5 Main Things For Faster Cleaner Cuts W Jigsaw Jig

instructables
5 Main Things for Faster & Cleaner Cuts W/ Jigsaw / Jigsaw-Table (DIY
BASICS)
by diyperspective
If you used a jigsaw or have it integrated into a table, you probably encountered the problem of tear-out. This especially
is a big concern on plywood if you are cutting the piece across of the top layer grain. But there are 5 main things that
when combined will give you the fastest and cleanest cuts.
A viewer asked how I get such nice and clean cuts with a jigsaw. Well, this instructable/video explains everything in a
quick and simple manner. I hope this information helps everyone to get those nice-looking cuts.
Provided Amazon links are a liates.
Main Tools:
Jigsaw https://amzn.to/2rg4uXx
Router https://amzn.to/2DVXXZC
Blades on my jigsaw table https://bit.ly/32b8Lhc
Similar big blades https://amzn.to/3e2JeMF
Main Components & Materials:
Plywood https://amzn.to/2R1IsVL
https://youtu.be/wzaGnMpn41U
5 Main Things for Faster & Cleaner Cuts W/ Jigsaw / Jigsaw-Table (DIY BASICS): Page 1
1
1. Tearout
Step 1: The Blade Sharpness
The rst one is pretty obvious. It is the blade sharpness. rubbing than cutting. And as heat is a huge enemy for
To know if it is sharp there is an easy trick. If the blade blade sharpness longevity, this blade will become
doesn’t bite to your skin and doesn’t want to stick up – unusable very fast. Not to mention that it can leave burn
the blade is dull. This will result in a rougher and longer marks on a workpiece.
cut.
So the absolute rst thing that you want is a sharp blade.
It overheats very quickly as you basically get more
Step 2: The Blade Types
However, even if you have a sharp blade it can still result can overheat quickly, and of course, heat leads to
in a rough cut. This is where the second thing comes in – premature wear. Not only that, but the cut will take way
the blade types. Thinner blades with high tooth count longer compared to the low teeth count blade.
will result in higher quality cuts than thicker blades with
fewer and bigger teeth. But can we have the best from both worlds? Well,
actually we kinda can.
Blades designed for clean cuts are great for cutting
smaller pieces, but if you want to do long cuts the blade
1
2
1
1. Thin blade with small teeth 1. Sharp blade but it still gives a lot of tearout
2. Thick blade with big teeth
1. Very little tearout
1
1. Sharp clean cut blades
1. Overheated after a long cut 1. Cutting speed
Step 3: The Zero Clearance
So, the third thing that will get you a big improvement in And for the jigsaw itself – something like a shoe will
cut quality is some sort of zero clearance insert. To make work equally well. Some of them even come with
it on a jigsaw table you can even 3D print it to perfectly replaceable inserts right away. These improvements will
t as I did on my table. But if you want to go with a more eliminate any noticeable tear-out and the cut quality
traditional way, you can easily route the slot, push the comes very close to the clean-cut blade.
insert and the jigsaw blade will cut a perfect zero
clearance path. Now you can use a big tooth blade and get no tearout.
Step 4: The Jigsaw Speed / Orbital Action
But there are few more important points, so the fourth is function (last picture). So it is a balancing act to get
the speed. This includes the speed of the jigsaw and the faster and cleaner cuts.
orbital action of the tool. Basically, the faster the jigsaw
blade moves up and down the cleaner, the cut will be. So On my jigsaw table, I almost always use orbital action.
especially with bigger blades you always want to cut at Without it is quite dangerous as you need to push the
full speed of a tool. Just remember that more speed = piece really hard and if your hand will slip, well you know
more heat. So for smaller blades, max speed is not the rest... Even the lowest orbital setting will provide a
always an option. way quicker straight cut without almost no loss in cut
quality (last picture). This of course also applies to all cuts
But nowadays jigsaws have the orbital action function when you using a jigsaw in your hand and not the table.
usually with 4 di erent settings (0, 1, 2, 3). It makes the
blade not only go up and down but also slightly forward I use the 1-st setting if the workpiece edge needs to look
resulting in a bigger bite. This allows for a way faster cut good and for all other cuts, I lean towards the 2-nd
but at a cost of quality. 0 means the orbital action is o setting as it is a great speed and quality balance.
and 3 the orbital action is at maximum e ect. As you see,
the edges of the pieces will be rougher when using this
1. Orbital action
1
1. Orbital action on a jigsaw
2
1
1. Low speed cut 1. Cutting speed comparison

2. Max speed cut
Step 5: The Feed Rate
And nally the fth and the last thing is the feed rate. moderate forward motion letting the blade cut at its
This is how fast you push the workpiece or jigsaw itself own pace.
when cutting. You can set the orbital function to the max
and just plow forcing the workpiece through the blade There you go, in my experience, these are the most
or a jigsaw through the workpiece. It is a bad idea for important things to consider for faster and cleaner cuts.
safety reasons and you will get noticeably rougher cuts Combining a zero clearance insert, a little bit of orbital
(last photo). action, and a sharp big tooth blade can still result in
excellent-looking cuts. I hope this information helps.
So, the best feed rate is one when you only apply
Step 6: Thanks for Reading
To sum up, for the fast and clean cuts you want:
1. Sharp blade
2. Blade with bigger teeth
3. Zero clearance insert or a shoe for a jigsaw
4. Max jigsaw speed with orbital setting set to 1 or 2
5. Moderate feed rate without forcing the workpiece or the jigsaw itself
If you liked the instructable and you want to support my work you can become a patron. There, you will nd post-project
updates, 3D models of my projects, and extra DIY stu . Feel free to leave any questions about this build. Thank you, for
reading! Till next time! :)
You can follow me:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/diyperspective
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diyperspective
You can support my work:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DIYPerspective
Paypal: http://bit.ly/SupportDIYPerspective

5 Main Things For Faster Cleaner Cuts W Jigsaw Jig

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

5 Main Things For Faster Cleaner Cuts W Jigsaw Jig

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

instructables

Provided Amazon links are a liates.

Main Components & Materials:

Step 1: The Blade Sharpness

1. Very little tearout

1. Sharp clean cut blades

1. Overheated after a long cut 1. Cutting speed

Step 3: The Zero Clearance

1. Orbital action on a jigsaw

1. Low speed cut 1. Cutting speed comparison

You can follow me:

You can support my work:

You might also like