The electric jigsaw is a regular practical application each woodworker, and the development and improvement of technology has expanded the scope of its practical use. Now the device can be successfully used when working with other materials, the only thing to consider is the correct choice of saw blade. Jigsaw files are classified according to several of the most significant features, which allows you to initially select the right nozzle, depending on the features and type of cutting. Let's try to figure out how to choose the right file for your jigsaw, and what types of it are.

The requirements for the tool are currently very high. Both productivity, and speed of work, and accuracy of cut, and its evenness are important. AT general view all options for classifying blades suitable for a jigsaw can be combined into several groups according to the following criteria:

• shank type;
• material used in the processing;
• options for the shape of the teeth of the file;
• canvas width;
• tooth pitch;
• web thickness.

Types of files

Shank type

T-shaped variant. This shank is called "Boshevsky", since it was Bosch who came up with the idea of ​​\u200b\u200bcreating it. Focusing on the leader in this field, other manufacturers began to produce jigsaws with the same shanks, so they are now ubiquitous.

U-shaped shank. The next most used is the American version, which is suitable for older types of jigsaws. Also compatible with models with screw and shoe terminals.

ShanksMakitaandBosch. Rare representatives of their kind, suitable only for jigsaws of the same manufacturer, and the old model.

By material

Perhaps this is the main classification feature that most accurately separates all the options for electric jigsaw files and allows you to describe in detail their types and features of operation.

For metal. Such saw blades are most often made of special high-speed steel, the cutting segments themselves are small and depend on the degree of hardness of the metal - the harder it is, the finer the tooth. In general, to tell the truth, a jigsaw is not very suitable for metal - the cutting process usually becomes lengthy. The selected saw blade option can be suitable for either aluminum, or steel, or non-ferrous metals.

By wood. It was wood from the moment the jigsaw was created that was the only material option in the field of its application, and until now it is it that is its classic purpose. These blades are made from chrome vanadium or high carbon steel. At the same time, for rough sawing, where not so much accuracy and accuracy are important as speed, wide blades and large teeth are used.

For clean processing of panels made of chipboard and fiberboard, accuracy is needed rather than increased productivity, so the file for these purposes has teeth up to 3 mm and a small divorce.

There are also special options with double row of teeth, allowing you to make the cut of laminated panels as accurately as possible. For curly processing, narrow blade options with fine teeth and a slightly beveled back are used.

For laminate. The peculiarity of such a canvas lies in the presence of the so-called reverse teeth, preventing the occurrence of chips on the front part when sawing. This blade has a small tooth.

For ceramic tiles. Such models are equipped with a carbide coating on the edges. Such a nozzle is convenient to cut and even figuredly cut. However, it should be noted that with an electric jigsaw it will be possible to cut only wall tiles; for floor tiles, a grinder or a tile cutter is needed.

Universal. They cope equally well with wood and metal due to the fact that on one side of the saw the teeth are small, and on the other - large. For curly treatments and such a blade will not work for an absolutely flawless cut.

Special. They are divided into groups of products designed for different materials. For ceramic tiles, as previously described, options from the most durable alloys with a special coating are suitable. When choosing a jigsaw for such purposes, please note that the expediency of using it is present only in cases of necessary curly cutting; for straight edges, there are other, more adapted options.

If the material contains abrasive particles, as is the case with gypsum or cement, the files become dull very quickly. You should choose special blades, on the cutting part of which hard alloy soldering is located.

For soft "shapes" such as cardboard or rubber, choose "toothless" saws, which are more like knives. The edge cut is performed by a wave with grinding.

Tooth shape

With set milled. In such variants of saw blades, the teeth are bent in different directions in turn. In this case, the width of the wiring is considered normal equal to 1.5th of the thickness of the web itself. Thanks to the wiring, strong heating does not occur, and sawdust is removed simply and easily. Used for fast cutting of not too hard wood, as well as plastic structures and non-ferrous metals.

With wavy milled. The setting is carried out by groups of teeth that deviate alternately to the left and right. The magnitude of the deviation of each subsequent one differs from the angle of inclination of the previous one, thus a wave is formed. Such saws are used for clean cutting of plastic and aluminum products and non-ferrous metal materials.

with ground teeth, conical grinding. It is used exclusively for fine cuts in the processing of wood and plastic, as well as laminate and polymer materials.

With divorced polished. It is used for accelerated cutting with a rough cut of soft wood species, chipboard and fiberboard.

According to the width of the canvas

This sawing parameter is selected taking into account the specific requirements for specific work results. Wide blades are more stable, so nothing gets in the way of sawing at high speed without fear of deflection. If you need to cut a curve with high quality, then more narrow options, with their help you can easily overcome turns. At the same time, it is necessary that the teeth themselves be located directly on the axis of the drive - this gives the tool controllability.

By tooth pitch

The step is the length of the trajectory between the vertices. In most countries, such a pitch designation as TPI from the English “teeth per inch”, measured by the number of teeth per 1 inch, is adopted. That is, if, for example, the TPI value is 5, then this means that there are 5 teeth in one inch of the blade.

If the wood needs to be cut crosswise, then it is advisable to use saws with a TPI of 7-4, for normal work 9-7 is enough, if you need extremely accurate and accurate sawing - 13-10. It is also necessary to take into account starting material thickness, 6-8 teeth should be involved in the work, otherwise the blade will begin to vibrate, and the saw cut will turn out to be torn.

By web thickness

The thickness of the file determines how much it will deviate from vertical installation. From this point of view, thick saw blades are the best way to ensure a straight, perpendicular cut. However, they will almost certainly not fit jigsaws that have a quick-release version of the mechanism.

Marking jigsaw files is especially useful for those who are not yet experienced enough in carpentry and cannot indicate the purpose of the nozzle, focusing on its appearance.

Most manufacturers tend to label their products according to the system invented by Bosch.

So, the marking is affixed on the tail and contains a combination of letters and numbers.

The first letter in the combination indicates the type of shank:

• T-shaped,
• U-shaped,
• M - for Makita jigsaws,
• fine standard.

• 1 - the shortest length, does not exceed 75 mm,
• 2 - average 75-90,
• 3 - long 90-150,
• 7 - the longest files with a length of over 150 mm.

The next letter indicates the size of the teeth:

• A - fine teeth,
• B - average,
• C or D - large.

The last letter indicates some additional important information:

• F - working part made of a particularly strong bimetallic alloy,
• P - precise cut,
• O - narrow back,
• X - progressive tooth pitch,
• R - reverse (reverse) direction of the teeth.

The color of the shank can also say a lot. Gray indicates the purpose of the file for wood materials, blue - for metal, and red - for plastic structures.

The type of steel underlying the fabric during production is affixed with a special combination of letters on the neck:

• HM - hard alloys,
• CV - chrome vanadium steel,
• HSS - high speed steel,
• HCS (CV) - high carbon steel,
• BM (BiM) is a combination of CV and HSS, very strong and durable.

Often affixed to the file letter designations directly reflecting the essence of its purpose. For those who are at least a little familiar with the English language, deciphering these letter combinations will not be difficult.

• "Wood" refers to working with soft wood and other soft materials.
• "Hardwood" - solid wood, PVC panels.
• "Inox" - works with stainless steel.
• "Metal" - metal.
• Alu is aluminium.
• Fiber, Plaster - fiberglass.
• Soft-material - rubber, carpet.
• Acrylic - polycarbonate.

Conclusion

Now you are familiar with the main types of canvases, and you can easily answer the question of how to choose the right file for your jigsaw. Given the specifics of the device of each product, you can choose a truly suitable version of the file, which will last a long time and will not spoil your original idea. For those who practice carpentry often, it makes sense to acquire a variety of options files and use them strictly for their intended purpose. If you take out a jigsaw a couple of times a year, then it is better to have universal models on hand for urgent and rough work, and entrust accurate and curly cutting to professionals. Happy shopping to you!

Bosch jigsaw

Almost every craftsman has an electric jigsaw (electric jigsaw). After all, wood is the most convenient material for home crafts. However, today the electric jigsaw is not the only one in the teeth, and the secret of new opportunities lies in saw blades - jigsaw files. In this article, we will introduce you to the standards saw blades, as well as their area of ​​application.

The modern master makes high demands on the tool he works with. He is interested in productivity, geometric accuracy of the cut, as well as the end result - the quality of the cut line. To choose the right nail file for your jigsaw, you need to consider a number of criteria: the material to be processed; pitch of 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 special purpose- for of stainless steel, abrasive materials, laminate, ceramics, cement, for different types plastics and fibrous materials.

Tooth shape

According to the shape of the teeth, saw blades can be divided into four types, which are shown schematically in the figure. The capabilities of the file depend on the size and shape of the blade and the size of the teeth. A large number of fine teeth ensures accurate sawing, 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, divorced. The teeth are alternately bent in different directions. The wiring width is considered normal if it is equal to one and a half web thickness. The wiring prevents excessive heating of the saw blade and helps to remove sawdust that has fallen between the saw blade and the walls of the cut. Used for fast cutting of hard and soft woods, non-ferrous metals and plastics.
	The teeth are milled, wavy. Cloth Wiring is performed not through one tooth, but in groups that deviate either to the right or to the left. The saw blade is designed to produce a smooth and clean cut when sawing in a straight line aluminium, non-ferrous metals and plastics.
	The teeth are ground, with conical grinding. The saw blade with a conical non-working edge is designed for clean cuts in wood and plastic.
	The teeth are ground divorced. Saw blade for fast sawing of wood with a rough cut line. Used for cutting soft wood (5-50mm), blockboard, chipboard and fiberboard.

Tooth pitch

In our country, pitch (t) is the distance between the tops of the teeth. In a number of countries, the pitch is designated TPI (teeth per inch) and is measured by the number of teeth per inch (for example, TPI \u003d 7, i.e. 7 teeth per inch). For transverse sawing of 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), with responsible 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. Sawing is easier if at least 5-8 teeth are involved in the work at the same time. If this rule is not observed, the blade will vibrate during operation, and the cutting line will turn out to be crooked and torn.

Saw blade width

The width of the saw blade determines the quality and speed of cutting when moving in a straight line, as well as the possibility of cutting curves. The wider the saw blade, the more stable it is: it allows a high cutting speed and deviates less from the cutting plane. Narrower saw blades should be used for sawing curved lines: 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 cut line.

File thickness

The thickness of the saw blade 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 requiring high precision relative position surfaces, it is better to use circular saws.

Saw blades for sawing wood

Below are saw blades for wood from Wilpu. Numbers in parentheses indicate the corresponding Bosch equivalent.

	Precise cut, also suitable for plastic.High carbon steel saw blade with pointed teeth and conical grinding. Provides a clean cut line in soft wood and chipboard up to 30 mm thick, as well as in plastic. (Wilpu HC 12 / Bosch T101 B)
	Bimetal saw blade.The bi-metal saw blade is very durable, made by laser welding: the back 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 backward. At the same time, the visible cutting line remains clean and without chips. Scope - veneered boards (HC 12 R / T101BR)
	Clean line for curved cuts.With a half-width of the saw blade, the teeth are located on the axis of the longitudinal stroke of the jigsaw. With the help of such a blade, you can cut along a very steep curve, as well as in a circle (HC 12 K / T101 AO)
	Saw blades for floor coverings.Special saw blade designed for cutting materials such as laminate and parquet, the teeth are directed in the opposite direction and the distance between the teeth is smaller than with traditional nail files (HC 19 R bi / T101 BIF)
	Wood sawing master.The new generation of saw blades: the teeth have a special geometry and are triple ground. Very sharp! (NS 123 / T234 X)
	Universal saw blade.A saw blade for all occasions: this is universal tool for rough and fast sawing of wood up to 5 cm thick. The saw blade is made of high-carbon steel, the teeth are set and ground. Cuts fast and clean (HGS 14 / T144D)
	Blades for wood up to 120 mm thick.The tooth geometry is the same as that of the universal saw blade, however, the length of the working part is -155 mm. With this saw you can cut timber with a thickness of 120-130 mm (HGS 54 / T744D)

Specialized saw blades

If you need to cut materials such as glass, stone or metal, you will need special saw blades with relevant characteristics. Obviously, the saw teeth must be harder than the material being cut. However, hard materials have a big drawback: they are brittle, which causes frequent breakage of saw blades. For such cases, manufacturers produce bimetallic sheets. They are 2/3 flexible high carbon steel and 1/3 hardened high speed steel. Such files provide an optimal price-quality ratio and quickly pay for themselves due to the long service life.

	File 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 cut soft wood, as well as various insulating materials (HW12 / T119A
	File for sheet metal. For sawing thin sheet metal with a thickness of 0.5 to 1.5 mm, saw blades with a small pitch and a wavy blade are designed. Since the tooth pitch is only 0.7 mm, a clean cut line is obtained (MG107 / T118G)
	File for plexiglass and metals.Plexiglass, polycarbonate, non-ferrous metals and aluminum up to 30 mm thick - no problem if you use this saw blade with a positive angle and pointed teeth (MC 12 bi / T101A)
	File for steel.A bimetal nail file with a wavy blade is designed for cutting sheet metal, laminated materials, pipes and aluminum profile(MG11 bi / T318AF)
	File for multilayer materials.A special bi-metal blade is designed for cutting workpieces up to 120 mm thick, consisting of different materials (metal, insulating material). Highly flexible (MG 51 bi / T718HF)
	File for wood with metal.This saw blade with a tooth spacing of 1.8 to 2.5 mm is designed for sawing wooden structural elements containing nails and other metal elements (MG 1014 bi / T111HF)
	Saw blade with special tooth system.Universal saw blade with a special M-shaped tooth system. The saw blade quickly cuts material (wood and metal) in both forward and reverse motion (ST-006 bi)
	rubber file, carpets and skin.Jigsaw file with a wavy edge 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 instruments: Black&Decker, Skil, Ryobi
	suitable for instruments: Fein ASt(e) 636.638; MOt 6-17-1
	suitable for instruments: Fein ASt(e) 649; MOt 6-18-1, Spitznas
	suitable for tools: Makita

Jigsaw accessories

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

It will not be superfluous in the workshop and a parallel stop, which ensures the cutting of the same type of rails; the distance between parallel lines can vary up to 140 mm. And the circular cutter will provide the possibility of precise processing of radius surfaces. Additional equipment greatly expands the possibilities of tools and gives a new impetus to creativity.

A few illustrative examples of the different work of files

The veneered panel was cut with a saw blade with the teeth pointing upwards (right) and with a saw blade with the teeth pointing upwards. reverse side(left)	If you do not have a saw blade with reversed teeth on hand when sawing veneered panel, apply Tesa adhesive tape along the cut line, this will help to get a clean edge.
With a simple stop, consisting of a bar and two clamps, you will get a precisely calibrated, even saw line.	Use circular cutter for circular sawing
This is just a dream of a home craftsman - a sawing table, for example, manufactured by Neutechnik	Special clips will protect the sawn panels from the appearance of monstrous cracks

Today we will analyze the types of files for electric jigsaw, because when choosing a buyer, many questions arise. There are a lot of types of files, because with an electric jigsaw you can cut not only wood, the list is much longer. Therefore, in this article we will figure out which files are best for cutting a simple tree, and which chipboard or fiberboard, which files are used to cut various types of metal.

And of course, we will pay attention to the marking, therefore, after reading this article, you will begin to figure out which file is suitable for which work. After all, it is 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 Bosch models, since they good quality and their prices are quite 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 file. Let's figure out what they mean.

The letter T means the type of fastening, that is, T-shaped (Fig. 1). It also happens U, 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 - medium 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-shank, a short, very small tooth. Further, respectively - B - a slightly larger tooth (most often these are files with a small tooth for plywood, chipboard, fiberboard and wood for a clean cut). Files with the letters C and D - with the largest teeth, for wood for rough sawing.

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

• F - from bimetal (the coolest, high quality)
• R - with reverse tooth
• X - universal for wood, metal and plastic.
• O - for a curved cut (cut a circle, for example, usually thin, so that the file can be turned straight during sawing).
• P - thick options for sawing strictly at the exact chosen angle (thick, do not bend, so they cut perfectly). A bright representative - T144DP, is much more expensive than standard ones.

woodwork

The main purpose of an electric jigsaw is sawing wood. For this purpose, there are a huge number of files 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 at speed (for example, sawing ordinary boards for firewood or for a fence), then buy jigsaw files with a large tooth. 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 file, since sawing a board or bar with a thickness of 70 mm (for example) will not work as usual, you will need an elongated one.

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

See the photo for a standard set of nail files:

Well, now we will analyze each file separately, what it can saw, for what work it is more suitable.

For metal.

T118A - a standard metal file, has a very fine tooth (like metal blades). You can cut metal up to 3 mm, though there is a terrible rattle, so use protective headphones. Highly recommend. Also, due to the fact that the tooth is very small, it is also recommended to cut plastic, many finishers do this.

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

In addition to the standard saw blade for metal, there are special options for any other metal. For example, an aluminum file has a larger tooth, so that the teeth do not clog. After all, aluminum is a soft metal, so the standard for metal is very quickly clogged with chips.
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 a jigsaw on a tile. The blade has a tungsten carbide coating instead of teeth, which actually cuts any stone surface.

T150Riff - special for tiles, the cost is about 250 rubles. Perfectly cuts tiles.

Each master in the garage, in addition to a drill and a screwdriver, has a jigsaw. This tool is not very popular, unless you are engaged in the manufacture of structures and crafts from boards. However, an electric jigsaw is not only for woodworking. Depending on the work performed by the tool, the corresponding jigsaw files are distinguished. 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 with the right choice of working nozzles can one achieve high efficiency, productivity and quality of work performed. The jigsaw is multifunctional cutting tool, which is designed for sawing sheet materials - wood, metal, ceramics, plastic and more. To work with these materials, appropriate blades are installed in the jigsaw clamp.

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

How are canvases classified?

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

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

In all these parameters, jigsaw blades differ. What is a power tool jigsaw blade and how do they differ from manual jigsaw, clear. In more detail with all types of files according to their classification, we will deal further.

Types of blade shanks for electric jigsaws

Initially, we will pay attention to the design of the shanks on the blades. If you use one tool, then you probably do not know that saw blade devices are different. It depends on the instrument manufacturer. According to the design of the shanks, nozzles come in the following forms:

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

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

It is interesting!In order to avoid questions about how to insert a file into a jigsaw, it is recommended to choose modern instruments with T-shaped designs of saw holders. After all, shops and markets are full of canvases with such a shank design.

What does the color of the shank mean on canvases

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

• Grays are the most popular. They are used for wood processing
• Blue - used to work with metal materials
• White - are less common, and mean the possibility of processing metal and woodworking materials
• Red - used for cutting plastic
• Black - designed for sawing all other materials like ceramics, marble, granite

Knowing the color, you will definitely not go wrong in choosing the equipment for the corresponding work.

What materials are jigsaw blades made of?

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

1. For cutting metal. Blades for metal for jigsaws are made of special high-speed steel grade HSS. The teeth on such canvases are small, and their size depends on the degree of hardness. The harder the metal of the nozzle, the smaller the teeth. Metal cutting files are also made using two types of alloys of the HSS (high speed steel) and HCS (high carbon steel) brands. 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. And for cutting sheet wood materials, but soon the functionality of the tool began to expand, and today it can cut not only wood, but also metal and ceramics. For the manufacture of blades for sawing wood materials, steels with a content of 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 others. 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. Wood saws are characterized by large teeth and their setting. For cutting chipboard, fiberboard and plastic, it is better to choose nozzles with a fine tooth up to 3 mm and a small wiring
   
3. For laminate. These are special blades that are different from those used for sawing wood. Their main difference is that, in addition to a small tooth, they have reverse links. These return links eliminate the formation of chips on the front side, which is important when processing decorative materials. Laminate blades are made using two types of steel, whereby the nozzles are called bi-metal, and have the designation BIM (bi-metal)
   
4. For ceramic tiles - sawing bits for high-strength materials such as ceramic tiles, foam blocks, marble, etc. are made of tungsten carbide alloy. In addition to the use of a special high-strength 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 the file has the designation DIA, then this means that it is made using diamond spraying. Diamond blades are expensive, and are intended for cutting ceramic tiles and granite
   
   
5. For cardboard, this is a special kind of cutting elements for jigsaws, which has a sharpened edge in a wave-like design. Such files are used in order to cut foam, rubber, cardboard and other types of soft materials. The file does not have sharp teeth, but instead of them, wavy sharpened tubercles. This design contributes to the fact that the material does not crumble, and also 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 jigsaw blades that are designed to work with specific materials. However, there are still universal nozzles. Distinctive feature such canvases is that on the one hand they have large teeth, and on the other small. As practice shows, it does not make sense to buy such nozzles, since their main advantage is that you do not need to use more than two consumables when processing dissimilar materials.

What blades are in the form of teeth

The shape of the teeth plays a 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, one may encounter a decrease in productivity, and sometimes even the operator may find that. What forms of teeth are found on jigsaw blades, we will consider further:

• Divorced milling tooth - the teeth have extensions in different directions, which is achieved by 1.5 mm by their wiring, depending on the thickness of the blade. Wiring plays an important role, as it eliminates the occurrence of strong heating, and effectively removes sawdust from the cut line. Blades with this tooth shape are designed for processing hardwood, and are also used for sawing plastic and non-ferrous metals.
• Wavy milling - the layout 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 design is formed. These types of files have found their application for a clean cut. plastic materials, as well as non-ferrous metals
• Ground tooth shape - it is also called conical. This form of teeth is popular when it is necessary to obtain a fine cut of workpieces. They are used for wood, plastic and other polymers. They have one drawback - fast heating, so you can not use them for a long time
• Sanded set links - they are used to make quick cuts in fiberboard, chipboard and plywood. In this case, the cut turns out to be sloppy, which leads to the need additional processing files

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

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

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

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

The width of the canvas is available from 5 to 45 mm. When buying, remember the following:

• • If you plan to make a straight cut, then a wide file is selected.
  • For a curly cut, you need to take thin nail 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, straight, curly.

What is the pitch of the teeth and what does it mean

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

The TPI value can be followed by any number that indicates the number of teeth over 25.4 mm of blade. Now let's figure out how the tooth pitch affects the quality and performance of the cut. The fewer teeth per 1 inch, the less accurate the cut will be. This is true for working with wood, therefore, for such purposes, files with TPI from 4 to 7 are used. For 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 affects the size of the teeth

Blades also differ in the size of the teeth. This parameter affects the cutting speed and quality. The larger the tooth size, the faster the cut, 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 a quick and at the same time rough cut, blades with tooth sizes are used, indicated by the letters B, C, and D. A video about the types of carbide saw blades on a jigsaw is below.

Blade thickness affects nozzle deflection

Another factor that affects the quality of the cut is the thickness of the saw nozzle. They are of two types - thick and thin. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, as well as the corresponding purpose.

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

Still thick nozzles are not suitable for fast clamping mechanism saw blade holder, so it is necessary to choose medium and small blades in thickness.

What canvases are in length

It is also important to take into account one more parameter - this is the length of the canvases. Four indicators are used to designate lengths:

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

The longer the blade, the thicker the sheet material can be sawn with a jigsaw. The choice of blade in length should be based on such a calculation that the nozzle should be 2 times longer than the thickness of the workpiece to be sawn. Keep in mind that a large tooling length contributes to a strong overload of the engine and power tool gearbox, so the jigsaw must have enough power to be able to use it with saw blades of 90 mm or more.

Marking on jigsaw blades what does it mean

There are no difficulties with the choice of canvases, since the nozzles are marked accordingly. By this marking you can find out all the detailed information about the cutting element. What does the marking of jigsaw blades mean, how it is read, and what it is responsible for, we will find out in detail. Below is an example of labeling jigsaw blade, which will guide us when reading the notation.

Above are also additional options types of shank, which today are not found at all. These are US shank and F-type as standard on Fein models. The marking is indicated on the tail section, and is a set of letters and numbers. What the letters and numbers of saw blade markings mean, we will consider further.

1. The first is a letter that indicates the type of shank. As already mentioned, the shanks are different in design, and the corresponding letter indicates these 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 canvas. The corresponding first digit indicates a certain range of lengths. If the number is 1, then this is the shortest file up to 75 mm, and 2 means the canvas has 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 the fifth in a row in the marking is a letter. These are four types of letters A, B, C and D, which characterize the size of the teeth from small to large
4. After the digital designation, the marking ends with a letter. This letter indicates the accessory of the nozzle. Each letter has a corresponding purpose: F - tooling is made using two alloys, P - blades that have a large thickness and are designed for accurate cutting, R - a tooth on the blade has reverse construction, X - universal, O - canvas has narrow shape backrests

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

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

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

All types of saw blades for woodworking with a jigsaw description and purpose

Consider 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.

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

They do such manipulations with the help of special files, which differ in their characteristics.

Marking

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

Such designations are necessary primarily for people who are not professionally engaged in repairs and cannot determine the purpose of a particular nozzle due to external characteristics.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Distinguish:

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

The last combination is the strongest and most durable.

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

materials

Generally speaking, all canvases are made from metal alloys. To cut more soft materials, produce just metal blades. If it is necessary to cut metal, then the technology of fusion of several components is used to increase the strength of the product.

There are materials that are super strong. These include ceramic tiles, porcelain stoneware and granite, decorative stone. For their accurate and high-quality cutting, it is necessary non-standard solutions, as they are very durable and easily prickly. That's why blades for cutting with a jigsaw are produced with a special coating or soldering of hard alloys.

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

There are a few general rules for all types of materials. A blade with a large width can make a straight cut. If it is supposed to perform curly cutting, then it is better to choose a canvas a little narrower.

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

Purpose

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

Cloths are produced:

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

Modern jigsaw files have a large number of parameters by which they can be distinguished. However, for ordinary users, these markings do not say practically anything. The most simple and understandable is the difference in purpose. That is, the difference between the canvases according to the materials that they can cut.

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

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

This option is also suitable for other soft materials:

• rubber;
• polystyrene;
• carpet.

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

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

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

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

When it comes to PVC, they use both special files for processing plastic materials and ordinary products on wood or metal. A smooth cut will be obtained when using a blade with large teeth, since the crumb heated by friction from the plastic can fill the working part of the file. The speed of the jigsaw itself is best made minimal. The blade steel grade can be either CV or HCS or HSS.

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

Plexiglas is well cut with a T101A metal file with fine teeth.

Ceramic products are also an important element of repair. They have a very fragile structure, so the use of a file with teeth is impossible. In such cases, a special blade is needed, which instead of teeth has an abrasive coating of diamond grit.

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

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

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

Dimensions

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

It is believed that what longer canvas, the better it cuts in a straight line. Medium and short options suitable for carving.

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

Ponytail shape

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

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

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

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

Geometrical parameters of the teeth

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

The geometry of the teeth is:

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

Milled teeth with a dilution in both directions in turn help the blade to avoid overheating. It is convenient to cut non-ferrous metals with such files.

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

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

Files with set tooth grinding are used, if necessary, to carry out a rough cut of materials such as fiberboard, chipboard and soft woods.

How to choose?

On the modern market there is a large selection of saw blades for electric jigsaws. Cloths vary greatly in price and quality. Given the insecurity of using low-quality files, it is advisable to purchase proven products. This can be selected according to the popularity of the brand. The policy of such companies is to maintain a positive reputation for products, so they only release reliable products on the market.

The best manufacturers of components for electric jigsaws are Makita, Bosch, and Matabo.. The best option for combining pricing and quality is different sets of canvases brand Bosch. Their canvases are very easy to use and have a high level of performance. Sadly, but the products of this manufacturer are also the most often counterfeited, so it is best to buy files in specialized construction stores who can provide quality certificates for their product.

However, fake components can also be distinguished visually. For example, when there is corrosion or other damage on the product, there is no doubt that the canvas is fake. Also, counterfeit products can be identified at the edges of the product. Files released "in the basements" have an end rounded on one side. Such a defect is obtained due to the process of stamping sheets from sheet metal. For real products, the ends of both sides will be equally rectangular.

And, of course, you should pay attention to the quality of the marked inscriptions. If they are fuzzy or blurry due to the use of cheap paint, then a fake is obvious.

Subtleties of operation

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

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

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

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