Millions of people around the world are in love with carpentry. Whether it is building a shelf, dresser, or something as simple as a hat rack, when you build furniture yourself it can save you money and is probably a lot easier than you’d imagine. What can beat the satisfaction of creating something beautiful and useful with your own two hands? Learning how to work with wood can be a bit challenging at first, but being able to build and craft your own furniture is a valuable skill that will undoubtedly come in handy. There are essential tools that every carpenter should have, hammers, tape measures, nails, and of course saws.
One tool every carpenter should never do without is a jigsaw. Deciding on which saw to buy can be a bit of a challenge especially for the first time carpenter. You’ll probably end up reading reviews on the top jigsaws on the market or visit multiple stores and websites looking for the perfect tool. Here are some factors to consider before you make your purchase to make the whole process easier for those just starting out.
Speed
Jigsaws are used by amateurs and professionals alike who work with wood; it’s a small but powerful tool to have. One important thing to consider when looking for a saw is its speed; jigsaws are primarily used because their ability to cut through wood is much faster than a handsaw and are able to provide much more versatility than a circular saw could. Using a hand saw works fine if you are cutting through a thin piece of plywood, but cutting through thicker materials such as Oak, Walnut, or Hickory can sometimes seem impossible by hand. For thicker types of wood, a jigsaw is probably your best option; it will also allow you to easily cut through thicker and heavier materials such as Snakewood, which is 25% harder than hickory. All of this ability doesn’t just make the process of cutting faster but also speeds up the process because you can avoid having to change tools constantly when working with different types of wood and of course make sure that you don’t get tired from the long process of cutting by hand.
Blade Options
One thing to look for when choosing a jigsaw is how many blades it comes with. Many jigsaws will come equipped with different sets of blades to choose from, depending on the thickness and density of what you’re trying to cut through. If your saw is fitted with the correct blade, you can cut through anything from drywall to steel without a problem. One common rule of thumb to remember when choosing your blade is narrower blades will always give you the ability to make sharper turns. If you use a blade that’s too thick, it can make it harder to perform a steady cut, and if you’re not careful, it can potentially break your blade. There are blades specially designed for cutting through specific materials, often times a set of blades is included with your jigsaw, but occasionally you may have to purchase additional blades separately to get the job done. ِِAlthough it might sound like a hassle to switch back and forth between blades, it is much more convenient than changing between different types of saws entirely.
Versatility
There is no saw more versatile than a jigsaw; it allows you to make cuts that a typical table saw can’t make while still being able to do everything a handsaw can do. It’s a great tool to have if you’re making crosscuts, curves or finishing inside corners. When browsing for saws, it’s important to find a jigsaw that provides you plenty of versatility to allow you the ability to quickly and easily make those difficult, often hard to reach cuts. This is the only power tool that lets you efficiently and evenly cut curves, without having to break a sweat. Make sure that you consider what types of materials you will be mostly working with beforehand so you can choose the right jigsaw but, again, the jigsaw will almost always be guaranteed to be the right tool for the job.
Cordless
When looking for a saw, you may want to consider going cordless. This will save you the trouble from potentially tripping over dangling extension cords and seriously injuring yourself. It can also make organizing and putting away your tools much easier and neater. The cordless feature has to be one of the most significant benefits of using a jigsaw; it gives you more flexibility and is great for working outdoors, where electrical outlets can be hard to find. This is an obvious advantage that jigsaws have over table saws and other stationary equipment. Nowadays, the majority of newer jigsaws are equipped with a cordless option and powered by a lightweight detachable battery, which is easily rechargeable. When choosing a cordless saw, it’s important to find one that is easy to carry, powerful and has a strong battery life. Consider also if the particular company you are buying from can sell replacement parts as detachable batteries and blades can easily be lost or are sometimes broken.
