Buying jigsaws (as a gift or otherwise) is always a question of knowing the needs of the person who is going to use them. Depending on where the tool is to be used, the requirements for its performance will also be different.
In any case, when buying a tool, you should always pay attention to the absence of transverse play of the rod and support roller, as well as “wiggling” of the end of the saw blade when the tool is working.
Choosing a gift jigsaw
Let’s focus on three conditional places of use of jigsaws, which will help determine the choice: personal use (at home or in the country), carpentry workshop, construction site.
Electric jigsaw for home use
This is usually the only tool of its group, occasionally used for a variety of needs. Therefore, Choose a tool with a wide range of capabilities in working with a variety of surfaces:
- laminate,
- laminate, laminate boards,
- boards,
- plastic,
- aluminum.
It is optimal to buy an inexpensive, but sufficiently reliable (for home use) tool. If it will not have a pendulum stroke, it is not a problem, although some materials will be processed with effort. An alternative can be the purchase of a budget version of a professional electric jigsaw.
With a motor of about 500 watts and 65 centimeters of cutting depth, such a device will be able to cope with the whole range of various tasks at home or in the country. The main thing – to have in stock saw blades for all occasions.
Electric jigsaw to carpentry
The use of an electric jigsaw in a carpentry workshop obviously implies more requirements to its technical characteristics. If we talk about the maximum variant, it will be a top quality model with sufficient power.
Although for carpentry work, the depth of cut will not be a decisive indicator, still many people prefer the professional models of electric jigsaws. In this case, you get a power reserve, quality assembly, convenient lock for easy clamping of the saw blade, backlighting of the working area, the system of sawdust extraction and the possibility of connecting a vacuum cleaner.
If you need a tool for joinery, but gave preference to the budget option, then a quality, but a modest set of features of the jigsaw will do. The main thing is the presence of speed control and making a cut without defects. It is desirable to buy a jigsaw with anti-slip inserts and a set of blades for making a variety of cuts. But the circular stop must be purchased separately.
Using the jigsaw at the construction site
A construction site always involves long, non-stop use of power tools, and at peak loads. This leaves no question in choosing an electric jigsaw – only a professional version of the tool is shown that can cope with the tasks assigned to it, while ensuring the comfortable work of the operator for a long time.
The main characteristics that such a tool should have:
- high power – about 800 watts – will allow you to work with thick workpieces with ease;
- large stroke amplitude;
- sufficient cutting depth – 140-150 mm;
- pendulum stroke, which facilitates the cut;
- adjustable cutting frequency, which is good for plastic pipes;
- stabilization system for speed adjustment;
- lock that allows fast and reliable clamping and changing of the saw blade;
- an illuminated working area.