FAST EASY SHED & WOODWORKING PLANS

When a project to be done in your workshop shed requires curved cuts a jig saw is an excellent portable power tool to use. The power and length of the blade stroke determines the cutting capacity of a jig saw. A saw rated to cut 2” softwood and 3/4” hardwood is a very good saw to choose when purchasing. It is a good idea to make sure the baseplate pivots to allow bevel cuts to be made when necessary.

For best results a variable speed jig saw is the best choice because different blade types require different speeds for cutting. Cutting with a course tooth blade will generally require a faster blade speed and conversely a fine tooth blade will require a slower cutting speed.

Because of the up and down action of the blade jig saws tend to vibrate more than other power saws. The top quality jig saws, however, will have a heavier gauge steel baseplate that will reduce vibrations and will help in holding the saw tightly against the workpiece for ultimate control.

Jig saw blades cut on the up stroke and consequently the top side of the workpiece can splinter If the wood being cut has a good side that should be protected than it is best to cut with this side being on the bottom.

The blades for a jig saw come in a variety of designs for cutting different materials. Choosing the right blade for the right job is imperative. Set the saw at a low speed for blades that have a count of 14 or more teeth per inch. As stated above course blades should be run at a slower speed.

The saw should be moved slowly when cutting bevels or tough materials like knots in wood. The jig saw blades are flexible and will break if forced. A narrow blade should be used to make scrolls or curved cuts and care must be taken to move the blade slowly to avoid bending. It should be noted that some jig saws come equipped with a scrolling knob that allows the turning of the blade without turning the saw.

Meta can be cut with a fine tooth metal cutting blade and again a slow speed is required. To eliminate vibration of the sheet of metal  it can be supported by a thin sheet of plywood.When burred edges are left from the blade they can be smoothed with emery paper or a file.