The jigsaw has a special place in the household. It is not used as often as a hammer or screwdriver, but the delicate functions of cutting wood, plastic and metal materials are not better than any tool. And it's not just about convenience for the user. A high-quality device will provide an ideal line of figured cut without damaging the workpiece. However, the advantages, in terms of user ergonomics, are worth noting. Compactness, lightness and versatility of use are the main advantages that modern jigsaws have. An overview of the key performance indicators and manufacturers of this tool will help you make the right choice for a particular model.
Household or professional?
In the power tool segment, it is especially noticeable how the line between devices for professional and home use is blurred. The former are increasingly acquiring properties that allow amateurs and even beginners to use the instrument. And the latter, in turn, are endowed with higher technical performance. A household electric jigsaw also demonstrates this trend. Reviewsnote that the power of 350 W is quite enough to work with wood, the thickness of which is 7 cm, and metal up to 0.4 cm thick. As for professional devices, they are able to cut wood material at a depth of more than 10 cm and cope with steel sheets up to 1 cm thick. By the way, aluminum lends itself to such jigsaws with a thickness of 2 cm. The power range of such devices varies from 600 to 700 watts. Also, the differences between the two categories include dimensions, weight and a set of additional options. Models for professional use are heavy and large, but in terms of functionality they outperform household counterparts.
What kind of files are there?
Strictly speaking, files are an auxiliary and even consumable material. However, the quality of operations performed by jigsaws depends on them. An overview of the most popular files will allow you to decide on the choice of this element. To begin with, you should take into account the standard size of the working part - files can have a length of 7 to 13 cm. In addition, they differ in the quality of the material. Usually there are steel and bimetallic files, but if you take into account the markings depending on the purpose, then the classification will be more difficult. So, for soft woods, carbon steel products are used. Non-ferrous metal and plastic materials are cut with files made of high-speed steel. Bimetallic elements can be considered as universal - it is also advisable to use them to obtain complex curlycuts.
Additional optional - what to consider?
Modern technologies make it possible to improve and in every possible way improve the traditional device of a power tool. In particular, the buyer can find models with double insulation to protect against moisture and universal file holders so that the device can be combined with different sizes of files. For ease of use, it is worthwhile to provide for the presence of a frequency controller for the movement of the working element. If you plan to cut with an electric jigsaw in a poorly lit place, then it will not be superfluous to provide LED lighting. The function of automatic dust removal with an air jet also helps in the work. Firstly, it saves the user from unnecessary troubles in cleaning after work, and secondly, it prolongs the life of the tool, since its filling is not clogged with sawdust.
Bosch Models
German developers offer a high-quality tool that is appreciated by both amateurs for ease of use and professionals for reliability, functionality and performance. You should contact this brand if you need a premium model from the professional category. These include the GST 850 BE. This Bosch electric jigsaw has a power of 600 W, provides 4 pendulum positions and provides a saw blade stroke of 2.6 cm. Together, these characteristics allow the owner to cope with both soft wood and metal, leaving a high-quality and clean cut. Despite the characteristics of a professional model, this unitIt will be convenient for non-specialists as well – a comfortable handle and light weight of the tool facilitate the workflow.
Makita devices
As a transitional option from a professional model to a light household appliance, we can consider an offer from the Makita brand, no less respected in the circles of specialists. This is a model from the 4327 series, which is endowed with a power of 450 W and provides a saw blade speed of 3,100 rpm. Despite the absence of a pendulum stroke, functional and practical electric jigsaws are presented in this family. A review of the advantages of this device confirms these characteristics:
- Ability to adjust stroke rate.
- Cleaning the cutting area with the plug-in vacuum cleaner.
- The presence of a protective shield.
- Handle has a brace shape for a secure grip.
- The machine is capable of cutting steel sheets up to 0.6 cm thick.
Interskol models
If you need an inexpensive tool that again combines high performance with convenience and functionality, then it makes sense to get acquainted with Interskol products, in particular with the MP-65 modification. The device has a power potential of 550 W and is capable of cutting wood with a thickness of up to 6.5 cm. The strengths that distinguish the Interskol electric jigsaw include light weight and compactness. The same qualities allow you to perform complex curvilinear cuts on wood. Jigsaw is available andsawing metal blanks, but with some restrictions.
Fiolent Models
The PM3-600E model from the Fiolent company can be attributed to the universal tools of this segment. As the name implies, the power of the device is 600 W, while the frequency reaches 2600 rpm. The device is suitable for working with wood at a depth of up to 8.5 cm, and for cutting steel with a thickness of 1 cm. At the same time, the Fiolent electric jigsaw allows you to make curved and straight cuts. For effective implementation of the bevel cut, a sole with an angle of 45° is provided. Despite a fairly decent power reserve and performance, the electric jigsaw is lightweight and quite mobile in operation.
Conclusion
Operations for cutting wood panels, steel and aluminum sheets, as well as plastic blanks can be required both in everyday life and in production. Of course, there are devices and units with which you can process any of the listed materials, but only jigsaws allow you to make a figured cut with an accuracy of a millimeter. A review of the characteristics and models of this tool showed that the range is quite wide and varied both in terms of performance and functionality. In particular, for domestic needs, an interested consumer can purchase an inexpensive option with a minimum set of options, but sufficient performance for 400 watts. With the help of such a device, you can carefully process any board or thin sheet of metal.
