Jigsaw files for shape cutting. Marking of jigsaw files. Electric, benchtop and manual jigsaws

  1. Main selection criteria
  2. Tooth shape
  3. Different pitch
  4. Nozzle thickness
  5. Mounting form
  6. Marking features
  7. Manufacturer brands
  8. Other tips for choosing

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

Main selection criteria

You need to pay attention to:

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

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

Tooth shape

Highlight:

  • Milled set. The teeth are bent in different directions. This prevents excessive heating of the blade during operation and allows you to remove sawdust trapped between the walls of the cut. Suitable for plywood, hard and soft wood, plastic, non-ferrous metals.
  • Wave-shaped milled. The cutting base is laid out in groups. Several teeth deviate at once, first to the left, then to the right. This allows you to get a clean, chip-free cut and make a straight line. Suitable for materials made of aluminum, plastic, non-ferrous metals.
  • Conical ground teeth. Used to produce clean cuts of wood and plastic.
  • Set apart, polished. Used for cutting soft wood, chipboard, chipboard, fiberboard.
Jigsaw files
Working tooth length Part size (step) Divorce Usage What it looks like (click to enlarge)
75 mm 8 w/d (3 mm) Side Soft hard rocks up to 60 mm thick. Especially for rip sawing. Rough cut.
75 mm 6 w/d (4 mm) Undercut and side Same as the previous one, but drank clean
67 mm 6 w/d (4 mm) Undercut Hard and soft species, artificial wood materials up to 60 mm thick. Very clean cut.
50 mm 12 w/d (2 mm) wavy Artificial wood materials up to 30 mm thick. Very thin cut.
50 mm 12 w/d (2 mm) wavy For cutting sharp curves in wood and artificial wood materials up to 20 mm thick.
75 mm 10 w/d (2.5 mm) Undercut Reverse tooth for sawing on the down stroke. For plastic-coated boards.
60 mm 6 w/d (4.5 mm) -- The tips of the teeth are coated with tungsten carbide, especially good results when working with chipboards with a high content of adhesive mass.
70 mm -- -- Semicircular flat and triangular files. For wood and artificial wood materials.

When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the height of the teeth. Small ones provide precise sawing, but work with the blade will be slow. Large ones will allow you to work quickly, but the cutting line will be rough.

Different pitch

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

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

In order for the tool to vibrate less in your hands when working, it is better to choose blades that contain at least 5–8 sharp protrusions in one step.

What should be the width of the nozzle?

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

Nozzle thickness

For cutting a strictly perpendicular line on a thick wooden base nozzles must be used large thickness. How thinner material, the thinner the canvas should be.

Mounting form

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

Marking features

Nozzle types:

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

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

For cutting plywood, soft-fiber wood, chipboard, chipboard with a thickness of no more than 30 mm, and plastic, it is better to choose HCS blades. The teeth of such files have a pointed shape and conical grinding. High flexibility prevents the possibility of breakage. HSS files are designed for cutting metals. They have a curvature at the bottom, which is necessary to prevent the metal from scuffing. These bits are thinner than wood cutting blades, but they are harder.

Bimetal tips are durable. They are made by laser welding. The basis is high-carbon steel. The back part is formed from it, the teeth are made of high-speed steel. The attachment is suitable for cutting curves and straight lines. NM blades are designed for sawing lightweight concrete, fiberglass, and tiles.

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

Manufacturer brands

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

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

In addition to a drill and a screwdriver, every craftsman has a jigsaw in his garage. This tool is not very popular unless you are making structures and crafts from boards. However, an electric jigsaw is not just for woodworking. Depending on the work performed by the tool, there are corresponding jigsaw files. What they are, and how they differ - all this is described in detail in the material.

Why is it important to choose the right saw blades?

Only when making the right choice working attachments can achieve high efficiency, productivity and quality of work performed. A jigsaw is a multifunctional cutting tool that is designed for sawing sheet materials - wood, metal, ceramics, plastic and more. To work with these materials, appropriate blades are installed in the jigsaw clamp.

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

By what parameters are canvases classified?

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

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

Jigsaw blades differ in all these parameters. It’s clear what a jigsaw blade is for a power tool, and how they differ from a manual jigsaw. We will look at all types of files according to their classification in more detail below.

Types of blade shanks for jigsaws

Initially, we will pay attention to the design of the shanks on the blades. If you use one tool, then you probably don’t know that the saw holder devices are different. This depends on the tool manufacturer. According to the design of the shanks, the nozzles come in the following shapes:

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


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

This is interesting!To avoid questions about how to insert a file into a jigsaw, it is recommended to choose modern instruments with T-shaped saw holder designs. After all, shops and markets are overflowing with canvases with this type of shank design.

What does the color of the shank mean on canvases?

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

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


Knowing the color, you definitely won’t go wrong in choosing equipment for the appropriate work.

What materials are jigsaw blades made from?

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

  1. For sawing metal. Metal blades for jigsaws are made from special high-speed steel HSS. The teeth on such blades are small, and their size depends on the degree of hardness. The harder the metal used to make the nozzle, the smaller the teeth. Also, saw blades for cutting metal are made using two types of alloys: HSS (high speed steel) and HCS (high carbon steel). Such blades are also called bimetallic or Bi-Metal, and they are intended for figured sawing of sheet materials made of steel and wood
  2. For sawing wood materials. Initially, the jigsaw was intended specifically for woodworking. Moreover, it was used for cutting sheet wood materials, but soon the functionality of the tool began to expand, and today it can be used to cut not only wood, but also metal and ceramics. For the manufacture of blades for cutting wood materials, steels containing chromium and vanadium, as well as with a high carbon composition, are used. Chrome vanadium blades are designated CV (chrom vanadium), and are suitable for working with fiberboard, chipboard, MDF, plywood and other similar materials. If it is necessary to cut wood or plastic, then nozzles with the designation HCS are selected, which means high-alloy carbon steel. Saw files for woodworking are characterized by large tooth sizes and their spacing. For cutting chipboard, fiberboard and plastic, it is better to choose nozzles with fine teeth up to 3 mm and a small setting
  3. For laminate. These are special blades that differ from those used for sawing wood. Their main difference is that, in addition to small teeth, they have reverse links. These reverse links prevent the formation of chips on the front side, which is important when processing decorative materials. Laminate sheets are made using two types of steel, whereby the nozzles are called bimetallic and are designated BIM (bi-metal)
  4. For ceramic tiles- attachments for sawing high-strength materials, such as ceramic tiles, foam blocks, marble, etc., are made from tungsten carbide alloy. In addition to the use of a special high-strength composition, such nozzles have a distinctive design from all others. If the blade is made of tungsten carbide alloy, then the marking contains the designation HIM or HM (hard material). The hardness of the material reaches 79 HRC. If a file has the designation DIA, this means that it is made using diamond coating. Diamond blades are expensive and are intended for cutting ceramic tiles and granite

  5. For cardboard, this is a special type of cutting element for jigsaws, which has a sharpened edge of a wave-like design. Such files are used to cut foam, rubber, cardboard and other types of soft materials. The file does not have sharp teeth, but instead there are wavy, sharpened tubercles. This design ensures that the material does not crumble and does not tear. As a result, the cut is smooth and neat. Jigsaws with cardboard files are also used to cut carpets

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

What blades come in tooth shapes?

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

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


Different manufacturers strive to improve their attachments, so it is possible that other variants of cutting edge shapes are also available on sale.

What does the width of the jigsaw blade affect and what are they?

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

A wide canvas is more stable, but it cannot be used to make figured cut. Another thing is thin files, which not only cut neatly, but also allow you to easily negotiate turns, making shaped cuts.


The width of the canvas is available from 5 to 45 mm. When purchasing you need to remember the following:

    • If you plan to make a straight cut, then choose a wide file
    • For a shaped cut you need to take thin files

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

What should the tooth pitch be and what does it mean?

As with conventional or, blades for jigsaws have such an important parameter as pitch. The pitch is the distance between the peak points of the teeth. The step is indicated by the TPI marking, followed by digital value. This number indicates the number of teeth on the blade at a distance of 1 inch.


After the TPI value there can be any number that indicates the number of teeth over a length of 25.4 mm of the blade. Now let's figure out how the pitch of the teeth affects the quality and productivity of the cut. The fewer teeth per inch, the less accurate the cut. This is relevant for working with wood, so saws with TPI from 4 to 7 are used for such purposes. ordinary work blades with TPI from 7 to 9 are used, and a clean and accurate cut is obtained with at least 10-13 teeth per 1 inch.

What does tooth size affect?

The blades also differ in the size of the teeth. This parameter affects cutting speed and quality. How larger size tooth, the higher the cutting speed, but the quality suffers. The file with the smallest teeth is marked with the letter A, and all subsequent letters of the Latin alphabet indicate an increased tooth size. For quick and at the same time rough cutting, blades with tooth sizes are used, designated by the letters B, C, and D. A video about the types of carbide files on a jigsaw is below.

The thickness of the blades affects the deflection of the nozzle

Another factor that influences the quality of the cut is the thickness of the saw attachment. They come in two types - thick and thin. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, as well as a corresponding purpose.

  • Thin blades provide an even and accurate cut, but during the sawing process they vibrate strongly, which depends on the hardness of the material being processed. In addition, their advantage is the low load on the tool, and the disadvantage is that they cannot be used for corner cuts.
  • Thick files provide an even perpendicular cut and can be used for angular cutting of materials. Their disadvantage is that due to their size they increase the load on the engine and gearbox of the tool, so they cannot be used on low-power jigsaws


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

What kind of canvases come in length?

It is important to take into account one more parameter - the length of the canvas. Four indicators are used to indicate lengths:

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

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

Markings on jigsaw blades - what does it mean?

There are no difficulties in choosing blades, since the nozzles are marked accordingly. From this marking you can find out all the detailed information about the cutting element. What does the marking mean? jigsaw blades How it is read and what it is responsible for, we will find out in detail. Below is an example of jigsaw blade markings, which we will use as a guide when reading the designations.


Also presented above additional options types of shanks that are not found at all today. This is the US-shank and F-shape type standard on Fein models. The marking is indicated on the tail section and is a set of letters and numbers. Let’s look at what the letters and numbers on saw blades markings mean below.

  1. The first letter is indicated, which indicates the type of shank. As already mentioned, the design of the shanks is different, and the corresponding letter indicates the following types: T - T-shaped design, U - y-shaped, M - suitable for outdated models of Makita brand jigsaws, F - Fein standard
  2. The next designation in the marking is the length of the blade. The corresponding first number indicates a certain length range. If the number is 1, then this is the shortest file up to 75 mm, and 2 means the blade has an average length ranging from 75 to 90 mm. The number 3 means a length from 90 to 150 mm, and 4 means a blade length of more than 150 mm. After the first digit, additional digital designations (two digits) are written indicating the size of the teeth
  3. The third, or rather fifth, letter in the marking is. These are four types of letters A, B, C and D, which characterize the size of the teeth from fine to coarse
  4. After the digital designation, the marking ends with a letter. This letter indicates the accessory of the nozzle. Each letter has a corresponding purpose: F - equipment is made using two alloys, P - blades are thick and are designed for precise cutting, R - the blade has a tooth reverse design, X - universal, O - blade has narrow shape backrests

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

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

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

All types of files for woodworking with a jigsaw description and purpose

Let's look at all types of saw blades for wood processing. Each type has a corresponding purpose, which must be taken into account when processing the corresponding types of materials.




There is a jigsaw not only in every workshop, but also, perhaps, in every home. This tool has gained such popularity due to its versatility and compactness. With its help, you can cut various sheet materials: wood of any species (from the softest to very hard); sheet metal; plastic; glass and ceramics, etc.

To work with a particular material, you need to choose the right saw blade (more often called simply a “file”), since the quality, cutting speed and overall ability to work depend on it. This will be discussed in this article.

Each saw has its own unique parameters, the combination of which determines the material that can be cut with it, as well as other cutting characteristics: the quality and speed of the saw. In addition, each file has design features, allowing you to use it with one or another. A separate article is devoted to this, but choosing the “right” file will be discussed in this article.

Parameters of jigsaw files

First you need to decide on the list of saw blade parameters that need to be taken into account. So this:

  • File fastening standard (shape of shank);
  • Dimensions (length, width, thickness);
  • Geometric parameters of teeth;
  • Purpose (according to the type of material being processed).

Let's look at these parameters in more detail.

File fastening standard (shank shape)

To determine the standard for fastening the saw blade to, you need to look at the passport of your power tool - this should be indicated there. Although quite often several files are included with the kit and by looking at them, you can understand the type of shank that suits you.

Listed below are the main types of shanks found today.

  • T-shape
  • U-shaped
  • Shank for Makita
  • Shank for Bosh

The T-shank type is the most common type nowadays. This solution turned out to be the most successful and was “adopted” by a large number of power tool manufacturers. This type is often called Boschevsky, because it was the Bosch company that first offered this type of file attachment to the market. Subsequently, other manufacturers began to support this type of shank. Such companies include:

  • Bosch,
  • Makita,
  • Metabo,
  • Hitachi,
  • Skil,
  • DeWalt,
  • Sparky

and others.

The U-shaped shank is considered an American standard, however, it can be considered obsolete, since it is almost never used now, although previously this type of shank was used on jigsaws with screw and block clamps from famous manufacturers:

  • Ryobi,
  • stayer,
  • Black&Decker,
  • Skil,
  • DeWalt,

This is Makita's proprietary shank type. Such files are distinguished by their reliability and strong foundation. This canvas Now it can also be considered outdated and is suitable only for some Makita jigsaws. In this regard, when changing the blade, it may be difficult to purchase it, since the demand for them is now very low, it will be difficult to find such files in the store.

This type of shank is very similar to the T-shaped one, but unlike it, it is proprietary to Bosch, and accordingly is suitable for jigsaw models only from this manufacturer. This type The fasteners can also be considered outdated, so it is very difficult to find them on sale.

conclusions

So, to summarize, it becomes clear that the T-type shank is now some general standard and it has supplanted all other modifications that previously took place. Thus, this greatly simplifies the task for us (consumers) - there is a large selection and there is no need to think too much about shanks, although I know that theoretically I can get caught and non-standard options– is also necessary.

Saw blade dimensions

Like any object in Euclidean space, a file has three geometric dimensions: length, width and thickness. Each of these parameters is important and affects the result of the work in its own way. Now about this in more detail.

Length

The parameter is clear and understandable - the longer the file, the greater the thickness of the sawn workpiece can be. The range of saw blade lengths for jigsaws is very large - from 40 mm to 250 mm. It would seem that you need to take the longest file and you won’t go wrong. Yes, a long saw is good, as it allows you to cut thick workpieces, but there are a number of issues.

  1. you have to pay for excess length; the longer the file, the more expensive it is; It is obvious;
  2. When sawing workpieces of different thicknesses, there will be uneven wear of the saw blade; accordingly, the wear of the teeth at the base will be higher than at the end of the file.
  3. files bend, and it is much easier to bend a long file than a short one;
  4. There are cases when the excessive length of the file simply interferes with sawing, for example, it rests on something, while a short file would go through without problems.

It is important to pay attention to important point– to cut thick workpieces, you need not only a long saw blade – you need enough power for the jigsaw to cope with the load. If you don’t take this factor into account, you can simply ruin the tool - the jigsaw can simply “burn out.”

Width

For an even saw (in a straight line) they are more suitable wide files, because due to their width they prevent the cut from being pulled to the side. Accordingly, the wider the file, the more even the cut it can give. With narrow files the situation is the opposite - they are used where you need to make a figured or radius cut, respectively, the narrower the file, the greater the curvature of the cut.

Thickness

And the last, but not least important parameter is the thickness of the file. The thicker the blade, the stronger the file, and accordingly, the more resistant it is to the applied forces and will not “be pulled” to the side. It would seem - the conclusion is obvious - we take the thickest files, however, as in the case of length, it is necessary to point out a number of circumstances. The thicker the file, the wider the cut width, which means:

  • more effort will have to be put in
  • the cutting time will be longer,
  • heating of the workpiece will be greater,
  • more material consumption.

In addition, it should be mentioned that not all thick files are suitable for the quick-release mechanism.

conclusions

As always, there is no one universal solution for all occasions. Each time you need to support a file that is suitable at the moment, for the given task, and, of course, for your tool. You probably shouldn’t run to the store every time and select saw blades, but simply have a set of the most commonly used saw blade options.

Geometric parameters of teeth

The geometry of the cutting edge and the tooth set play an important role. The speed and quality of the cut depends on this. Obviously, the wider the teeth are spread in different directions, the wider the cut will be, and due to the fact that the blade itself does not rub against the edges of the cut, there is less resistance, less heating and a higher cutting speed. Certainly, reverse side these benefits will poor quality saw, as well as the difficulty of making an even cut due to the “pull” of the file to the side (since the blade is not fixed in the plane of the saw). There are several types of cutting edge geometry:

Each of these types of geometries has its own characteristics. Let's take a closer look at them.

This type of geometry is used for simple hand saws and consists in the fact that the teeth alternately move left and right. It is clear that in this case the blade practically does not rub against the walls of the saw, sawing is easy and fast, but in this case there is no need to talk about the quality of the cut and evenness. This type of wiring is quite popular, as it is easy to manufacture and has its undeniable advantages.

For saw blades with this form of setting, the cutting edge has a wave shape, with several teeth falling into one half-wave and each of them has a different deviation from the central axis. This type of setting gives a clean cut, so it is mainly used when sawing hard wood, metal, etc.

As in the case of the “Milled with classic set” option, the teeth are alternately set in different directions, but at the same time they undergo an additional processing process - grinding. In this case, the cut is much cleaner, but the speed of work is maintained. This type of wiring is used for sawing, VDF, MDF, etc.

With this option, the teeth are almost not set, but they are specially sharpened and polished. When sawing with such blades, a very clean and even cut is obtained, but the speed of work suffers accordingly and requires larger number revolutions (saw blade speed) of the tool.

Purpose

From the very beginning, jigsaws were used exclusively for, but over time, the versatility of this tool has significantly expanded the scope of its use. Thus, at the moment, it is possible to saw almost any sheet material - this includes wood of various species and densities, metal, glass, ceramics, various glued and pressed boards (fibreboard, MDF, etc.). Manufacturers of saw blades, when developing specific models of files, determine its purpose by the type of material being cut; accordingly, the entire variety of saw blades for jigsaws can be divided into the following groups:

Let's take a closer look at each group of these classifications.

Saw blades for wood and wood panels

Sawing wood is the main purpose of a jigsaw, which is why there is the greatest variety of wood saws. This is dictated by the wide variety of types of wood and various boards derived from it (fibreboard, fiberboard, etc.).

All wood files are divided into several categories:

  • for quick cutting;
  • for a clean cut;
  • for figured cutting;
  • for a “blind” cut.
Saw blades for quick cutting of wood

Quite often you need to quickly saw off a workpiece and the quality and cleanliness of the cut is not at all important. In this case, apply special files, which have some distinctive features:

  • long length;
  • large, large teeth;
  • large tooth set
Saw blades for clean wood cutting

When making furniture, cutting parquet boards and in other cases, a high-quality and clean cut is required. For this purpose, special files are used, which can be recognized by the following distinctive features:

  • average tooth size;
  • there is no or very slight tooth spread.

Typically the teeth point towards the jigsaw. This is done so that the main cutting movement occurs at the moment of retraction of the file (movement of the file towards the jigsaw), while the master does not experience special effort when sawing. The disadvantage of this principle is that chips from the file are obtained on the side that is visible to the master - where the marking line is. But sometimes it happens that you need to do the opposite, so that the front side of the cut (without chips) is on top. In this case, special files with teeth are used that are directed away from the jigsaw. Sawing with such files is accompanied by increased efforts by the master, who must overcome the force of pushing out the file with a jigsaw.

Files for shaped cutting of wood

A jigsaw is a universal tool - it allows you to make figured cuts, that is, with small radii of curvature, and in some cases it is even possible to “turn on the spot” (make the saw not smooth, but at an angle). For such a cut, special files are again needed - they are easy to recognize - they have:

  • narrow canvas
  • short length
  • fine teeth
Files for blind cutting of wood

A blind cut is a cut when the size of the maximum overhang of the file is less than the thickness of the workpiece.

This topic is quite controversial and there are many opinions on this matter. Nevertheless, we will state our position. A blind saw is possible and does occur. But you need to understand a number of points:

  • The file must have a special shape;
  • The load on the jigsaw increases many times;

The file must have a special shape of the last tooth and the tip of the file, as shown in the picture.

When making a blind cut, the entire saw blade is used - this is the maximum load for it and the load on the jigsaw itself. In addition, the cut is made in such a way that the last millimeter (or two) of the wood is simply crushed, so there are shock loads on the holder at the moment of maximum projection of the saw. Thus, it is not recommended to make a blind cut on hard wood, or on soft wood - for example, but the master must understand that the wear of the tool at this moment increases many times and the likelihood of breakdowns is very high.

Metal files

The main work of sawing metal is done with a grinder, but sometimes you need to make a curved or radius cut. In such cases, a jigsaw with a special file will help. You can saw both steel blanks and non-ferrous metals. Metal is much denser than wood, so when working with metal you need to understand that the jigsaw works under a heavy load and you need to load it wisely.

Metal files are usually made of durable alloys and have fine teeth with wave winding (see above).

A jigsaw can easily cope with sawing various types of polymer materials, plastics, plexiglass, etc. For sawing these materials there are specialized files, although in practice wood or metal saws are usually used. A simple rule works: the denser the material, the smaller the saw tooth should be, so simple wood saws are suitable for most plastics. It must be remembered that sawdust from plastic begins to melt at high temperatures; in this case, the saw teeth become clogged with melted plastic and lose their sawing properties. Therefore, it is important to monitor the temperature of the file and not overheat it; accordingly, you need to cut at low speeds and regularly let the file cool.

There are various situations when it is necessary to saw various exotic materials that are not typical for sawing with a jigsaw - glass, ceramics, etc. There are special-purpose saws for these purposes. They are rare and unique, nevertheless they still find their place among craftsmen who work with these materials.

Manufacturers of saw blades must label them so that users can navigate the parameters and purpose of the proposed saw blades. There are various classifiers, but at the moment the most popular is the standard from Bosch, which is the leader in this topic.

The main marking is usually done on the shank, and additional information is indicated on the saw plane.

Basic markings

Position in code Description Values
First character (letter) Shank type “T” – T-shaped shank type “U” – U-shaped shank type “M” - Makita shank
Second character (number) File length “1” – short (up to 75 mm) “2” – standard (75-90 mm) “3” – extended (90-150 mm) “7” – long (more than 150 mm)
Third and fourth character (numbers) Purpose of the file /no information/
Fourth character (letter) Tooth size “A” – small (metal, laminate) “B” – medium (wood, fiberboard, MDF, etc.) “C” and “D” – large (quick cut)
Fifth character (letter) Additional Information “F” – bimetallic blade (considered the strongest and most durable) “O” – narrow blade (for figured cutting) “P” – thick blade (allows you to cut strictly perpendicular to the surface) “R” – with reverse tooth “X” – with variable tooth size (universal blade, suitable for cutting any materials)

The color of the shank can also tell the master about the purpose of this file:

Additional information on the saw plane

On the neck of the file (between the shank and the saw plane) there is a marking of the type of material from which the file is made.

Marking Material
CV Chrome vanadium steel (for wood and wood panels)
HCS High carbon steel (for wood and wood-based panels, as well as plastic),
H.S.S. High speed steel (for ferrous and non-ferrous metals)
H.M. Hard alloy based on tungsten carbide (for ceramics, fiberglass, etc.)
BM(BIM or Bi-Metal) Highly elastic combination of HSS and HCS (professional saw blades for wood and metal)

Purpose of the file:

Marking Purpose
Wood For soft wood and fiberboards
Hardwood For hardwood and laminated panels
Inox For stainless steel
Alu For aluminum
Metal For tin, metal profiles and pipes
Fiber&Plaster For fiberglass
Soft-material For soft materials (rubber, foam, cardboard, etc.)
Acrylic For polycarbonate and plexiglass

Clarifying information defining the type of work:

Marking Type of work
Basic Standard blades for quality cuts
Speed Fast cutting files
Clean Blades for clean cutting (without toothing)
Progressor Universal files with variable tooth sizes
Flexible Blades with wavy layout for cutting metal
Special Files for cutting ceramics, plastic and other highly specialized work

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

Shank type

The shape of the part of the file inserted into the jigsaw - the shank - determines the way it is clamped in the tool.

Files with a tail resembling the letter T are ubiquitous. They are suitable for most modern models jigsaws for wood, such as those developed by BOSCH, a trendsetter in this field. In jargon they are called "European type".

American models (DeWalt, Black&Decker) use saws whose tail end ends in a semicircular cutout resembling the letter U. Such shanks fit all clamps with a block or screw. In the jargon - “American type”.

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

Tooth shape

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

The first category includes milled files with a regular set. The classic set-up involves alternating bending of the teeth in different directions. A regular saw or hacksaw has such a problem. It produces a wide kerf and high cutting speed, but does not provide cleanliness. The best results are obtained when quickly cutting any type of wood, plastic and even metal.

The second category is milled with a “wave” type pattern. The teeth are not set one by one, but in groups of several pieces. The amount of spread is different for each tooth in the group, so the cutting edge looks like a wave. This file provides good cutting quality and is used for different materials if necessary, obtain an even and smooth cut without chips.

Next come files with ground teeth and a classic alternating set. They are characterized by high cutting speed and a wide kerf, the cleanliness of which is better than that of the milled version. Their purpose is fast but high-quality cutting of wood and wood-based materials (chipboard, fiberboard).

Finally comes the category of jigsaw files for wood without cutting with conical grinding of the teeth. The absence of a mark gives a clean and thin cut, but is not suitable for fast and rough cutting. Used for finishing wood and polymers.

Tooth pitch

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

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

  • for rough cross cuts, TPI = 4–7 (t = 3.5–6.5) is suitable;
  • ordinary carpentry – TPI = 7–9 (t = 2.5–3.5);
  • cuts High Quality– TPI = 9–13 (t = 2).

When choosing a suitable step, you need to pay attention to the thickness of the material being processed. The cutting process should involve 5–7 teeth. If the thickness of the material is small and the tooth pitch is large, the blade will vibrate and tear the cutting edge.

Canvas dimensions

Not only the size and shape of the cutting edge determine the capabilities jigsaw files. The geometric characteristics of the canvas itself also affect the speed and quality of work. Plus, its dimensions must be selected based on the type and dimensions of the material being processed.

Length

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

Note! Working with long canvases, it should be understood that the working depth of the cut is affected by the power of the jigsaw.

Width

You need to select the width of the saw blade based on the type of work to be done. For simple sawing, where a straight and even edge is required, wide files are taken. A narrow blade may move during operation, and a straight cutting line will not work.

But when figured sawing With varying degrees of complexity, you need to choose narrow jigsaw blades. It is easier to direct them to the side, drawing curved lines.

Thickness

For sawing thin sheet materials, the thickness of the file does not matter much. But when working with thick workpieces, this size affects the quality of the sawn surface. Thin blades will deviate from the perpendicular line during operation, and the cut will be uneven. The thicker the blade, the more even the cut it provides. But there is one caveat - too thick a blade is not suitable for all models of jigsaws. Jigsaws equipped with quick-release devices may not be suitable for thick blades.

What do the markings on files mean?

Even knowing all the intricacies of choosing a suitable jigsaw file and having determined the required parameter values ​​for yourself, you can get confused among the many products offered. Don’t go to the store with a ruler and calipers, measuring the dimensions of each blade and the pitch of the teeth!

Files from well-known manufacturers are necessarily marked with various markings that provide approximate information about the parameters of this product. Of course, if you want to know the exact values, you can measure them with a ruler. But it is better to do this not with every canvas, but only with one - pre-selected by marking.

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

According to BOSCH standards, alphanumeric markings are applied to the shank of the jigsaw file. The first letter of the marking indicates the type of shank: T-shaped or U-shaped.

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

1 – short files with a length of up to 75 mm;

2 – average length: 75–90 mm;

3 – long: 90–150 mm;

4 – very long, more than 150 mm.

The next two numbers encrypt the purpose of the file (according to the manufacturers). The same information is usually present in other places on the saw blade in a form that is more understandable to the consumer.

The first letter following the numbers indicates the tooth size:

  • A – small;
  • B – average;
  • C and D – big.

The second letter (if there is one) gives Additional information about files that are somewhat different from ordinary ones.

F – especially durable material, bimetal.

O – small width, for figure cutting.

P – large thickness.

R – reverse direction of teeth.

X – teeth of variable size.

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

For wood - grey colour; the words Wood (plain wood) and HardWood (hard wood and laminate).

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

For polymeric materials – red color; the words Acrylic and Fiber&Plaster (fiberglass).

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

For ceramics – Ceramics.

Elsewhere on the canvas there may be verbal information about the method of application and special properties (usually in smaller letters than about the material of use):

  • basic – standard type canvases;
  • speed – for fast cutting;
  • flexible – with a “wave” type connection;
  • clean - without streaks, clean cut;
  • progressor – variable tooth size;
  • special – for highly specialized applications (ceramics, durable plastic, etc.)

A letter marking of the type of metal from which it is made is applied to the neck of the file (between the shank and the blade itself):

  • HM – hard alloy;
  • CV – chrome vanadium alloy;
  • HSS – high-speed steel;
  • HCS – high carbon steel;
  • VM or ViM is a particularly strong alloy.

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

Types of files according to purpose

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

On wood

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

If speed is important, even at the expense of the quality of the cut, then you need to choose long files with large teeth and big step. Divorce is also desirable more.

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

For artistic cutting there should be a narrow blade no wider than 4 mm, small teeth and short length. Compliance with these conditions will allow figure cutting to be carried out at small turning radii.

For metal

An electric jigsaw is still not the best suitable tool for cutting metal. But if necessary, he can handle it if you choose the right file. The teeth of such files are very small and wavy; the blades are made of especially strong alloys, but they also quickly become dull. It is advisable to select files marked specifically for the type of metal you will be working with.

For polymer materials

The file markings contain designations specifically for working with such materials. Ordinary plastic and PVC products can also be sawed with wood blades. In this case, the teeth must be chosen larger and with a larger spread. A small tooth will not only cut, but also melt the material. For plexiglass, it is better to choose a metal fabric with a wavy pattern.

Manufacturers

BOSCH is considered the leader in the production of jigsaw files. This is perhaps the only company that provides its tools with a full range of saw blades. HITACHI and MAKITA are also popular, but they sometimes use other manufacturers to produce instruments. Among the domestic files with good quality, we can mention Ermak products.

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

Today we will look at the types of files for electric jigsaw, because when choosing, the buyer has many questions. There are a lot of types of saws, because with a jigsaw you can cut not only wood, the list is much longer. Therefore, in this article we will figure out which saws are best for cutting simple wood, and which chipboard or fibreboard, which saws are used to cut different kinds metal

And of course, we will pay attention to the markings, so after reading this article, you will begin to understand which file is suitable for which work. It’s not for nothing that there are different letters and numbers on the files. What do they mean? We will analyze all this using the example of popular models from Bosch, since they are of good quality and their price is very low.

Marking

If you have ever been to a tool store, you have seen that there are letters and numbers on the shank of any saw. Let's figure out what they mean.

The letter T means the type of fastening, that is, T-shaped (Fig. 1). There is also U, which is much less common (Fig. 2).

The numbers on the shank mean:

The first number is the length:

  • 1 - standard short, length up to 75 mm.
  • 2 - average length, up to 90 mm
  • 3 - extended, up to 150 mm
  • 7 - the longest (over 150 mm)

The following letters indicate the size of the teeth:
A,B,C,D

Tooth A is the smallest, so all metal files have A, for example T118A means a file with a T-shaped shank, short, very fine tooth. Next, respectively, B - a slightly larger tooth (most often these are saws with fine teeth for plywood, chipboard, fiberboard and wood for a clean cut). Files with the letters C and D - with the largest teeth, for rough sawing on wood.

There are also saws with two letters at the end, for example the T119BO model, so let’s look at what the last letter means:

  • F - bimetal (the coolest, highest quality)
  • R - with reverse tooth
  • X - universal for wood, metal and plastic.
  • O - for a curved cut (cutting a circle, for example, usually thin, so that the file can be turned straight while sawing).
  • P - thick options for sawing strictly at the exact selected angle (thick, do not bend, so they cut perfectly). A prominent representative is the T144DP, which costs significantly more than the standard ones.

On wood

The main purpose of an electric jigsaw is cutting wood. There are a huge number of files for this purpose and they are all different. Let's go in order.

If you need to cut ordinary boards and you don’t care about the quality of the cut, its cleanliness, you work for speed (for example, cutting ordinary boards for firewood or for a fence), then buy jigsaw files with large teeth. Thanks to this, the sawing speed will be high, and if you work with a jigsaw in pendulum mode, then everything will be just fine.

In addition, also pay attention to the length of the saw, since you won’t be able to cut a board or block 70 mm thick (for example) with a regular saw, you will need an extended one.

Well, the third nuance when choosing is thickness, standard files are not thick, but there are thicker ones (they cut much better because they don’t bend). Since most jigsaws use a standard mount (T-shaped), the name of the saw blades for such a mount begins with the letter T.

For a standard set of nail files, see the photo:

Well, now we’ll look at each file separately, what it can cut, and what kind of work it’s best suited for.

For metal.

T118A is a standard metal file, has a very fine tooth (like metal blades). You can cut metal up to 3 mm, but there is a terrible grinding noise, so use hearing protection. Highly recommend. Also, due to the fact that the tooth is very small, it is also recommended to saw plastic with it; many finishers do this.

These are 5 files that we constantly sell along with jigsaws. By and large, they are enough for all household chores.

In addition to the standard metal file, there is special options for some other metal. For example, an aluminum file has a larger tooth, so the teeth do not clog. After all, aluminum is a soft metal, so the standard one for metal gets clogged with shavings very quickly.
T224D - for aluminum, special. It says Alu on it.

Sawing on tiles, stone and porcelain stoneware.

Not everyone has tile cutters and grinders, so they came up with special files for jigsaws on tiles. The blade has tungsten carbide coating instead of teeth, which actually cuts any stone surface.

T150Riff - special for tiles, cost about 250 rubles. Excellent for cutting tiles.