Popular Woodworking 2002-10 № 130, страница 62
JIGSAWS If you're starting woodworking with just a few tools, the jigsaw should be at the top of your list. It is capable of cutting curves and straight lines. Plus it can work on large pieces that cannot be cut on a band saw. SETUP & USE Getting Ready Jigsaws require little setup when you buy them. Just make sure the blade is square to the baseplate and set the saw for the type of work you're planning to do. Here are the basics: • Blade speed: Most jigsaws have variable speed with a dial on or near the trigger that will allow you to limit the saw's top speed. In general, use slower speeds for dense materials; faster speeds for soft woods. • Orbital action: Turn the orbital action off when working in hard materials such as metal, or when using reverse-tooth or carbide blades. The lowest orbital setting is generally for getting a fine cut in soft woods. The middle setting is for hard woods or particle board. And the highest setting is for ripping through softwoods really quickly. • Baseplate: If you're concerned about marring your work-piece, most jigsaws can be fitted with a plastic shoe that slips over the metal baseplate. TOP-HANDLE VS. BARREL-GRIP In this country, top-handle saws are the norm.Too bad. We really like the extra control you get from a barrel grip. Check one out before you buy. AMPS Unless you cut ironwood or ipe for a living, the 4- or 5-amp tools will handle most work-a-day tasks. So don't sweat the amperage, it's not an accurate measure of power anyway. STROKE Simply put, the stroke is how far up and down the blade moves. Longer strokes (1" and up) cut faster and cleaner. Bargain jigsaws have shorter stokes, 5/8" to 3/4". ORBITAL ACTION If your saw has this function, it can make the blade move slightly forward on the upstroke and back on the downstroke. The more aggressive the orbital action, the rougher (but faster) the cut. BLADE CHANGING The ease of changing blades is all over the map, from needing a screwdriver to simply pulling a lever and the blade falling from the tool.We like toolless blade changing, but check out the saw before you buy; some toolless blade systems are as finicky as those needing screwdrivers. BLADE TYPES A few jigsaws take only a proprietary blade, which can be a pain. Others take T-style blades (also called bayonet or Bosch-style). These blades have tangs that the tool's blade vise can grip - the best system in our opinion. Universal blades are held in place using friction or screws. Some jigsaws take both T-style and universal blades, though these tend to use only friction to grip the blade. Making the Cut The teeth of a jigsaw blade point upward. As a result, the cleanest cut will be on the underside. So, when laying out your cut, make your marks on the backside of your wood so the front will have the least splintering. When making the cut, some people prefer to cut to one side of the line and then clean up the sawn edge to the line. Try this once or twice: When making your cut, try cutting right on the line. Some people find it easier to follow the line this way. Never force the saw during a cut. Use minimal forward pressure; let the saw do most of the work. The motor should not bog down during the cut. PW "Orbital action" moves the blade forward during the cut. Here you can see the blade in an aggressive orbit. PW Recommends OCCASIONAL USER • Freud FJ85. Freud's top-of-the line jigsaw ($110) has features found on expensive saws: electronic feedback, a big stroke and orbital action. • Grizzly G8994Z. This $60 jigsaw is similar to Bosch's older jigsaws. For the occasional user, it's hard to beat. SERIOUS HOME WOODWORKER • Bosch 1584AVS, 1587AVS. These two tools are identical except the 1584AVS ($165) is a barrel-grip and the 1587AVS ($160) is a top-handle tool. Bosch's jigsaws are what all others are measured against. • Milwaukee 6276-21. The best toolless blade-changing mechanism on the market and a solid performer ($170). ADVANCED WOODWORKER OR PROFESSIONAL The two tools above are also excellent choices for the professional. • Metabo STE105 Plus, STEB105 Plus. Metabo's line of jigsaws ($190) are rock-solid performers that give Bosch a real run for its money. A shop favorite. These tools have been tested or used by the editors of Popular Woodworking and have earned their recommendation. 62 Popular Woodworking October 2002 |
