • Once you start your cuts, be sure to end the cut, without any stops and starts. They will only affect the cut negatively by creating jagged lines and causing accidental bevels.

How To Use A Jigsaw To Cut Curves?

Whether you are building a nice pallet clock for the kitchen or making a new storage table with attractively curved panels, a Jigsaw and the skill to cut curves with it is all you need.

Now I will let tell you, step by step how to use a jigsaw to cut curves.

  • Same as before, at first you will need to choose the right blade for the cut. For making curves, you will need thin and small blades. So that they can bend easily.
  • Next up, check the angle blade angle. See if it’s 90 degrees or not.
  • Then you will accurately draw the curve on the board with a pencil.
  • Use goggles and hearing protection.
  • Bring the workpiece past the end of the work surface.
  • You need clamps to hold the board down.
  • Start Jigsaw before it touches the wood. Cut nice and slow keeping the blade outside of the line.
  • As you cut a curve always re-adjust the cut, to make sure the jigsaw is not beveling.
  • The cut might come out a little rough and will need to be finished off. No to worry, you can pick a power sander and sand the curve for a nice, smooth edge.

So to sum it all up, the procedure is pretty straightforward and easy to follow even for newbies. But you must take appropriate safety measures to ensure you can focus on cutting the curve and not on the nose or the dust. I hope this post offered you everything you wanted to know about how to use a jigsaw to cut curves & how to use a jigsaw to cut a straight line. Thanks for reading.

See Also:

What Is The Best Reciprocating Saw?

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