The Complete Handbook of Jigsaws

Chapter 1: Understanding Jigsaws

The jigsaw, in its simplest form, is a reciprocating saw whose blade moves rapidly up and down to cut material. What separates it from other saws is its ability to navigate tight curves and intricate patterns in a way that a circular saw or table saw cannot. The tool gets its name from its original primary purpose: cutting jigsaw puzzles. Today, its applications are far broader, but the principle remains remarkably the same.

To understand the jigsaw, you must move beyond the idea that it is simply a "big kid's toy" for rough woodcutting. In the hands of a professional, a jigsaw is a precision tool. It is used to cut holes in countertops for sinks, to make intricate scrollwork in cabinetry, and to notch floorboards for a perfect fit around door frames. It is the go-to tool for cutting shapes in plywood, creating templates, cutting metal roofing panels, and even scoring through plastic materials. The core of its value lies in its ability to start a cut from a hole in the middle of a workpiece (a "plunge cut") and to guide the blade exactly along a curved line.

The essential anatomy of a jigsaw is straightforward. The main body, which houses the motor and the handle, has a flat soleplate (or shoe). This plate is the guide that rests against the surface of the material you are cutting. The blade protrudes from the underside of the shoe at a 90-degree angle relative to the