Top & Best Jigsaw Review 2022- How to Select Ultimate Buyer’s Guide
Jigsaw: How to choose the best of 2022?
we will talk about the best jigsaw options and bring you all the tips on how you should choose the most suitable model for your reality. This type of electric saw has a small blade that moves back and forth.
The jigsaw is ideal for making irregular or curved cuts that cannot be made with other types of chainsaws.
If you want to find out more about how it works, which are the best models, their prices and also learn how to qualify a jigsaw, we can help you with this complete Guide. Come with us!
First, the most important
- The jigsaw is an electric tool that allows you to make cuts with precision. Unlike other types of saw, as you will be able to perceive and compare here in this article.
- It can be used for various craft work, cutting plywood, fine wood, aluminum and even some metals.
- The price of jigsaws starts in the range of R $ 100 and can go up to R $ 1,000. Therefore, there are options for all budgets and you will understand the differences throughout this guide.
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Ranking: The 5 best jigsaws
Many doubts arise when we need to buy a new product. And this guide intends to solve all of them when it comes to jigsaws. For now, we want to introduce you to the best models of this type of electric saw. Check out the ranking below:
Buying Guide
The jigsaw is a powerful and delicate tool at the same time. It is used for cutting various materials, especially wood, but can make very detailed pieces.
Continue with us to learn everything about this type of chainsaw. At the end of this guide you will know how to choose the perfect model for you.
What is a jigsaw and how to use it?
Jigsaw is an electric tool in which a blade moves up and down. You move it with your hand to make cuts in almost any shape.
With it, you can work with different types of cuts, especially those that need more freedom for curves and more delicate works, such as handicrafts.
The jigsaw is a tool that does not require a lot of force to handle, being more delicate than circular saws or marble saws, for example. Therefore, as it is a more delicate tool, if used incorrectly, it can deform the blade or even break it.
An advantage of this type of saw is that it produces less dust than circular saws. Thanks to this it can be used in your home without causing a lot of dirt.
If you want to better understand how to use a jigsaw, take a look at the video below. He has several tips on how to make cuts of various types and the necessary precautions not to damage your jigsaw.
What is the difference between a jigsaw and a circular saw?
You have already learned a lot about the jigsaw, now you may be wondering the difference between it and the circular saw, so we will explain how one of these works and help you decide which model is right for you.
First, check out some advantages and disadvantages of the jigsaw, when we compare it specifically with the circular saw:
The circular saw is a tool suitable for making cuts in general, being widely used with wood in civil construction and furniture. The cut is made by a circular toothed disc that is usually 18 cm in diameter.
If you intend to do jobs where only straight cuts will be made, the circular saw may be a good option.
Its advantage is that it has greater power and can be used for thick woods, such as those used on roofs of houses, for example. The disadvantage of the circular saw is that it does not allow you to make cuts with small details.
Below we have prepared a table highlighting the main differences between jigsaws and circular saws.
Jigsaw or saber saw?
Like the jigsaw, the saber saw also has a blade and allows cuts in wood, plastics or iron. The difference is that the blade is at the front and not at the bottom.
The saber saw is designed for quick cuts and when precision or detailed finishing is not required. Because of this, it is a tool more geared to civil construction and less geared to craft work.
Where to buy?
Jigsaws can be found in most hardware stores. However, for those looking for a wide variety of prices, models and brands to choose the most suitable product, an option that has won many fans is to buy tools online, with comfort and without having to go to several different stores.
Among the online shopping options with greater variety, sites such as Amazon. Be sure to check that the site provides reviews from customers who have already purchased and tested the product, such as Amazon. This makes it much easier to get real information at the time of purchase.
How much?
The cheapest models of jigsaws can be found for less than R $ 100. With a budget of R $ 150, it is possible to choose between several models and brands.
In this price range, the models are mainly indicated for wood and plastic and do not have a battery. They generally only have tilt adjustment.
The most expensive models have prices above R $ 1,500 and are usually indicated for professional and intense use.
Unlike entry models, they are often battery powered. In addition, they have technologies to make use easier, such as smoothness to operate the machine and ease of changing the blade.
Purchasing criteria: Factors for comparing jigsaw models
If you made it this far, you are already full of knowledge about this saw, what it does and its difference and advantages over other tools. But we are not done yet. Now, we will explain in more detail the main points to observe when choosing your jigsaw. Are they:
- Wattage
- Battery operation
- Supply voltage
- Cutting depth
- Blade material
- Tilt adjustment
Wattage
Most jigsaws have power between 400 and 600 Watts. The models with the highest power come in the 750 W range.
The higher the power, the less the blade speed tends to be when cutting an object. Power is an important point to note if you plan to cut something harder or thicker. It is in these cases that the engine will be most demanded.
Using a low power jigsaw for a hard material, in addition to making the cut slow, will compromise the engine’s durability.
If you are going to use thin plywood sheets, plastic materials or aluminum, you don’t have to worry about the power of the jigsaw. These materials have low hardness and will not force the engine too much when cutting.
For thick wood, iron, steel or ceramic, the ideal is that you work with machines with higher power. By doing so, you will not compromise the durability of the jigsaw and will have greater speed when making the cut.
Battery operation
Working with a jigsaw with a battery is certainly more comfortable than using another model that always needs to be connected to an outlet. The reason is that the power cable can interfere when making the cut, especially when the part to be cut is large.
You will need to ensure that the cable is long enough to allow you to make the move. In addition, you will need to keep it well away from the blade at all times to avoid any accident.
The use of batteries to power portable tools, as is the case with the jigsaw, is a major trend. In recent years there have been many launches of drills, circular saws and battery powered screwdrivers. It is no different with the jigsaw.
Certainly one of the main reasons is the popularization of lithium-ion batteries, the type used in a wide range of electronic products. This type of battery guarantees good charging capacity, takes up little space and is lighter than batteries of other types.
A concern with regard to the battery is the possibility of it being discharged before the work is finished. To avoid this problem, many jigsaws come with 2 batteries. When one is empty, just remove it and put the other. Switching is quick and easy.
The main disadvantage of battery operated chainsaws is the price, which increases when compared to models that work in the socket. Battery models start to appear in the range of R $ 500.
Supply voltage
Virtually no jigsaw without a battery works on both 110 and 220 volts. The positive point is that the vast majority of models have versions in both voltages available in online stores, just choose the correct option for your region.
In the case of battery models, most have a bivolt charger. Because of this, you can charge the batteries in both 110 and 220 volt outlets. In any case, it is recommended to confirm in the product description if this is the case.
Cutting depth
The depth of cut is the size that the blade reaches during the operation of the jigsaw. It serves as a basis for choosing the maximum size of material thickness you are going to cut.
The general recommendation is that the depth of cut is at least one centimeter greater than the thickness of the material you intend to cut. For example, if you use a 3 cm thick board, the depth of cut should be at least 4 cm.
In the case of entry jigsaw models, the depth of cut is approximately 5 centimeters. Some models may have greater depth, reaching 13 cm.
It is worth mentioning that in some products, the depth of cut may depend on the material used. For example, there are models that can be used with wood up to 5 centimeters thick and steel only half a centimeter.
The reason for the different depth of cut is the hardness of the material. It is not difficult to imagine that a very thin sheet of steel is harder than another wood with greater thickness.
As the power of the chainsaw motor is usually low, it is not enough to cut hard materials with great thickness, being indicated only for thin plates of hard materials, such as steel.
Blade material
Choosing a jigsaw blade material is very important if you have in mind to cut harder materials. In general, the harder the material used to build the blade, the harder the material to be cut.
The main metals used in jigsaw blades are as follows:
- High carbon steel : it is a mixture of iron with carbon and manganese. This type of blade is the cheapest and is used for wood and plastic. The disadvantage is that it is fragile and wears out quickly;
- High-speed steel : can cut harder materials than high-carbon steel, but is less flexible. Can be used for wood, plastic, aluminum and iron. Its disadvantage is the possibility of deformation because of the heat produced during the cut;
- Bimetal : it is the combination of the two previous materials, generally being the high speed steel used in the blade teeth and the high carbon steel in the body. They are blades with good durability and capable of cutting the same materials as the high speed carbon steel blade;
- Tungsten carbide : can cut the toughest materials. Its composition takes tungsten and carbon. The downside is that it is usually more expensive. It can be used to cut ceramic materials.
Tilt adjustment
Allows you to adjust the angle of inclination of the base of your jigsaw. With this adjustment, the blade can cut diagonally.
When increasing the cutting inclination, it should be remembered that the cutting depth of the jigsaw will decrease. Because of this, you will not be able to cut very thick objects with a high slope.
Most jigsaw models are inclined in steps of 15 degrees to a maximum of 45 degrees.