2019 Fall Home & Garden

2019 Fall Home & Garden Video Magazine Lincoln Daily News Sept. 26, 2019 Page 31 When using a jigsaw, choosing a blade is the most important part since it determines the finish and type of materials you can cut. The size of the blade’s tooth is also important. For cutting timber, the rule is the bigger the tooth, the rougher and faster the cut, the finer the tooth, the cleaner and more accurate the cut. For cutting through rough wood, a rough tooth wood blade or riblet is used. Just work slowly and let the blade do the work. When cutting smooth wood, a fine-tooth wood blade is ideal for a neat finish. By using a tenor fine-tooth wood blade on a smooth piece of lumber, you can make a curved cut without breaking the blade. Woodie says basic jigsaws have reciprocating blades that cut on the up stroke while laminate blades cut on the down stroke and keep laminate from chipping on the surface. Metal blades can cut through metal as their name indicates. Straight edge guides help ensure a straight edge when you are cutting and work well for working with laminate flooring. Adjusting the jigsaw’s soleplate allows you to make beveled or angled cuts on any type of material. Settings on the jigsaw’s pendulum action mean the blade will not only go up and down but also enter the wood at an angle similar to a handsaw. To adjust the speed of cuts, use the variable speed dial. The speed needed depends on your material. For wood, use a faster setting and for metal, a slower setting. See more of How to use a jigsaw If you are looking for a saw that can do many jobs, circular saws are one of the most versatile saws around and can be used to build almost anything. Continued n