What jigsaw files to choose. Blades for manual jigsaws on wood: features and general classification. Choosing a nail file depending on the type of work

Hand and jigsaws have long been adopted by home craftsmen. This is very useful devices, which will allow you to carefully and accurately cut almost any material of varying thickness and configuration. But before you begin the work, it is necessary that the correct jigsaw file is selected. However, it is quite difficult to make the right decision right away. This is due not only to the large selection, but also to the huge number of types of fabric.

Some general information

If you have a jigsaw and no files, then it is a useless tool. If you have a whole set of files, then you can cut almost any material. There is no need to think that a 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 tools, a little later you will understand exactly why. With proper skill, you can make straight and shaped cuts on chipboard, ceramics, metal, and so on. But you should understand that each type of material has its own 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 different thickness, density, hardness and other parameters, this imposes certain requirements on the quality of the blade steel.

Hand jigsaw files

It is quite logical that without a file you will not be able to complete 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 wood blade can be used 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 clean saw blades for a manual jigsaw allow you to get a high-quality surface. This is achieved due to a 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 saws for laminate. They have a unique arrangement of teeth that leave no marks behind.

Blade for working with metal

It is one thing to process a material such as wood; it is quite another to process metal. Please note that the wood blade is not suitable for sawing 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 up to 6 mm thick.

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

Electric, benchtop and manual jigsaws

It is worth understanding 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 hand-held, then you should always have several spare files. This is due to their fragility. They really break down often and at the most inopportune moments.

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

Marking of jigsaw files

Special markings 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 important 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 HSS inscription indicates that the saw made of high-speed hardened steel. This is a hard, but at the same time quite brittle material that can be used to work with both aluminum and thin steel.

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

Learn more about making the right choice

When purchasing, you should always pay attention to the shank of the blade. Naturally, it has only one mount, unlike a hand 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 instrument. For example, the Makita company produces jigsaws with a mount that is fundamentally different from other models. There are specially cut circles on both ends various diameters. Naturally, you can’t put a file with a different type of fastening on a jigsaw.

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

Cloth for working with laminate

Today, many people say that to process parquet boards or laminates, an exceptionally clean cut is required. Someone might recommend using almost a diamond-coated blade. However, the price for 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 that much.

So, it is not at all necessary to purchase an overly expensive instrument. Usually a blade is enough for a clean cut. Of course, there will be a chip of about 1-2 mm. However, in most cases, the laminate is covered with skirting boards, which are much larger than the chip. For this simple reason, do not overpay again. When buying jigsaw files 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 your purchase with a small margin.

Something about the shape of the teeth

The configuration of the blade teeth 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 files can be divided into the following groups:

Set (milled) - used for cutting soft materials such as wood and plastic, as well as non-ferrous metals. The routing ensures that excess heat does not accumulate, and sawdust is removed from the cut and the blade.
Wave-shaped (milled) - used for clean cutting of aluminum, soft materials (wood, plastic) and non-ferrous metals. In this case, the setting is performed in groups, that is, several teeth in a row in one direction.
With conical grinding (ground) - good decision for a clean cut on wood and plastic. The non-working edge is ground. These are typical jigsaw files for laminate flooring.
Ground, set teeth are one of the best solutions for rough cutting of wood, chipboard, wood board, etc.

Width and thickness of the canvas

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 not only be stable, but also more durable, and will practically not deviate from the intended plane. Of course, this is also high-speed cutting, don’t forget about that. At the same time, narrow files provide good maneuverability compared to wide ones. The arrangement of the teeth on the jigsaw drive axis 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 proper perpendicularity of the cut. In addition, the thicker the file, the higher its stability.

Something else

You probably know that the teeth of the blade must be harder than the material being processed. So, to carry out 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 blades for such purposes, which are 1/3 hardened steel and 2/3 high-carbon steel. The service life of such files is quite long, so they will pay off with interest. In addition, the risk of sudden breakdown is much lower here than in classic versions. But since choosing a file for a jigsaw is not difficult, and you already know how to do it, you will not have any problems selecting the appropriate bimetallic blade.

Conclusion

If we talk about manufacturers that have proven themselves well, these are the companies Bosch, Makita and Praktika. The 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 from these brands, and you will not regret anything. Do not forget that all files have their own purpose; using them for other purposes is unlikely to lead to the expected results. A jigsaw is a high-speed tool, so securely fasten the blade and try to work with safety glasses and gloves. Basically, we looked at the main types of jigsaw files. Now you know that there are blades for wood, metal, as well as combined blades for other materials. By paying attention to the labeling of the product and the method of its fastening, you will definitely make the right choice.

29.08.2019

A jigsaw can be called a universal tool that allows you to make straight and shaped cuts of a wide variety of materials - from soft wood to steel and glass. It is worth noting that the tool itself is universal, but not its equipment: cutting of each material is carried out 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 process. In this article we will talk about what jigsaw blades are, what types of jigsaw files there are, and also how to insert a file into a jigsaw.

Jigsaw files types and features

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

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

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

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

for straight cutting. These blades have a wide back, which makes it possible to guide it in a specific direction to obtain a straight cut.
for figured cutting. These blades have a narrower back than the shank, making them easy to guide different sides. The result is a smooth figured cut.

If you look closely at jigsaw files, you will see that they have different tooth spacing 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 for working with. Highlight:

milled with classic layout. The classic setting is teeth alternately bent in different directions, similar to a hand saw. This type of routing reduces the heating of the saw during cutting, because the file experiences virtually no friction in a fairly wide cut. However, it will not be possible to obtain a neat cut, but the cutting speed is achieved at a high rate. These saws are used to cut different varieties wood, plastic and non-ferrous metals
milled with wavy layout. 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 clean cuts on wood, chipboard or plywood, as well as on non-ferrous metal and plastic
polished with classic layout. The teeth of these blades are set apart and polished. The cut with such files is quite wide. Such blades help to quickly and fairly cleanly cut wood and its derivatives - chipboard, fiberboard
with conical grinding without routing. The blades of such saws do not have a tooth spread, but their segments are ground, resulting in a thin cutting line and an even cut. With the help of such saws, you can carefully cut wood, laminate, and polymer materials.

The most significant parameter for a file is the grade of steel from which it is made. The files bear the following markings:

Main characteristics

However, the high quality of steel is not a guarantee that the file will cope with the assigned tasks. An important role is also played by:

workpiece dimensions. Before purchasing, you need to decide on the size of the workpieces to be cut. For timber with a cross-section of 50X50mm and furniture panels, it is worth using different files. For timber, saws with working part sizes from 51 to 126 mm are suitable. While cutting sheet metal requires short blades (51mm), long blades (106mm) are more suitable for cutting pipes.
type of cut. An important criterion for choosing a saw blade is the geometry of the cut. The straight cutting blade holds its direction perfectly, but it won’t be possible to create even a small radius with it, because it has a wide back. A special thin file for figured cutting is perfect for this type of work.
cleanliness of the cut. The quality of the cut plays a very important role in the process of creating furniture.
tooth shape. The cut quality indicator directly depends on the tooth geometry. The larger the pitch of the teeth, that is, the gap between adjacent vertices, the faster and rougher the line will turn out
tooth alignment. To give the canvas more “spaciousness”, its teeth need to be spread apart. In this case, it will cut at a higher speed, but the cutting line will not be very neat
Progressor files. The changing size of the teeth as it increases from shank to tip is a sign of versatility. As the thickness of the material being processed increases, a larger number of large teeth are connected to the work.

Types of shanks

An important parameter in choosing a jigsaw file is the type of its shank. There are such shanks:

Attaching jigsaw 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 ease of working with a jigsaw depends. In the process of working with a jigsaw, every master is faced with replacing the saw blade. The most common type of shank is European or “Boshevsky”. It features a cross configuration. Such canvases can be bought in every store, this is their main feature.

The most common methods of fastening the canvas are:

front attachment to jigsaw
quick-release fastening in a jigsaw.

In more budget options, the block, tightened with two screws, clamps the blade with a cut. Such screws are located in the frontal plane. This system has high compatibility, but is inferior in other respects. For example, a crookedly clamped fastener can cause misalignment. If this happens, additional wedging needs to be done. Impacts of the saw on the workpiece with the butt end cause the front block to break in half or the screw threads to break. Such problems can arise if the tool is not handled correctly.

The most convenient are jigsaws equipped with a quick-release blade fastening system.

A significant difference from “regular cartridges” is that there is no versatility. Only blades with the same shank are suitable; in addition, there is some play. However, often this does not play a big role, because the choice of paintings is simply huge. since there are a huge number of paintings. The disadvantage of quick-release locks is the limited thickness of the blades. Inserting the blade in these jigsaws is quite easy.

Fastening the blade in jigsaws with a fastening method using locks implies the following sequence of work:

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

Types of web markings

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

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

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

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

In addition, there are many more file markings:

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

Marking of wood files

Saw blades for woodworking are marked as follows:

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

The markings for metal files look like this:

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

Special files can be identified by the following markings:

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

Jigsaw blade for wood

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

Metal file

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

Jigsaw file for working with tiles

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

Shape cutting files

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

Manufacturers of jigsaw blades

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

Jigsaw equipment

The majority of manufacturers are constantly working to improve their tools and develop additional equipment for their devices. Among these additions, we can note a system that helps to avoid chipping on the upper surface of the material. This issue is especially relevant when cutting materials with a decorative surface (laminate, parquet, facing boards). A circular cutter and a rip fence are also considered a very useful addition. Thanks to the rip fence, you can special effort cut an unlimited number of one-size slats. A circular cutter allows you to cut a perfect circle of varying radii. Having such devices in your arsenal, you can carry out a wider range of work and at the same time significantly save time.

Installing a blade into a jigsaw

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

The jigsaw is equipped with a special lever, which in one motion loosens the clamps and allows you to remove the blade without any problems.
After the clamps are loosened, you need to take a file and insert its tail into a special hole.
Now I'm left The final stage, which includes the adjusting screw clamp.
After everything is installed, you need to make sure that the canvas is installed securely and evenly.
Let's get to work.

Types of tails

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

Hand and jigsaws have long been adopted by home craftsmen. These are very useful devices that will allow you to accurately and accurately cut almost any material of varying thickness and configuration. But before you begin the work, it is necessary that the correct jigsaw file is selected. However, it is quite difficult to make the right decision right away. This is due not only to the large selection, but also to the huge number of types of fabric.

Some general information

Hand jigsaw files

It is quite logical that without a file you will not be able to complete 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 wood blade can be used for quick cutting. This is one of the most common and popular files. Its peculiarity is that such a blade 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 construction of buildings.

Blade for working with metal

It is one thing to process a material such as wood; it is quite another to process metal. Please note that the wood saw 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 up to 6 mm thick.

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

Electric, benchtop and manual jigsaws

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

Marking of jigsaw files

Learn more about making the right choice

When purchasing, you should always pay attention to the shank of the blade. Naturally, it has only one mount, unlike a hand 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 instrument. For example, the Makita company produces jigsaws with a mount that is fundamentally different from other models. At both ends there are specially cut circles of different diameters. Naturally, you can’t put a file with a different type of fastening on a jigsaw.

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

Cloth for working with laminate

Something about the shape of the teeth

Set (milled) - used for cutting soft materials such as wood and plastic, as well as non-ferrous metals. The routing ensures that excess heat does not accumulate, and sawdust is removed from the cut and the blade.
Wave-shaped (milled) - used for clean cutting of aluminum, soft materials (wood, plastic) and non-ferrous metals. In this case, the setting is performed in groups, that is, several teeth in a row in one direction.
With conical grinding (ground) - a good solution for obtaining a clean cut on wood and plastic. The non-working edge is ground. These are typical jigsaw files for laminate flooring.
Ground, set teeth are one of the best solutions for rough cutting of wood, chipboard, wood board, etc.

Width and thickness of the canvas

Something else

You probably know that the teeth of the blade must be harder than the material being processed. So, to carry out 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 blades for such purposes, which are 1/3 hardened steel and 2/3 high-carbon steel. The service life of such files is quite long, so they will pay off with interest. In addition, the risk of sudden breakdown is much lower here than in classic versions. But since choosing a file for a jigsaw is not difficult, and you already know how to do it, you will not have any problems selecting the appropriate bimetallic blade.

Conclusion

What types of jigsaw files exist and how to choose the best option for a particular case should be known to every craftsman who has this tool in his household.

There are many factors that influence the choice of cutting blade: the material that will be sawed, its thickness and density, the required cut quality, etc. To avoid making mistakes when purchasing, you should consider specifications files, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of one or another model.

Material for making cutting blades

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

Each cutting blade from 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 used to make the canvas is as follows:

Table on the use of files.

HCS. These files are classified as woodworking 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 fabric, you should pay attention not to its hardness, but to its flexibility.
H.S.S. Hardened steel products that can be used at high speeds. Used for processing durable materials, including metals of varying densities. Despite all its rigidity, hardened steel is a rather brittle substance that must be used very carefully.
BIM. Bimetallic 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 wood and metal work.
HIM. They are made 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 purpose of the file:

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

Marking of jigsaw files

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

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

1 – short blade (up to 7.5 cm);
2 – standard cutting element (7.5-9.0 cm);
3 – extended file (9-15 cm);
7 – long file (more than 15 cm).

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

After the numbers there are again 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 letters at the end instead of one (for example, T101BR). The second letter means:

O – for figure cutting;
R – with reverse tooth (improves cut quality);
F – bimetallic products (considered the most durable and reliable);
X – universal blade (it 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, and the material of manufacture is bimetal.

Types of saw blade shanks.

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

Wood files. Depending on their purpose, such products are divided into two groups:

for quick cutting;
for a clean cut.

If you are faced with the task of sawing a large amount of wood, 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 speed of work comes first, then the best option would be a blade marked T101D. With its help, you can quickly cut wood blanks up to 7.5 cm thick; for thicker material, you can purchase the T244D or T344D model.

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

Canvas on laminate. When laying laminate flooring, it is important that the cut does not have burrs. This can be achieved using 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 regular T101B blade. Only in this case, before starting work, it is recommended to cover the area of the intended cut with ordinary tape, which will protect the processed material from chips, burrs and other defects.

Metal files. They have fine teeth and a blue tail. If you will be working with metal 3 mm thick, buy a T118A file. It is also suitable for cutting plastic. For thicker material, it is recommended to use a T123X cutting blade, and for aluminum - T227D.

Files for tiles. They are marked T150RIFF or T130RIFF. Instead of teeth, their cutting part is carbide coating. You need to know that using a jigsaw to cut tiles is recommended 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 regular glass cutter.

Blade shape

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

Milled set teeth. This blade is perfect for cutting wood. Divorce is carried out by analogy with a regular hand hacksaw. This allows you to slightly widen the cut, thereby preventing overheating and jamming of the tool in the thickness of the wood.
Milled teeth with wave setting. In this case, not a single, but a group setting is performed (for example, 4-6 teeth). Similar files are used for cutting metals.
Ground teeth without setting. The best option for finishing cutting. This canvas allows you to achieve high quality cuts in wood, laminate and plastic.
Set teeth with grinding. This product is used for quick cutting when there are no special requirements for the quality of the cut.

Manufacturers of jigsaw files

To choose the right file for an electric jigsaw, you need to pay attention not only to the technical characteristics and labeling of the product, but also to the manufacturer. On 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 quickly wear down and overheat. Their only advantage is low cost. However, it will be cheaper and easier to choose 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 saw, but there is no file at hand, you can sharpen the old one.

The most popular and reliable jigsaw files are products from Makita, Bosch and Praktika.

A few useful techniques for working with a jigsaw:

What is a jigsaw? - historical reference

The popular Makita jigsaw had a predecessor, which was completely undeservedly forgotten. The manual jigsaw was replaced by laser cutting, jigsaw, and milling.
You can use a hand jigsaw to cut wood, plywood, plastic, ceramics, and sheet metal. Previously, in schools, during labor lessons, children practiced cutting out homemade products with a jigsaw - frames, shelves, dolls and other homemade products. There was no time for gadgets...

Jigsaw design

A jigsaw is a U-shaped arc (1), at the ends of which there are clamping screws (4). A handle (3) is attached to the lower end of the jigsaw. Between the ends of the jigsaw arc, a file (2) is secured using clamping screws, 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 tension the file to working condition.

Files for hand jigsaws (a, b, c) are made of high-quality carbon steel. but despite this, cutting out with a jigsaw is enough painstaking work, requiring patience and attention. I hurried a little and trinket! You need to insert a new file.

What can you do with a jigsaw?

The modern jigsaw has replaced the manual jigsaw from many areas of activity, but if you need an accurate, curved cut, a regular, manual jigsaw cannot be replaced.
Craftsmen still use a jigsaw in jewelry production

for cutting complex figures from gold and silver. Using a jigsaw to cut out various shapes from plywood and wood for handicrafts is an excellent hobby, your hands are busy and your nerves are like ropes.

Properly selected components make working with any tool more convenient and enjoyable. Perhaps the most significant working element of a jigsaw is the saw blade. This consumable can turn the cutting process into a smooth and neat song, or vice versa, reduce the work to a crooked and nibbled nonsense. To save yourself from possible unpleasant situations and choose the optimal canvas 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.

Explanation of markings

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

As you may have noticed in the image above, the number and letter designations of the saw blade have their place and meaning. To provide a clearer picture of the overall picture, let’s talk about each symbol in a nutshell.

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

Saw blade length selected based on the assigned tasks and can exceed 150 mm. When choosing a long saw, 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 relatively thin material, will vibrate strongly, which will significantly reduce the quality of the cut. The most optimal length for standard household jigsaws on wood, is 75 mm. This indicator is due to the fact that similar models will not be able to handle thicker material.

Teeth 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). This way the work will be much more accurate, although noticeably slower. For quick and rough cutting of boards, chipboards and similar materials, it is recommended to use blades with larger teeth (B, C, D). Determining whether to sacrifice speed or quality should be based on the tasks at hand.

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. A fairly 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. A relatively thin jigsaw file used for curved cuts.
P – For precise cutting. Thick fabric that is resistant to bending during operation. Great for precise, straight cuts at precise angles.
X – Progressive teeth. Multi-purpose saw blades suitable for cutting wood, plastic and metal. What they pay for their versatility is the quality of the cut, which leaves much to be desired.
R – Reversible (reverse) teeth. Unlike the standard direction, upward, the teeth of the reversible blades are directed downward. When working with a jigsaw with a similar file, chips form 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, files can be made from the following steel grades:

CV – chrome vanadium steel. Used in the production of saws 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 bimetallic blade is a mixture of two grades of steel (HCS and HSS), where the back of the blade has an HCS alloy and the teeth have an HSS alloy. Bimetallic blades are very durable and maneuverable, and can be used for straight and curved cutting of wood and metal.
HIM is an alloy based on tungsten carbide. Files made from 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 the 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 cases when these designations are written directly on the file. Below are options for the most common verbal designations with explanations.

For what material

Wood – Saws for plywood, chipboard, fiberboard and soft wood.
Hardwood – Blades for cutting dense wood and laminate.
Metal – For working with ferrous metals.
Alu – For cutting aluminum.
Inox – For stainless steel.
Fiber&Plaster – For cutting polymer products.
Soft-material – Universal blade for working with metals, plastics and wood.

Work assignment

Basic – File with average cutting quality. The best option for everyday use at home.
Clean – 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 goes beyond the understanding of the average user. Jigsaw saws are divided by size, tooth pitch, types 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 results of the required quality. To briefly and clearly explain to you how to choose a jigsaw file, we have divided them according to the most popular materials.

Jigsaw blades for wood

Wood and its derivatives are cut using steel blades of grades CV, HCS and BM. The size of the teeth depends on the type of material being processed and the quality requirements for the cutting line:

A and B are blades with the smallest teeth. Used for clean cutting of laminate flooring.
C – medium teeth with appropriate cutting quality. Popular for working with chipboard, fiberboard, plywood and wood.
D – maximum tooth length. Used for quick but rough cutting chipboard and wood.
For straight cuts decorative materials(coated boards or laminate), a T101BR file (with medium-sized reversible teeth) is suitable.

It is better to cut timber or thick wood with a T344C blade (long with big 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 are short length (up to 75 cm), class A or B teeth with an average pitch of 2-3 mm.

It is better to make a figured cut using a dense type T101BO (with medium-sized teeth and a thin back).

Jigsaw blades for metal

Metal cutting with an electric jigsaw is done using saw blades made from the following steel grades: HSS and BM. Such cutting elements are characterized by small teeth with a wave-like setting (like on a hacksaw for metal). Bimetal types of jigsaw (BM) files have larger teeth that become smaller 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.

It is better to cut thicker metal, up to 6 mm, with a T118B specimen of the same length (up to 75 cm), but with larger teeth.

Pipes or metal profiles 1-3 mm thick can be conveniently cut with T318A blades (90-150 mm, fine tooth).

For working 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 made of the following steel grades are used: CV, HCS, HSS and BM. Both special files for plastic (Fiber&Plaster) and regular ones for wood or metal are suitable here. When working with this material, it is better to give preference to large teeth (B, C, D). If you only have files with fine teeth, it is recommended to set the minimum speed on the tool, since heated plastic filings can seriously clog the cutting part.

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

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

Jigsaw blade for ceramics

The fragile structure of ceramics differs significantly from flexible metal and fibrous wood. To cut such material, special blades are required, differing from ordinary ones in the absence of teeth, in place of which tungsten carbide or diamond spraying is applied. The jigsaw file for tiles is made of carbide material, marked “HM”.

In most cases, the copies presented in stores consist of a tungsten carbide alloy and can only cope with wall tiles. There are stronger diamond jigsaw blades available for masonry that can cut floor tiles.
When working with ceramics with a jigsaw, you should understand that this tool is not intended for such material. This device, it is better to use for curved cuts, and for straight cuts - a tile cutter or grinder.

For cardboard

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

Excellent for cutting carpet and much cheaper than professional scissors.

The best jigsaw files

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

The most common, with quality that exceeds the price, are the original Bosh brand canvases, of any classification. The jigsaw files of this brand are ideally designed and very easy to use. Unfortunately, among the offers there are often low-quality fakes that create a false impression about this company. Fortunately, there are several proven ways to distinguish a fake jigsaw file from an original one.

Counterfeit goods are produced 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. Original Bosch files, machined perfectly smooth on all sides.
Low-quality metal with corrosion and defects indicates a defective product.
The inscriptions and emblems on the file must be clear, without blurry outlines. If the seal on the file is askew and blurred, then this means that this is a fake.

Find out about distinctive features You can find out more about fake saw blades in the video below.

Save this page on your social media. network and return to it at a convenient time.

Explanation of markings

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

Saw blade length selected based on the assigned tasks and can exceed 150 mm. When choosing a long saw, 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 relatively thin material, will vibrate strongly, which will significantly reduce the quality of the cut. The most optimal length for standard household jigsaws for wood is 75 mm. This indicator is due to the fact that such models will not be able to handle thicker material.

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. A fairly 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. A relatively thin jigsaw file used for curved cuts.
P – For precise cutting. Thick fabric that is resistant to bending during operation. Great for precise, straight cuts at precise angles.
X – Progressive teeth. Multi-purpose saw blades suitable for cutting wood, plastic and metal. What they pay for their versatility is the quality of the cut, which leaves much to be desired.
R – Reversible (reverse) teeth. Unlike the standard direction, upward, the teeth of the reversible blades are directed downward. When working with a jigsaw with a similar file, chips form 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, files can be made from the following steel grades:

CV – chrome vanadium steel. Used in the production of saws 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 bimetallic blade is a mixture of two grades of steel (HCS and HSS), where the back of the blade has an HCS alloy and the teeth have an HSS alloy. Bimetallic blades are very durable and maneuverable, and can be used for straight and curved cutting of wood and metal.
HIM is an alloy based on tungsten carbide. Files made from steel of this grade are used to work with ceramics, foam blocks and similar materials.

For what material

Wood – Saws for plywood, chipboard, fiberboard and soft wood.
Hardwood – Blades for cutting dense wood and laminate.
Metal – For working with ferrous metals.
Alu – For cutting aluminum.
Inox – For stainless steel.
Fiber&Plaster – For cutting polymer products.
Soft-material – Universal blade for working with metals, plastics and wood.

Work assignment

Basic – File with average cutting quality. The best option for everyday use at home.
Clean – 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 goes beyond the understanding 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 results of the required quality. To briefly and clearly explain to you how to choose a jigsaw file, we have divided them according to the most popular materials.

Jigsaw blades for wood

Wood and its derivatives are cut using steel blades of grades CV, HCS and BM. The size of the teeth depends on the type of material being processed and the quality requirements for the cutting line:

A and B are blades with the smallest teeth. Used for clean cutting of laminate flooring.
C – medium teeth with appropriate cutting quality. Popular for working with chipboard, fiberboard, plywood and wood.
D – maximum tooth length. Used for quick but rough cutting of chipboard and wood.
For direct cutting of decorative materials (coated boards or laminate), the T101BR file (with medium-sized reversible teeth) is suitable.

It is better to cut timber or thick wood 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 are short length (up to 75 cm), class A or B teeth with an average pitch of 2-3 mm.

It is better to make a figured cut using a dense type T101BO (with medium-sized teeth and a thin back).

Jigsaw blades for metal

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

It is better to cut thicker metal, up to 6 mm, with a T118B specimen of the same length (up to 75 cm), but with larger teeth.

Pipes or metal profiles 1-3 mm thick can be conveniently cut with T318A blades (90-150 mm, fine tooth).

For working 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

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

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

Jigsaw blade for ceramics

The fragile structure of ceramics is significantly different from flexible metal and fibrous wood. To cut such material, special blades are required, differing from ordinary ones in the absence of teeth, in place of which tungsten carbide or diamond spraying is applied. The jigsaw file for tiles is made of carbide material, marked “HM”.

In most cases, the copies presented in stores consist of a tungsten carbide alloy and can only cope with wall tiles. There are stronger diamond jigsaw blades available for masonry that can cut floor tiles.
When working with ceramics with a jigsaw, you should understand that this tool is not intended for such material. This device is best used for curved cuts, and for straight cuts - a tile cutter or grinder.

For cardboard

Excellent for cutting carpet and much cheaper than professional scissors.

The best jigsaw files

Counterfeit goods are produced 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. Original Bosch files, machined perfectly smooth on all sides.
Low-quality metal with corrosion and defects indicates a defective product.
The inscriptions and emblems on the file must be clear, without blurry outlines. If the seal on the file is askew and blurred, then this means that this is a fake.

You can learn in more detail about the distinctive features of counterfeit saw blades from the video below.

Save this page on your social media. network and return to it at a convenient time.

It largely determines the accuracy and productivity of cutting material. The technical characteristics of the files discussed in the article and the key differences between them will help you choose the right blade for various types works

A file for a particular job is selected in two ways: firstly, they are guided by the inscriptions, and secondly, they look at the size, teeth and setting.

Reading the markings

There is no single standard for alphanumeric marking of blades for jigsaws, but most manufacturers adhere to the European classification from Bosch or indicate it in addition to their own designations.

Explanation of markings

Files are made from various grades of steel, which influence the purpose of the blades and are indicated by logos:

CV (HCS) is an elastic alloy alloy for cutting wood, synthetic and wood-composite products.
HSS is a strong high speed steel for hard materials.
BM (Bi-Metal) is a compound of the first two grades of steel that can withstand significant loads and is suitable for many operations.
HM— hard alloy for cutting tiles and building blocks.

The purpose of the canvas is also indicated by the following marks:

Wood - soft lumber, fiber boards.
Hardwood - solid wood, laminated panels.
Inox - stainless steel.
Alu - aluminum.
Metal - tin, profiles and pipes.
Plaster, fiber - fiberglass.
Soft-material - rubber, polystyrene, carpets.
Acrylic - plexiglass, polycarbonate.

Sometimes there is an inscription on the file that specifies the type of work:

basic - standard blade for high-quality cutting;
speed - saw with set teeth for quick cutting;
clean - blade without markings for a clean cut;
progressor - a saw with different teeth for cutting various materials;
flexible - flexible blade for cutting metal;
special - for cutting ceramics, plastic and other special work.

We cut wood materials

Cutting wood and everything made from it is the main purpose of a jigsaw. Therefore, a larger range of saw blades are produced specifically for wood and are divided by type of work.

Fast cut

Certain wood construction jobs don't require much care, such as sawing lumber for sheathing or removing an old window frame. What is more important here is the speed provided by fast cutting blades with characteristic features:

Large teeth - up to 6 mm.
A fair amount of separation - about 1 mm.
Long blade - from 60 mm.
Width - up to 10 mm.

For thick workpieces, similar blades with large cutters are used, but without routing - they deviate less from the vertical. In principle, the thicker the file, the better it maintains perpendicularity.

Advice. A blade with an oblique tooth is better suited for cutting along the grain, and a blade with a straight tooth is better suited for a cross cut.

Clean cut

An operation such as cutting furniture panels or parquet boards requires a smooth and precise cut. Such tasks are performed with less productivity, but with better quality, using blades for clean cutting that have:

Teeth less than 3 mm.
Minor divorce.

Most of the saw blades cut by retraction, so the material is placed with the reverse side. To mark and cut from the face, you need a blade with a reverse tooth. It is not very convenient for them to work - in addition to maintaining the direction of the cut, they have to overcome the force of pushing out the tool.

Advice. A specialized saw with two rows of teeth allows you to cut panels laminated on both sides almost without chipping.

Curly cut

It is problematic to cut out small radii with a wide blade. Files for figured cutting have a beveled back side, making it easier to turn, they can be rounded without chipping and differ in appearance:

Small (up to 2 mm) tooth.
Narrow working part - up to 4 mm.
Small length - up to 40 mm.

We cut polymer materials

PVC pipes and window sills are sawn using blades on wood or metal with a large tooth. Fine-toothed saws are also suitable, but you will have to cut at a minimum speed, otherwise the sawdust will soften and clog the blade - it will no longer be sawing, but cutting with heated metal.

For thin plastics and plexiglass, a metal file with small teeth is suitable. For thick ones, you can take a wood blade, turn off the pendulum mechanism and cut at low speeds. Shaped sawing of polymer sheets is carried out with a narrow file on wood.

We work with metal

For cutting galvanized profiles and sheet metal products, wave saw blades are used, similar in profile to blades for a hand saw. They are distinguished by small (up to 1 mm) teeth, deflected not through one, but in groups of 3-5 pieces.

At permanent job take three blades: for steel, aluminum and for non-ferrous alloys. If you have to cut metal infrequently, then one steel file will be enough, which is also suitable for ebonite and textolite.

In general, a jigsaw is not suitable for sawing metal: the tool is heavily loaded, and the process is slow. Rather, this is an extreme method, justified only occasionally, for example, when cutting sandwich panels with bimetallic saws with small cutters at the edges and large ones in the middle.

Blades for specific tasks

Drywall and cement-containing materials quickly set any saw blade, with the exception of specially designed carbide-tipped blades, which also cut thermal insulation well.

The hole in the tile is cut using a ceramic file without teeth coated with carbide. It is also suitable for working with glass fiber reinforced polymers.

The cutting part of the blades for cardboard, rubber and other soft materials is not made with teeth, but with polished waves or simply looks like a knife.

For sawing combined materials, special files are designed, one half of the blade of which is equipped with small teeth, and the other with large ones.

Advice. The length of the file is chosen based on the thickness of the material. To prevent the blade from tearing out or breaking, its end must extend out of the cutting line in any position of the jigsaw pendulum.

For household needs, a set of 5-10 files for various purposes is enough. Just starting to use a jigsaw, they purchase an inexpensive set, master the intricacies of working with different types of blades, and, based on their own experience, select the necessary files. Still, there are no strict recommendations; often one canvas copes well with tasks that are atypical for it. Here you can experiment, but think first.

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

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

Processed material

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

Tooth shape

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

Saw blade geometry

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

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

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

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

Tooth pitch

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

Saw blade width

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

File thickness

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

Saw blades for cutting wood

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Specialized saw blades

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Saw blade shanks

Suitable for tools: AEG, Bosch, Metabo

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

Suitable for tools: Black&Decker, Skil, Ryobi

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

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

Suitable for tools: Makita

Jigsaw accessories

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

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

A few visual examples of how saws work differently

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

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

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

For circular sawing, use a compass cutter.

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

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

Description of jigsaw files

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

Hitachi and Bosch files

How to use a jigsaw

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

1.

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

2.

The base plate moves and longitudinal direction, which makes it possible to cut close to the edge, for example, working directly against the wall.

3.

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

4.

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

Jigsaw capabilities and equipment

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

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

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

5.

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

6.

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

7.

An additional guide clasp makes it easier to guide thin fabrics. It can be equipped with its own web tensioning device.

8.

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

Guides and accessories for jigsaws

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

9.

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

10.

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

11.

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

12.

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

Quality cuts

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

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

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

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

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

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

Classification of files

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

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

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

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

Marking of wood saws:

T101D: The most popular file model. Has large teeth big step and is designed for making rough cuts.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Classification of metal files:

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

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

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

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

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

Diamond coating and DIA inscription. Designed for ceramics.

How to insert a file into a jigsaw

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

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

Block fastening.

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

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

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

Quick-release fastening.

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

The shank of the file is inserted into the mount.

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

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

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

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

Protool has a different mount than other jigsaws

Files for jigsaws DeWALT DT2216-QZ/ DT2220-QZ

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Standard blades for manual jigsaws have a length of 130 mm, while in the range of modern manufacturers you can find options with a length of 150 and 160 mm. Types of files are classified according to two main parameters: their size and tooth configuration.

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

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

Which files are better?

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

Let's understand the basic concepts

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

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

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

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

Classification of files

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

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

Dimensions table

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

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

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

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

What to choose for thin plywood?

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

There are 4 classes of files for:

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

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

According to the file material:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Also distinguished:

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

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

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

Marking of files.

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

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

1 - short (up to 75mm)

2 - medium (75 - 90 mm)

3 - long (90-150 mm)

7 - very long (more than 150mm)

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

Subsequent letters:

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

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

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

O- curved cut

R- reverse tooth

X- universal file for any materials

H.M.- carbide file

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

Wood files

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

T101BRF- differs from T101BF reverse tooth.

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

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

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

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

Metal files

T118A- a short saw with fine teeth for sawing metal sheets up to 13 mm thick.

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

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

Universal files

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

Special purpose files

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

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

T301CHM-file for fiberglass up to 65mm thick

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

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

T101A- file for organic glass up to 20 mm thick

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

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

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

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