There are times when you need to saw something metallic, and at hand from a power tool there is only a jigsaw. This is not a good option, but not a bad one either. Jigsaw is quite suitable for sawing metal.
But if until this moment you had only experience with wood, you need to understand a very important thing: wood and metal are different materials in their structure. This means that the approach to choosing tools and the cutting process itself is significantly different.
How to saw metal with a jigsaw
Some manufacturers of power tools do not recommend working with metal parts if their thickness exceeds 5 mm. But there are also those that allow you to work with parts up to 10 mm thick. It all depends on the reliability and quality of a particular model. In particular, on the quality of the pendulum assembly.
Before proceeding to the sawing work itself, you need to carry out some preparation and set up the tool. To correctly configure the jigsaw, the pendulum pitch during cutting must be reduced to the first position or completely removed. So to speak, remove the beating of the pendulum. This is done in order to reduce the wear of the jigsaw assemblies and to avoid blunting the cutting surface of the saw.
Pressing the jigsaw with force is optional. You still will not be able to cut faster, and the risk of disabling the tool increases. The jigsaw speed should not be high either. At high speed, it is possible to overheat the cutting element, and this will lead to a decrease in the sharpness and hardness of the saw. Take into account that one file may not be enough for all the work. Especially if you do not have enough experience. Always keep one or two spare parts in stock.
Video: Can I Saw Metal with a Jigsaw
The main types of metal saws for jigsaws
Now let’s go directly to the cutting tools. The fact that this canvas is designed to work with metal, you will tell the inscription on the file itself or on the packaging. Such products are marked with the inscription: “For Metal” or “For metal”, depending on the manufacturer.
By marking you can find out about the material from which the file is made. The most common steel is HSS. From the description of the manufacturer it follows that this is high-speed steel.
Some products are labeled BIM. This designation is Bimetal, hard cutting edge and softness of the body of the blade. Two different density materials are welded together by surfacing. The soft body of the blade does not allow brittle steel to break on the teeth.
The cutting tool is different in shape. The most popular products with a small milled wavy tooth. They give an even cut, with a slight twist if necessary. But such canvases cut material 1-3 mm thick.
To cut parts with a thicker thickness, there are special files with a divorced "tooth" and altered geometry. The so-called "progressive step", in which the teeth increase from a jigsaw to the edge of the blade. Similar models can cut parts up to 10 mm thick.
With a diluted tooth, non-ferrous metals (such as aluminum, copper, brass) and hardwood can be processed. They can cut a metal profile (pipe or square) if the diameter does not exceed 30 mm and the wall thickness is 1.2 mm.
Do not be discouraged if it did not work out the first time. A little patience and attention. and you will succeed!