The combination of accurate cutting of workpieces with good work speed is possible only with the correct choice of cutting blade for each specific operation. When choosing files for a jigsaw, you need to understand them technical specifications and the key differences between them.

When purchasing consumable equipment for a jigsaw, first study the product markings, then look at the shape of the shank, blade geometry, type and size of teeth.

Types of paintings - deciphering the inscriptions

Some manufacturers use the European standard from Bosch to classify products, others indicate it in addition to their labeling.

The purpose of a saw for any material is indicated by the following inscriptions:

1. Wood – soft wood and medium density composite boards.
2. Hardwood – laminate, hard wood.
3. Fiber, Plaster – fiberglass products.
4. Acrylic – polycarbonate, plexiglass.
5. Metal – galvanized profile, tin, pipes.
6. Inox – stainless steel.
7. Alu – aluminum.
8. Soft-material – cardboard, rubber, carpets, polystyrene.

Inscriptions indicating the grade of steel used in manufacturing:

1. HSS is a high quality alloy for fast cutting of hard materials.
2. HCS – alloy steel for cutting wood and composites.
3. Bi-Metal (BM) is a blade consisting of the two previous alloys and is suitable for most tasks.
4. HM – a saw with a carbide working part for cutting blocks and ceramics.

Marking specifying the type of work:

1. Clean – for a clean cut.
2. Basic is a regular file suitable for various tasks.
3. Speed ​​– for fast and straight cuts.
4. Flexible – flexible metal file.
5. Progressor is a universal blade with teeth of different shapes.
6. Special – blade for plastic, ceramics or other specific materials.

Jigsaw files for wood

Quick cutting of timber or boards, which does not require smooth edges, is carried out with a long blade with big teeth, with a wide working part and a fair spread. This canvas is useful for construction work in which speed is important. For example, when breaking an old window or cutting sheathing bars.

It is better to saw along the fibers with a blade with oblique incisors, and across - with straight ones. A cut in a thick board will move less away from the vertical if you use a saw with large teeth without setting.

Saw blades for fine cutting of wood have small teeth and a small gap. These blades can be used to carefully cut furniture panels or parquet boards. A minimum of chipping on the laminated panel is ensured by jigsaw files, on which the cutters are arranged in two rows.

A blade with a reverse inclination of the cutters cuts the material as the pendulum moves downwards, which allows marking and sawing from the front surface. In fact, this is not entirely convenient - you have to hold the jigsaw harder, overcoming the pushing of the blade from the cut line.

Figure cutting is performed with narrow files with a semicircular back side. These blades have fine teeth and a short length. They pass curved sections without chipping and can be easily rotated in the cut.

Blades for electric jigsaw for metal

Blades with wavy teeth, reminiscent of hacksaw files, are designed for cutting profiles and sheet metal. Their incisors are small and separated in groups of several pieces. Special bimetallic blades with large teeth in the middle and small teeth at the edges are used for cutting sandwich panels.

Files for polymers

Thin plastic, ebonite, plexiglass and textolite are cut with a metal blade. Thick plastic workpieces are cut with a wood saw by turning off the jigsaw pendulum and setting the speed to low. Curvilinear cut polymer materials performed with a narrow wood blade.

Window sills and pipes made of polyvinyl chloride are cut with a saw with large teeth into medium frequency stroke or fine-toothed at low speed, eliminating heating of the material.

Special files for jigsaws

For sawing drywall and materials containing cement, blades with carbide tips are intended. They cut well thermal insulation mats. A blade without cutters coated with a carbide compound can cut tiles or cut fiberglass-reinforced plastic. The working part of jigsaw files, used for rubber, carpets, cardboard and similar soft materials, is similar to the blade of a knife.

The length of the file is selected based on the thickness of the material being processed. The tip of the blade should always come out of the cut, regardless of the stroke of the pendulum.

In a home workshop, a set of 6–10 files is enough. To begin with, you can purchase an inexpensive set of canvases for various purposes and master the intricacies of the work. Then, based on your experience, choose the right jigsaw files.

Jigsaw files photo

Jigsaw files: markings

The marking of jigsaw files can tell you a lot, including its purpose - you just need to look closely at it, meet and decipher familiar symbols, and everything immediately becomes clear. This is, of course, if you know how it is read. That is why, when studying replacement jigsaw blades, you need to start with their markings. As a rule, it is a set of Latin letters and Arabic numerals. The first is a letter and it indicates the type of shank. Typically, these are the letters "T", "X" or "U" - the latter is very rare, but the former is widespread and indicates that the shank is T-shaped.

Jigsaw blade: photo shank

Following the first letter there is a series of numbers - as a rule, there are three of them, but it is the first of them that is important. It indicates the length of the canvas:

• 1 – standard short file 75mm long
• 2 – Standard file middle length(90mm)
• 3 – Extended file, the size of which is 150mm
• 7 – Very long. Size over 150mm

After the numbers, there are letters again, but this time, they do not indicate the type of shank, but the size of the teeth - as a rule, this letters A,B,C and D. “A” is the smallest tooth, and “D” is the largest. "B" and "C" should be understood as intermediate options.

Quite often, in the marking of jigsaw saws, at the end there may be not one letter, but two - the last of them indicates unique qualities consumables. Let's look at them in a little more detail - we won't write large lists. As they say, only the most necessary and common:

What else can you read when studying the inscriptions that are applied to the jigsaw blade? In principle, you can additionally learn about the material that was used to make it. By by and large this is not important, but if you want to buy a really high-quality canvas that can work for a long time, you need to have this information. Between the T-shaped protrusions of the shank and the saw blade itself, you can find three Latin letters, which tell about the material from which the file is made. There are not many options here - only four:

• HCS – high carbon steel. Just what you need for soft materials.
• HSS – high-speed tool steel. This option is ideal for black and non-ferrous iron.
• BiM – bimetallic files. Flexible and durable, and most importantly universal.
• HM/TC – carbide files. Quite specific blades - they are used mainly when working with very hard materials (steel, tiles, fiberglass and even abrasive materials).

Saws for woodworking

I would like to point out right away that the main purpose electric jigsaw, is working with wood and materials made on its basis (chipboard, plywood, ...) - everything else is, as they say, a side application. For this reason, jigsaw files for wood have a lot of varieties - they can differ both in the size of the tooth and the angle of its sharpening, and in the shape of the file itself. In general, without delving into the study of these instruments, we can distinguish two main types:

Well, as for the subspecies of these wood blades for jigsaws, you shouldn’t bother with them - as a rule, this is to a greater extent specialized tool, and it’s not a fact that he will show himself in the best possible way. Let me give you a simple example - blade T101BR, with a reverse tooth direction. One of the recommended uses for this file is on a laminated surface. Practice shows that an ordinary wood blade with fine teeth can do a good job - a reverse blade cuts worse and also creates vibrations and a lot of inconvenience in work.

Blades for metal work

Any jigsaw file for metal has a fine tooth and its marking, last or penultimate, always contains the Latin letter “A” - this is due to the strength of the material. The harder the material, the finer the tooth needed to cut it. There are no special types of blades for metal - the only thing that can be mentioned here is the shape cutting edge.

In many ways, the purpose of metal files for a jigsaw is determined by other factors - you need to understand that each different type of metal has its own characteristics. For example, aluminum is a soft and tough metal - if you use it for sawing standard canvas with a small tooth, then most likely it will be ineffective and will become clogged. For this material, files are produced separately - for example, T224D blade, which has Alu written on it.

And finally, a few words about the so-called special jigsaw blades - most of them have a narrow specialization, and they can only be used on a certain material. In particular, there are separate saws for plastic, aluminum, profiled metal, pipes, ceramics, cement, sandwich panels and even for boards with nails. The most notable of them, so to speak unique in their kind, can be called a diamond jigsaw file, which is used for very hard materials and ferrous metals, and the so-called jigsaw file. The latter cannot be used in mass production - it cuts confidently, but slowly.

Various jigsaw blades photos

In principle, all that can be highlighted in the entire variety of replacement blades for jigsaws is that there is not much left to say. For household, you don’t need to buy absolutely all types of files - there is a so-called “gentleman’s set” that includes five files that can cope with all household needs. These are T101D (for rough cutting of wood), T101B (for fine sawing of wood), T101BR (for finishing work with a reverse tooth), T119BO (for figured sawing of wood) and a standard metal file T118A. These jigsaw files will fully satisfy any home craftsman.
Author of the article Alexander Kulikov

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

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

Reading the markings

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

Explanation of markings

Files are made from various brands steel, influencing the purpose of the blades and indicated by logos:

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

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

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

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

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

We cut wood materials

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

Fast cut

Certain construction works with wood do not require special care, for example, sawing timber for sheathing or dismantling an old window frame. What is more important here is the speed provided by fast cutting blades with characteristic features:

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

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

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

Clean cut

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

1. Teeth less than 3 mm.
2. Minor divorce.

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

Advice. Allows you to cut panels laminated on both sides almost without chipping specialized file with two rows of teeth.

Curly cut

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

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

We cut polymer materials

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

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

We work with metal

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

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

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

Blades for specific tasks

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

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

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

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

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

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

Choice the right file for a wood jigsaw largely determines the performance and accuracy of cutting material. It’s worth clarifying right away that cutting blades for jigsaws there are the most different forms, types and sizes. That is, each material needs its own file.

Let's try to classify cutting blades and figure out how, for example, a file for metal differs from one for wood. How to choose a blade for a particular wood material will also be discussed in this article.

Features of files for power tools

The thickness and density of each material is different, which immediately imposes some specific requirements on the quality of steel sheets. This also includes the size and shape of the files, as well as the angle of the teeth. There are simply no universal models, so you shouldn’t buy into cunning marketing ploys about “omnivorous” canvases.

Even if you have the best quality jigsaw files for wood, they are unlikely to cut the metal properly. They can also cope with chipboard or plastic only partially (you will have to cut for a long time and persistently).

Steel

All cutting blades, including jigsaw files for wood, differ from each other in the quality of steel. Each model has a marking coating on the shank, where the material of manufacture can be determined by the code.

For example, Makita wood jigsaw files are always made from high-quality carbon steel marked “HC S”. This type of canvas is suitable for any wood material, be it wood, fiberboard, chipboard, plywood or even plastic. In our case (wood), it is not so much the hardness of the steel that is important, but its elasticity.

The “HS S” marking means that the blade is made of hardened and high-speed steel, which is the best option for working with light and middle group. The material of such files is noticeably harder, but lacks elasticity, that is, more fragile.

The marking “BIM” (biferrum) implies the presence of both of the above properties, that is, both hardness and ductility with flexibility in one person. Such blades are used for cutting metals senior group and some complex alloys. On the shelves of some brands you can find jigsaw files for wood (Bosch, Gross) with this marking, but you will be sawing with them for a very long time (and expensive), so it is better to use regular “NS S”.

The inscription “NM” means that the blades are made of hard alloys. Files of this type find their use mainly in the ceramic field, where intensive work is carried out with tiles and similar materials.

Canvas size

Wood materials, as a rule, are thicker than the same metals or plastic, so jigsaw files for wood come, as they say, with a reserve, that is, they are long. If the material is rough, like ordinary boards, then it is better to use thicker blades, and for figured cutting - thin ones. The former are noticeably easier to drive in a straight line, while the latter are more convenient to turn.

Teeth

Blades with large teeth are designed for working with soft wood, and it is worth noting that the larger the teeth and the distance between them, the wider the cutting step, that is, the cut will be coarser. The same rule works in reverse side: fewer teeth - more beautiful cut.

In addition, the quality of the cut is greatly influenced by the width of the fangs. The smaller it is, the more accurate and accurate the cut will be. But it is worth keeping in mind that a very short distance significantly increases the work time, making it more labor-intensive. It would also be worth noting that saws with small wiring require higher speeds from electrical equipment, so you must ensure that neither the tool nor the material burns.

The shape of the teeth can be either oblique (at an angle to the edge of the blade) or straight, like an isosceles triangle. Moreover, in stores you can find, instead of the usual setting, cutting in “waves”, where each next tooth is slightly shifted to the side from the previous one (often found on the shelves of the Makita brand). Such blades are used mainly for clean cutting: table tops, kitchen fronts and some other small elements made of wood and chipboard/fibreboard.

If we summarize the features of choosing blades by teeth, we get the following picture:

• rare tooth - soft wood and figured cut(thick and thin file respectively);
• medium frequent tooth - neat cutting chipboard, plywood and treated wood;
• fine fine tooth - cutting plastic and metal in a straight line;
• medium beveled tooth - clean saw on small radii (countertops, small chipboard elements, plastic).

Shank

There are several types of shanks available for sale. The most common type is a blade with a semicircular base and two stops closer to the teeth. These files are universal and will fit most jigsaws.

Some brands produce cutting blades exclusively for their tools with some specific shanks. Therefore, at the time of purchase, be sure to check this point with the seller. The same rule is true for purchasing a tool of this kind: it is better to look for something universal and not bother with finicky consumables.

In conditions of periodically arising 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 you cut round or square holes, as well as cut a straight strip. With its help, you can even create any piece of furniture yourself.

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

Marking

To choose the right file, you need to know features types of product. 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 do not carry out repairs professionally and cannot determine the purpose of a particular attachment due to its external characteristics.

The main piece of information you need to the right choice, is located on the tail of the file. It includes letter designations and numbers. Each symbol carries specific information.

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

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

The second sign indicates the length of the fabric that is being produced:

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

To recognize the material the saw is designed to cut, you need to pay attention to the color of the shank.

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

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

There are:

• H.M.– hard metal alloys;
• HCS(CV)– steel products with high carbon content;
• H.S.S.– steel that cuts quickly;
• CV– steel made of chromium and vanadium;
• BM (BiM)- a combination of 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 out various shapes with such a blade, so for professional work you need a set of a large number of files.

Materials

Generally speaking, all canvases are made from metal alloys. To cut more soft materials, they simply produce metal blades. If you need to cut metal, then the technology of fusing several components is used to increase the strength of the product.

There are materials that are super durable. These include ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles and granite, decorative rock. For their accurate and high-quality cutting, non-standard solutions are needed, since they are very durable and easily chipped. That's why Blades for cutting with a jigsaw are produced with a special coating or soldering made of hard alloys.

Thus, 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 grain. The higher it is, the easier it is to make a high-quality and accurate cut.

There are several general rules for all types of materials. A blade with a large width can make a straight cut. If you intend to perform figured cutting, then it is better to choose a slightly narrower blade.

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

Purpose

These products are also distinguished by the material that can be cut with them.

The canvases are produced:

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

Modern jigsaw files have a large number of parameters by which they can be distinguished. However, these markings mean virtually nothing to ordinary users. The simplest and most understandable is the difference in purpose. That is, the difference between the blades is the materials that can be cut with them.

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

There is also a modification of the file for cutting cardboard. It has a rather unusual wave-shaped blade without teeth. During operation, the blade smoothly separates the material into parts.

This option is also suitable for other soft materials:

• rubber;
• polystyrene foam;
• carpeting.

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

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

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

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

When it comes to PVC, it is used as special files for processing plastic materials, so ordinary products on wood or metal. A smooth cut will be obtained when using a blade with large teeth, since the plastic crumbs heated by friction can fill the working part of the file. It is better to keep the operating speed of the jigsaw to a minimum. The steel grade of the blade can be either CV or HCS, or HSS.

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

Plexiglas can be cut well with a T101A metal saw with fine teeth.

An important element repairs are and ceramic products. They have a very fragile structure, so using a saw with teeth is impossible. In such cases, a special blade is needed, which instead of teeth has an abrasive coating of diamond chips.

It is also possible to use a device with tungsten carbide coating, 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 coatings, blocks or stone can also 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 that is convenient for making not only rough cuts wooden surfaces up to 5 cm in thickness, but also saws steel, plastic and soft metals.

Dimensions

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

It is believed that what longer blade, the better it cuts in a straight line. Average and short options Suitable for figure cutting.

But there are also features of the paintings different widths. This parameter determines the amount by which the blade deviates from perpendicular while cutting. The wider the file, the greater the deflection it gives.. Therefore, wide variants of jigsaw attachments are used for straight cutting, and thin ones - for figured cutting. In addition, the characteristics of the tip of the blade most often do not allow it to be secured in the self-clamping mechanism of the tool.

Ponytail shape

Using this indicator, you can determine which brand of equipment and type clamping mechanism The file of an electric jigsaw is suitable.

The T-shaped tail was invented by Bosch engineers, so this canvas Suitable for this brand of equipment. 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 equipment sold on our market, such a shank is suitable for older models of jigsaws, as well as for units with clamping block and screw types.

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

Geometric parameters of teeth

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

The tooth geometry is:

• set apart milled;
• wave-like milled;
• conical grinding;
• set, polished.

Milled teeth set in both directions in turn help the blade avoid overheating. These files are convenient for cutting non-ferrous metals.

When wavy milling, the teeth are moved apart 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, edged edges).

Conical grinding blades also provide a clean cut on plastic, wood, and laminate.

Files with set teeth are used when it is necessary to make rough cuts in materials such as fiberboard, chipboard and soft wood.

How to choose?

In the modern market there is big choice files for jigsaws. The canvases vary dramatically in both price and quality. Considering the unsafety of using low-quality files, it is advisable to purchase proven products. This can be selected based on the brand's popularity. The policy of such companies is to maintain a positive reputation for their products, so they only release reliable products to the market.

The most the best manufacturers components for jigsaws are considered Makita, Bosch, and Matabo. The optimal combination of price policy and quality are sets of Bosch brand blades. Their canvases are very easy to use and have high level execution. Sadly, the products of this manufacturer are also the most frequently counterfeited, so it is best to buy files from specialized construction stores who can provide quality certificates for their products.

However, counterfeit 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. Counterfeit can also be identified by the edges of the product. Files produced “in basements” have an end that is rounded on one side. This defect occurs due to the stamping process of canvases 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 labeled inscriptions. If they are poorly executed or blurred due to use cheap paint, then the fake is obvious.

Subtleties of operation

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

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

When the saw teeth become dull, they must be sharpened using a diamond file if the teeth are small, and a medium or diamond file if they are large or medium in size.

Learn how to choose jigsaw files from the video below.