Marking saw blades for jigsaws. Jigsaw blades are double-sided. Wood saw for jigsaw, metal, tile, chipboard - an overview of canvases for solving various problems. Parameters of saw blades for electric jigsaw

Jigsaw files photo

Jigsaw files: marking

The marking of jigsaw files can tell a lot about its purpose, including - you just need to take a closer look at it, meet and decipher familiar symbols, and everything immediately becomes clear. This, of course, if you know how it is read. That is why, to study interchangeable blades for a jigsaw, you need to start with their marking. As a rule, it is a set of Latin letters and Arabic numerals. The first is a letter and it indicates the type of shank. As a rule, these are the letters "T", "X" or "U" - the latter is very rare, but the first is widespread and indicates that the shank has a T-shape.

Jigsaw blade: photo shank

Following the first letter is a series of numbers - as a rule, there are three of them, but it is the first of them that is important. It denotes the length of the canvas:

  • 1 - standard short file 75mm long
  • 2 - Standard file medium length (90mm)
  • 3 - Elongated file, the size of which is 150mm
  • 7 - Very long. Size over 150mm

After the numbers, there are letters again, but this time, they do not indicate the type of shank, but the size of the teeth - as a rule, these are the letters A, B, C and D. "A" is the smallest tooth, and "D" is the most large. "B" and "C" should be understood as intermediate options.

Quite often, in the marking of jigsaw saws, at the end there may be not one letter, but two - the last of them indicates the unique qualities of the consumable. Let's deal with them in a little more detail - we will not write large lists. As they say, only the most necessary and common:


What else can be read by studying the inscriptions that are applied to the jigsaw blade? In principle, you can additionally learn about the material that was used to make it. By by and large it doesn’t matter, but if you want to buy a really high-quality canvas that can work for a long time, you need to have this information. Three Latin letters can be found between the T-shaped protrusions of the shank and the saw blade itself, which tell about the material from which the file is made. There are not many options here - only four:

  • HCS - high carbon steel. For soft materials just what you need.
  • HSS - tool high speed steel. This option is ideal for black and non-ferrous iron.
  • BIM- bimetal files. Flexible and durable, and most importantly versatile.
  • HM/TC - carbide saw blades. Quite specific canvases - they are used mainly when working with very hard materials (steel, tiles, fiberglass and even abrasive materials).

Saws for woodworking

I want to note right away that the main purpose of an electric jigsaw is to work with wood and materials made on its basis (chipboard, plywood, ...) - everything else, as they say, is a side application. For this reason, wood jigsaw files have a lot of varieties - they can differ both in the size of the tooth and the angle of its sharpening, and in the shape of the file itself. In general, without delving into the study of these tools, two main varieties can be distinguished:


Well, as for the subspecies of these wood paintings for a jigsaw, you should not bother with them - as a rule, this is a more specialized tool, and it is not yet a fact that it will show itself in the best way. I will give a simple example - the T101BR blade, with the reverse direction of the tooth. One of the recommended uses for this file is a laminated surface. Practice shows that an ordinary blade on wood with a fine tooth also does a good job - the reverse direction cuts worse and also creates vibrations and a lot of inconvenience in work.

Cloths for metal work

Any jigsaw file for metal has a small tooth and in its marking, the last or penultimate one, there is always the Latin letter “A” - this is due to the strength of the material. The harder the material, the finer the tooth required to cut it. There are no special varieties of metal blades - the only thing that can be mentioned here is the shape of the cutting edge.


In many ways, the appointment of metal files for a jigsaw is also due to other factors - you need to understand that each different type of metal has its own characteristics. For example, aluminum is a soft and ductile metal - if you use a standard blade with a fine tooth for sawing it, then most likely it will be ineffective and will clog. For this material, the files are produced separately - for example, the T224D blade, Alu is written on it.

And finally, a few words about the so-called special blades for a jigsaw - most of them have a narrow specialization, and they can only work on a certain material. In particular, there are separate saws for plastic, aluminum, profile metal, pipes, ceramics, cement, sandwich panels and even boards with nails. The most remarkable of them, so to speak, unique in their kind, can be called a diamond jigsaw file, which is used for very hard materials and ferrous metals and the so-called file for. The latter cannot be used in mass production - it cuts confidently, but slowly.

Various canvases for a jigsaw photo

In principle, everything that can be distinguished in the whole variety of interchangeable jigsaw blades - there is not much left to say at all. For a household, absolutely all types of files do not need to be bought - there is a so-called "gentleman's set" which includes five files that can cope with all household needs. These are T101D (for rough wood cutting), T101B (for fine wood cutting), T101BR (for finishing work reverse tooth), T119BO (for shaped sawing in wood) and standard metal saw blade T118A. These jigsaw files will fully satisfy any home craftsman.
Author of the article Alexander Kulikov

With the help of an electric jigsaw, figured and straight cuts are performed when processing various materials - from wood to glass and steel. The tool itself is universal, but this does not apply to jigsaw files. For each individual task, certain canvas. In order not to be mistaken with the choice of this element, you need to know how the canvases differ from each other.

Features of the classification

The demands placed on the tool are very high. The speed of work, productivity, evenness and accuracy of the cut are important. All jigsaw files can be divided into several groups according to the following criteria:

  • canvas width;
  • shank type;
  • workpiece material;
  • the shape and pitch of the teeth;
  • web thickness.

Now more about this.

Shank type

Shanks differ in the type of fastening. There are different options:

  • T-shaped or "boshevsky". It was Bosch who came up with the idea for its creation. Since the company is a leader in its field, other manufacturers have also begun to produce T-shank jigsaws, now these models have flooded the market.
  • U-shaped. It occurs less often than the previous one, but also often - the second most common. American version, suitable for older types of jigsaws. Compatible with models with shoe and screw terminals.

There are also Makita and Bosch shanks. These are already outdated samples that are suitable only for old-style tools and “their” manufacturer.

Processing material

The material of manufacture can be called the main classification feature that most accurately separates jigsaw files . Allows you to describe in detail the features of the operation of canvases:

There are universal canvases that cope with both wood and metal with equal success, since there are large teeth on one side of the file, and small teeth on the other. Figured processing and impeccable sawing this canvas will not provide. If abrasive particles are present in the material, as in gypsum or cement, the canvas becomes blunt about this very quickly.

Here you need products with hard alloy soldering on the cutting part. Cardboard or rubber are cut with "toothless" saws resembling knives. The cut is performed by a wave with grinding.

The difference in the shape of the teeth

In addition to the material of the file, they differ in the shape of the tooth.. It also depends on the usability. The teeth are:

Width, thickness and tooth pitch

The width is selected taking into account the requirements for the results of the work. Wide products are more stable, so they can cut at high speed without deviation. If you need a high-quality sawn curve, narrower files are also suitable, which are easy to make turns. The teeth should be located on the axis of the drive - thanks to this, the tool is more manageable.

The thickness determines how strong the deviation of the file from the vertical will be. Thick blades provide the best perpendicular, even cut, but are unlikely to fit jigsaws with a quick-clamping mechanism.

The pitch of the teeth is the distance between their tops. In most countries, the pitch designation TPI (“teeth per inch”) is adopted. Measured by the number of teeth per inch of length. If the TPI is 5, for example, then there are five teeth per inch of blade. For cross cutting wood, it is more expedient to use a file with a TPI of 7-4. For normal work, 7-9 is enough. An extremely accurate cut will help to make a file with TPI13-10.

It is necessary to take into account the thickness of the workpiece - 6-8 teeth must work at the same time, otherwise the blade will vibrate, and the cut will come out torn.

Especially for those who are just learning the basics of carpentry, it will be very useful to familiarize themselves with the marking of saw blades. After all, the appearance of the canvas does not always give an idea of ​​​​its purpose.

Most manufacturers label products according to the Bosch system. Marking is done on the shank, includes letters and numbers.

The first letter indicates the type of shank:

  • U-shaped;
  • T-shaped;
  • Fein standard;
  • M - for Makita jigsaws.

After a number is put, which indicates the length:

1 - no more than 75 mm;

2 - 75−90 mm;

3 - 90−150 mm;

  • A - small;
  • B - medium;
  • C or D - large.

The last letter gives important additional information:

  • P - precise cut;
  • F - working part made of a bimetallic alloy of special strength;
  • O - narrow back;
  • X - progressive tooth pitch;
  • R - reverse direction of the teeth.

The color of the shank will say a lot:

  • Gray - for wood processing.
  • Blue is for metal.
  • Red is for plastic.

Blade steel is represented by a combination of letters on the neck:

  • CV - chrome vanadium steel;
  • HM - hard alloys;
  • HSS - high speed steel;
  • BM (BiM) - CV and HSS connection (strong and durable);
  • HCS (CV) - high carbon steel.

Often there are letters on the file that directly speak of its purpose. If you have elementary knowledge of the English language, there will be no difficulty in deciphering these letter combinations. It's about the following:

With knowledge of the specifics of the product, you will choose the most suitable file that will last a long time and accurately perform the task. If you need a jigsaw a couple of times a year, it is better to purchase a universal model for rough work, and entrust curly neat cutting to the craftsmen.

Manual and electric jigsaws have long "taken root" among home craftsmen. These are very useful devices that will allow you to accurately and accurately cut almost any material of various thicknesses and configurations. But before proceeding with the work, it is necessary that the jigsaw file is correctly selected. However, immediately accept the right decision pretty hard. This is due not only to a large selection, but also to a huge number of types of canvas.

Some general information

If you have a jigsaw and no files, then this is a useless tool. If you have a whole set of files, then you can cut almost any material. No need to think that the jigsaw is designed to work only with metal or plastic products. Although we can say that it is quite advisable to have both manual and automatic tool, a little later you will understand why. With proper skill, you can make straight and figured cuts on chipboard, ceramics, metal, and so on. But it is worthwhile to understand that for each type of material there is a jigsaw file. For example, the BOSCH range includes the most various canvases, which can work with plywood, plastic, etc. Of course, each material has a different thickness, density, hardness, and other parameters, this imposes certain requirements on the quality of the blade steel.

Jigsaw blades

It is quite logical that without a file you will not be able to perform the work you need. Today, all blades for hand tools are divided into two large groups:

  • for woodworking;
  • for metal work.

Each of these groups is divided into subgroups. For example, a canvas for wood can be for quick cutting. This is one of the most common and popular files. Its peculiarity is that such a canvas can be processed a large number of material at high speed. For example, with such a file it is not a problem to cut a workpiece with a diameter of 20 cm. However, this tool leaves behind a significant number of defects, so it is advisable to use it only for auxiliary work or construction of buildings.

But files for a manual jigsaw of a clean cut allow you to get a high-quality surface. This is achieved due to the large number of small teeth, as a result of which the cut is smooth and practically free of defects. However, in this case, the maximum diameter of the workpiece should not exceed 7.5 cm. There are also files for laminate. They have a unique arrangement of teeth that do not leave any marks behind.

Blade for working with metal

It is one thing to process a material such as wood, quite another - metal. Please note that the wood canvas is not suitable for cutting metal sheets. But learning to distinguish files from each other is extremely simple. The jigsaw file for metal has a blue shank, which is the main hallmark. The teeth are very fine, allowing you to work with sheets with a thickness of 6 mm.

Today, combined canvases are increasingly being sold. According to the manufacturers, they are well suited for working with wood and metal. But we can say with confidence that this is not the best solution, since the work performed is somewhat difficult and stretched over time. In any case, a jigsaw blade for metal must be made of high-quality material.

Electric, desktop and manual jigsaws

It should be understood that, despite the same purpose, the files for this tool have fundamental differences. For example, the blade for a manual jigsaw is quite thin and long, and is also attached on both sides. In a jigsaw, it is shorter and thicker, and also has a completely different installation method. If the tool is manual, then you should always have several spare files. This is due to their fragility. They break really often and at the most inopportune moment.

There are also saws for The tool itself is stationary and great for cutting wood. The canvas in this case is more similar to that used in a hand tool. However, it is less brittle, so it breaks less often. Such files are designed for workpieces with a maximum diameter of 4 cm for wood and 0.2 cm for metal products.

Jigsaw saw blade marking

Special designations on the canvas can say a lot. Firstly, this way you can find out what material the product is made of. By the way, this is very important, especially when performing responsible work. For example, if HCS is written on the body, this means that the blade is made of and is intended for cutting soft materials, in particular wood, chipboard, plastic, etc. But, for example, the inscription HSS indicates that the file Made from high speed hardened steel. It is a hard, but at the same time quite brittle material that can be used to work with both aluminum and steel of small thickness.

But the marking of BIM jigsaw files means that the blade is bimetallic. Basically, it is a combination of HCS and HSS. Such a file has improved properties, but also a high cost. The HM stamp means that such a blade can be used for particularly hard materials, for example, cutting ceramic tiles, etc. In principle, it is not so difficult to understand the marking, if you remember this, then choosing the appropriate blade will be extremely simple.

Learn more about making the right choice

When buying, you should always pay attention to the blade shank. Naturally, it has only one mount, unlike a manual saw. Although today the world famous company Bosch produces with two stops. In any case, it is advisable to first read the instructions, where it will be written what is suitable for your tool. For example, the Makita company produces jigsaws with a mount that is fundamentally different from other models. Both ends have specially sawn circles different diameter. Naturally, you can no longer put a file with a different type of fastening on a jigsaw.

You need to understand that the canvas can have a different length. For wood cutting, this is usually 51-126 mm, for metal - up to 106 mm. The choice should be based on the thickness of the workpiece to be machined. The thicker it is, the longer the canvas should be. For example, to perform a figured cut on wood, thin jigsaw files are used. They are quite fragile, but give more possibilities operator.

Canvas for laminate flooring

Today, many say that for processing parquet board or laminate, an exceptionally clean cut is required. Someone may advise using almost a diamond-coated canvas. However, the price of such a tool is very high, for a set of 5 files you will have to pay several thousand rubles. In principle, sometimes the jigsaw itself can cost so much.

So, it is not at all necessary to purchase an overly expensive tool. A blade is usually sufficient for a clean cut. Of course, there will be a chip of about 1-2 mm. However, in most cases, the laminate is closed with skirting boards that are much larger than the chip. For this simple reason, do not overpay once again. When buying jigsaw blades for laminate, pay attention to the quality of the product. Many modern canvases burn very strongly when working with wood, chipboard and laminate. Therefore, make a purchase with a small margin.

Something about the shape of the teeth

The blade tooth configuration determines the capabilities of the tool. A large number of small teeth improves the quality of the cut, but significantly reduces the speed. If there are few teeth and they are large, then such a cut will be extremely sloppy, but very fast. Conventionally, according to the shape of the teeth, the saw blade can be divided into the following groups:

  • Diluted (milled) - used for cutting soft materials such as wood and plastic, as well as non-ferrous metals. The wiring contributes to the fact that excessive heat does not accumulate, and sawdust is removed from the cut and the blade.
  • Wavy (milled) - used for clean cutting of aluminum, soft materials (wood, plastic) and non-ferrous metals. The wiring in this case is performed in groups, that is, several teeth in a row in one direction.
  • Conical ground (ground) - good decision for clean cuts in wood and plastic. The non-working edge is polished. These are typical jigsaw blades for laminate.
  • Ground, set teeth - one of the best solutions for rough cutting of wood, chipboard, blockboard, etc.

Web width and thickness

When choosing, it is extremely important to pay attention to the width of the file. Not only the quality, but also the speed of the work performed depends on this parameter. If the canvas is wide, then it will be not only stable, but also more durable, and will practically not deviate from the intended plane. Of course, this is also high-speed cutting, do not forget about it. At the same time, narrow files provide good maneuverability compared to wide ones. The location of the teeth on the axis of the jigsaw drive allows you to better follow the intended plane with minimal deviations.

Thickness is also not the last parameter that makes sense to pay attention to. Blades that are too thin cannot ensure the proper perpendicularity of the cut. In addition, the thicker the file, the higher its stability.

Something else

You probably know that the blade teeth must be harder than the material being processed. So, to perform work on cutting glass, ceramics, metal and stone, you will need special files. The main requirement is increased strength. It is best to use bimetallic sheets for such purposes, which are 1/3 hardened steel and 2/3 high-carbon steel. The service life of such files is quite large, so they will pay off with interest. In addition, the risk of a sudden breakdown here is much lower than in the classic versions. But since choosing a jigsaw file is not difficult, and you already know how to do it, you will not have problems choosing the appropriate bimetallic blade.

Conclusion

If we talk about manufacturers who have proven themselves well, then these are Bosch, Makita and Praktika. Files of these companies are famous all over the world for their high quality and excellent performance properties. If you are not afraid to spend an extra 200 rubles, then buy canvases of these brands, and you will not regret anything. Do not forget that all files have their purpose, use for other purposes is unlikely to lead to the expected results. The jigsaw is a high-speed tool, so securely fasten the blade and try to work with goggles and gloves. In principle, we examined the main types of jigsaw files. Now you know that there are canvases for wood, metal, as well as combined ones for other materials. Paying attention to the labeling of the product and the way it is attached, you will definitely make the right choice.

29.08.2019

Electric jigsaw can be called universal tool, which allows you to carry out a straight and figured cut of the most various materials- from soft wood to steel and glass. It is worth noting that the tool itself is universal, but not its equipment: the cut of each material is realized using a specific type of blade. However, in order to choose the right file, you need to find out what criteria to use during the selection. In this article, we will talk about what blades for an electric jigsaw are, what types of files for electric jigsaws are, and how to insert a file into an electric jigsaw.

Jigsaw files types and features

If you walk into a store and say you need jigsaw saws, the salesperson will show you many different options. They come in various lengths, widths and thicknesses different size teeth and shank type.

Jigsaw files, based on the material being processed, are classified into:

  • saw blade for electric jigsaw for metal. These blades are made from high speed steel. They can cut different types metals, including aluminum and non-ferrous metals
  • jigsaw file for wood. These files are most often created from high carbon or chrome vanadium steel. They are designed to work with soft woods and wood-based panels.
  • files for glass and ceramics. These blades are made of tungsten carbide alloy, which has high strength. You need to purchase such a canvas if you need to implement a large amount of work using a manual jigsaw, for example, with ceramic tiles
  • universal saws. They are made from high speed steel for sawing wood, metal and plastic materials.

According to the type of operations performed, the files are divided into two categories:

  • for a straight cut. These blades have a wide back, which makes it possible to guide it in a specific direction to obtain a straight cut.
  • for curly cut. In such canvases, the back is narrower than the shank, as a result of which they are easy to direct in different directions. It turns out a smooth curly cut.

If you look closely at jigsaw files, you can see that they have a different tooth setting and sawing edge geometry. Not only the cleanliness of the cut depends on the type of wiring, but also what material such a file can be used to work with. Allocate:

  • milled with classic wiring. Classical wiring is teeth alternately bent in different directions, by analogy with hand saw. This type of setting reduces the heating of the saw blade during sawing, because the saw blade experiences virtually no friction in a fairly wide cut. However, a neat cut cannot be obtained, but a high cutting speed is achieved. Such files cut different types of wood, plastic and non-ferrous metals
  • milled with wavy wiring. In such a file, the teeth are directed in groups of several pieces. It is noteworthy that each tooth has a different amount of deviation from the central axis with its nearest neighbors. The working edge of the saw blade resembles a wave. The use of such a blade helps to make a clean cut on wood, chipboard or plywood, as well as on non-ferrous metal and plastic
  • polished with classic wiring. The teeth of these canvases are set apart and polished. The cut with such files is quite wide. Such canvases help to quickly and quite cleanly cut wood and its derivatives - chipboard, fiberboard
  • with conical grinding without setting. The blades of such files do not have teeth divorce, however, their segments are ground, as a result of which a thin cut line and an even cut are achieved. With the help of such files, you can accurately cut wood, laminate, as well as polymeric materials.

The most significant parameter for a file is the steel grade from which it is made. The blades are marked with the following:

Main Features

However, the high quality of steel is not a guarantee that it will cope with the tasks. Also play an important role:

  • workpiece dimensions. Before buying, you need to decide on the size of the sawn blanks. For a bar with a section of 50X50mm and furniture board worth using different files. For timber, files with working part sizes from 51 to 126 mm are suitable. While short blades (51mm) are needed for cutting sheet metal, long blades (106mm) are more suitable for cutting pipes.
  • cut type. An important criterion for choosing a saw blade is the cutting geometry. The blade for a straight cut holds the direction perfectly, but it will not work to create even a small radius with it, because it has a wide back. For such work, a special thin FILE for a figured cut is excellent.
  • cut cleanliness. The quality of the cut plays a very important role in the process of creating furniture.
  • tooth shape. The cut quality index directly depends on the geometry of the tooth. How more step teeth, that is, the gap between adjacent vertices, the faster and rougher the line will turn out
  • tooth alignment. To give the canvas more "space", its teeth need to be parted. In this case, it will cut at a higher speed, but the cutting line will not be very accurate.
  • files progressor. Changing tooth size from shank to tip is a sign of versatility. With increasing thickness of the processed material, more large teeth is connected to work.

Shank types

An important parameter in choosing a saw blade for a jigsaw can be called the type of its shank. There are such tails:



Fastening saw blades

The accuracy of the device and the level of its performance directly depend on the features listed above. However, there are other factors on which the convenience of working with a jigsaw depends. In the process of working with an electric jigsaw, each master is faced with replacing the saw blade. The most common shank type is European or Bosch. It has a cross configuration. Such canvases can be bought in every store, this is their main feature.

Most often there are such methods of fastening the canvas:

  • front fastening in electric jigsaw
  • quick-clamping fastening in an electric jigsaw.

In more budget options the block, tightened with two screws, clamps the canvas with a cut. These screws are in the frontal plane. This system has high compatibility, but is inferior in other respects. For example, crooked fasteners can cause misalignment. If this happens, you need to carry out additional wedging. The impact of the saw on the workpiece with the butt end causes the front shoe to break in half or the threads of the screws to be stripped. Such problems can arise from illiterate handling of the tool.

The most convenient are electric jigsaws equipped with a system of quick-clamping fastening of the blade.

The essential difference from “regular cartridges” is that there is no versatility. Only blades with the same shank are suitable, in addition there is a backlash. However, often this does not play a big role, because the choice of paintings is simply huge. because there are so many paintings. The disadvantage of quick-release locks is the limited thickness of the blades. Inserting the canvas in such jigsaws is quite easy.

Fastening the blade in electric jigsaws with the method of fastening on locks implies the following sequence of work:

  • open protective screen devices
  • turn the lever located on the rod to insert the web
  • after lowering the lever, you need to smoothly move the file into the clamp. However, it is worth considering that the file must have a thickness corresponding to the slot.

In order to insert the canvas into the device with a screw fastening system, you need to do the following:

An electric jigsaw is a very popular tool and is available to almost every craftsman. Currently, a large number of jigsaw blades are being made that can easily handle not only wood, but also many other materials. In order to figure out what kind of jigsaw files exist, 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 with high quality. They are rather intended for rough work, during which the quality of the work performed does not matter. of great importance. Therefore, for narrowly focused activities, you will have to choose a canvas that meets your requirements. Cloths differ not only in characteristics, but also in appearance. There are saws for wood, saws for metal, as well as for drywall, ceramics and so on. When choosing a canvas important criterion is the tooth pitch. In Russia, it is customary to consider the gap between the tops of the teeth, which is denoted by the letter t, as a step. In a number of other countries, the pitch is the number of teeth per inch of blade, which is abbreviated as TPI. Therefore, when choosing a step, you should pay attention to the markings (inscriptions on the side) and only after that draw conclusions. In addition to the pitch, the width of the file is an important criterion. Width affects the speed and quality of the cut. When sawing complex lines, it is worth choosing narrow blades that are much easier to control and create different cut lines. It is desirable that five to eight teeth are involved in the operation of the 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

Consider the types of markings indicating the material of manufacture of the web:

  1. HSS. Means that the file is made of hardened steel, which can be operated at high speeds. These blades are widely used for cutting durable surfaces, including metals of various densities. Despite the impressive rigidity, steel files often break, so they must be operated with special care.
  2. HIM. A canvas with such an inscription is used for cutting tiles and tiles, as they have a high margin of safety.
  3. HCS. Such a tool is suitable for working with wood. Manufactured from high carbon steel, it is highly resilient. Suitable for all wood products.
  4. BIM. Cloths made of bimetallic alloy have absorbed all the best from the above models. It combines both strength and elasticity. Thanks to these technical characteristics, the blade can cut not only wood, but also a metal product.

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

In addition, there are many more markings for files:

  • the first digit "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 nine to fifteen centimeters long;
  • the first digit "7" means a very long file length of more than fifteen centimeters;
  • The letters (A,B,C,D) after the numbers indicate the size of the teeth.

Wood saw marking

Wood saws are marked as follows:

  • T101B is a short blade with small teeth that provides a smooth and neat seam.
  • The T101BR has a back tooth and is suitable for cutting materials with decorative surface. Such materials include laminate. The peculiarity of this canvas helps to avoid unwanted chips.
  • The T301CD is designed to work with material up to 6.5 centimeters thick.
  • T101AO file is designed for curly cutting.
  • T101BIF is a bimetal blade. It is used for cutting materials up to fifteen centimeters thick.
  • T101BRF bi-metal reverse toothed blade.
  • T144DP is a coarse toothed blade designed for fast and coarse sawing.

Marking for saw blades for metal is as follows:

  • T118A fine-tooth saw blade for precise sawing of small structures.
  • T318A is designed for cutting 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 distinguished by the following markings:

  • T118AHM stainless steel thin work blade,
  • T301CHM blade for fiberglass up to 6.5 cm thick,
  • T141HM blade for precise cutting of drywall,
  • T101A organic glass cutting blade,
  • T313AW blade for cutting cardboard and rubber up to 5 cm thick,
  • T150Riff is a specially designed blade that allows you to cut tiles and tiles.

Jigsaw blade for wood

Wood sawing 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 she has a large step between the teeth. The distance can be up to four millimeters. When compared with other types of canvases, the difference is noticeable to the naked eye. Wood sawing can also be different. They differ from each other in the working length of the tooth and the pitch. Such differences allow you to ideally choose the canvas for specific type wood. In connection with such a variety, the question arises of how to choose a blade for a wood jigsaw. In this case, you need to prioritize, since the canvases are divided into two main categories: a quick cut and an even seam. The larger the teeth of the blade, the faster the wood can be sawn, but this may not result in a neat seam. Therefore, you will have to sacrifice something or choose the golden mean. 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 blanks, wood sheets with the inscription T244D or T344D are suitable. For finer work and a neat seam, the T101B model is suitable. This model is often used for furniture factories for the implementation of the clean. Using such a canvas, the cut is smooth and without nicks. With it, you can cut even thick wood, but it will take a very long time. When cutting a laminate or parquet, the presence of chips, torn seams or notches is unacceptable. The seam should be perfectly even, without visible defects. You can do this work with a wood file with a reverse tooth. In extreme cases, you can use T101B, but before that, paste over the cut 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 dense canvas. The density of the blade must be higher than the density of the material being cut. But the whole problem is that dense materials crack and break very quickly. Therefore, bimetallic blades are used for cutting metal. Due 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 tile or tile file looks very recognizable. It is simply impossible to confuse it with other canvases. The fact is that this file is completely devoid of teeth. Instead of the usual teeth, the blade has a tungsten carbide coating that cuts tiles and other stone surfaces well.

Files for a figured cut

Jigsaw files for curly cutting are easily recognizable by the presence of fine teeth. Such canvases are specially produced very narrow. This is done so that the canvas can easily pass through any turns and at the same time not bite into the wood. Jigsaw blades for figured cutting on wood can be recognized not only by external signs, but also by the applied markings. On such canvases, the marking always begins with the letter "O".

Jigsaw blade manufacturers

When choosing a file, it is necessary to pay attention to a number of indicators, while the manufacturing company has great value. On the shelves of stores 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. All this is very attractive, but there is one problem. Canvases from China are not of good quality. They constantly grind, overheat and burst. Therefore, it will be cheaper to buy a quality canvas once and use it for a long time.

Jigsaw equipment

Most manufacturers are constantly working on improving their tools and developing additional equipment for their device. Among these additions, one can note a system that helps to avoid chips on the upper surface of the material. This issue is especially relevant when cutting materials with a decorative surface (laminate, parquet, facing board). Also a very useful addition is a circular cutter and parallel stop. Thanks to the parallel stop, you can cut an unlimited number of one-dimensional rails without much effort. The circular cutter allows you to cut a perfect circle of various 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 the blade in the jigsaw

The file is installed in a special slot and securely fastened with clamps. There are a huge number of jigsaws on the market, while some manufacturers make certain features in 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 that loosens the clamps with one movement and allows you to remove the blade without any problems.
  2. After the clamps are loosened, you need to take the file and insert its tail into a special hole.
  3. Now left The final stage which includes an adjusting screw clamp.
  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 blade tails

Cruciform tail or there is another name T-shaped. This name was obtained due to the visual similarity with the letter "T". With this type of ponytail, there are a wide variety of canvases, ranging from canvases for wood to tile files. The U-tail also got its name from its shape. A very rare type of canvas that fits only the American instrument. In addition, there are conical and submersible tails, but it makes practically no sense to consider them, since in Russia the predominant part of the market was occupied by canvases with a “T” shaped tail. The remaining models are practically not used, as there is no suitable tool. Any type of ponytail is securely fastened in an electric jigsaw suitable for it. Therefore, the difference lies solely in the form.

Manual and electric jigsaws have long "taken root" among home craftsmen. These are very useful devices that will allow you to accurately and accurately cut almost any material of various thicknesses and configurations. But before proceeding with the work, it is necessary that the jigsaw file is correctly selected. However, it is quite difficult to make the right decision right away. This is due not only to a large selection, but also to a huge number of types of canvas.

Some general information

If you have a jigsaw and no files, then this is a useless tool. If you have a whole set of files, then you can cut almost any material. No need to think that the jigsaw is designed to work only with metal or plastic products. While you might say that it makes sense to have both manual and automatic tools, you'll see why in a bit. With proper skill, you can make straight and figured cuts on chipboard, ceramics, metal, and so on. But it is worthwhile to understand that for each type of material there is a jigsaw file. For example, the BOSCH product range includes a wide variety of blades that can work with plywood, plastic, etc. Of course, each material has a different thickness, density, hardness, and other parameters, which imposes certain requirements on the quality of the blade steel.

Jigsaw blades

It is quite logical that without a file you will not be able to perform the work you need. Today, all blades for hand tools are divided into two large groups:

  • for woodworking;
  • for metal work.

Each of these groups is divided into subgroups. For example, a canvas for wood can be for quick cutting. This is one of the most common and popular files. Its peculiarity is that such a canvas can process a large amount of material at high speed. For example, with such a file it is not a problem to cut a workpiece with a diameter of 20 cm. However, this tool leaves behind a significant number of defects, so it is advisable to use it only for auxiliary work or the construction of buildings.

But files for a manual jigsaw of a clean cut allow you to get a high-quality surface. This is achieved due to the large number of small teeth, as a result of which the cut is smooth and practically free of defects. However, in this case, the maximum diameter of the workpiece should not exceed 7.5 cm. There are also files for laminate. They have a unique arrangement of teeth that do not leave any marks behind.

Blade for working with metal

It is one thing to process a material such as wood, quite another - metal. Please note that the wood blade is not suitable for cutting metal sheets. But learning to distinguish files from each other is extremely simple. The jigsaw file for metal has a blue shank, which is the main distinguishing feature. The teeth are very fine, allowing you to work with sheets with a thickness of 6 mm.

Today, combined canvases are increasingly being sold. According to the manufacturers, they are well suited for working with wood and metal. But we can say with confidence that this is not the best solution, since the work performed is somewhat difficult and stretched over time. In any case, a jigsaw blade for metal must be made of high-quality material.

Electric, desktop and manual jigsaws

It should be understood that, despite the same purpose, the files for this tool have fundamental differences. For example, the blade for a manual jigsaw is quite thin and long, and is also attached on both sides. In a jigsaw, it is shorter and thicker, and also has a completely different installation method. If the tool is manual, then you should always have several spare files. This is due to their fragility. They break really often and at the most inopportune moment.

There are also saws for The tool itself is stationary and great for cutting wood. The canvas in this case is more similar to that used in a hand tool. However, it is less brittle, so it breaks less often. Such files are designed for workpieces with a maximum diameter of 4 cm for wood and 0.2 cm for metal products.

Jigsaw saw blade marking

Special designations on the canvas can say a lot. Firstly, this way you can find out what material the product is made of. By the way, this is very important, especially when performing responsible work. For example, if HCS is written on the body, this means that the blade is made of and is intended for cutting soft materials, in particular wood, chipboard, plastic, etc. But, for example, the inscription HSS indicates that the file Made from high speed hardened steel. It is a hard, but at the same time quite brittle material that can be used to work with both aluminum and steel of small thickness.

But the marking of BIM jigsaw files means that the blade is bimetallic. Basically, it is a combination of HCS and HSS. Such a file has improved properties, but also a high cost. The HM stamp means that such a blade can be used for particularly hard materials, for example, cutting ceramic tiles, etc. In principle, it is not so difficult to understand the marking, if you remember this, then choosing the appropriate blade will be extremely simple.

Learn more about making the right choice

When buying, you should always pay attention to the blade shank. Naturally, it has only one mount, unlike a manual saw. Although today the world famous company Bosch produces with two stops. In any case, it is advisable to first read the instructions, where it will be written what is suitable for your tool. For example, the Makita company produces jigsaws with a mount that is fundamentally different from other models. At both ends there are specially sawn circles of various diameters. Naturally, you can no longer put a file with a different type of fastening on a jigsaw.

You need to understand that the canvas can have a different length. For wood cutting, this is usually 51-126 mm, for metal - up to 106 mm. The choice should be based on the thickness of the workpiece to be machined. The thicker it is, the longer the canvas should be. For example, to perform a figured cut on wood, thin jigsaw files are used. They are quite fragile, but give more opportunities to the operator.

Canvas for laminate flooring

Today, many people say that an exceptionally clean cut is needed to process a parquet board or laminate. Someone may advise using almost a diamond-coated canvas. However, the price of such a tool is very high, for a set of 5 files you will have to pay several thousand rubles. In principle, sometimes the jigsaw itself can cost so much.

So, it is not at all necessary to purchase an overly expensive tool. A blade is usually sufficient for a clean cut. Of course, there will be a chip of about 1-2 mm. However, in most cases, the laminate is closed with skirting boards that are much larger than the chip. For this simple reason, do not overpay once again. When buying jigsaw blades for laminate, pay attention to the quality of the product. Many modern canvases burn very strongly when working with wood, chipboard and laminate. Therefore, make a purchase with a small margin.

Something about the shape of the teeth

The blade tooth configuration determines the capabilities of the tool. A large number of small teeth improves the quality of the cut, but significantly reduces the speed. If there are few teeth and they are large, then such a cut will be extremely sloppy, but very fast. Conventionally, according to the shape of the teeth, the saw blade can be divided into the following groups:

  • Diluted (milled) - used for cutting soft materials such as wood and plastic, as well as non-ferrous metals. The wiring contributes to the fact that excessive heat does not accumulate, and sawdust is removed from the cut and the blade.
  • Wavy (milled) - used for clean cutting of aluminum, soft materials (wood, plastic) and non-ferrous metals. The wiring in this case is performed in groups, that is, several teeth in a row in one direction.
  • Tapered (ground) is a good solution for getting clean cuts in wood and plastic. The non-working edge is polished. These are typical jigsaw blades for laminate.
  • Ground, set teeth are one of the best solutions for rough cuts in wood, chipboard, blockboard, etc.

Web width and thickness

When choosing, it is extremely important to pay attention to the width of the file. Not only the quality, but also the speed of the work performed depends on this parameter. If the canvas is wide, then it will be not only stable, but also more durable, and will practically not deviate from the intended plane. Of course, this is also high-speed cutting, do not forget about it. At the same time, narrow files provide good maneuverability compared to wide ones. The location of the teeth on the axis of the jigsaw drive allows you to better follow the intended plane with minimal deviations.

Thickness is also not the last parameter that makes sense to pay attention to. Blades that are too thin cannot ensure the proper perpendicularity of the cut. In addition, the thicker the file, the higher its stability.

Something else

You probably know that the blade teeth must be harder than the material being processed. So, to perform work on cutting glass, ceramics, metal and stone, you will need special files. The main requirement is increased strength. It is best to use bimetallic sheets for such purposes, which are 1/3 hardened steel and 2/3 high-carbon steel. The service life of such files is quite large, so they will pay off with interest. In addition, the risk of a sudden breakdown here is much lower than in the classic versions. But since choosing a jigsaw file is not difficult, and you already know how to do it, you will not have problems choosing the appropriate bimetallic blade.

Conclusion

If we talk about manufacturers who have proven themselves well, then these are Bosch, Makita and Praktika. Files of these companies are famous all over the world for their high quality and excellent performance properties. If you are not afraid to spend an extra 200 rubles, then buy canvases of these brands, and you will not regret anything. Do not forget that all files have their purpose, use for other purposes is unlikely to lead to the expected results. The jigsaw is a high-speed tool, so securely fasten the blade and try to work with goggles and gloves. In principle, we examined the main types of jigsaw files. Now you know that there are canvases for wood, metal, as well as combined ones for other materials. Paying attention to the labeling of the product and the way it is attached, you will definitely make the right choice.

What kind of saw blades exist and how to choose the best option for a particular case, every craftsman who has this tool in his household should know.

There are many factors influencing the choice of cutting blade: the material to be sawn, its thickness and density, the required cut quality, etc. In order not to make a mistake when buying, you should take into account the technical characteristics of the files, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of a particular model.

Cutting blade material

The first thing you need to pay attention to when choosing a file is the material from which it is made.

Each cutting blade of well-known manufacturers has its own marking. Knowing how to decipher it, you can easily determine whether the file is suitable for you for the upcoming work.

The marking indicating the material of manufacture of the canvas is as follows:

Table for the use of files.

  1. HCS. Such files are related to wood tools. They are made of high carbon steel, which has ductility and elasticity. They can cut wood, chipboard, plywood and plastic. When choosing such a canvas, you should pay attention not to its hardness, but to its flexibility.
  2. HSS. Hardened steel products that can be operated at high speeds. Used for processing durable materials, including metals of various densities. Despite all its rigidity, hardened steel is a rather brittle substance that must be handled with great care.
  3. BIM. Bimetal blades, which are made from a mixture of high carbon and hardened steel, due to which they have all the advantages of the first two types. Depending on the shape and size of the teeth, they can be used for both woodworking and metalworking.
  4. HIM. Manufactured from high-strength alloys, due to which they are characterized by high strength and rigidity. Mainly used for cutting ceramic tiles.

The color of the file can also indicate the material of manufacture and the purpose of the file:

  • white (BIM) - for cutting wood and metal;
  • gray (HCS or BIM) - for processing wood and materials based on it;
  • blue (BIM or HSS) - for cutting metal;
  • black (HIM) - for special tasks (sawing ceramic tiles, durable steel, etc.).

Jigsaw saw blade marking

Files intended for working with wood are marked with the letters HCS.

On the tail of any cutting blade for a jigsaw there is a marking consisting of letters and numbers. The first is the letter "T" or "U", which indicates the type of fastening of the blade to the tool: T-shaped or U-shaped. It is followed by numbers indicating the length of the file:

  • 1 - short canvas (up to 7.5 cm);
  • 2 - standard cutting element (7.5-9.0 cm);
  • 3 - elongated file (9-15 cm);
  • 7 - a long file (more than 15 cm).

The longer the product, the thicker the workpiece can be cut with it.

The numbers are again followed by letters that indicate the size of the teeth:

  • A - the smallest teeth (perfect for cutting laminate);
  • B - larger teeth (used for processing wood, fiberboard, chipboard and plywood);
  • C and D are the largest teeth used for rough cutting.

Some manufacturers use two instead of one letter at the end (for example, T101BR). The second letter means:

  • O - for curly cutting;
  • R - with a reverse tooth (improves the quality of the cut);
  • F - bimetallic products (considered the most durable and reliable);
  • X - universal blade (they can cut both wood and metal);
  • P - thick files (used for corner cutting).

For example, the marking T118AF means that the selected model has a T-shaped mount and fine teeth, its length is up to 7.5 cm, the material of manufacture is bimetal.

Types of saw blades.

When choosing a cutting blade for a jigsaw, you need to know what material it will work with. This tool is able to cut not only wood and materials based on it (chipboard, fiberboard, plywood, etc.), but also plastic, slate, brick, metal and even tiles. At the same time, for each material being processed, there is its own type of saw, with which the jigsaw will work with best efficiency. There are also universal cutting blades that are equally well suited, for example, for wood and metal.

Wood saws. Depending on the purpose, such products are divided into two groups:

  • for fast cutting
  • for a clean cut.

If you are faced with the task of sawing a large amount of wood, while spending a minimum of time, then the best option would be a cutting blade with large teeth.

The larger the teeth, the faster the cut. However, as the speed of work increases, the cleanliness of the cut decreases, so here you need to choose between speed and quality.

If the speed of work is in the first place, then the best option would be a canvas marked T101D. With it, you can quickly cut wooden blank up to 7.5 cm thick, for thicker material, T244D or T344D is available.

For a clean cut good option is a file T101B. It is often used for professional purposes when assembling furniture and other jobs that require a quality cut. This product can also cut thick workpieces, but you will spend twice as much time on this than when using, for example, the T244D model.

Fabric on laminate. When laying laminate flooring, it is important that the cut is free of burrs. This can be achieved with the T101BR file, which is equipped with a reverse tooth. However, if you don’t have this model at hand, and you need to cut the laminate with something, you can get by with the usual T101B blade. Only in this case, before starting work, it is recommended to paste over the place of the intended cut with ordinary adhesive tape, which will protect the processed material from chips, burrs and other defects.

Metal saws. They have small teeth and a blue tail. If you work with metal 3 mm thick, buy a T118A file. It is also suitable for cutting plastic. For thicker material, the T123X blade is recommended, and for aluminum, the T227D blade.

Tile saws. They are marked T150RIFF or T130RIFF. Instead of teeth, their cutting part is carbide coating. You need to know that it is recommended to use a jigsaw for cutting tiles only in extreme cases, since the work will be slow and dusty. In the absence of a specialized tool for cutting tiles, it is better to use a conventional glass cutter.

Blade shape

For various tasks a certain shape of the teeth is suitable, which differs not only in the type of sharpening, but also in the wiring method:

  1. Milled set teeth. This blade is perfect for cutting wood. Divorce is carried out by analogy with a conventional hand saw. This allows you to slightly expand the cut, thereby preventing overheating and jamming of the tool in the thickness of the tree.
  2. Milled teeth with wave setting. In this case, not a single, but a group wiring is performed (for example, 4-6 teeth each). These blades are used for cutting metal.
  3. Ground teeth without setting. Ideal for fine cutting. This canvas makes it possible to achieve High Quality cut in wood, laminate and plastic.
  4. Grinded set teeth. Such a product is used for fast cutting, when there are no special requirements for the quality of the cut.

Jigsaw blade manufacturers

To choose the right file for an electric jigsaw, you need to pay attention not only to the technical specifications and product labeling, but also to the manufacturer. In the construction equipment market, cutting blades are presented in a wide range of European, domestic and Chinese models.

Chinese files are not of the best quality, they wear down quickly and overheat. Their only advantage is their low cost. However, it will be cheaper and easier to pick up one high-quality canvas for 300-400 rubles than to purchase a set of 20-30 Chinese products for 150-200 rubles. But, if you still need to cut, but there is no file at hand, you can sharpen the old one.

The most popular and reliable saw blades for electric jigsaws are products from Makita, Bosch and Praktika.

A few useful tricks for working with a jigsaw:

Lobzik what is it? - history reference

The popular makita jigsaw had a predecessor that was completely undeservedly forgotten. The manual jigsaw was replaced by laser cutting, electric jigsaw, milling.
A manual jigsaw can cut wood, plywood, plastic, ceramics, sheet metal. Previously, in schools, at labor lessons, children practiced cutting homemade products with a jigsaw - frames, shelves, dolls and other homemade products. There was no time for gadgets ...

Jigsaw design

A jigsaw is an arc, U-shaped (1), at the ends of which are clamping screws (4). A handle (3) is attached to the lower end of the jigsaw. Between the ends of the arc of the jigsaw, with the help of clamping screws, a file (2) is fixed, which is installed with some tension (until it rings).
A jigsaw with a wooden arc has a third screw - a tension screw, which serves to tension the file between the ends of the arcs, since a jigsaw with a wooden arc does not have sufficient elasticity to pull the file to working condition.

Jigsaw blades (a, b, c) are made of high quality carbon steel. but despite this, sawing with a jigsaw is a rather painstaking work that requires patience and attention. Slightly hurried and trine! You need to put in a new saw blade.

What can be done with a jigsaw?

The modern jigsaw has supplanted manual jigsaw from many fields of activity, but if you need an accurate, curvilinear cut - a regular, manual jigsaw is not replaceable.
In jewelry production, craftsmen still use a jigsaw

for sawing complex figures out of gold and silver. Cutting various shapes for handicrafts with a jigsaw from plywood and wood is a great hobby, hands are busy and nerves are like ropes.


Properly selected components make the work of any tool more convenient and enjoyable. Perhaps the most significant working element of the jigsaw is the saw blade. This consumable can turn the sawing process into an even and neat song, or vice versa, reduce the work to a crooked and gnawed nonsense. To save yourself from possible unpleasant situations and choose the canvas that is optimal for your purposes, it is useful to know their types and features. Jigsaw files, at first glance, may seem too diverse, but after reading this article, you will understand that their classification is simple and very convenient.

Deciphering the marking

To date, there are several standards for saw blades, each of which is assigned to a specific brand. Bosh files are the most popular in Europe. In second place is Makita. The third is shared by Festool, Hitachi and others. Since the marking of saw blades for the Bosch standard jigsaw is the most common, we will analyze it in more detail.



As you can see in the image above, the alphanumeric designations of the saw blade have their place and meaning. For a clearer disclosure of the overall picture, let's talk about each character in a nutshell.

Shank type can have several different variations, which must be considered by owners of jigsaws with quick-release fastening. If your tool has a shoe or screw clamp, you can install a blade with any shank into it.

saw blade length is selected based on the tasks and can exceed 150 mm. Choosing long file, it is important to understand the power of your jigsaw, since not every tool is designed to work with thick materials. Also, a blade that is too long, when working with a relatively thin material, will vibrate strongly, which will significantly reduce the quality of the cut. Most optimal length for standard household jigsaws on wood, is 75 mm. This indicator is due to the fact that such models will not be able to master thicker material.


Tooth size affects the quality and speed of cutting. If you are working with decorative or facing materials, it is better to choose a file with the smallest teeth (A). So the work will be much more accurate, albeit noticeably slower. For quick and rough sawing of boards, chipboard and similar materials, it is recommended to use blades with a larger tooth (B, C, D). Determine whether to sacrifice speed or quality should be based on the tasks.

Special Options indicate the features of the saw blade and have a direct impact on the quality of certain types of work. Briefly about each parameter:
  • F - Bimetallic. Sufficiently flexible blade with very strong teeth, which is a symbiosis of two metals. It is used for straight and figured cutting of metal and has increased wear resistance.
  • O - With a narrow back. Relatively thin jigsaw blade used for shaped sawing.
  • P - For a precise cut. Thick blade, resistant to bending during operation. Great for precise, even angled cuts.
  • X - Teeth with progressive pitch. Multipurpose blades suitable for cutting wood, plastic and metal. For its versatility, they pay with the quality of the cut, which leaves much to be desired.
  • R - Reversible (reverse) teeth. Unlike the standard direction, upwards, the teeth of the reversible blades are directed downwards. When working with a jigsaw with a similar file, chips are formed on the opposite side.

In addition to the standard European marking, which not all manufacturers adhere to, there is a single designation that can be found in the description of any saw blade.

saw blade material
Depending on the material being processed, saw blades can be made from the following steel grades:

  • CV - chrome vanadium steel. It is used in the production of saw blades for wood and its derivatives (plywood, fiberboard, chipboard and others).
  • HCS - alloy (carbon) steel. Suitable for cutting wood and plastic.
  • HSS - high speed steel. Used for cutting metals.
  • BM (Bi-Metal) - a bi-metal blade is a mixture of two steel grades (HCS and HSS), where the back of the file has an HCS alloy, and the teeth are HSS. Bi-metal blades are very strong and manoeuvrable, and can be used for straight and curved cuts in wood and metal.
  • HIM is an alloy based on tungsten carbide. Files made of steel of this grade are used to work with ceramics, foam blocks and similar materials.
In addition to dry technical data, the manufacturer can indicate a clear purpose of the saw blade. Often, information about the type of materials and type of work is indicated on the packaging, but there are times when these designations are written directly on the file. Below are variants of the most common verbal designations with an explanation.

For what material

  • Wood - Blades for plywood, chipboard, fiberboard and soft woods.
  • Hardwood - Blades for sawing dense woods and laminates.
  • Metal - For working with ferrous metals.
  • Alu - For cutting aluminium.
  • Inox - For stainless steel.
  • Fiber&Plaster - For cutting polymer products.
  • Soft-material - A versatile blade for working with metals, plastics and wood.
Working purpose
  • Basic - A file with an average cut quality. The best option for everyday use at home.
  • Clean - A blade for making a clean cut.
  • Speed ​​- For rough but fast cuts.
  • Flexible - Flexible saw blade for working with metal.

Types of jigsaw files

The variety of saw blades today is beyond the comprehension of the average user. Jigsaw saws are divided according to dimensions, tooth pitch, types of cutting edges and other parameters that are completely alien and uninteresting to most buyers. At the same time, everyone wants to work with an optimally tuned tool and get the result of proper quality. To briefly and clearly explain to you how to choose a jigsaw file, we have divided them into the most popular materials.

Jigsaw blades for wood


Sawing of wood and its derivatives is carried out with blades of steel grades CV, HCS and BM. The size of the teeth depends on the type of material being processed and the requirements for the quality of the cutting line:

A and B are blades with the smallest teeth. Used for clean cutting of laminate.
C - medium teeth with the corresponding cut quality. Popular for working with chipboard, fiberboard, plywood and wood.
D is the maximum length of the tooth. Used for quick but rough sawing of chipboard and wood.
For straight cuts in decorative materials (coated board or laminate), the T101BR (medium reversible teeth) is suitable.

Timber or thick wood is best sawed with a T344C blade (long with large teeth). The size of the file should be selected based on the thickness of the material being cut.

The main qualities that a chipboard file for a jigsaw should have is a small length (up to 75 cm), class A or B teeth with an average pitch of 2-3 mm.

Figured sawing is best done with a dense type T101BO (with medium-sized teeth and a thin back).

Jigsaw blades for metal

Sawing metal electric jigsaw, occurs with the use of files from the following steel grades: HSS and BM. Such cutting elements are characterized by a small tooth with a wave-like dilution (as on a hacksaw). Bimetal types of jigsaw blades (BM) have larger teeth that decrease towards the base.


For cutting sheet metal, 1-3 mm thick, a T118A file, up to 75 cm long, with a fine tooth, is suitable.

Thicker metal, up to 6 mm, is best sawed with an instance of T118B, the same length (up to 75 cm), but with larger teeth.

Pipes or metal profiles, 1-3 mm thick, are conveniently sawn with blades of the T318A type (90-150 mm, with a fine tooth).

To work with very thin sheets(from 0.5 to 1.5), a jigsaw file for metal, brand T118G (up to 75 cm, with a microscopic tooth) is suitable.

Files for plastic


To work with a jigsaw with PVC products, blades from the following steel grades are used: CV, HCS, HSS and BM. Here, special files for plastic (Fiber & Plaster), and ordinary ones, for wood or metal, are suitable. When working with this material, it is better to give preference to large teeth (B, C, D). If, however, only files with fine teeth are available, it is recommended to set the minimum stroke speed on the tool, since heated plastic filings can seriously clog the cutting part.

It is better to cut thick plastic with a bi-metal blade T101BF (up to 75 cm, medium-sized tooth). The speed in this case should be below average.

Plexiglas and plastic sheets can be cut quite confidently with a fine-toothed metal file T101A.

Ceramic jigsaw blade

The brittle structure of ceramics differs significantly from flexible metal and fibrous wood. To cut such material, special blades are required, which differ from the usual ones in the absence of teeth, in place of which, tungsten carbide or diamond coating is applied. Jigsaw blade for tiles, made of carbide material, with the designation “HM”.


In most cases, the specimens presented in stores are made of tungsten carbide alloy and can only cope with wall tiles. There are stronger, diamond jigsaw blades for stone that can cut floor tiles.
When working with an electric jigsaw with ceramics, it should be understood that this tool is not intended for such material. This device, it is better to use for curly cuts, and for straight lines - a tile cutter or a grinder.

For cardboard

Jigsaw blades for cardboard, rubber, foam and other soft materials, has a wavy cutting part, without any teeth. When working, the file does not crumble or tear the material, but smoothly and accurately divides it into even parts.

Great for cutting carpet and is much cheaper than professional scissors.

The best jigsaw files

A variety of various brands allows us to make the best choice for the budget, the choice of saw blade. Among the offered products you can find consumables of different quality. If you talk about which jigsaw files are better, you can select several manufacturers: Bosh, Makita and Matabo.

The most common, with a quality that exceeds the price, are the original paintings of the Bosh brand, of any classification. Jigsaw blades of this brand have perfect performance and are very easy to use. Unfortunately, among the offers, there are often low-quality fakes that create a false impression of this company. Fortunately, there are several proven ways to distinguish a fake jigsaw file from the original.

  1. Counterfeiting is made by stamping from a large sheet of metal, as a result of which one of the sides of the saw blade has slightly rounded edges. Bosch original saw blades are perfectly sharpened on all sides.
  2. Poor quality metal with corrosion and defects indicates a defective product.
  3. The inscriptions and emblems on the file must be clear, without blurry contours. If the print on the file is lopsided and blurred, then you have a fake in front of you.
Learn about distinctive features fake saw blades in more detail, you can from the video below.

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