A jigsaw is a popular tool used for cutting hdpe. A jigsaw is a unique type of blade-grinding tool. Unlike a band saw, which has two parallel bands that are cut on, a jigsaw has numerous narrow bands that are stacked on top of one another and cut.
This allows you to get more precision in your cuts. Many people use the jigsaw as its own separate piece of equipment from the router bit. It can also be used as a planer, though!
Many people new to the cutting of wood use the jigsaw as their first tools.
Contents:
Set the correct saw for the job
When using a jigsaw, be aware of the characteristics of the saw you are using. Most standard-sized jigsaws have a width between marks of around 2-3/16 inches, and a depth of around 1-1/8 inches.
These sizes correspond to the size of the round hole in your frame. If you have a square hole frame, use a standard size jigsaw. If you have an MDF or wood patterned frame, use a slightly larger jigsaw to account for the difference in thickness!
Having these correct sizes can help prevent damage to your projects and yourself, as well as being more convenient when working with your jigsaw. For instance, having something smaller than a 4 × 4 inch piece will make it easy to cut one section at a time!
Another helpful tip is to put some petroleum jelly on your hands before starting work with the saw. This helps prevent slippage during cutting and puts you in control of the project.
Oil the jigsaw blade
Once you’ve sharpened the jigsaw, it is time to oil it. You can do this easily by simply sliding the blade into the jigging machine and letting it sit for a few minutes. When you turn it on, slowly pulls the metal bar towards you and watch as the blade slides into place.
Do not push with the bar as this will damage your blade. You want to just slide the blade in place and pull it out again!
Had better watch your fingers while doing this as there are small vulnerable places on each finger that need to be protected.
Find a stable surface
Once you have your hdpe cut, the next step is to find a way to hold it. This can be done in several ways, but the most simple is to use a paper towel or credit card wipe some area clean and put the wood in.
Neither of these methods work well for large pieces, like a dining table. Your table must be able to be moved without taking apart what you just put together!
Some people use their kitchen countertop as sturdy as possible for this. Some use their bathroom countertop, or even their bed mattress. Any hard surface will work for this!
Once you have your stable surface, cut your wood using the same sized saw that you used to cut hdpe.
Hold the jigsaw properly
When cutting hdpe, the first step is to hold the jigsaw properly. You can do this by reading the jigsaw’s manual or by watching our video below.
In this video we show you how to hold the jigsaw properly when cutting hdpe. We start off slow and easy to teach you how to hold the jigsaw properly.
Once you understand how to hold the jig, then you can start doing some basic cuts. The most important thing to know when cutting hdpe is not what size piece you are but what type of piece it is.
For example, a woodchip can be either glass or plastic! When cut right, they will not stick together and break.
Make sure the power is on
If your saw is equipped with a power supply, make sure it is connected and functioning. If not, make sure the battery is charged and that the saw has enough juice to run the jigsaw.
If you have to run a power cord from your battery to your saw, be aware that some models require a separate cable for this. Make sure to check your model’s manual for this!
Similarly, if the battery must be disconnected to change size or adjust settings on the jigsaw, make sure the slide-out plate is locked in place and it does not fall out.
Make sure you have the right sized hole pattern for your drill bit at all times! Some models require a slightly different one at size while others do not.
Use the point of the blade
When performing jigsaw cuts, the length of the blade you have left can make a difference. You can create more intricate cuts or expand your cutting range with the length of the blade.
On the other hand, removing some length from the blade can give you a sharper edge and increased cutting range. Having more depth of cut will increase your confidence as a woodworker, as you can do more advanced techniques with your projects.
You can buy longer blades or purchase them made by woodworking experts like Lee into which you can purchase shorter ones. Both are good options!
Longer blades cost more money than short ones, so be careful about spending too much money on one tool.
Slow down and focus
When doing any kind of jigsaw cut, it is important to pay attention. You can get into a rhythm, but that will not help you survive or gain strength during the cut.
Your body will have to work in harmony with the saw in order for this to continue. When the saw is moving at a fast pace, your body can become overwhelmed and you may lose your focus.
At a slower pace, your body will have to endure more stress but gain more strength. It is important to choose one or the other style of cut based on what style you want of your project.
Either way, when doing either kind of cut, it is important to focus fully on the project at hand and not on how much time you are spending on your job.
Make smooth strokes
When trying to make a jigsaw mark along the length of the paper, it is important to make smooth strokes. This means that you do not leave gaps or spaces between your mark and the paper.
If you have to slightly angle your paper, then it is better to alter your stroke slightly less than one extreme to the other. If you have to sharply angle the paper, then slightly increase your speed so that you give yourself enough space to move with the paper.
More often than not, when doing cutting studies with coloured A4 and A5 papers, grey or black felt is the best material to use. These materials do not reflect too much light and thus could be seen as a bit scary.
However, if you use very bright materials such as red or blue cardboard, then they can be cut on a transparency style paper.