How to Use a Parallel Stop With a Jigsaw
Many have long used such a tool as jigsaw, but even for such craftsmen it will be useful to learn about some features work with a jigsaw, not to mention newcomers.
Jigsaws or electric saws (they are also called so, not to be confused with electric or cordless reciprocating hacksaws and saws) in many cases, when making furniture or cutting various wooden plates and sheets, it is difficult to replace it with another tool. Complex cuts in various materials and various thicknesses are simple operations for them.
Most of the work can be done even with the simplest models. But the technology has stepped far forward and such a tool has become more convenient and versatile. For a long time there are hacksaws with electronic control and the swingarm of the blade. The choice of the right jigsaw is complicated only by the abundance of offers. Electronics and the swingarm have become standard. The best models have a simple and reliable replacement of the saw blade.
The base plate of the jigsaw has a smooth adjustment of the tilt angle to 45 °. Additional equipment allows you to perform oblique sections (on the “mustache”).
The base plate moves in the longitudinal direction, which makes it possible to cut close to the edge, for example, working directly against the wall.
The compass for the jigsaw allows you to cut circles, large holes and make precise curves. The basis of the compass is an adjustable bar.
Parallel emphasis is indispensable for long straight cuts. It is mounted on a base plate. The emphasis has an adjustable lock of the distance from the edge of the part.
Features and equipment jigsaw
Thanks to the eccentric transmission of the hacksaw, the rotational movement of the engine is converted into a vertical stroke of the slider. A saw blade is set in the slider. The frequency of the reciprocating movements of the blade indicates the sawing speed. Speed can be electronically controlled. Saw wood at a faster speed, plastic and metal more slowly.
How to Use a Parallel Stop With a Jigsaw
If you want to achieve the best results and have a universal tool, it is better to buy an electronically controlled model and special canvases. The pendulum stroke allows the saw blade to not only move vertically, but also to retreat. This ensures the best stroke of the blade into the material and the cutting speed is significantly increased.
The marking and the cut itself during operation are always visible. The modern tool is already equipped with local blowing and dust extraction. The base plate in most models changes its angle to the canvas and allows you to cut on the “mustache”, and if you move it back, you can work right along the edge.
If the distance to the outer edge is too large or the edge is not parallel to the cut, then the stop bar in the desired position is fixed with a clamp on the part.
A special workbench fixes the jigsaw stationary, which allows you to cut small parts. They can be led and parallel focus.
An additional guide rail makes it easier to guide thin canvases. It can be equipped with its own web tensioner.
The protective tread, pressing in the place of cutting to the surface of the material, prevents tearing of the material along the edge of the cut.
Guides and jigsaws
The jigsaw is a tool for free hand guidance, and in most cases it is used that way. Nevertheless, it is possible to facilitate the work if you need long straight and round cuts. A compass, a parallel emphasis and a persistent bar will solve the problem. Slow feeding gives the best results, since it, being flexible, is prone to lateral sliding and following the texture, especially in hard wood. The sawn workpiece is always fixed. If the parts are so small that they cannot be fixed, then the tool itself is stationary installed. The necessary devices are offered.
Soft materials such as rubber, leather, polystyrene and carpets are not sawed, but cut with special knives (often with a sawtooth blade).
Even hard materials such as glass and ceramics will not hamper the jigsaw. Special carbide blades should be used.
To avoid scratching the surfaces, put a plastic shoe on the base plate. Self-adhesive felt will perform the same function.
When finishing rounded cuts, rasp and grinding tips will help. Instead of the standard blade, they can be installed in a jigsaw.
Quality cuts
Saw blades in such a tool work in tension, which leads to their straightening and the correct geometry of cuts. But at the same time edges without chips are obtained only from below. This must be taken into account when cutting furniture plates. Special canvases and experience will help to cope with this problem.
The teeth of a conventional jigsaw blade look up, which is why the material breaks loose when returned, which leads to chips on furniture plates. If the part has to be cut from the front side, then put a special saw blade with the reverse position of the teeth. In this case, the jigsaw is pressed tightly to the surface.
When it is not possible to cut parts from the back, and chipping along the edges cannot be avoided, sticking tape to mark the part will help. The tape will prevent large marginal chips. After completion of work, it is carefully removed.