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

Types of web markings

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

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

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

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

In addition, there are many more file markings:

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

Marking of wood files

Saw blades for woodworking are marked as follows:

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

The markings for metal files look like this:

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

Special files can be identified by the following markings:

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

Jigsaw blade for wood

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

Metal file

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

Jigsaw file for working with tiles

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

Shape cutting files

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

Manufacturers of jigsaw blades

When choosing a file, you need to pay attention to a number of indicators, while the manufacturing company has great value. On store shelves there is a huge number of products from Russian, Chinese and European manufacturers. With this large selection, sometimes the question arises of how to choose a file for an electric jigsaw. The most attractive in terms of cost are canvases from Chinese manufacturers. The cost of such files is almost two times lower than that of European manufacturers. This is all very attractive, but there is one problem. Canvases from China are no different good quality. They constantly wear down, overheat and burst. Therefore, it will be cheaper to purchase a high-quality canvas once and use it for a long time.

Jigsaw equipment

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

Installing a blade into a jigsaw

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

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

Types of tails

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

Bosch jigsaw

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

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

Processed material

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

Tooth shape

Based on the shape of the teeth, saw blades can be divided into four types, which are shown schematically in the figure. The capabilities of the file depend on the size and shape of its blade and the size of the teeth. A large number of fine teeth ensure precise 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 and set. The teeth are alternately bent in different sides. The width of the layout is considered normal if it is equal to one and a half thickness of the canvas. The routing prevents excessive heating of the saw blade and helps remove sawdust trapped between the saw blade and the walls of the cut. Used for quick cutting of hard and soft wood, non-ferrous metals and plastic.
	Milled teeth, wavy. Blade The setting is performed not through one tooth, but in groups, deviating either to the right or to the left. The saw blade is designed to obtain an even and clean cut when sawing aluminum, non-ferrous metals and plastics in a straight line.
	The teeth are ground, with conical grinding. The saw blade with a conical ground non-working edge is designed for clean cuts in wood and plastic.
	The teeth are ground and set apart. Saw blade for fast cutting of wood with a rough cutting line. Used for cutting soft wood (5-50 mm), blockboard, chipboard and fiberboard.

Tooth pitch

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

Saw blade width

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

File thickness

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

Saw blades for cutting wood

Below are saw blades for wood from Wilpu. The numbers in brackets indicate the corresponding Bosch equivalent.

	Precise cut, also suitable for plastic.High carbon steel saw blade with pointed teeth and conical grind. Provides a clean cutting line in softwood and chipboard up to 30 mm thick, as well as in plastic. (Wilpu NS 12 / Bosch T101 V)
	Bimetallic saw blade.The bimetallic saw blade is very durable, made by laser welding: the back part is made of flexible high-carbon steel, the cutting part is made of high-quality high-speed steel (HC 12 bi / T101BF)
	Saw blade with reverse tooth system.Thanks to the teeth directed in the opposite direction, the blade cuts when moving backwards. At the same time, the visible cut line remains clean and without chips. Scope of application: veneered boards (NS 12 R / T101BR)
	Clean line with curved cuts.With the saw blade width halved, the teeth are located on the axis of the longitudinal stroke of the jigsaw. With this blade you can cut along a very steep curve, as well as in a circle (NS 12 K / T101 AO)
	Saw blades for flooring.Special saw blade designed for processing materials such as laminate and parquet; the teeth are directed in the opposite direction and the distance between the teeth is smaller than that of traditional files (HC 19 R bi / T101 BIF)
	Wood sawing master.New generation of saw blades: the teeth have a special geometry and are triple sharpened. Very spicy! (NS 123 / T234 X)
	Universal saw blade.A saw blade for all occasions: this universal tool for rough and quick cutting of wood up to 5 cm thick. The file is made of high-carbon steel, the teeth are set apart and ground. Cuts quickly and cleanly (HGS 14 / T144D)
	Saw blades for wood up to 120 mm thick.The geometry of the teeth is the same as that of the universal saw blade, however, the length of the working part is 155 mm. Using this saw you can cut timber with a thickness of 120-130 mm (HGS 54 / T744D)

Specialized saw blades

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

	Saw for soft wood and insulating materials.Such saw blades have a tooth pitch of 1.2 to 2 mm; with their help it is convenient to saw soft wood, as well as various insulating materials (HW12 / T119A
	File for sheet metal. Saw blades with a small pitch and a wavy blade are designed for sawing thin sheet metal with a thickness of 0.5 to 1.5 mm. Since the tooth pitch is only 0.7mm, a clean cut line is obtained (MG107/T118G)
	File for plexiglass and metals.Plexiglas, polycarbonate, non-ferrous metals and aluminum up to 30 mm thick are not a problem if you use a saw blade with a clearance angle and pointed teeth (MC 12 bi / T101A)
	Steel file.A bimetal file with a wavy blade is designed for cutting thin sheet metal, multilayer materials, pipes and aluminum profile(MG11bi/T318AF)
	File for multi-layer materials.A special bimetallic blade is designed for cutting workpieces up to 120 mm thick, consisting of different materials (metal, insulating material). Highly flexible (MG 51 bi / T718HF)
	Wood file with metal.This saw blade with a tooth spacing of 1.8 to 2.5 mm is intended for sawing wood structural elements containing nails and other metal elements (MG 1014 bi / T111HF)
	Saw blade with a special tooth system.Universal saw blade with a special M-shaped tooth system. The saw blade quickly cuts material (wood and metal) when moving both forward and backward (ST-006 bi)
	Rubber file, carpets and skin.A jigsaw file with a wavy sharpening is designed for sawing materials such as cardboard, leather, rubber, polystyrene foam up to 120 mm thick, as well as carpets (313 AW / T313AW)

Saw blade shanks

	suitable for tools: AEG, Bosch, Metabo
	suitable for instruments: AEG, Atlas Copco, Bosch, Black&Decker, DeWalt, Elu, Festool, Flex, Hitachi, Holz-Her, Kress, Mafell, Makita, Metabo, Protool
	suitable for tools: Black&Decker, Skil, Ryobi
	suitable for tools: Fein ASt(e) 636,638; MOt 6-17-1
	suitable for tools: Fein ASt(e) 649; MOt 6-18-1, Spitznas
	fits tools: Makita

Jigsaw accessories

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

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

A few visual examples of how saws work differently

Cuts were made in the veneer panel using a saw blade with teeth pointing upward (right) and using a saw blade with teeth pointing downwards. reverse side(left)	If you don't have a reverse-toothed saw blade handy when sawing veneer panels, apply Tesa adhesive tape along the cut line to help get a clean edge.
Using a simple stop, consisting of a bar and two clamps, you will get a precisely calibrated, even saw line	Use a circular cutter to cut in circles
This is just a dream for a home craftsman - a sawing table, for example, produced by Neutechnik	Special clamps will protect the panels being cut from the appearance of monstrous cracks

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 and 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 general recommendation to the choice of 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 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.

There are times when you need to cut something metal, but the only power tool you have at hand is a jigsaw. This is not the most a good option, but not the worst either. A jigsaw is quite suitable for sawing metal.

But if up to this point you only had experience working with wood, you need to understand a very important thing: wood and metal - different materials by its structure. This means that the approach to the selection of tools and the cutting process itself is significantly different.

How to properly cut metal with a jigsaw

Some power tool manufacturers do not recommend working with metal parts, if their thickness exceeds 5 mm. But there are also those that allow you to work with parts up to 10 mm thick. It all depends on the reliability and quality of a particular model. In particular, on the quality of the pendulum assembly.

Before you begin the sawing work itself, you need to carry out some preparation and set up the tool. To properly configure the jigsaw, the pendulum pitch when cutting must be reduced to the first position or removed completely. So to speak, remove the beating of the pendulum. This is done in order to reduce wear on the jigsaw components and avoid dulling the cutting surface of the saw.

It is not necessary to press hard on the jigsaw. You still won’t be able to cut faster, and the risk of damaging the tool increases. The speed of the jigsaw should also not be high. At high speed, you can overheat the cutting element, and this will lead to a decrease in the sharpness and hardness of the saw. Keep in mind that one file may not be enough for the whole job. Especially if you don't have enough experience. Always keep one or two spare parts on hand.

Main types of metal files for jigsaws

Now let's move directly to cutting tools. The inscription on the file itself or on the packaging will tell you that this blade is intended for working with metal. Such products are marked with the inscriptions: “For Metal” or “For Metal,” depending on the manufacturer.

By marking you can find out about the material from which the file is made. The most common steel is HSS. From the manufacturer's description it follows that this is high-speed steel.

Some products are marked BIM. This is a designation for Bimetal, a hard cutting edge and a soft body of the blade. Two materials of different densities are joined by surfacing. The soft body of the blade prevents the brittle steel on the teeth from breaking.

The cutting tool differs in shape. The most popular products are those with small milled wavy teeth. They provide an even cut, with a slight twist if necessary. But such blades cut material 1–3 mm thick.

To cut parts with greater thickness, there are special files with a separated “tooth” and modified geometry. The so-called “progressive step”, in which the teeth increase from the jigsaw to the edge of the blade. Similar models can cut parts up to 10 mm thick.

A saw with a set tooth can be used to process non-ferrous metals (such as aluminum, copper, brass) and hardwood. They can cut metallic profile(pipe or square), if the diameter does not exceed 30 mm and the wall thickness is 1.2 mm.

The conclusion is obvious: You can cut metal with a jigsaw. But this process must be approached wisely. Remove the beating of the pendulum, lubricate and do not overheat the cutting surface, apply correct canvases for various materials.

Don't be discouraged if you don't succeed the first time. A little patience and attention - and you will succeed!

Let's try to understand the labeling of such a common consumable as a jigsaw file.

The purpose is determined by the color of the shank on the side of the alphanumeric designations. If the shank

• gray - the file is intended for sawing wood:
• white - for wood and metal
• blue - only for metal work
• red - for sawing plastics
• black - other materials

Now let's go over the alphanumeric symbols mentioned above. Let's go in order.

First comes the letter T or U. It indicates the type of saw attachment. The more common T-shaped mount, but there is also a U-shaped one - see diagram

The letters M (Makita) and F (Fein) may also appear

The following numbers indicate the working length. They can be 1,2,3,7

1. short (length up to 75 millimeters)
2. medium (length from 75 to 90 millimeters)
3. long (length from 90 to 150 millimeters)
4. very long (length exceeds 150 millimeters)

The second and third numbers show the purpose of the file itself.

F - bimetallic files. They are of the highest quality: they cut cleaner and faster, last longer
O - narrow files for curved cuts
P - thicker files, due to which they move less from side to side and the cut is perpendicular to the surface.
R - regressive blades, that is, with a reverse tooth
X - universal blade (for any materials)

Then comes the steel grade

HCS(high carbon steel) - high carbon steel, its hardness is 45-48 HRC. This steel is optimal for work on soft materials, (wood and its derivatives - MDF, chipboard, fiberboard, as well as plastics);

CV(chrom vanadium) - Chrome is vanadium steel, its hardness should be 50-52 HRC. It is more wear-resistant compared to the previous one. Used for the same materials;

H.S.S.(high speed steel) - high-speed steel, also known as high-speed steel, hardness of at least 61-65 HRC, used for processing hard materials(aluminum and other non-ferrous metals and even mild steel). Compared to HCS, HSS files are thinner, but have significantly greater hardness;

BIM(bi-metal) is a combination of HSS and HCS steels in one sheet. Files of this kind are expensive and are usually used for professional use. They take both wood and metals well;

H.M.(hard material) - the hardest grade of steel hard alloy tungsten carbide, hardness 79 HRC. Such blades are used for special types of work - cutting fiberglass, tiles and aerated concrete.

This classification is quite arbitrary and is not followed by all manufacturers. Therefore, it is worth discussing each file separately.

Files used for woodworking

T101B- this is a fairly short fine-toothed file (length 74 mm). Designed for working on soft wood, plywood up to 30 mm thick. The fine tooth allows for a clean cut.

The same thing, but with the teeth in the opposite direction. Excellent for cutting materials where chips on the front surface are undesirable (for example, tabletops). When working, additional force is required to press the jigsaw onto the material, since the working stroke throws the tool up.

T101P- has a larger tooth compared to T101B (4.5 mm). Allows you to cut the same materials, but their thickness can reach 45 mm.

Even more long file(91 mm), maximum thickness reaches 65 mm.

A narrow thin file with a fine tooth (1.4 mm) is used for clean curved cuts of wood and its derivatives with a thickness of 1.5 - 15 mm.

Short fine-toothed bimetal file. Designed for sawing laminated materials up to 15 mm thick. - the same, the nose has a larger tooth (2.7 mm), the thickness of the materials reaches 30 mm.

The same, but with a reverse tooth.

This is a file with a fairly thick blade and large teeth (4 mm). The teeth are set apart. Due to its thickness, the file is more stable in one plane and does not move to the side. Disadvantages - it is a rough cut with a lot of chips.

The same thing, but with a bimetallic blade, it is more expensive, cuts longer and has a better length of 74 mm.

This file is twice as long as the above-mentioned one - it is 126 mm.

T345XF is another long bimetal file (106 mm). Its tooth is quite large. Designed for cutting wood with nails, plastic, metals (including aluminum).

Specialized metal files

T118A- a short, fine-toothed file for metal sheets no more than 13 mm thick.

T318A- This is a longer saw, excellent for cutting metal pipes with a diameter of no more than 65 mm.

T118G- the file has the smallest teeth (0.7mm) and is designed for cutting the most thin sheets metal (0.5-1.5 mm)

Universal files

T234X, T123X are universal saws for cutting various types wood, plastic and metal.

Special files

File for cutting thin stainless steel (up to 2 mm)

Longer file for steel 2-5 mm thick

Fiberglass file. Thickness limit 65 mm

Drywall saw and cement particle boards up to 50 mm thick

Longer blade (106 mm), which makes it possible to cut materials up to 85 mm thick

T101A- file for plexiglass up to 20 mm thick

T113A- file for leather, rubber, cardboard up to 50 mm thick. Has no teeth, has cutting edge, similar to a knife.

Longer blade for similar materials thickness up to 100 mm. Has a wavy blade

T130Riff,T150Riff - saw blades designed for cutting ceramic tiles. They are equipped with diamond coating. T130 is intended for rough cuts, and T150 is for finishing cuts.

T308B, T308BF - file, for cutting materials laminated on both sides. Thanks to two rows of teeth, the number of chips is minimized. This is a fairly thin file, so it shakes quite a lot from side to side.