What is Jigsaw?
A jigsaw is a handheld power saw with a thin, reciprocating blade that moves up and down, designed for cutting curves, interior cutouts, and irregular shapes in wood, plywood, and other materials.
A jigsaw is a handheld power saw with a thin, reciprocating blade that moves up and down at 800 to 3,500 strokes per minute. It is the go-to tool for curved cuts, interior cutouts, and irregular shapes that straight-line saws cannot handle.
The blade moves in a short stroke (about 4/5 inch) and cuts on the upstroke. This means tearout happens on the top face, so place the finished side down. T-shank blades are the universal standard and change without tools.
Jigsaw vs circular saw is a common comparison, but the tools serve different purposes. A jigsaw excels at curves, scrollwork, plunge cuts, and corner notches. A circular saw excels at fast, straight cuts through thick material. A jigsaw cannot cut a straight rip in plywood with any precision. A circular saw cannot cut a curve at all. Most woodworkers need both.
Blade choice determines cut quality. Fine-tooth blades (10+ TPI) produce smooth cuts in plywood and hardwood. Coarse blades (6 TPI) cut faster in framing lumber but leave rougher edges. Bi-metal blades handle both wood and metal.
Orbital action is a key feature on better jigsaws. It swings the blade in a slight elliptical orbit on the upstroke, which speeds up cutting in thick material. Turn orbital action off for clean curves and delicate cuts in thin plywood.
Pricing runs $65-130 for quality corded models (Makita 4329K, Bosch JS470E) and $200-350 for professional cordless models (DeWalt DCS334, Milwaukee M18 FUEL).
Jigsaws have minimal relevance to cut list optimization because they are not used for the straight, dimensioned cuts that optimizers generate. They come into play after SmartCutList generates the straight-cut diagram, for curved parts, sink cutouts in countertops, and interior openings that fall outside a standard cutting diagram.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can a jigsaw cut straight lines?
- A jigsaw can cut straight lines using a fence or straight-edge guide clamped to the workpiece. However, the thin blade tends to wander in thick material. For straight cuts longer than a few inches, a circular saw, track saw, or table saw produces more accurate results.
- What jigsaw blade should I use for plywood?
- Use a fine-tooth blade with 10-14 TPI (teeth per inch) and a downcut tooth pattern to minimize splintering on the top face. A reverse-tooth or bi-directional blade reduces tearout on both sides. Cut with the good face up when using standard upcut blades.
- What is the difference between orbital and straight jigsaw action?
- Orbital action moves the blade in an oval pattern for faster, more aggressive cuts in thick material. Straight action moves the blade only up and down for cleaner, more controlled cuts. Use orbital for rough cuts in construction lumber and straight action for finish cuts in plywood and hardwood.
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