An electric jigsaw is a very popular tool and is available to almost every craftsman. Currently, a large number of jigsaw blades are manufactured that can easily cope not only with wood, but also with many other materials. In order to understand what types of jigsaw files exist, let’s consider this issue in more detail. There are universal jigsaw files, but with the help of such blades it is impossible to perform any type of work efficiently. They are rather intended for rough work, in which the quality of the work performed does not matter much. Therefore, for narrowly focused activities you will have to choose a canvas that meets your requirements. The canvases differ not only in characteristics, but also in appearance. There are saws for wood, files for metal, as well as for drywall, ceramics, and so on. When choosing a canvas, important criterion is the tooth pitch. In Russia, a step is considered to be the gap between the tops of the teeth, which is denoted by the letter t. In some other countries, the pitch is the number of teeth per inch of blade, which is denoted by the abbreviation TPI. Therefore, when choosing a step, you should pay attention to the markings (inscriptions on the side) and only then draw conclusions. In addition to the pitch, an important criterion is the width of the file. The width affects the speed and quality of the cut. When cutting complex lines, it is worth choosing narrow blades, which are much easier to control and create different cutting lines. It is advisable that between five and eight teeth be used when operating a jigsaw. Otherwise, the jigsaw will vibrate and create a crooked and rough seam. When choosing a blade for a jigsaw, you should pay attention to the material of manufacture. You can find out this information from the inscription on the jigsaw file.

Types of web markings

Let's look at the types of markings indicating the material used to make the canvas:

1. H.S.S. This means that the file is made of hardened steel, which can be used at high speeds. These blades are widely used for cutting durable surfaces, including metals of various densities. Despite their impressive rigidity, steel files often break, so they must be used with extreme care.
2. HIM. Blades with this inscription are used for cutting tiles and tiles, as they have a high margin of safety.
3. HCS. This tool is suitable for working with wood. The blades are made from high-carbon steel, due to which they have great elasticity. Suitable for any wood products.
4. BIM. Bimetallic alloy blades incorporate all the best from the above models. It combines strength and elasticity. Thanks to these technical characteristics, the blade can be used to cut not only wood, but also metal products.

Not only the inscription, but also its color can tell about the purpose of the canvas:

• white color of the blade - for cutting wood and metal products,
• gray color - for cutting wood and various products made from wood,
• blue color - designed exclusively for cutting metal structures,
• black color indicates that the file is intended for special materials(tiles, stone).

In addition, there are many more file markings:

• the first number “1” means a short length of the canvas up to 7.5 centimeters;
• the first digit "2" means average length canvases from 7.5 to nine centimeters;
• the first number “3” means that the canvas is long from nine to fifteen centimeters;
• the first number “7” means a very long file, more than fifteen centimeters;
• The letters (A,B,C,D) after the numbers indicate the size of the teeth.

Marking of wood files

Saw blades for woodworking are marked as follows:

• T101B is a short blade with small teeth that provides an even and neat seam.
• T101BR has a reverse tooth and is suitable for cutting materials with a decorative surface. Such materials include laminate. The peculiarity of this fabric helps to avoid unwanted chips.
• T301CD is designed to work with material whose thickness does not exceed 6.5 centimeters.
• T101AO file is designed for figure cutting.
• T101BIF is a blade made of a bimetallic alloy. Used for cutting materials up to fifteen centimeters thick.
• T101BRF bimetal blade with reverse tooth.
• T144DP is a large toothed blade designed for fast, rough cutting.

The markings for metal files look like this:

• T118A file with fine teeth, for accurate cutting of small structures.
• T318A is designed for sawing metal pipes, with a diameter of up to 6.5 centimeters.
• T118G is a blade for cutting very thin metal plates.

Special files can be identified by the following markings:

• T118AHM blade for working with thin stainless steel products,
• T301CHM sheet for fiberglass, the thickness of which does not exceed 6.5 centimeters,
• T141HM blade for accurate cutting of drywall,
• T101A organic glass cutting blade,
• T313AW blade for cutting cardboard and rubber, the thickness of which does not exceed five centimeters,
• T150Riff is a specially designed blade that allows you to cut tiles and tiles.

Jigsaw blade for wood

The wood saw allows you to work with plywood, soft and hard wood, parquet, laminate and many types of boards. The jigsaw file for wood has a very important feature. The fact is that it has a large pitch between the teeth. The distance can reach four millimeters. When compared with other types of paintings, the difference is noticeable to the naked eye. The wood file can also be different. They differ from each other in the working length of the tooth and pitch. Such differences allow you to ideally select the canvas for specific type wood In connection with such diversity, the question arises of how to choose a blade for a jigsaw for wood. In this case, you need to set priorities, since the blades are divided into two main categories: quick cutting and smooth seams. The larger the teeth of the blade, the faster you can cut the wood, but this may result in an inaccurate seam. Therefore, you will have to sacrifice something or choose a middle ground. If cutting speed is a priority, then for such purposes you can purchase a blade marked T101D. With it you can quickly cut wood up to eight centimeters thick. For thicker workpieces, wood blades labeled T244D or T344D are suitable. For more delicate work and neat seams, model T101B is suitable. This model is often used in furniture factories to carry out clean work. Using this blade, the cut is smooth and without jagged edges. It can be used to cut even thick wood, but it will take a lot of time. When cutting laminate or parquet, chips, torn seams or nicks are unacceptable. The seam must be perfectly smooth, without visible defects. This work can be done using a wood saw with a reverse tooth. As a last resort, you can use T101B, but before doing this, cover the cut area with tape or tape. This precaution is necessary to avoid chipping the decorative surface.

Metal file

To cut metal products you will need an electric jigsaw and a thick blade. The density of the blade should be higher than the density of the material being cut. But the problem is that dense materials crack and break very quickly. Therefore, bimetallic blades are used for cutting metal. Thanks to their strength and elasticity, they easily cope with the task and do not break after the first use.

Jigsaw file for working with tiles

A file for tiles or tiles looks very recognizable. It is simply impossible to confuse it with other paintings. The fact is that this file is completely devoid of teeth. Instead of the usual teeth, the blade has tungsten carbide coating, which cuts tiles and other stone surfaces well.

Shape cutting files

Jigsaw files for figure cutting are easily recognized by the presence of small teeth. Such canvases are specially produced very narrow. This is done so that the canvas can easily pass through any turns without getting caught in the wood. Jigsaw files for shaped wood cutting can be recognized not only by their external features, but also by the markings applied. On such canvases, the markings always begin with the letter “O”.

Manufacturers of jigsaw blades

When choosing a file, you need to pay attention to a number of indicators, and the manufacturing company is of great importance. On store shelves there is a huge number of products from Russian, Chinese and European manufacturers. With such a large selection, sometimes the question arises of how to choose a file for an electric jigsaw. The most attractive in terms of cost are canvases from Chinese manufacturers. The cost of such files is almost two times lower than that of European manufacturers. This is all very attractive, but there is one problem. Canvases from China are not of good quality. They constantly wear down, overheat and burst. Therefore, it will be cheaper to purchase a high-quality canvas once and use it for a long time.

Jigsaw equipment

The majority of manufacturers are constantly working to improve their tools and develop additional equipment for their devices. Among these additions, we can note a system that helps to avoid chipping on the upper surface of the material. This issue is especially relevant when cutting materials with a decorative surface (laminate, parquet, facing boards). A circular cutter and a rip fence are also considered a very useful addition. Thanks to the rip fence, you can cut an unlimited number of same-sized slats without much effort. A circular cutter allows you to cut a perfect circle of varying radii. Having such devices in your arsenal, you can carry out a wider range of work and at the same time significantly save time.

Installing a blade into a jigsaw

The file is installed in a special slot and securely secured with clamps. There are a huge number of jigsaws on the market, while some manufacturers introduce individual features into the fastening mechanism. But in most cases, the installation of the canvas occurs according to the standard scheme.

1. The jigsaw is equipped with a special lever, which in one motion loosens the clamps and allows you to remove the blade without any problems.
2. After the clamps are loosened, you need to take a file and insert its tail into a special hole.
3. Now the final step remains, which involves tightening the adjusting screw.
4. After everything is installed, you need to make sure that the canvas is installed securely and evenly.
5. Let's get to work.

Types of tails

Cross-shaped ponytail or there is another name for T-shaped ponytail. This name was obtained due to its visual resemblance to the letter “T”. There are a wide variety of blades with this type of tail, ranging from wood blades to tile files. The U-shaped ponytail also got its name due to its corresponding shape. Very rare view blades that only fit American instruments. In addition, there are conical and immersed tails, but there is practically no point in considering them, since in Russia the predominant part of the market is occupied by canvases with a “T” shaped tail. The remaining models are practically not used, since there is no suitable tool. Any type of tail is securely attached to a suitable electric jigsaw. Therefore, the difference is purely in form.

Almost every craftsman has an electric jigsaw. After all, wood is the most convenient material for home crafts. However, today the jigsaw is not the only one that can handle it, and the secret of new possibilities lies in the saw blades – jigsaw files. In this article, we will introduce you to the standards of saw blades, as well as their areas of application.

The modern master places high demands on the tool he uses. He is interested in productivity, geometric accuracy of the cut, as well as the final result - the quality of the cut line. To choose the right file for your jigsaw, you need to take into account a number of criteria: the material to be processed; the pitch of the saw teeth and their shape; shank type; the width and thickness of the saw blade, as well as the material from which it is made.

Processed material

Different materials create different cutting resistance forces. Therefore, for each of them, optimal strength and geometric characteristics of the saw blade have been developed. So the first search criterion is by purpose. There are files for wood and metal, for wood with metal included, as well as many types of files for special purposes - for stainless steel, abrasive materials, laminate, ceramics, cement, different types plastics and fibrous materials.

Tooth shape

According to the shape of the teeth saw blades can be divided into four types, which are shown schematically in the figure. The capabilities of the file depend on the size and shape of its blade and the size of the teeth. A large number of small teeth ensures precise cutting, but the work progresses slowly. A small number of large teeth gives a quick but rough cut. The geometry of the tooth is largely determined by the manufacturing technology of the saw blade.

Saw blade geometry

The teeth are milled and set. The teeth are alternately bent in different sides. The width of the layout is considered normal if it is equal to one and a half thickness of the canvas. The routing prevents excessive heating of the saw blade and helps remove sawdust trapped between the saw blade and the walls of the cut. Used for quick cutting of hard and soft wood, non-ferrous metals and plastic.

Milled teeth, wavy. Blade The setting is performed not through one tooth, but in groups, deviating either to the right or to the left. The saw blade is designed to obtain an even and clean cut when sawing aluminum, non-ferrous metals and plastics in a straight line.

The teeth are ground, with conical grinding. The saw blade with a conical ground non-working edge is designed for clean cuts in wood and plastic.

The teeth are ground and set apart. Saw blade for fast cutting of wood with a rough cutting line. Used for cutting soft wood (5-50 mm), blockboard, chipboard and fiberboard.

Tooth pitch

In our country, pitch (t) is the distance between the tips of the teeth. In some countries, pitch is designated TPI (teeth per inch) and is measured by the number of teeth per inch (for example, TPI = 7, i.e. 7 teeth per inch). When cross-cutting wood, it is convenient to use a saw with a large tooth t = 3.5-6.5 mm (TPI = 7-3.5), for ordinary carpentry work - with a medium tooth t = 3-3.5 mm (TPI = 9 -7), for critical sawing - with a fine tooth t = 2-3 mm (TPI = 13-9). In this case, it is necessary to take into account the thickness of the material being cut. It is easier to saw if at least 5-8 teeth are involved in the work at the same time. If this rule is not followed, the blade will vibrate during operation, and the cutting line will turn out crooked and torn.

Saw blade width

The quality and speed of cutting when moving in a straight line, as well as the ability to cut curves, depend on the width of the saw blade. The wider the saw blade, the more stable it is: it allows a higher cutting speed and deviates less from the cutting plane. To cut curved lines, you should use narrower saw blades: they fit better into turns. It is important that the teeth of such a saw blade are located on the drive axis of the jigsaw. This increases the controllability of the tool: it can more accurately follow the intended cutting line.

File thickness

The thickness of the file affects the stability of the saw blade when cutting in a straight line and ensures that the cut is perpendicular to the plane of the workpiece. However, for cutting thick workpieces that require high precision in the relative position of surfaces, it is better to use circular saws.

Saw blades for cutting wood

Below are saw blades for wood from Wilpu. The numbers in brackets indicate the corresponding Bosch equivalent.
Precise cut, also suitable for plastic. High carbon steel saw blade with pointed teeth and conical grind. Provides a clean cutting line in softwood and chipboard up to 30 mm thick, as well as in plastic. (Wilpu NS 12 / Bosch T101 V)

Bimetallic saw blade. The bimetallic saw blade is very durable, made by laser welding: the back part is made of flexible high-carbon steel, the cutting part is made of high-quality high-speed steel (HC 12 bi / T101BF)

Saw blade with reverse tooth system. Thanks to the teeth directed in the opposite direction, the blade cuts when moving backwards. At the same time, the visible cut line remains clean and without chips. Scope of application - veneered boards (NS 12 R / T101BR)

Clean line with curved cuts. With the saw blade width halved, the teeth are located on the axis of the longitudinal stroke of the jigsaw. With this blade you can cut along a very steep curve, as well as in a circle (NS 12 K / T101 AO)

Saw blades for flooring. Special saw blade designed for processing materials such as laminate and parquet; the teeth are directed in the opposite direction and the distance between the teeth is smaller than that of traditional files (HC 19 R bi / T101 BIF)

Wood sawing master. New generation of saw blades: the teeth have a special geometry and are triple sharpened. Very spicy! (NS 123 / T234 X)

Universal saw blade. A saw blade for all occasions: this universal tool for rough and quick cutting of wood up to 5 cm thick. The file is made of high-carbon steel, the teeth are set apart and ground. Cuts quickly and cleanly (HGS 14 / T144D)

Saw blades for wood up to 120 mm thick. The geometry of the teeth is the same as that of the universal saw blade, however, the length of the working part is 155 mm. Using this saw you can cut timber with a thickness of 120-130 mm (HGS 54 / T744D)

Specialized saw blades

If there is a need to saw materials such as glass, stone or metal, you will need special saw blades with the appropriate characteristics. Obviously, the saw teeth must be harder than the material being cut. However, hard materials have a big disadvantage: they are brittle, which causes frequent breakage of saw blades. For such cases, manufacturers produce bimetallic sheets. They are 2/3 made of elastic high-carbon steel and one third made of hardened high-speed steel. Such files provide an optimal price-quality ratio and quickly pay for themselves due to their long service life.

Saw for soft wood and insulating materials. Such saw blades have a tooth pitch of 1.2 to 2 mm; with their help it is convenient to saw soft wood, as well as various insulating materials (HW12 / T119A

File for sheet metal. Saw blades with a small pitch and a wavy blade are designed for sawing thin sheet metal with a thickness of 0.5 to 1.5 mm. Since the tooth pitch is only 0.7mm, a clean cut line is obtained (MG107/T118G)

File for plexiglass and metals. Plexiglas, polycarbonate, non-ferrous metals and aluminum up to 30 mm thick are not a problem if you use a saw blade with a clearance angle and pointed teeth (MC 12 bi / T101A)

Steel file. Bi-metal saw blade with a wavy blade is designed for cutting thin sheet metal, multi-layer materials, pipes and aluminum profiles (MG11 bi / T318AF)

File for multi-layer materials. A special bimetallic blade is designed for cutting workpieces up to 120 mm thick, consisting of different materials(metal, insulating material). Highly flexible (MG 51 bi / T718HF)

Wood file with metal. This saw blade with a tooth spacing of 1.8 to 2.5 mm is intended for sawing wooden structural elements containing nails and other metal elements (MG 1014 bi / T111HF)

Saw blade with a special tooth system. Universal saw blade with a special M-shaped tooth system. The saw blade quickly cuts material (wood and metal) when moving both forward and backward (ST-006 bi)

File for rubber, carpets and leather. A jigsaw file with a wavy sharpening is designed for sawing materials such as cardboard, leather, rubber, polystyrene foam up to 120 mm thick, as well as carpets (313 AW / T313AW)

Saw blade shanks

Suitable for tools: AEG, Bosch, Metabo

Suitable for instruments: AEG, Atlas Copco, Bosch, Black&Decker, DeWalt, Elu, Festool, Flex, Hitachi, Holz-Her, Kress, Mafell, Makita, Metabo, Protool

Suitable for tools: Black&Decker, Skil, Ryobi

Suitable for tools: Fein ASt(e) 636.638; MOt 6-17-1

Suitable for tools: Fein ASt(e) 649; MOt 6-18-1, Spitznas

Suitable for tools: Makita

Jigsaw accessories

Leading tool manufacturers produce additional accessories for their power tools. Such pleasant additions include a device that prevents chipping of the top layer of material: it is mounted on a base plate. And the support panel itself can be made of different materials, which prevents slipping when cutting.

It would also be useful to have a parallel stop in the workshop, which ensures cutting of the same type of slats; the distance between parallel lines can vary up to 140 mm. A circular cutter will provide the ability to accurately process radius surfaces. Additional accessories significantly expand the capabilities of tools and give a new impetus to creativity.

A few illustrative examples miscellaneous work files

Cuts were made in the veneer panel using a saw blade with teeth pointing upward (right) and using a saw blade with teeth pointing downwards. reverse side(left)

If you don't have a reverse-toothed saw blade handy when cutting veneer panels, apply Tesa adhesive tape along the cut line to help get a clean edge.

Using a simple stop, consisting of a bar and two clamps, you will get a precisely calibrated, even saw line.

For circular sawing, use a compass cutter.

This is just a dream for a home craftsman - a sawing table, for example, produced by Neutechnik.

Special clamps will protect the panels being cut from the appearance of monstrous cracks.

Description of jigsaw files

T 101 AO– BOSCH 101 AO jigsaw files are designed for working with soft wood, plywood, coated boards (1.5–15 mm), and for curved cuts.
T 101 B- BOSCH T 101 B jigsaw files are designed for working with soft wood, chipboard, wood boards, fiberboard (3–30 mm), polymer/epoxy materials.
T 101 BR– The file is used for working with soft wood, chipboard, fiberboard. File pitch - 2.5 mm, length - 75 mm.
T 101 D– The file is used for working with soft wood, fiberboard, chipboard. File pitch - 4.0 - 5.2 mm, length - 74 mm.
T 127 D– Use these saws for cutting hollow profiles no more than 30mm with a thickness of the metal itself from 3mm to 15mm.
T 111 D– Use: quick rough cutting of plywood, plastic, wood 5-60mm thick.
T 244 D– The file is used to make straight and curved cuts in soft wood, fiberboard, chipboard, and plywood. File pitch - 4.0 - 5.2 mm, length - 74 mm.
T 144 D– Jigsaw files BOSCH T 144 D are designed for working with soft wood (5–50 mm), chipboard, wood boards, fiberboard
T 118 A– For straight cuts in thin sheet metal (1-3 mm).
T 118 B– For straight cuts in metal sheets of medium thickness (2.5-6 mm).
T 119 B– For straight cuts in soft wood (2-15 mm), plywood, chipboard, blockboards, fiberboard.
T 119 BO– For curved cuts in soft wood (2-15 mm), plywood, chipboard, blockboards, fiberboard.
T 111 C– For straight, quick cuts in soft wood (4-50 mm), chipboard, blockboards, fiberboard.
T 123 X– Use: metal sheets with a thickness of 1.5-10mm, profiles and pipes (also made of aluminum) with a diameter of up to 30mm.
T 344 D– Use: cutting soft wood 10 – 85 mm thick, wood panels, chipboard and fiberboard. Used for quick cuts.
T 301 CD– Use: cutting soft wood 10-85mm thick, wood panels, chipboard and fiberboard.
T 345 XF– Use: construction wood with nails (less than 65 mm), plastic, sheet metal, wood materials, profiles and pipes (aluminum and not only) from 3 to 10 mm in diameter.
T 234 X– Use: soft wood 3-65mm thick, fibreboard, chipboard, wood panels.
T 318 A– Use: metal sheets 1-3mm, profiles and pipes.
T 301 DL– Designed for quick, thin cuts in hard and soft wood, chipboard, fiberboard (thickness from 10 to 85 mm), laminated plastic (thickness from 4 to 40 mm).

Hitachi and Bosch files

How to use a jigsaw

Most work can be carried out even with the simplest models. But technology has moved far forward and such a tool has become more convenient and versatile. For a long time now there have been hacksaws with electronic control and pendulum movement of the blade. Choosing the right jigsaw is complicated only by the abundance of offers. Electronics and pendulum action have become standard. The best models have simple and reliable saw blade replacement.

1.

The jigsaw base plate has a smooth tilt angle adjustment up to 45°. Additional equipment allows you to make oblique cuts (on the “mustache”).

2.

The base plate also moves longitudinally, which makes it possible to cut close to the edge, for example, working directly against a wall.

3.

A jigsaw compass allows you to cut circles, large holes and make precise curves. The basis of the compass is an adjustable rod.

4.

The parallel fence is indispensable for long straight cuts. It is mounted on a support board. The stop has an adjustable distance lock from the edge of the part.

Jigsaw capabilities and equipment

Thanks to the eccentric transmission of the hacksaw, the rotational movement of the motor is converted into a vertical stroke of the slider. The saw blade is installed in the slider. The frequency of the blade's reciprocating motion indicates the sawing speed. The speed can be adjusted electronically. Wood is sawed at a faster rate, plastic and metal at a slower rate.

If you want to achieve the best results and have a universal tool, then it is better to buy an electronically controlled model and special blades. The pendulum stroke allows the saw blade not only to move vertically, but also to move back. This ensures better movement of the blade into the material and sawing speed increases many times over.

The markings and the cut itself are always visible during work. Modern instrument already equipped with local airflow and dust extraction. The base plate in most models changes its angle to the blade and allows you to make miter cuts, and if you move it back, you can work right along the edge.

5.

If the distance to the outer edge is too large or the edge is not parallel to the cut, then the stop bar in the desired position is secured to the part with a clamp

6.

A special workbench secures the jigsaw permanently, which allows you to saw small parts. They can also be driven with a parallel stop.

7.

An additional guide clasp makes it easier to guide thin fabrics. It can be equipped with its own tensioner for canvas.

8.

The protective protector, pressing against the surface of the material at the sawing site, prevents the material from being torn off along the edge of the cut.

Guides and accessories for jigsaws

A jigsaw is a free-hand tool, and in most cases this is how it is used. However, there is an option to make the job easier if long straight and round cuts are needed. A compass, rip fence and stop block will solve the problem. Feeding the blade slowly gives better results as the blade, being flexible, tends to slide sideways and follow the grain, especially in hardwood. The workpiece being cut is always secured. If the parts are so small that they cannot be secured, then the tool itself is installed permanently. The necessary devices for this are offered.

9.

Soft materials such as rubber, leather, foam plastic and carpeting are not sawed, but cut with special knives (often with a saw-tooth blade).

10.

Even hard materials such as glass and ceramics will not hinder the jigsaw. Special carbide-coated blades should be used.

11.

To avoid scratching the surfaces, place a plastic shoe on the base plate. Self-adhesive felt will perform the same function.

12.

Rasp and sanding attachments will help when finishing rounded cuts. Instead of a standard blade, they can be installed in a jigsaw.

Quality cuts

The saw blades in such a tool work in tension, which leads to their straightening and the correct geometry of the cuts. But this produces edges without chips only at the bottom. This must be taken into account when cutting furniture boards. Special blades and experience will allow you to cope with this problem.

The teeth of a conventional jigsaw blade point upward, which is why the material is pulled out when returning, which leads to chips on furniture boards. If the part has to be sawed with front side, then install a special saw blade with the reverse position of the teeth. In this case, the jigsaw is pressed tightly to the surface.

When it is not possible to saw from the back of a part, and chips along the edges cannot be avoided, gluing tape along the markings of the part will help. The tape will prevent large edge chips. After finishing the work, it is carefully removed.

Http://remstd.ru/archives/kak-rabotat-elektrolobzikom/

The process of owning and operating a power tool is combined with the constant replacement of consumable working parts.

The saw blade gradually loses its carbide tips, becoming ineffective; drill bits tend to break or wear off due to constant contact with one or another dense material; A cutting disc for an angle grinder is enough for no more than ten minutes of intensive work.

Classification of files

The purpose of a jigsaw is similar to the purpose of a circular saw - to make a cut in a particular material. However, unlike a circular saw, which can only make straight cuts, a jigsaw allows you to make circular and shaped cuts. This possibility is largely due to the consumable material of the tool – its file. The thin metal blade and small, small teeth allow the jigsaw to maneuver when processing any material.

Most people use a jigsaw for sawing wooden blanks and wood-based products - chipboard, fiberboard, using appropriate wood saws. However, using special files, the tool can also process metal, plastic, and cut Decoration Materials- such as tiles, stone and porcelain stoneware.

Wood files.
Many jigsaws, regardless of brand, have a part number consisting of two capital letters and two numbers, separated from each other by a fraction sign.
Example: LE 80/800. LE – “electric jigsaw”. The number 800 means the power of the position in watts. But the number 80 indicates the maximum thickness of a wooden product that a jigsaw can cut using the file that comes with it. That is, in this case, the thickness is 80 mm.

Important: The number in the article reflects the thickness of the wood! blanks. Modern jigsaws are capable of cutting metal, plastic and aluminum, but the maximum thickness of products when processing products from these materials will be much less, and its value is never reflected in the model number.

Marking of wood saws:

• T101D: The most popular file model. It has large teeth, a large pitch and is designed for making rough cuts.

The shape and size of the teeth of this model allows it to cut not only standard wooden blocks and boards, but also large-section plywood.

• T101B: Has finer teeth than the previous model and is designed for clean cuts.

Typically, saws of this type are used for working with plywood and plexiglass.

• T101BR: The size and pitch of the teeth are similar to the previous model.

The difference is that the position of the teeth is reversed. Allows you to process materials such as laminate, laminated wood.

• T119VO: The cross section of this model is very thin, which gives it the ability to perform figured cuts.

The size of the teeth is very small, which allows the file to leave behind a clean and even cut on materials such as plywood, chipboard, fiberboard.

There are models of long saw blades for jigsaws. For example, such as the T 345 XF. This variety allows you to easily cope with a board thickness of 100 mm.

Files for different types of work on wood, metal, plastic

Metal files.
The thickness of the metal product being processed is much less than the same value for wooden blank. For the LE 80/800 jigsaw model given above, this characteristic will be equal to 6 mm. A very small value compared to the fact that the maximum thickness of a wooden workpiece for the same tool position will be 80 mm.

Classification of metal files:

• T118A: The ability to cut metal is made possible by the strong structure of its material and very fine teeth.

In addition to metal products, the size of the teeth of such a file makes it possible to work with plastic.

• T224D: Designed to work with aluminum products, the thickness of which can reach 20 mm.

Diamond files.
Files of this kind are designed to work with fragile materials that tend to crumble during sawing. We are talking about materials such as tiles, slate and ceramic tiles. A diamond-coated blade can also cut metal, but such use will lead to the consumable element quickly failing and requiring replacement.

The peculiarity of diamond files is that their blade is completely devoid of teeth. The cutting occurs due to diamond dusting crumbs.
As a rule, an abbreviation of three Latin letters – DIA – is applied to the blade of a diamond-coated abrasive file.

Diamond coating and DIA inscription. Designed for ceramics.

How to insert a file into a jigsaw

Replacing the saw blade is a fairly common procedure, provided that the tool is used regularly. Jigsaw files that have lost their effectiveness cannot be restored - it is much easier to purchase this consumable at the nearest tool store and replace it. Purchasing is not a problem.

Fortunately, we haven’t seen a shortage of such products for a long time, and the cost of the saw blade clearly won’t hurt your pocket.
But replacing a file for an inexperienced jigsaw user can cause some difficulties. In order to avoid them, we will consider the main options and features of replacing the saw blade.

Block fastening.

In many models of household jigsaws, the saw blade is fastened with a quick-clamping block, which secures the saw blade using two front adjustment screws. A similar clamp for a jigsaw file is a slightly outdated design, however, it is not without advantages, the main one of which is versatility - blades of any type and size are suitable for such a saw blade holder.

The disadvantage is that if the adjusting screws are unevenly tightened, the saw may become skewed, which will lead to a distorted cut.

The latter feature, however, can be considered as a positive factor in some cases. The fact is that the jigsaw rod can bend over time. So, using the degree of freedom that the saw fastening allows, you can use the same adjusting screws to bring the saw blade into a vertical plane.

Quick-release fastening.

A more modern fastening unit for the file is the quick-clamping one. This design allows for replacement without removing the tool casing. The process algorithm is very simple:
– We pull the lever located on the body of the tool - in this case, the rod automatically extends to the plane of the sole.

The shank of the file is inserted into the mount.

– Using a special hex key, we fix the blade by rotating the adjusting screw. You can immediately tighten it until it stops, and then gradually loosen it to achieve the desired position.
Despite all the apparent simplicity and convenience of this design of the fastening unit, there are points that can be called disadvantages. If the previous block system is universal in the sense that all standard sizes of saw blades are applicable to it, then in the case of a quick-clamping design, only consumables with a specific shank shape are used.

On the other hand, such consumables are found everywhere, so this nuance should not be considered as an obvious drawback. Another point is that the file in this type of mount has a slight longitudinal play. It can be compared with the degree of freedom of a drill, which, being in a hammer drill chuck, has the possibility of longitudinal movement. This feature does not affect the quality of work of the jigsaw in any way.

The photo shows the moment of inserting the blade into the mount while the lever is pulled

There is another type of fastening that is not quick-clamping and consists in the fact that the file is fixed using only one screw, unlike the first case, where there are two screws. This design is quite rare and is found, for example, on a jigsaw from the Protool brand.

Protool has a different mount than other jigsaws

Files for jigsaws DeWALT DT2216-QZ/ DT2220-QZ

These DeWALT blades belong to the XPC series and are designed for working with wood. High-quality steel guarantees wear resistance and a long service life. Optimized tooth geometry, as well as increased blade rigidity, improves controllability, cutting accuracy and reduces the likelihood of the blade accidentally coming out of the material during cutting.

Large interdental cavities increase cutting speed and clear chips faster. Bimetallic blades DT2220-QZ with a working length of 75 mm are recommended for processing wood, chipboard, plywood and plastic up to 60 mm thick. The unique plunge point tooth tip geometry allows you to comfortably perform a clean plunge cut while avoiding kickback. DT2216-QZ files with a working length of 54 mm are designed for fast and accurate curved cutting of wood, chipboard and plywood up to 15 mm thick.

Now in the world of hand tools and tools, the jigsaw is an example of a truly indispensable mechanism for processing a wide range of materials, equally suitable for working with both straight and any curved cuts. However, such broad opportunities are due to hand jigsaws not only by the features of their design, but also by the richest assortment of consumable tools for it - among jigsaw blades (in common parlance - jigsaw files). They are definitely the leaders in the production of such files. German manufacturers concern "BOSCH", so it will be interesting to get acquainted with his classification of the modern generation of jigsaw blades, to learn the reasoning and details from his significant assessments.

Experience dictates that when sawing with an electric jigsaw, it will be very important to select the file exactly for its intended purpose. When choosing a jigsaw model, it is best to use those varieties that use files with a u-shaped or t-shaped shank, since such types of shanks are more securely attached to this tool.

Tooth profiles are selected based on the density of the material being cut and the specific requirements for the quality of the cut (will a wide and rough line of a rough quick cut be tolerated, or will it have to be thin and clean, straight or figured...). For example, if a jigsaw blade has set teeth, but it is not further sharpened after the milling stage, then such a blade will cut quickly, but with a rough cutting quality. On the contrary, teeth on a saw that have been sharpened but not set apart will cut very cleanly. When sawing, parameters such as tooth pitch and the material of the jigsaw file itself will also be decisive. After all, let’s say, in the process of sawing any metal, three or four teeth of the file will have to participate simultaneously in interaction with the workpiece (one or two teeth will be few in this sawing, but five to eight is already a lot). Therefore, for sawing thick workpieces, saw blades with a fairly large pitch are used, for thin ones, on the contrary, with a fine pitch.

Thus, Bosch specialists believe that their jigsaw blades, which have set-apart milled teeth, are most convenient for cutting sheets with a relatively clean edge and making quick cuts on soft and hard wood, aluminum, plastic and non-ferrous metals. These are, for example, Bosch jigsaw files of article numbers E 127 D and T 345 XF.

Bosch files, which have a wavy line of saw blade with milled teeth, are designed for cutting workpieces in a straight line, where it is necessary to leave neat edges along the cut line: the material of workpieces cut by such files can be plywood, aluminum, non-ferrous metal, and plastic ( Examples of such files include: jigsaw files"Bosh" articles T 119 V, T 118 A).

Varieties of "Bosch" saws, whose teeth are set apart and ground, are recommended for quick and clean cutting of wood and plastic (for example, saws with the article number "Bosch" T 144 D, T 244 D).

Bosch also produces jigsaw blades in which the teeth are ground at a free angle. For example, jigsaw blades with a tapered back side are effective for making free cuts, for precise, clean cuts on wood and plastic (samples of such blades have BOSCH article numbers T 101B, T 101DP, T 234 X).

BOSCH also has a wide range of materials that are used to make the saw blades themselves. Their short list is:

H.S.S.- this brand designates blades made of high-speed, perfectly hardened, hard and durable steel. The downside of these characteristics of such steel is that it is brittle and difficult to process. HSS steel files are effectively used for working on metal, aluminum and non-ferrous metals.

HCS- brand of high-carbon tool files mild steel. These qualities dictate its most successful use for cutting soft workpieces - wood, artificial materials.

HAS- a brand of files made of high-carbon steel, much more durable than HCS. Therefore, saws made from this grade of steel can be successfully used for sawing wood with nails inside its fibers, for sawing aerated concrete and soft non-ferrous metals.

Now BOSCH offers a range of more complex, combined materials for jigsaw blades:

Bimetal (F)- are a highly elastic, inextricable connection between the blade of the file itself, made of HCS steel, and on it - strips of HSS steel, on which the tooth is cut. As a result of this connection, a universal, very flexible, unbreakable file with a hard tooth is obtained, which significantly increases its service life and suitability both for curved narrow lines of any figured cut, and for a clean straight cut. For curved cuts, it is better to use a narrow and short Bi-metal combination file.

HM (Piff)- in this combination of material for files, the carrier made of HCS steel is coated by spraying with a layer of special grains of hard metal (there are simply no individual teeth on such files). These files are convenient to use for sawing glass, tiles, bricks and abrasive materials. If the HCS steel carrier is still made with teeth that are coated with a layer of hard metal by spraying, then such a saw can successfully saw hard wood, reinforced fiberglass, asbestos cement and even abrasive material.

Progressive files are called saw blades that have different tooth pitches made of HSS steel at the end and beginning of the file. Thus, jigsaw files “nporpeccop” with article number BOSCH T123 are universal in purpose for making cuts on wood and ferrous metals. The “progressor” file, article number T234, made of HCS steel, is produced by the concern “” for clean and fast sawing of wood.

This is the minimum knowledge about saw blades for electric and cordless hand jigsaws. However, to consider in detail the true diversity of these paintings depending on various combinations materials from which they are made, and the tooth shapes that are cut into them, you can provide a convenient summary table that will help you make an accurate and successful choice for the job.

So, the areas of application of various jigsaw blades from the BOSCH concern are as follows:

	For straight cuts	For curved and curved cuts	In thick material	In thin material	For high precision cuts	In rough cuts	File flat, semicircular, three-sided	Creation of highly accurate parallel cuts
Options wood
Hardwood, softwood, plywood, fiberwood							T 132	T 101 DP
Fibrous wood							T 132	T 101 DP
Wood fiber polymer coating		T 101 JSC		T 101 JSC		T 101 D		T 101 DP
glued wood								T 101 DP
Varieties metal
Metal, mild steel
Stainless steel		T 11I8 BOF	T 318 EHM		T 118 AHM	T 118 ENM
Non-ferrous metals					T 318 A
Laminated materials	T 318 A/BF T 318 B/BF			T 318 A
Polymers
PVC, polymers				T 101 V	T 101 BR
Plexiglass	TI01 A	T 119 VO	T 101 A	T 118 BF	T 101 A	T 119 V
Asbestos cement, glass fiber polymers			T 341 NM		T 101 BF
Miscellaneous
Brick, glass, ceramics		T 130 RIFF	T 130 RIFF	T 15O RIFF	T 15O RIFF	T 130 RIFF
Leather, cardboard, rubber, insulating materials, carpet		T 101 JSC		T 113 A		T 119 B

Let's also touch on the areas of application of hacksaw saw blades from the BOSCH concern.

Materials
			material - metal									material - wood
			S 234 XF	S 617 K	S 1111 K	S 1617 K	S 644 D	S 744 D	S 1344 D	S 1531 L	S 1542 K	S 123 XF	S 418 BF	S 427 D	S 518 A	S 522 AF	S 518 V	S 522 BF
Wood materials	1	Solid wood	+				+	+	+
	2	Freshly cut wood		+	+	+		-		+	+
	3	Chipboard	-				-	-	-
	4		+				-	-	-
	5	Wood with nails										-
Plastics	6	PVC, polymers in general	-				+	+	+			-		+
	7 8	Glass fiber reinforced plastics INOX/stainless steel										-	-	-
	9	Metals										+		-	+	+	+	+
Metals	10	Metal sheets										-			-	+	-
	11	Non-ferrous metals										+	+	-
	12	Aluminum										-	+	+			-	-
	13	Metal pipes										-				-		+
	14
Various materials	15	Sandwich/Cement-bonded particleboard												-
	16	Aerated concrete Gypsum boards
	17	Brick
	18
Materials
			metal											universal purpose
			S 518G	S 522 EF	S 918 A	S 922 AF	S 918B	S 922 BF	S 918 E	S 922 EF	S 1122 AF	S 1122 BF	S 1122 EF	S 3456 XF	S 611 VF	S 811 N	S 1211 N	S 1211 E
Wood materials	1	Solid wood												-	-	-	-
	2	Freshly cut wood
	3	Chipboard												-	-	-	-
	4														-
	5	Wood with nails												+	-	+	+	-
Plastics	6	PVC, polymers in general												-	+	-
	7							-				-		-	-
	8	INOX/ stainless steel
	9	Metals	+	+	+	+	+	+	+	+	+	+	+	+
Metals	10	Metal sheets	+	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	+	-	+
	11	Non-ferrous metals					-						-	-		+	-	+
	12	Aluminum					-	-				-		-	+	-	-
	13	Metal pipes	-		-	+	-	-	-	+	-	+	-
	14										-			-
Various materials	15													-
	1	Aerated concrete Drywall														+	+
	17	Brick
	18	Leather Insulating materials Carpet/styrofoam														2
Materials			Main application categories
			special appointment											universal purpose
			S 918 H	S 1018 N	S 920 CF	S 1020 CF	S 922 HF	S 1122 HF	S 922 VF	S 1122 VF	S 1222 VF	S 1411 D	S 1411 DF	S 828 D	S 518 EHM	S 641 NM	S 1141 NM	S 1241 NM
Wood materials	1	Solid wood						-				+	-
	2	Freshly cut wood
	3	Chipboard						-				-	-
	4	Plywood, composite wood materials										-	-
	5	Wood with nails	-	-	-	-	+	+	-	-	-		-
Plastics	6	PV C, polymers in general							-	-	-	+	+
	7								-	-	-				+	+	+	+
	8	INOX/ stainless steel													+
	9	Metals	+	+	-	-	-	+	+	+	+				-
Metals	10	Metal sheets	-				-		-									+
	11	Non-ferrous metals	-	-			+	-				+	-
	12	Aluminum	-	-			-		+	+	-
	13	Metal pipes	-	-	+	+	-		-	-	-
	14	Steel pipes, cast iron pipes			+	+		-		-	-
Various materials	15	Multilayer material Cement-bonded particle boards							+	+	+					+
	16	Aerated concrete Drywall											+	+		+		+
	17	Brick
	18	Leather Insulating materials Carpet/styrofoam		2							+
Materials			Main application categories
			special appointment
			S 2041 NM	S 1130 Riff	S 1121 SB	S 1122 UB	S 1123 GB	S 1505	S 1508	S 713 A	S 713 AW
Wood materials	1	Solid wood				+	+	F	- F
	2	Freshly cut wood
	3	Chipboard						- F	- F
	4	Plywood, composite wood materials						+	-
	5	Wood with nails
Plastics	6	PVC, polymers in general						- F	- F
	7	Glass fiber reinforced plastics	+	+
	8	INOX/ stainless steel
	9	Metals			+	+	+		+F
Metals	10	Metal sheets	-	-
	II	Non-ferrous metals	-	-					+F
	12	Aluminum							- F
	13	Metal pipes
	14	Steel pipes, cast iron pipes		+
Various materials	15	Myolayer material/Cement-bonded particle boards
	16	Aerated concrete Drywall
	17	Brick
	18	Leather Insulation materials Carpet/styronor

Standard blades for hand-held jigsaws have a length of 130 mm, with a variety of modern manufacturers You can find options with a length of 150 and 160 mm. Types of files are classified according to two main parameters: their size and tooth configuration.

In general terms, blades for manual jigsaws are similar to those, but have one important difference: pinless saw blades with flat ends are always chosen, which can be secured in tool clamps and easily threaded into thin holes when creating small patterns.

The dimensions of files for a manual jigsaw are similar to those for machine tools: from #2/0 to #12. But practice shows that the most optimal options for hand sawing numbers turn out to be from #3 to #9.

Which files are better?

The quality of cutting directly depends on the characteristics of the blade. Therefore, it is better to always choose products from trusted brands. Their products are made of high-quality carbon steel; the blades have clearly formed teeth with a positive sharpening angle; The blades are hardened to achieve maximum hardness and increase service life. The overpayment in this case turns out to be a justified investment in ease of use, high quality of project execution and long service life of the blade.

Let's understand the basic concepts

The marking of saw blades for a manual jigsaw contains basic information that allows you to choose the blade that is optimal for a specific type of wood and the project as a whole. To decipher this marking, it is important to become familiar with the key concepts.

TPI – a value indicating the number of teeth per inch of blade. For a manual jigsaw, it is appropriate to choose blades with a high TPI coefficient. They cut wood more slowly, but allow better control over the line of cut.

Reverse tooth – a blade with a reverse-directed tooth, which cuts the material during the return movement of the saw, thereby preventing the formation of chips on the wrong side of the sawn product. They are especially relevant when using plywood blanks.

Tooth set – created to prevent the saw from jamming in the workpiece, which in turn ensures trouble-free cutting (especially sharp turning and curved lines) and minimizes the formation of chips. The width of the cut when using such files increases slightly, which should be taken into account when making the project.

Classification of files

Based on the characteristics of the teeth configuration, blades for manual jigsaws are classified into the following types:

1. Standard (Standard Tooth) - classic files whose teeth have the same size, direction and distance from each other.
2. Files with a missing tooth (Skip-tooth Blades) – the absence of teeth ensures effective removal of chips from the surface of the workpiece and increases sawing speed. Unlike classic options, they heat up less and jam less often.
3. Double tooth files (Double-tooth Blades) – these blades cut a little slower, but leave a perfectly smooth cut line. They also effectively remove chips and overheat less.
4. Reverse files (Reverse Skip-tooth) - blades, part of the teeth of which are directed upward. They cut the wood during the return motion of the jigsaw, which reduces the number of chips by back side blanks.

Dimensions table

The table presented contains basic information regarding the size and marking of modern files for manual jigsaws. By referring to it, you will know how to choose the correct blade number for sawing wood of a specific thickness.

Despite the varied palette of options, the gold standard for sawing with a hand jigsaw is blade number #3 , #5 And #7 .

At first, it can be difficult for beginners to control the file, which constantly moves to the side. Without gaining the necessary experience, it is advisable to use canvases with high TPI value: They cut slower but allow for better control of the cutting line.

Working with saws with reverse teeth is not the best The best decision for a beginner. In order to master this blade you need some experience. Otherwise, the workpiece will jump up and the sawing itself will be very slow.

What to choose for thin plywood?

When working with thin materials, blades with the maximum number of teeth per inch are used. Thin blades with a high TPI value cut less aggressively, put little stress on the fragile edges of the workpiece, and do not pull the jigsaw to the side. These characteristics make them optimal for sawing small parts and patterns made of thin plywood.

There are 4 classes of files for:

• for sawing wood;
• for sawing wood and metal;
• for sawing metal;
• for sawing other materials (plastic, tiles, foam, cardboard, etc.).

By type of fastening - with T-shaped and U-shaped fastening. T-shaped files are the most common.

According to the file material:

• High Carbon Steel (HCS)
• High Speed ​​Steel (HSS)
• Bimetal (BiM)
• Carbide (HM)

By type of cut - standard (basic), clean (clean), fast (speed), at an exact angle (precision).

Basic- the most common files. They have wavy milled teeth. The price is minimal. Used when the quality of the cut does not matter.

Clean- files with polished, unset teeth. Used when you need to get a clean cut without chips.

Speed ​​- files with polished set teeth. Used when cutting speed has priority over cut quality.

Precision- files with polished set teeth and thick blade. Used when you need to get an even, parallel cut. Indispensable for cutting laminated chipboards for making furniture at home.

Also distinguished:

• files for straight and curved cutting. Files for curved cutting have a characteristic bend in the upper part;
• files with straight and reverse teeth. Files with straight teeth are sawed during the downward stroke of the file and therefore the upper surface of the sawn part is chipped. Back-tooth files cut as the blade moves upward, so chips form on the bottom surface. When sawing with such files, it is necessary to firmly fix the part.

The class of a file can be determined by the color of its shank, which is marked:

• Gray - for wood;
• White - for wood with metal;
• Blue - for metal;
• Red - for polymers
• Black - for other materials.

Marking of files.

The first letter is T or U. The type of saw attachment. Most jigsaws have a T-shaped blade mount, but there are also U-shaped mounts.

The first number 1,2,3,7 is the working length of the file.

1 - short (up to 75mm)

2 - medium (75 - 90 mm)

3 - long (90-150 mm)

7 - very long (more than 150mm)

The second and third numbers determine the purpose of the file.

Subsequent letters:

A,B,C,D- saw tooth size.

F- bimetallic files. Such files have an increased service life, cut faster and with better quality.

P- cut at a precise angle. Such files have a thick blade, so they cut the material strictly perpendicular to the surface.

O- curved cut

R- reverse tooth

X- universal file for any materials

H.M.- carbide file

This classification is arbitrary and is not always followed, so the most reliable way to choose a suitable file is to know its characteristics.

Wood files

T101B - short file (74 mm) with fine teeth. Used for sawing soft wood, plywood up to 30 mm thick. Thanks to the fine teeth, the cut is clean.

T101BR- differs from T101B reverse tooth. Used for sawing laminate and other materials when chips on the front surface are undesirable. In practice, using such a file is quite difficult, since reliable support for the part being cut and sufficient pressure on the jigsaw are necessary due to the fact that the file “saws upward”, that is, when moving down, the file goes idle, and when moving up, it cuts. Because of this, if there is insufficient pressure on the jigsaw, the part being cut will vibrate. It is easier to use a regular file (for example, T101B) and turn the part over with the laminated side down.

T101P- differs from T101B larger tooth (4.5 mm). You can cut the same materials, but up to 45 mm thick.

T301CD- differs in length (91 mm), which allows you to saw materials up to 65 mm thick.

Т101AO- a short file with fine teeth (1.4 mm) for clean curved cuts in wood and plywood with a thickness of 1.5 to 15 mm.

T101BIF- a short file with fine teeth and a bimetallic blade. Used for sawing laminated chipboards up to 15mm thick.

T101BF- differs from T101BIF larger tooth (2.7 mm), which allows you to saw materials up to 30 mm thick.

T101BRF- differs from T101BF reverse tooth.

T144DP- a thick file with ground, large (4 mm), widely spaced teeth. Thanks to these properties, the cut is smooth, strictly perpendicular to the surface, and the file does not move away. The disadvantage of this file is the rough cut and a large number of chips due to the rather large teeth. Used for sawing thick wood slabs (doors, countertops).

T144DF- Differs from T144DP bimetallic blade, thanks to which this file lasts longer and cuts better. True, its cost is 2-3 times more.

T344DF- differs from T144DF only working length 126 mm, instead of 74 mm for T144DF.

T345XF- universal long file (106 mm) with a bimetallic blade and large teeth. Used for sawing wood with nails, as well as wood, plastic, metal (including aluminum).

Metal files

T118A- short file with fine teeth for sawing metal sheets thickness up to 13 mm.

T318A- differs from T118A in the working length of the saw, for sawing metal pipes with a diameter of up to 65 mm.

T118G- a file with very fine teeth (0.7 mm) for sawing very thin metal sheets (0.5-1.5 mm)

Universal files

T234X, T123X - universal saw blades various types wood, metal and plastic.

Special purpose files

T118AHM- file for thin stainless steel (up to 2 mm)

T118EHM- file for stainless steel of medium thickness (2-5 mm)

T301CHM-file for fiberglass up to 65mm thick

T141HM- saw for plasterboard and cement bonded particle boards up to 50 mm thick

T341HM- differs from T141HM in working length (106 mm), which allows working with material up to 85 mm thick

T101A- file for organic glass up to 20 mm thick

T113A- file for cardboard, leather, rubber up to 50 mm thick

T313AW- saw for cardboard, foam plastic, rubber up to 100 mm thick

T130Riff,T150Riff- files for tiles. These saw blades are made from a hard, diamond-coated material and are designed for cutting wall tiles and fiberglass. The difference between these files is the quality of the cut: T130 - rough cut, T150 - clean.

T308B, T308BF - a specialized saw that allows you to saw materials laminated on both sides. Thanks to two rows of teeth, the cut is achieved with virtually no chips. But it is relatively thin, so in inexperienced hands the file moves away and it is quite difficult to obtain a straight cut.

In the context of periodic home repairs, there is a need for a tool such as a jigsaw. They can cut any material quickly and, with a little skill, evenly. It will help you cut round or square holes, as well as cut a straight strip. With its help, you can even create any piece of furniture yourself.

Such manipulations are done using special files, which differ in their characteristics.

Marking

To choose the right file, you need to know the distinctive features of the product types. Labeling can help with this. These are certain alphanumeric abbreviations that indicate the properties of the nozzle and its quality characteristics.

Such designations are necessary primarily for people who do not carry out repairs professionally and cannot determine the purpose of a particular attachment due to its external characteristics.

The main part of the information that is needed to make the right choice is located on the tail of the file. It includes letters and numbers. Each symbol carries specific information.

The initial letter characterizes the type of tail section, which can be:

• T- figurative form;
• U- figurative type;
• M- the mount is only suitable for Makita brand;
• Fein standard.

The second sign indicates the length of the fabric that is being produced:

• 1 - length up to 7.5 cm;
• 2 - sizes from 7.5 cm to 9 cm;
• 3 - length from 9 cm to 15 cm;
• 7 – with a maximum length of over 15 cm.

To recognize the material the saw is designed to cut, you need to pay attention to the color of the shank.

Thus, a gray tip indicates the possibility of sawing wood, a blue tip indicates any metal structures, and a blade with a red tip can be used to cut a plastic surface.

In addition, by the abbreviation on the neck you can find out the type of steel of the blade.

There are:

• H.M.– hard metal alloys;
• HCS(CV)– steel products with high carbon content;
• H.S.S.– steel that cuts quickly;
• CV– steel made of chromium and vanadium;
• BM (BiM)- a combination of hard alloys and high-speed steel.

The last combination is the strongest and most durable.

There are also universal blades that can be used when cutting any material. However, it will be difficult to cut out various shapes with such a blade, so for professional work you need a set of a large number of files.

Materials

Generally speaking, all canvases are made from metal alloys. To cut softer materials, simply metal blades are produced. If you need to cut metal, then the technology of fusing several components is used to increase the strength of the product.

There are materials that are super durable. These include ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles and granite, decorative rock. For their accurate and high-quality cutting, non-standard solutions are needed, since they are very durable and easily chipped. That's why Blades for cutting with a jigsaw are produced with a special coating or soldering made of hard alloys.

Thus, the coating of the cutting edge is often diamond. Its main indicator is graininess, which can be high or low. The absence of chips and cracks along the cut, as well as the speed of the process itself, directly depends on the level of grain. The higher it is, the easier it is to make a high-quality and accurate cut.

There are several general rules for all types of materials. A blade with a large width can make a straight cut. If you intend to perform figured cutting, then it is better to choose a slightly narrower blade.

However, cutting hard materials (ceramic granite) with an electric jigsaw is, in any case, a lengthy process. Therefore, this device justifies its use only for shaped cutting of parts.

Purpose

These products are also distinguished by the material that can be cut with them.

The canvases are produced:

• for plastic;
• wood;
• metal;
• ceramics;
• concrete;
• stone;
• cardboard (chipboard);
• universal.

Modern jigsaw files have a large number of parameters by which they can be distinguished. However, these markings mean virtually nothing to ordinary users. The simplest and most understandable is the difference in purpose. That is, the difference between the blades is the materials that can be cut with them.

When working with wood, use blades made of steel grades: BM, CV and HCS. As for chipboard, to obtain a neat cut without chipping, the size of the saw teeth should be A or B. Large sizes like D help make straight rough cuts in wood large thickness and chipboard or fibreboard. An example is the T344C blade.

There is also a modification of the file for cutting cardboard. It has a rather unusual wave-shaped blade without teeth. During operation, the blade smoothly separates the material into parts.

This option is also suitable for other soft materials:

• rubber;
• polystyrene foam;
• carpeting.

The blade marked T101BR is considered the most suitable for them. The medium teeth of this blade help avoid damage to the material in areas along the cut.

For curly cutting of the above materials, it is best to choose a small, narrow blade with medium teeth (T101BO). Small dimensions make the tool easy to maneuver.

When sawing metal structures, you need to know that BM and HSS steel files with wave-like teeth give a clearer and more even cut. Metal sheets that are up to 0.3 cm thick can be cut with T118A blade, and up to 0.6 cm - T118B. When the metal is very thin (up to 0.15 cm), then the blade is taken with microscopic teeth, designated T118G.

If we are talking about metal profiles or pipes up to 3 mm, which is important when repairing water supply and hanging towels in the bathroom, then use T318A fabric. Its length can reach up to 15 cm.

When it comes to PVC, it is used as special files for processing plastic materials, so ordinary products on wood or metal. A smooth cut will be obtained when using a blade with large teeth, since the plastic crumbs heated by friction can fill the working part of the file. It is better to keep the operating speed of the jigsaw to a minimum. The steel grade of the blade can be either CV or HCS, or HSS.

Thick surfaces are easier to saw with a blade with a medium tooth and short length - T101BF.

Plexiglas can be cut well with a T101A metal saw with fine teeth.

An important element of repair are ceramic products. They have a very fragile structure, so using a saw with teeth is impossible. In such cases, a special blade is needed, which instead of teeth has an abrasive coating of diamond chips.

It is also possible to use a device with tungsten carbide coating, but they are only suitable for thin wall tiles. Cutting them on tiles will be ineffective. The marking of such a file must contain the letters HM.

If necessary (in the absence of a sander) concrete coverings, blocks or stone can also be cut with a jigsaw. The blade for such cutting has a double marking: Gasbeton/Kunststoffe and Fiber/plastic HM/CT-31137. Some experts say that a metal file is also suitable for such work, however, the blade does not last long.

And finally, a universal blade that is convenient for making not only rough cuts on wooden surfaces up to 5 cm in thickness, but also sawing steel, plastic and soft metals.

Dimensions

The jigsaw blade size markings given above allow us to draw conclusions about the types of blades by size. Files can be small, medium and large in size. In this case, the dimension describes the length. In this case, the marking C simply indicates a long blade, and D indicates maximum length files.

It is believed that the longer the blade, the better it cuts straight. Medium and short options are suitable for curly cutting.

But there are also features of the paintings different widths. This parameter determines the amount by which the blade deviates from perpendicular while cutting. The wider the file, the greater the deflection it gives.. Therefore, wide variants of jigsaw attachments are used for straight cutting, and thin ones - for figured cutting. In addition, the characteristics of the tip of the blade most often do not allow it to be secured in the self-clamping mechanism of the tool.

Ponytail shape

Based on this indicator, you can determine which brand of equipment and type of clamping mechanism of an electric jigsaw the file is suitable for.

The T-shaped tail was invented by Bosch engineers, so this blade is suitable for equipment of this brand. Later, other companies also began to use this form.

The shank in the shape of the English letter U is the know-how of American craftsmen. In the equipment sold on our market, such a shank is suitable for older models of jigsaws, as well as for units with clamping block and screw types.

The ends of the Makita and Bosch type files are suitable for the equipment of the same manufacturers, respectively.

Geometric parameters of teeth

The width of the cut, its accuracy, and the speed of work directly depend on the shape and location of the teeth.

The tooth geometry is:

• set apart milled;
• wave-like milled;
• conical grinding;
• set, polished.

Milled teeth set in both directions in turn help the blade avoid overheating. These files are convenient for cutting non-ferrous metals.

When wavy milling, the teeth are moved apart in groups smoothly, with a slightly greater inclination of each subsequent tooth, also alternately to the right and left. They are used for clean cutting (cutting with cleanly processed, edged edges).

Conical grinding blades also provide a clean cut on plastic, wood, and laminate.

Files with set teeth are used when it is necessary to make rough cuts in materials such as fiberboard, chipboard and soft wood.

How to choose?

In the modern market there is big choice files for jigsaws. The canvases vary dramatically in both price and quality. Considering the unsafety of using low-quality files, it is advisable to purchase proven products. This can be selected based on the brand's popularity. The policy of such companies is to maintain a positive reputation for their products, so they only release reliable products to the market.

The most the best manufacturers components for jigsaws are considered Makita, Bosch, and Matabo. The optimal combination of price policy and quality are sets of Bosch brand blades. Their canvases are very easy to use and have a high level of performance. Sadly, the products of this manufacturer are also the most frequently counterfeited, so it is best to buy files from specialized construction stores who can provide quality certificates for their products.

However, counterfeit components can also be distinguished visually. For example, when there is corrosion or other damage on the product, there is no doubt that the canvas is fake. Counterfeit can also be identified by the edges of the product. Files produced “in basements” have an end that is rounded on one side. This defect occurs due to the stamping process of sheet metal. For real products, the ends of both sides will be equally rectangular.

And, of course, you should pay attention to the quality of the labeled inscriptions. If they are poorly executed or blurred due to use cheap paint, then the fake is obvious.

Subtleties of operation

In order for the canvas to last as long as possible, it must be used and stored correctly. First of all, if the work is performed by a non-specialist, you need to familiarize yourself with the instructions for clamping the blade in a jigsaw, since a wide variety of manufacturers has led to the presence of non-standard designs of locking mechanisms.

Sharpening is also important to maintain working condition. The need for such manipulation can be determined by the deviation of the cutting angle from the guide (from 90 degrees to 45).

When the saw teeth become dull, they must be sharpened using a diamond file if the teeth are small, and a medium or diamond file if they are large or medium in size.

Learn how to choose jigsaw files from the video below.

An electric jigsaw is an indispensable tool in the arsenal of any craftsman. They can be used to cut almost any surface found in everyday life. The quality of the saw depends on the correct choice of consumables, which is the cutting blade. Depending on the choice of the material to be cut, the final choice of a jigsaw file depends. The types and features of paintings can confuse any beginner. This article will help you understand this diversity.

Files vary in shape and material from which they are made. Structurally, they are a small strip of metal on which the shank and cutting edge can be distinguished. Based on this, we can identify morphological parameters that influence the choice: type of shank, shape and type of cutting edge, dimensions.

Classification by shape

Shank type

The shank is the part of the jigsaw file through which it is attached to the tool. They differ only in shape. You definitely need to pay attention to their appearance, otherwise it will not be possible to secure the new canvas. The following types of shanks exist:

The most common is the T-shank type. Since it was invented by the Bosch company, it is also called “Bosch”. Due to the fact that this corporation occupies the largest share of the jigsaw market, many companies are trying to switch to this standard. If you choose between files according to the shank model, then the T-shaped one will be the best option. It will fit almost all jigsaws, including those from domestic manufacturers, such as Interskol.

The American standard for shanks is the U-shape. Most older instrument models work with it. To fix it, a screw or block type of fastening is used. Files with Makita shanks are especially popular. They are only suitable for old jigsaws from the same company. Similarly, files for Bosch jigsaw, which are only suitable for older models of their jigsaws. Structurally, their shape is equipped with an additional T-shaped stop.

Canvas size

Cutting edge shape

Files have different cutting edge shapes depending on the type of material they work with. In addition to the shape, the method of spreading the teeth also differs. The wider they are apart, the faster the material is cut. The quality of the saw border is getting worse. All files can be divided into the following groups, according to the type of their edge.

• Classic routing with milling. The teeth are set apart. In the classic version, they are alternately bent to the right and then to the left. Thanks to this, the canvas does not heat up as much as a regular flat one. The cut can be obtained very quickly, but the quality of the work will not be accurate. These files are intended for soft materials.
• Classic routing with grinding. The teeth are set apart and then ground. The cutting line is wide. Designed for quick cutting of medium quality. It is better to choose such saws when working with wood and its derivatives (chipboard, fiberboard, etc.).
• Wavy layout with milling. The teeth are spread along the wave. The results are relatively compact groups of sharpened segments, whose length is equal to the half-period of such a bend. Within one bend, the teeth follow each other, lining up along the contour of the bend. Designed for beautiful cuts on wood, chipboard, plywood, soft metals and plastic.
• Conical grinding without setting. The teeth in such a file are not set apart, but simply ground. Inner surface The grinding process turns out to be spread apart, and the outer one goes along the cone. Designed for accurate cutting of plastic, wood and laminate.

Type of processed material

Wood and its derivatives

Cutting wood, chipboard, and plywood was the main function of jigsaws initially. You can cut wood with almost all types of saws. In order for such work to be effective and the cutting to be of high quality, special types of blades have been created for wood. Depending on the priorities in the work process, they are divided into several groups.

When performing such work, a certain trick is used: the material is turned with the front side away from the jigsaw. In this case, chipping can be almost avoided. There are files with reverse teeth. It is more difficult to work with such files, but the workpiece will not need to be turned over.

1. Curly cut. Curvilinear shapes can be cut using narrow files. They fit into the groove very easily, allowing you to cut along a wide variety of curves. The characteristics of the blade should be as follows: a very narrow blade with a cut back side, fine teeth. The length is selected according to the thickness of the material.

Metal

Jigsaws were originally intended for sawing wood. Over time, their power and speed began to increase, and the variety of files made it possible to produce blades with very fine teeth. Thanks to this, the specific force on the tooth during cutting has increased. The latter allowed us to work with more hard materials such as non-ferrous metals and steel. Relatively thin plates can be processed with jigsaws.

When performing metal work, a number of rules must be observed:

• saw is very slow, without excessive pressure;
• if the file becomes dull, it should be changed immediately, otherwise the jigsaw will quickly fail;
• teeth on the canvas should not be more than 1 mm.

Plastic

Examples of polymer materials are PVC pipes and plastic panels. To cut them, you can use blades with large teeth. If you cut plastic with a fine-toothed saw, the material may heat up and the plastic will begin to melt. You can even work with a wood saw at low speeds. Thin leaves of plastic or plexiglass are sawed with a fine-toothed saw, also at low speeds.

Unusual materials

Saw blades without teeth with a special diamond coating can be used for sawing ceramic tiles. With their help, the cut edge will have complex bends. If the cut must be straight, then it is better to use a regular tile cutter. The diamond coating allows the file not to become dull due to abrasive elements of the material.

Ordinary canvases also quickly become dull from drywall. To cut the latter, you should use coarse-toothed saws tipped with special alloys. Soft materials (cardboard, rubber) are sawn with knife-shaped blades with a wavy edge, which is simply sharpened and does not have any teeth.

There are files with unusual tooth shapes that, in appearance, follow the contours of the letter M. This blade works with wood and metal. In this case, the direction of movement can be either forward or reverse. If you have no idea what material you will be working with and the cut needs to be made to a short length without any quality claims, then you can purchase universal files. They are made from high-speed steel.

Marking

Several symbols and numbers are located on the tail of the file. They determine the type of blade material and the key characteristics of the cutting edge. Additionally, the purpose is specified by color markings and inscriptions on the blade and neck of the file. Since Bosch is the leader in the production of cutting blades for jigsaws, its marking method has become generally accepted. This is not a standard, but other manufacturers are trying to adapt to it.

Symbols on the shank

The combination of letters and numbers is positional. This means that the element number in the inscription has its own meaning. Since each position can have a different number of values, there is no point in combining them into a single table. All available options are listed below in list form.

The first letter determines the type of shank and can take the following values:

• T is for T-shaped;
• U is for U-shaped;
• M for Makita shanks.

The third and fourth characters determine the purpose of the canvas. There is no single rule for filling them out today. Therefore, in order not to mislead readers, it is better to skip them. For example, the values ​​0 and 1 could represent wood. At the same time, 1 and 2 indicate steel. As a result, a value of 1 can match wood and metal at the same time. Bosch jigsaw files have not yet become standard setters in this case.

The fifth character determines the size of the teeth:

• A – small;
• B – average;
• C, D – large.

The sixth and subsequent characters define the specification of the canvas and can be combined. Here is a list of their main meanings:

• X – for teeth with a progressive arrangement;
• O – for canvases with a narrow back side;
• R – reverse arrangement of teeth;
• F – a cutting edge and working surface made of a special durable alloy are used;
• P – for files with a neat and precise cut.

The neck of the file is located between the working surface and the shank. Letters can be printed on it that determine the type of alloy from which the canvas is made. The most common alloys are:

There is often confusion in the designations of alloy types, for example, some manufacturers use the CV symbol to designate carbon steel, while others mark alloys made of chromium and vanadium.

Color and text marking

The purpose of the file can be determined by the color of the shank or by the inscription located on it. Options color coding determine the type of material with which the blade should work:

• gray – wood and derivatives;
• blue – metals;
• red – plastic.

Duplicate inscription Some manufacturers print directly on the working part of the canvas. The scope of application will be clear to those who are at least slightly familiar with the English language. Here are examples:

The inscriptions can indicate not only the material, but also the tooth set. For example, “clean” means that the teeth have practically no set.

Summary table of the most common types

It is impossible to present all types of files in the form of one table, especially taking into account all the listed characteristics. A set of the most common types is given in the following table.

marking	wood	Chipboard	plywood	metal	tin	plastic	plexiglass
T101AO	+	+	V			V
T101B	V		+			V
T101BF			V			+
T101BR	+		V			V
T101BRF	V		+			+
T101D	V	+				V
T111C	V					V
T119B	+	+	V				V
T119BO	V	+	V			+	+
T144D	V	V
T244D	V	V
T301CD	V	+				+
T118A				V	+
T118AF				V	+
T118B				V
T127D				+		V
T127DF				+		V
T227D	+					V

Table 1. The most common types of files and their areas of application. Designations: “V” - specially designed for working with the material, “+” - can be used.

As can be seen from the table, there are models of canvases that are specifically designed for metals or wood. But they can also be applied to other materials. Plastic can be sawed with almost all types of blades.

How to make the right choice

If a file is purchased for daily work, then it is better to take special option for a specific type of material. Moreover, you always need to have a reserve. For example, if you plan to do a lot of work on cutting wood materials, then it makes sense to take several types of jigsaw files for wood with different tooth pitches and blade thicknesses. To cut laminated chipboard you may even need a metal file. For those who occasionally work with a jigsaw, it is worth having a couple of universal blades in their arsenal.

A jigsaw is a versatile power tool that can be used to cut various materials, making straight or curved cuts. With this tool you can work on such different materials as wood, glass, metal. For each type of work it is necessary to select a specific type of saw blade.

To choose the right file for a particular job, you need to find out what parameters you need to pay attention to, what characteristics of the files differ from each other, and how to read the markings correctly.

Looking at the photo of jigsaw saws, you can see that they are very different from each other external dimensions(length, width and thickness), the shape of the teeth, the type of fastening, the material from which the files are made and, accordingly, their purpose. Below is a review of jigsaw files, with a description of the characteristics and features of choice.

Types of fastening of jigsaw files

There are several types of saw blade tails. Any power tool is designed to work with only one type of saw blade, so when choosing saw blades you should pay close attention to this issue.

The most common type of shank is a T-shaped shank. This type of fastening was developed by the market leader in electric jigsaws, Bosch. Following the leader, such fastenings are used by other equally well-known manufacturers. Therefore, such files are the most common.

Having such a tool, you may not even know about the existence of other types of saw blade mounts. However, it should be noted that files with other types of fastenings exist.

Such files have one or two holes for attaching equipment, as well as old Bosch fasteners with a double T-shaped shank that has not one, but two stops.

Blade length

It can be different: from 4 to 25 cm. The longer it is, the thicker the workpiece can be cut. For thin workpieces, it is better to use short blades; this will improve the quality of the cut, since there are no large deformation movements in a short file compared to long files up to 25 cm long.

The maximum thickness of the material to be cut also depends on the technical characteristics of the power tool.

Blade width

The width of the file is selected depending on the planned work. If you need to make long, even cuts, you should choose a wide file. If you need to make a curved cut, then a narrow file will do the job better.

File thickness

The quality of the cut also depends on this parameter, but a blade that is too thick or thick may not be suitable for a particular quick-release mechanism.

A thin blade deviates less from the vertical during operation, and the cut is more even. Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, it is better to use files of standard thickness.

File cutting edge geometries

The geometry of the files is determined by the setting of the teeth. It can be simply milled with wavy or classic wiring, in addition, the teeth can be ground with a classic tooth set and with conical grinding of the teeth without setting them.

Ground teeth differ from milled ones in that they are additionally ground at an angle to increase their sharpness; spreading the teeth increases the productivity and width of the saw. At the same time, its unevenness increases.

Classification of jigsaw blades

Just like files for hand jigsaws, various accessories are produced for power tools designed to work with various materials. Wood blades are the most common, since this tool is most used when working with this material. The design of jigsaw files for wood is determined by the operating parameters.

For high productivity, saws with large tooth widths of up to 6 mm and large tooth sets of up to 1 mm are used. These files are needed for rough work. If a neat cut is required, then work with files with smaller teeth and with a slight spread.

When cutting, you should pay attention to which side of the material does not cause chips and scuffs when working. On this side, the material should be placed with the front side. This is determined by which side the teeth on the blade are located on: towards the jigsaw or away from it.

A neat cut on both sides can be made if you use a double-row blade with multi-directional teeth. To cut curly lines, use narrow files of short length with small teeth with a beveled back side.

Metal files are made from durable steel; they have very small teeth - up to 1 mm. Individual files are produced for different metals. There are three main types of jigsaw blades for metal: for aluminum, other non-ferrous metals and steel. You can get by with one tool if you rarely have to cut metal.

To work with polymers and plastics, blades with large teeth are used. Blades with small teeth will also work, but be aware that this may cause sawdust to melt and clog the teeth of the blade. Thin plastic can be cut at low speeds with a wood blade.

You can cut with a jigsaw ceramic materials. For this purpose, diamond-coated or tungsten carbide-coated files are used. Such a tool cannot be replaced if it is necessary to perform a figured cut.

Marking of files

Purpose and specifications files are indicated by markings on the side surface of the blade. The marking is quite simple. The first letter indicates the type of fastening. For example, T-shaped. The following is a number from 1 to 7, characterizing the length of the canvas.

The next two numbers indicate the purpose of the blade, and the next letter at the end of the marking describes the size of the teeth (A - small, B - Medium, C and D - large). The last letter gives Additional information about the blade: F - bimetallic, O - narrow, P - thick, R - reverse direction of teeth, X - variable tooth size.

To begin with, it is advisable to purchase a set of jigsaw files, consisting of a set of files for different materials, and then, if necessary, expand it. Consumables determine the quality of work and ease of use of the tool.

It is impossible to say for sure how to choose the best file for a jigsaw. Some saws provide greater productivity, while others provide very good cutting quality. The correct choice of file determines the efficiency of the work.

Photos of jigsaw files