How to use a jigsaw for figure cutting on wood?

Along with straight cuts, it is necessary to make rounded cuts, as well as obtain complex parts with patterns and openwork contours. In these cases, a jigsaw is used for figure cutting. This is a convenient tool that allows you to make cuts of almost any shape at shallow and great depths. How to use it correctly is described in detail in this material.

Step-by-step instructions for getting a circle

Sawing wood is also possible to produce figurines. As an example, we can consider one of the simplest examples - obtaining an even wooden circle. You need to do this:

1. Insert the file into the groove.
2. Tighten the screw.
3. Check with your hand how firmly the file is in place.
4. Place the part flat on the surface and install the device so as to cut along the grain.
5. Move smoothly around the circumference - cutting with a jigsaw should be neat, clearly along the intended contour.
6. If necessary, you can stop, rotate the part to a more comfortable position and continue carving.
7. Then proceed in exactly the same way. Moreover, carving wood with a jigsaw requires care. It is better not to remove it until the saw has stopped completely, so as not to damage the workpiece.
8. The work is completed and the part is removed, in this case a wooden circle.

How to cut patterns

After you have mastered the technique of sawing circles, you can move on to more complex options, for example, making figures. The principle of operation is exactly the same, but you need to act more carefully. The step-by-step instructions for cutting patterns on wood with a jigsaw are as follows:

1. Transfer the pattern onto thick paper.
2. Cut out the stencil using a sharp knife.
3. Attach this template to the material and trace it with a pencil.
4. Prepare the device for operation as described above and start sawing. To ensure an accurate cut, sawing on wood with a jigsaw can be carried out using a parallel stop. It is attached to the instrument using screws.
5. To drill a hole, you can first make it with a drill, and then insert a file. There is another option - the file is smoothly lowered into the thickness of the material until it becomes vertical. This is a plunge cutting technology.
6. Then they move along the contour and finish the work. This is the main way to cut out patterns with a jigsaw.

Sawing Tips

Since figure sawing is a special type of work, it is recommended to first practice on blanks. After this, you can proceed to the main stage, and it is advisable to adhere to the following rules:

1. Focus on the lumbar region. Thanks to this, you can saw not only while standing, but also while sitting.
2. If you need to cut out a small area, first make a hole in the center.
3. When changing the angle, you need to change the location of the canvas itself. In this case, the tool is left in the same position.
4. Sawing out plywood with a jigsaw to obtain figures involves smooth and leisurely actions. Even one uneven movement can ruin the entire result or create a significant defect.
5. Even if you work quite carefully, unevenness and roughness remain after sawing. This is a completely normal phenomenon - surfaces are treated to make them smooth.

Thus, even complex openwork parts can be sawed with a jigsaw. The operating principle of the equipment is simple, so even a beginner can handle sawing. Almost all modern models have a cutting depth sufficient to make any workpiece. But it is worth keeping in mind that if the blade is too thick, it will not be so difficult to remove the sawdust. In addition, it is important to observe safety precautions, since the saw does not have a safety mechanism.