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

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

Marking

To choose the right file, you need to know features types of products. 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 are not professionally engaged in repairs and cannot determine the purpose of a particular nozzle due to external characteristics.

The main part of the information that is needed for the correct choice is located on the tail of the file. It includes letters and numbers. Each of the symbols carries specific information.

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

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

The second sign indicates the length of the canvas, which is produced:

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

To find out the material for which the file is intended for cutting, you need to pay attention to the shank color.

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

In addition, the abbreviation on the neck indicates the type of blade steel.

Distinguish:

• HM- hard metal alloys;
• HCS (CV)- steel products with a high carbon content;
• HSS- steel that cuts quickly;
• CV- chrome and vanadium steel;
• BM (BiM)- a combination of carbide and high speed steel.

The last combination is the strongest and most durable.

There are also versatile blades that can be used when cutting any material. However, it will be difficult to cut out various shapes with such a blade, therefore, a set of a large number of files is required for professional activities.

Materials (edit)

Generally speaking, all canvases are made from metal alloys. To cut softer materials, they simply release metal blades. If it is necessary to cut the metal, then the technology of fusion of several components is used to increase the strength of the product.

There are materials that are super durable. These include ceramic tiles, porcelain stoneware and granite, decorative rock... For their accurate and high-quality cutting, non-standard solutions are needed, since they are very durable and prickly easily. That's why jigsaw blades are produced with special spraying or soldering from hard alloys.

So, cover cutting edge 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 graininess. The higher it is, the easier it is to make a high-quality and accurate cut.

There are some general rules for all types of materials. A straight cut can be made with a wide blade. If it is supposed to perform curly cutting, then it is better to choose the canvas a little narrower.

However, cutting with an electric jigsaw of hard materials (porcelain stoneware), in any case, the process is long. That's why this device justifies its use only for curly cutting of parts.

Appointment

These products are also distinguished by the material that they can cut.

Canvases are produced by:

• 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 practically nothing to ordinary users. The simplest and most understandable is the difference in purpose. That is, the difference between canvases in materials that can be cut with them.

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

There is also a file modification for cutting cardboard. It has a rather unusual wavy blade without teeth. When working, the blade smoothly divides the material into parts.

This option works for others as well. soft materials:

• rubber;
• foam;
• carpet.

The most suitable for them is considered a blade marked T101BR. The middle teeth of this blade help prevent material damage in areas along the cut.

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

Sawing metal constructions, you need to know that steel files BM and HSS 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, up to 0.6 cm with T118B. When the metal is very thin (up to 0.15 cm), then the blade is taken with microscopic teeth, with the designation T118G.

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

When it comes to PVC, it is used as special files for processing plastic materials, as well as conventional products for wood or metal. A smooth cut will be obtained when using a blade with large teeth, since the crumb from the plastic heated by friction can fill the working part of the file. The speed of the jigsaw itself is best kept to a minimum. The steel grade of the blade can be either CV or HCS or HSS.

Thicker surfaces are easier to cut with a medium-toothed, short-cut blade - T101BF.

Plexiglass is cut well with a fine-toothed T101A metal file.

An important element repairs are and ceramic products... They have a very fragile structure, so the use of a toothed file is not possible. In such cases, a special blade is needed, which, instead of teeth, has an abrasive spraying of diamond chips.

Tungsten carbide tipped fixtures can also be used, but they are only suitable for thin wall tiles. Cutting them into tiles will be ineffective. In the marking of such a file, the letters HM must be present.

If necessary (in the absence of a grinder), concrete coatings, blocks or stone can 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 versatile blade that is convenient for making more than just rough cuts wooden surfaces up to 5 cm in thickness, but also sawing steel, plastic and soft metals.

Dimensions (edit)

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

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

But there are also features of the canvases. different widths... This parameter determines the amount by which the blade deviates from the perpendicular during cutting. The wider the file, the more deviation it gives.... Therefore, wide options for a jigsaw tip are used for straight cutting, and thin ones for curly cutting. In addition, the peculiarities of the tip of the blade often do not allow it to be fixed in the self-clamping mechanism of the tool.

Ponytail shape

According to this indicator, you can determine which brand of technology and the type of clamping mechanism of an electric jigsaw the file is suitable for.

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

The U-shaped shank is the know-how of American craftsmen. In the equipment that is sold on our market, such a shank is suitable for old models of jigsaws, as well as for units with clamping shoe and screw types.

The ends of the saw blade like Makita and Bosch fit the equipment of the same manufacturers, respectively.

Geometric parameters of the teeth

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

The geometry of the teeth is:

• diluted milled;
• wave-like milled;
• conical grinding;
• diluted polished.

The milled teeth in both directions, in turn, help the blade to avoid overheating. It is convenient to cut non-ferrous metals with such files.

With wave-like milling, the teeth in groups are bred smoothly, with a slightly greater inclination of each subsequent tooth, also alternately to the right and left. They are used for clean cuts (cuts with clean cut edges).

Tapered blades also provide clean cuts on plastic, wood, laminate.

Saws with diluted grinding of teeth are used when it is necessary to carry out a rough cut of materials such as fiberboard, chipboard and soft wood.

How to choose?

On the modern market there is big choice files for jigsaws. The canvases vary dramatically in both price and quality. Given the unsafe use of low quality files, it is advisable to purchase proven products. This can be selected according to the popularity of the brand. The policy of such companies is to maintain a positive reputation for products, so they only release reliable products on the market.

The best manufacturers of accessories for jigsaws are Makita, Bosch, and Matabo.... The best option for combining pricing and quality is the set of Bosch brand blades. Their canvases are very easy to use and have high level execution. Sadly, but the products of this manufacturer are also the most often counterfeited, so it is best to buy files in specialized building stores who can provide quality certificates for their goods.

However, counterfeit components can also be distinguished visually. For example, when corrosion or other damage is present on a product, there is no doubt that the web is counterfeit. Also, counterfeit can be identified along the edges of the product. The saws released "in the basements" have a rounded end on one side... Such a defect is obtained due to the process of stamping canvases from sheet metal... Real products will have the same rectangular ends on both sides.

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

Subtleties of operation

In order for the canvas to serve as long as possible, it must be used and stored correctly. First of all, if the work is performed by a non-specialist, it is necessary 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. It is possible to determine the need for such manipulation by the deviation of the cutting angle from the guide (from 90 degrees to 45).

If the saw teeth are dull, they must be sharpened with a diamond file if the teeth are small, and with a medium or diamond file if they are large or medium.

How to choose files for a jigsaw, you will learn from the video below.

A manual jigsaw is a handy tool that allows you to cut not only wood, but also other materials. To obtain a high-quality cut without unnecessary loss of time, you need to install such a file that will ideally cope with the task at hand. Therefore, you need to know the characteristics of the product and be able to choose the right jigsaw files.

Shank type

The shape of the part of the saw, the shank, inserted into the jigsaw, determines how it is clamped in the tool.

T-shaped files are ubiquitous.They are suitable for most modern models jigsaws for wood, such as tools developed by BOSCH, a trendsetter in this field. In jargon, they are called "European type".

In American models (DeWalt, Black & Decker), files are used, in which the tail ends with a semicircular cut resembling the letter U. These shanks fit all clamps with a shoe or a screw. In jargon - "American type".

There are still special Makita shanks and T-shaped "Boshevskie" shanks, but with two stops. They are suitable only for old models of jigsaws of these companies and, rather, are rarities.

Tooth shape

The width and cleanliness of the cut, as well as the suitability of the saw for cutting specific materials, depends on the method of sharpening and setting the teeth of a jigsaw on wood. There are 4 categories.

The first category includes milled files with a regular pattern. The classic divorce is an alternate bending of the teeth in different sides... An ordinary saw or hacksaw has such a divorce. It gives a wide kerf and high cutting speed, but does not provide cleanliness. top scores obtained by quickly cutting all types of wood, plastics and even metals.

The second category is milled with a "wave" pattern. The teeth are not set one at a time, but in groups of several. The amount of spread is different for each tooth in the group, so the cutting edge looks like a wave. Such a file provides good cutting quality; it is used for different materials when it is necessary to obtain an even and smooth cut without chips.

Next are the files with ground teeth and the classic alternate setting. They feature high cutting speeds and a wide kerf that is better than the milled version. Their purpose is fast, but high-quality cutting of wood and materials based on it (chipboard, fiberboard).

Finally, there is the category of jigsaw blades for wood without divorce with conical teeth grinding. The lack of streak produces a clean and thin cut, but is not suitable for fast, rough cuts. Used for finishing wood and polymers.

Tooth pitch

The pitch is the distance between the two nearest saw blade teeth. It is measured in millimeters and denoted by the letter t. The t3 marking means a tooth pitch of 3 mm. But often when marking this parameter, not the step (distance) itself is used, but the inverse value - a figure showing the number of teeth per one inch of the length of the blade. The common designation is TPI. The higher the TPI, the more frequently the teeth are located and, therefore, the smaller the pitch.

According to this parameter, jigsaw blades for wood are divided by type of work:

• TPI = 4–7 (t = 3.5–6.5) is suitable for rough cross cuts;
• ordinary carpentry work - TPI = 7-9 (t = 2.5-3.5);
• high quality cuts - TPI = 9–13 (t = 2).

When choosing the appropriate step, you need to pay attention to the thickness of the material being processed. In the process of cutting, 5-7 teeth should be involved. With a thin material and a large tooth pitch, the blade will vibrate and tear the cutting edge.

Canvas dimensions

It is not only the size and shape of the cutting edge that determines the capabilities of jigsaw saws. The geometric characteristics of the web itself also affect the speed and quality of work. Plus, its dimensions must be selected based on the type and dimensions of the material being processed.

Length

The lengths of the jigsaw blades are in the range 40–250 mm. When choosing a specific length of a jigsaw file, you need to take into account the thickness of the material in the work. It is clear that for cutting thick wooden blanks a long file is required for jigsaw on wood. But if you cut thin sheet materials with a long blade, then due to the possible bending of the metal, it is difficult to get an even cut.

Note! Working with long canvases, it should be understood that the power of the jigsaw affects the working cutting depth.

Width

You need to select the width of the saw blade based on the type of work to be done. For simple cuts where a straight and even edge is required, wide saw blades are used. A narrow blade can walk during work, and a straight cut line will not work.

But with curly sawing of varying degrees of difficulty, you need to choose narrow jigsaw blades. It is easier to guide them to the side by drawing curved lines.

Thickness

For sawing thin sheet materials, the thickness of the saw blade does not have of great importance... But when working with thick workpieces, this size affects the quality of the sawn off surface. When working, thin blades will deviate from the perpendicular line, and the cut will turn out to be uneven. The thicker the web, the more even the cut it provides. But there is one caveat - too thick canvas is not suitable for all models of jigsaws. Jigsaws equipped with quick-clamping devices may not be suitable for thick blades.

What does the marking on the files mean?

Even knowing all the intricacies of choosing a suitable jigsaw saw and having determined the necessary parameter values ​​for yourself, you can get confused among the many products offered. Do not go to the store with a ruler and a caliper, measuring the dimensions of each blade and the pitch of the teeth!

On files from well-known manufacturers, various markings must be applied, giving approximate information about the parameters of this product... Of course, if you want to know the exact values, then you can measure it with a ruler. But it is better to do this not with every canvas, but with only one - pre-selected by marking.

There is no mandatory labeling standard. Most manufacturers of jigsaw saws adhere to the rules adopted by the BOSCH company. It is rare, but you can find markings that differ from these rules.

In accordance with BOSCH standards, alphanumeric markings are printed on the shank of the jigsaw blade. The first letter of the marking just denotes the type of shank: T-shaped or U-shaped.

The number following the letter refers to the length of the blade. But this is not the length itself, but the number of the corresponding length range.

1 - short files up to 75 mm long;

2 - average length: 75–90 mm;

3 - long: 90–150 mm;

4 - very long, more than 150 mm.

The next two numbers encrypt the purpose of the file (according to the manufacturers). This same information is usually present elsewhere on the saw blade in a more understandable way for the consumer.

The first letter following the numbers indicates the size of the teeth:

• A - small;
• B - medium;
• C and D are large.

The second letter (if any) gives Additional information about files that are somehow different from the usual ones.

F - especially durable material of manufacture, bimetal.

О - small width, for curly cutting.

P - large thickness.

R - reverse direction of the teeth.

X - teeth of variable size.

Important information about the purpose is duplicated by marking twice: the color of the shank and the words on the blade itself.

For wood - gray; the words Wood (plain wood) and HardWood (solid wood and laminate).

For metal - blue; the words Metal (metal), Alu (aluminum), Inox (stainless steel). Universal tool for wood and metal - white.

For polymer materials- Red color; the words Acrylic and Fiber & Plaster (fiberglass).

For other materials - black; for example Soft-material (soft materials - rubber, foam).

For ceramics - Ceramics.

In another place of the canvas, verbal information about the method of application and special properties (usually in letters of a smaller size than about the material of application) may be contained:

• basic - standard type of web;
• speed - for fast cutting;
• flexible - with "wave" type divorce;
• clean - without divorce, clean cut;
• progressor - variable tooth size;
• special - highly specialized application (ceramics, durable plastic, etc.)

On the neck of the file (between the shank and the blade itself), lettering is applied to the type of metal from which it is made:

• НМ - hard alloy;
• CV - chromium vanadium alloy;
• НSS - high speed steel;
• НСS - high carbon steel;
• ВМ or ВiМ is a particularly strong alloy.

Thus, by examining the markings on a jigsaw file, you can get comprehensive information about it.

Varieties of files for the intended purpose

The word "jigsaw" still evokes associations with wood. And although modern jigsaws are used with might and main for sawing plastics and metals, the main material for work is still wood and plywood. You also have to think more often about which canvases to choose for a jigsaw for wood.

By wood

For ordinary work on wood and its derivatives (plywood, chipboard, MDF), choose standard saws with a gray shank for simple or hard rocks. The dimensions of the blade, the setting and the size of the teeth are selected individually. But sometimes it is necessary to perform work that is different from ordinary sawing.

If speed is important, even to the detriment of the quality of the cut, then you need to choose long saws with large teeth and big step... A bigger divorce is also desirable.

If you need to get an even and smooth cut without chips, then they take canvases with a small divorce or without it at all. Teeth are medium to fine. Materials that have a finished side (laminate, chipboard) have to be cut upside down. If you want to see the cut from the front side, then the files must be selected with the opposite direction of the teeth (the last letter of the marking is R).

For an artistic cut, there should be a narrow blade no wider than 4 mm, small teeth and a short length. Compliance with these conditions will make it possible to carry out shaped cutting at small turning radii.

For metal

An electric jigsaw is still not the most suitable tool for cutting metal. But if necessary, he will cope if you choose the right file. The teeth of such files are very small and wavy-apart, the canvases are made of especially strong alloys, but they also quickly become dull. It is advisable to select files with markings exactly for the type of metal with which you have to work.

For polymeric materials

In the markings of the files there are designations just for working with such materials. Regular plastics and PVC products can also be sawn with saw blades on wood. In this case, the teeth should be chosen larger and with a large set. A fine tooth will not only cut but also melt the material. For plexiglass, it is better to choose a sheet for metal with a wavy pattern.

Manufacturers

BOSCH is considered the leader in the production of jigsaw saws. This is perhaps the only company that provides its tools with a complete range of saw blades. HITACHI and MAKITA are also popular, but sometimes they use the services of other manufacturers to make tools. From domestic files with good quality you can mark the goods "Ermak".

In general, the range of products is quite wide, but in order not to be mistaken, it is recommended to give preference to proven brands.

With the help of an electric jigsaw, curly and straight cuts are made when processing various materials - from wood to glass and steel. The tool itself is versatile, but this does not apply to jigsaw files. For each individual task you need 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

Nowadays, high demands are placed on the tool. 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:

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

Now in more detail about this.

Shank type

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

• T-shaped or "Boshevsky". It was Bosch who came up with the idea for its creation. As the company is a leader in its field, other manufacturers have also started to produce T-shank jigsaws, now these models have flooded the market.
• U-shaped. It is less common 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 instruments and "their" manufacturer.

Processing material

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

There are universal saw blades that handle both wood and metal with equal success, since there are large teeth on one side of the file, and small ones on the other. Curly processing and this blade will not provide a perfect cut. If abrasive particles are present in the material, as in gypsum or cement, the blades become blunt about such very quickly.

Here you need products with hard alloy soldering on the cutting part. Cardboard or rubber is cut with "toothless" saws that resemble knives. The cut is made with a wave and grinding.

Difference in tooth shape

In addition to the material, the files differ in the shape of the tooth... The possibility of use also depends on this. The teeth are as follows:

By width, thickness and pitch of teeth

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 speeds without deviations. If you need a well-cut curve, narrower files are also suitable, with which it is easy to make turns. The teeth should be located on the drive axis - this makes the tool more controllable.

The thickness determines how much the file will be deflected from the vertical. Thick canvases the best way provide a perpendicular straight 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 TPI ("teeth per inch") step designation is accepted. Measured by the number of teeth per inch of length. If the TPI is 5, for example, there are five teeth per inch of blade. For cross-cutting wood, it is more advisable to use a saw with TPI 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 saw cut will come out ragged.

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

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

The first letter indicates the type of shank:

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

After that, a number is put that 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 provides important additional information:

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

The shank color also says a lot:

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

The steel of the blade 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 indicate its purpose. If you have basic knowledge of the English language, there will be no difficulties in decoding 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 will accurately fulfill 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 the curly neat cutting to the masters.

Each master in the garage, in addition to a drill and a screwdriver, has a jigsaw. This tool is not very popular, unless you are engaged in making structures and crafts from boards. The electric jigsaw isn't just for woodworking, however. Depending on the work performed by the tool, a distinction is made between the corresponding jigsaw blades. What they are, and how they differ - all this is described in detail in the material.

Why choosing the right saw blades is important

Only when the right choice working attachments, you can achieve high efficiency, productivity and quality of work performed. The jigsaw is multifunctional cutting tool, which is designed for sawing sheet materials - wood, metal, ceramics, plastic and others. To work with these materials, the corresponding blades are installed in the jigsaw clamp.

The canvas is consumable, however, the process itself and the final result of the tool's work depend on the correct choice of a jigsaw file. To increase productivity and quality of work, you should select the appropriate jigsaw blades for each type of material. The number of files produced today is quite large, and therefore many questions often arise as to which canvases are the best and what to buy. This material will help you figure it out.

By what parameters are canvases classified

A jigsaw blade is like a drill bit for a drill. When choosing, you need to take into account a number of main criteria. These criteria depend on the classification of electric saw blades. jigsaws. The classification is as follows:

• Shank type
• Material from which the nozzle is made
• Tooth shape
• Length
• Nozzle width
• Tooth pitch
• File thickness

For all these parameters, jigsaw blades differ. What is a jigsaw blade for a power tool, and how they differ from a manual jigsaw is understandable. We will understand in more detail with all types of files according to their classification further.

Types of shanks for jigsaws

Initially, we will pay attention to the design of the shanks on the blades. If you are using one tool, you probably do not know that there are different types of file holder devices. It depends on the manufacturer of the tool. According to the design of the shanks, the nozzles are of the following forms:

• The T-bar is the most common design option developed by Bosch. This type of shank is present not only on the tools of this company, but also on most other brands of jigsaws.
• The U-type is a rare type of shank in Europe as it is an American invention. Suitable for outdated instrument models of brands such as Black & Decker, Skil, Ryobi and others. To do this, the jigsaw must have a saw holder with a screw and collet clamp.
• Two-hole - this type of shank is extremely rare today. These blades were used on the very first models of Makita tools.
• Double T-shaped or with two stops - these files are also extremely rare today. They were developed by Bosch and are double T-shaped. However, they did not gain popularity due to the complexity of the design of the saw holder, so today they are found in the form of a rarity.
• L-shaped is another type of mount that is used on Peugeot jigsaws.

Today, only the first two types of shanks are found on jigsaw blades. To find out which tool blade you need, you should look at the instructions or technical description on the Internet for the corresponding brand and model of the tool. You can also clarify the type of holder by disassembling it. If your tool has a rare saw holder design for which it is impossible to find blades, then this can be fixed by replacing the stem. The video material describes what types of file shanks are, and how they differ.

It is interesting!So that there are no questions about how to insert the file into the jigsaw, it is recommended to choose modern instruments with T-shaped designs of saw holders. After all, it is with canvases with such a shank design that shops and markets are overflowing.

What does the color of the shank on the canvases mean?

When buying, you can see that the tail parts (and sometimes the entire canvas completely) are painted in different colors... If you are wondering what this means, then it's time to find out the answer to this question. The color shanks and jigsaw blades are as follows:

• The gray ones are the most popular. They are used for wood processing
• Blue - are used for working with metal materials
• White - less common, and means the ability to process metal and woodworking materials
• Red - used to cut plastic
• Black - designed for sawing all other materials like ceramics, marble, granite

Knowing the color, you will definitely not be mistaken in the choice of equipment for the corresponding work.

What materials are jigsaw blades made of

What the attachment is made of is another important indicator that affects the efficiency of work, service life, as well as the possibility of using files for certain jobs. Depending on what materials the nozzle is intended for sawing, manufacturers make them from such steel alloys.

1. For sawing metal. Blades for metal for jigsaws are made of special high-speed steel grade HSS. The teeth on such blades are small, and their size depends on the degree of hardness. The harder the metal used to make the bit, the smaller the teeth. Saws for cutting metal are also made using two types of alloys, HSS (high speed steel) and HCS (high carbon steel). Such blades are also called bimetallic or Bi-Metal, and they are intended for figured sawing of sheet materials made of steel and wood.
2. For sawing wood materials. Initially, the jigsaw was intended specifically for woodworking. Moreover, for cutting sheet wood materials, but soon the functionality of the tool began to expand, and today they can cut not only wood, but also metal and ceramics. For the manufacture of saw blades for sawing wood materials, steels with a chromium and vanadium content, as well as a high carbon composition, are used. Chromvanadium canvases are designated CV (chrom vanadium), and are suitable for working with fiberboard, chipboard, MDF, plywood and other similar materials. If it is necessary to cut wood or plastic, then attachments with the designation HCS are chosen, which means high-alloy carbon steel. Saw blades for woodworking are characterized by large tooth sizes and tooth settings. For cutting chipboard, fiberboard and plastic, it is better to choose nozzles with a fine tooth up to 3 mm and a small wiring
   
3. For laminate flooring. These are special blades that differ from those used for sawing wood. Their main difference is that, in addition to a small tooth, they have reverse links. These reverse links eliminate the formation of chips on front side, which is important when processing decorative materials... Laminate blades are made using two types of steels, whereby the nozzles are called bimetallic, and are designated BIM (bi-metal)
   
4. For ceramic tiles - attachments for cutting high-strength materials such as ceramic tiles, foam blocks, marble, etc. are made of tungsten carbide alloy. In addition to the use of a special high-strength compound, such nozzles have a distinctive design from all others. If the blade is made of tungsten carbide alloy, then the marking contains the designation HIM or HM (hard material). The hardness of the material reaches 79 HRC. If the file has the DIA designation, it means that it was made using diamond spraying. Diamond blades are expensive and are intended for cutting ceramic tiles and granite.
   
   
5. For cardboard, this is a special type of jigsaw cutting element that has a sharpened wave-like edge. These saws are used to cut styrofoam, rubber, cardboard and other types of soft materials. The file does not have sharp teeth, but instead of them there are wavy sharpened tubercles. This design ensures that the material does not crumble or tear. As a result, the cut is smooth and neat. Jigsaws with cardboard saws are also used to cut carpets.
   
   

These are the main types of jigsaw blades, which are designed to work with specific materials. However, there are also universal attachments. A distinctive feature of such blades is that they have large teeth on the one hand, and small ones on the other. As practice shows, it makes no sense to buy such attachments, since their main advantage is that you do not need to use more than two consumables when processing dissimilar materials.

What blades are in the form of teeth

The shape of the teeth plays significant role when working with different materials... It is imperative to take into account the design of the teeth, otherwise, in the process of processing certain materials, you may encounter a decrease in productivity, and sometimes the operator may even find that. What forms of teeth are found on jigsaw blades, we will consider further:

• Divorced milling tooth - the teeth have bends in different directions, which is achieved by their 1.5 mm setting, depending on the thickness of the blade. The routing plays an important role, as it eliminates the occurrence of strong heat, and effectively removes sawdust from the cutting line. Saw blades with this tooth shape are intended for processing hard wood, and are also used for sawing plastic and non-ferrous metals.
• Wave milling - the setting is presented in the group deviation of the teeth to the left and right sides. Each subsequent tooth has a distinctive tilt value, due to which a wave-like structure is formed. These types of files have found their application for clean cutting of plastic materials, as well as non-ferrous metals.
• The ground shape of the teeth - it is also called conical. This form of teeth is popular when it is necessary to obtain a fine cut of workpieces. They are used for wood, plastic and other polymers. They have one drawback - fast heating, so they cannot be used for a long time
• Sanded set links - these are used to quickly cut fiberboard, chipboard and plywood. In this case, the cut turns out to be sloppy, which leads to the need additional processing files

Different manufacturers are striving to improve their bits, so it is possible that other options for the shape of the cutting edges are on sale.

The width of the jigsaw blade, what affects and what they are

You may not have noticed that the canvases differ in width. This parameter also plays an important role, and not only the service life of the jigsaw attachment depends on it, but also the ability to make a straight and curly cut.

A wide canvas is more stable, but it cannot be used to make curly cut... Another thing is thin files, which not only cut neatly, but also make it easy to overcome turns, making curly cuts.

Available in widths from 5 to 45 mm. When buying, remember the following:

• • If you plan to make a straight cut, then a wide file is chosen
  • For a curly cut, you need to take thin files

Manufacturers indicate on the packaging of a set of canvases not only the width of the files, but also the type of cut for which they are intended - straight, rectilinear, curly.

The pitch of the teeth what should it be and what does it mean

As with conventional or, jigsaw blades have such an important parameter as pitch. The pitch is the distance between the peak points of the teeth. The step is indicated by the TPI marking, after which it goes digital value... This number indicates the number of teeth on the blade at 1 inch spacing.

The TPI value can be followed by any number that indicates the number of teeth in a 25.4 mm length of the blade. Now let's see how the pitch of the teeth affects the quality and productivity of the cut. The fewer teeth per inch, the less accurate the cut will be. This is important for working with wood, therefore, for such purposes, saws with TPI from 4 to 7 are used. For normal work, blades with TPI from 7 to 9 are used, and a fine and accurate cut is obtained with at least 10-13 teeth per 1 inch.

What affects the size of the teeth

The blades also differ in the size of the teeth. This parameter affects the cutting speed and quality. How bigger size tooth, the higher the cutting speed, however, the quality suffers. The file with the smallest teeth is marked with the letter A, and all subsequent letters of the Latin alphabet indicate an increased tooth size. For fast, yet coarse cuts, use blades with tooth sizes designated by the letters B, C, and D. Video about the types of carbide jigsaw saws below.

The thickness of the blades affects the deflection of the nozzle

The quality of the cut is also influenced by such a factor as the thickness of the saw nozzle. They are of two types - thick and thin. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, as well as a corresponding purpose.

• Thin blades in thickness provide an even and accurate cut, however, during the sawing process, they vibrate strongly, depending on the hardness of the material being cut. In addition, their advantage lies in the low load on the tool, and the disadvantage that they cannot be used for corner cuts.
• Thick saw blades provide an even, perpendicular cut, and can be used for corner sawing of materials. Their disadvantage is that, due to their size, they increase the load on the engine and gearbox of the tool, therefore they cannot be used on low-power jigsaws.

Even thick nozzles are not suitable for the quick-clamping mechanism of the saw holder, therefore it is necessary to choose medium and small saw blades in thickness.

What canvases are in length

It is important to take into account one more parameter - the length of the canvases. To indicate the lengths, four indicators are adopted:

1. With the number 1 to 75 mm
2. With the number 2 from 75 to 90 mm and are classified as medium
3. With number 3 from 90 to 150 mm - long
4. With the number 4 over 150 mm - the longest, which are designed to work with powerful jigsaws

The longer the blade is, the thicker the sheet material can be cut with a jigsaw. The choice of the blade along the length should be based on the calculation that the nozzle should be 2 times longer than the thickness of the workpiece being cut. Keep in mind that long tooling lengths contribute to severe overloading of the motor and gearbox of the power tool, so the jigsaw must have sufficient power to be able to use it with saws from 90 mm or more.

Marking on jigsaw blades what it means

There are no difficulties with the choice of blades, since the attachments are marked accordingly. From this marking you can find all the detailed information about the cutting element. What the marking of jigsaw blades means, how it is read, and what it is responsible for, we will find out in detail. Below is an example of marking jigsaw blade, by which we will be guided when reading the designations.

Above also presents additional options types of shanks that are not found today. It is US-shank and F-type standard of Fein models. The markings are indicated on the tail, and are a set of letters and numbers. What do the letters and numbers of the marking of the saw blades mean, we will consider further.

1. The first is the letter that denotes the type of shank. As already mentioned, the shanks are different in design, and the corresponding letter indicates the following types: T - T-shaped design, U - y-shaped, M - suitable for outdated models of Makita brand jigsaws, F - Fein standard
2. The next designation in the marking is the blade length. The corresponding first digit indicates a specific length range. If the number is 1, then this is the shortest file up to 75 mm, and 2 means the blade has medium length ranging from 75 to 90 mm. Number 3 means the length from 90 to 150 mm, and 4 - the length of the blade over 150 mm. After the first digit, additional digital designations (two digits) are written, indicating the size of the teeth
3. The third, or rather the fifth, in the marking is the letter. There are four types of letters A, B, C and D, which characterize the size of the teeth from small to large
4. After the digital designation, the marking ends with a letter. This letter indicates the accessory of the accessory. Each letter has a corresponding purpose: F - tooling was made using two alloys, P - blades with a large thickness and are designed for accurate cutting, R - a tooth on the blade has reverse construction, X - universal, O - the canvas has narrow shape backrests

The type of steel from which the blade is made is also indicated on the shank. This has already been mentioned above. Even on the canvases there are English names denoting the type of materials for which it is intended. These designations and their interpretation are as follows:

1. Wood - designed for working with softwood and other similar materials
2. Hardwood - are used for sawing solid wood materials and PVC
3. Inox - specialized attachment for cutting stainless steel sheets
4. Metal - for working with metal blanks
5. Alu - for aluminum
6. Acrylic - for polycarbonate
7. Laminate - for laminate
8. Soft material - for soft materials like carpet, rubber, foam, polystyrene

The presence of other designations on English language it will not be difficult to translate, using translators, which will give a clear picture of what specific purposes the attachment is intended for.

All types of saws for woodwork with a jigsaw description and purpose

Consider all types of saw blades for woodworking. Each type has a corresponding purpose, which must be taken into account when processing the corresponding types of materials.

1. Main selection criteria
2. Tooth shape
3. Different step
4. Nozzle thickness
5. Fastening form
6. Features of marking
7. Manufacturer brands
8. Other tips for choosing

Using an electric jigsaw, you can process solid wood, plywood, chipboard, chipboard, cut out various shapes, cut parts, adjust their dimensions to the desired parameters. The tool is universal, it has different saw blades. There is a standard set of attachments.

Main selection criteria

You need to pay attention to:

• Nozzle performance.
• Cutting precision.
• The quality of the cutting line.
• The structure of the processed material.
• The shape of the teeth, the pitch with which they are located on the base.
• The width of the canvas, its thickness.
• The material from which the jigsaw file is made.

Each type of base has different strength resistance to the canvas. Thus, a laminate saw cannot be used for working with solid wood. There are canvases for of stainless steel, ceramics, hardened cement, fibrous materials. The attachments must be used strictly for their intended purpose..

Tooth shape

Allocate:

• Milled divorced. The teeth are bent in different directions. This prevents excessive heating of the blade during operation, allows you to remove sawdust trapped between the kerf. Suitable for plywood, hardwood, softwood, plastics, non-ferrous metals.
• Wavy milled. The setting of the cutting base is made in groups. Several teeth at once deviate first to the left, then to the right. This allows you to get a clean, chip-free cut, to make a straight line. Suitable for materials made of aluminum, plastic, non-ferrous metals.
• Tapered teeth. Used for the production of clean sawn wood, plastics.
• Diluted grinded. They are used for sawing soft wood, chipboard, chipboard, fiberboard.

Jigsaw blades
Working tooth length	Part size (step)	Divorce	Usage	What it looks like (click to enlarge)
75 mm	8 s / d (3 mm)	Side	Soft hard rocks up to 60 mm thick. Especially for rip sawing... Rough cut.
75 mm	6 z / d (4 mm)	Undercut and side	Like the previous one, but cut clean
67 mm	6 z / d (4 mm)	Undercut	Hard and soft woods, artificial wood materials up to 60 mm thick. Very clean cut.
50 mm	12 s / d (2 mm)	Undulating	Artificial wood materials up to 30 mm thick. Very thin kerf.
50 mm	12 s / d (2 mm)	Undulating	For cutting tight curves in wood and artificial wood materials up to 20 mm thick.
75 mm	10 r / d (2.5 mm)	Undercut	Reverse cutting tooth on the downstroke. For planks covered with plastic.
60 mm	6 r / d (4.5 mm)	--	The tips of the teeth are tungsten carbide coated, especially good results when working with chipboards with a high adhesive content.
70 mm	--	--	Semicircular flat and triangular files. For wood and artificial wood materials.

When buying, you need to pay attention to the height of the teeth. The smaller ones will cut accurately, but the blade will be slow to cut. Large ones allow you to work quickly, but the cut line is rough.

Different step

When choosing a part, you need to take into account the step - the distance between the tops of the teeth. It has letter designation t. There is a table compiled as a general guideline for choosing a saw blade. Its basis is a formula indicating the number of teeth per inch of blade. If the marking says TPI 7, then there are 7 teeth per inch.

• If it is necessary to make a longitudinal straight cut of the wooden base, it is better to choose a nozzle with the following parameters: t = 3.5–6.5 mm, TPI 7.
• For ordinary carpentry work, tips with medium sharp edges, t = 3 mm, TPI 9 are suitable.
• For curly cut - with small sharp protrusions, t = 2 mm, TPI 9–13.

In order for the tool to vibrate less during operation, it is better to choose blades, in one step of which there are at least 5–8 sharp protrusions.

What should be the width of the nozzle

The wider the width, the more stable the nozzle is in operation, the less deviations from the cutting cavity. For curly lines, you should choose narrower canvases. If the teeth are on the drive axis, the tool will be easier to control.

Nozzle thickness

To cut a strictly perpendicular line on a thick wooden base, it is necessary to use thick bits. The thinner the material, the thinner the canvas should be.

Fastening form

Shanks can be with one stop and T-shaped mount, two stops and U-shaped mount.

Features of marking

Types of attachments:

• For cutting any wood. With a gray tail (marking is applied to it).
• For wood with metal. With a white ponytail.
• For metal. With a blue ponytail.
• For plastic, tile, cardboard. With a black ponytail.

From the markings, you can find out what metal the part is made of. The abbreviation HCS means the blade is made of high carbon steel. HSS - high speed steel. BIM - bimetal. HM - Carbide.

For cutting plywood, soft fiber wood, chipboard, chipboard no more than 30 mm thick, plastic, it is better to choose HCS blades. The teeth of such files have a pointed shape, conical grinding. High flexibility prevents the possibility of kinking. HSS saws are designed for cutting metals. In the lower part they have a curvature, it is necessary to prevent metal scuffing. These bits are thinner than wood cutting blades, but have a higher hardness.

Bimetal bits are durable... They are manufactured by laser welding. It is based on high-carbon steel. The rear part is formed from it, the teeth are made of high-speed steel. The attachment is suitable for cutting curves and straight lines. HM blades are intended for sawing lightweight concrete, fiberglass, tiles.

For laminate, veneered boards, a blade with a reverse tooth system is used. The cut takes place in the opposite direction, towards yourself. This move allows you to process parts of different lengths, to get a clean line, without chips.

Manufacturer brands

Only the manufacturer of the BOSCH trademark produces a wide range of attachments. The market share is about 90%. Electric jigsaws HITACHI, MAKITA and others also include many different saw blades, but parts are made by third parties.

It is important to consider the power of the tool, the ease of mounting the blade in the holder. Professional jigsaws are sold in cases. The kits contain additional accessories.