Any questions?
We are happy to provide further information available.
| Business: | +49 2452 962 400 |
|---|---|
| Industry: | +49 2452 962 777 |
| End-consumers: | +49 2452 962 450 |
| E-mail: | online-uk@trotec.com |
|---|
Pendulum action jigsaws
Jigsaws with battery, cord or barrel grip – always optimally tailored to the respective requirements
Besides drilling, sawing wood and other materials is one of the most common DIY and handicraft activities. Hardly surprising, therefore, that the electrical jigsaw has become one of the most popular power tools. Compared to jigsaws without orbital action the saw blades of pendulum action jigsaws can accomplish more than just a straight vertical cut. The variably adjustable pendulum action reduces the effort required for the forward movement thus allowing a quicker sawing progress.
Brand quality plus cost-efficiency
Until now, however, you basically only had two options when choosing a pendulum action jigsaw: either good but expensive, or mainly cheap. Trotec’s PowerTools now offer a smart choice: good price, good product and good design – all in one. HighPerformance in every respect, for we do not only stand for measuring devices and air conditioners, but also for power tools of brand quality: professional Trotec solutions with an excellent value-for-money ratio!
Jigsaws – what to take into account for your purchase decision
1. What do you primarily want to use the jigsaw for?
In order to find the proper jigsaw that meets your requirements, you should take a moment and think about which materials you primarily want to process and which type of cuts you want to perform. Every model approaches corners and bends differently and sometimes there is a big difference in the performance, too.
Depending on the respective application purpose you should make sure that special accessories are already included in the scope of delivery. For example, if you want to make long, straight cuts, a rip fence is extremely helpful to minimize design-related deviations from the cutting line. For mitre cuts we recommend jigsaws with adjustable base plates. An integrated blowing function keeps the workplace free of chips and dust. At the same time a tool-free saw blade exchange makes working with the jigsaw even more convenient.
2. Bar handle or baton shape with barrel grip – which is better?
The design is a decisive factor for the success of different cutting techniques. Jigsaws with a bar handle work best for the DIY sector and novices. They ensure a firm and secure grip for straight cuts and can easily by guided with one hand. Often, the simple act of switching the device on and off is also easier to accomplish.
Professionals usually prefer barrel grip jigsaws such as our PJSS 11-230V. It is easier to manoeuvre them in case of slightly more complicated tasks like curved cuts, mitre cuts and overhead work. You can optimally advance the machine by the front knob that is characteristic for the barrel grip design and at the same time guide the device precisely with the other hand.
Table of contents
1. What do you primarily want to use the jigsaw for?
2. Bar handle or baton shape with barrel grip – which is better?
3. Jigsaws with battery or cable?
4. Jigsaws with laser – what benefits do they come with?
5. Saw blades: What are the differences?
5.1. Types of saw blades
6. What’s the difference between jigsaws and pendulum action jigsaws?
7. How can fraying be avoided?
What is a jigsaw?
Jigsaws are tools with a fixed saw blade on one side. The up-and-down movement of the saw blade produces a cut in the workpiece, but only the upward movement causes material removal.
3. Jigsaws with battery or cable?
The suitability of corded and battery-powered models depends on the respective application purpose. Cable-connected jigsaws have the advantage of allowing you to work without interruption so long as the power cable is connected to a working outlet. A cordless jigsaw like our PJSS 10-20V is the perfect choice if the application site offers only poor options for connecting the device to the mains. You don’t have to go to the trouble of installing an extension cable; instead you can start working right away.
In terms of performance cordless jigsaws are now only marginally inferior to cable-connected jigsaws. But the battery only lasts for a certain time period before it has to be recharged again. For longer working periods we recommend purchasing a spare battery in addition. Once the first battery is dead, you can simply insert the second one fully charged. As you continue to work, the empty battery can be recharged saving you the further trouble of an extended interruption.
4. Jigsaws with laser – what benefits do they come with?
Some cutting-edge jigsaws such as our PJSS 10‑230V or PJSS 11‑230V come equipped with a laser guide that marks the cutting line. Activated on demand, the laser projects a clearly visible red line onto your workpiece thus indicating the precise cutting direction. Should you veer off course, it is easy to see and you can just as easily return to the cutting line.
5. Saw blades: What are the differences?
In order to work properly with your jigsaw, you need the right saw blade. The following factors should be taken into account for the selection:
5.1. Types of saw blades
Saw blades for jigsaws are basically divided into the four following material groups:
- HCS (carbon steel) – for softer materials such as wood, fibreboards or plastic
- HSS (high-speed steel) – for harder materials such as aluminium, iron, steel or non-ferrous metals
- BIM (bi-metal made of HCS and HSS) – for sawing work in hard wood, metals and hard plastics
- HM (carbide) – for cutting cement fibreboards, plasterboard and fibreglass-reinforced plastic
5.2. Toothing of the saw blade
The tooth pitch or spacing is indicated in millimetres or inches. The softer the material to be processed, the wider should the space between two saw blade teeth be. An insufficient tooth spacing can impede the chip removal causing the jigsaws to slow down or even to get jammed.
5.3. Tool-free clamping function
Jigsaws with a quick-release chuck permit the tool-free saw blade exchange in a matter of seconds.
 |
6. What’s the difference between jigsaws and pendulum action jigsaws?
At first sight there is not much of a difference between jigsaws and pendulum action jigsaws. However, in the latter case the saw blade not only moves up and down.
The saw blade of pendulum action jigsaws is additionally pushed forward by means of a guide roller. Accordingly, there is a vertical and horizontal motion, causing the saw blade to cut through the workpiece with more force. This saves time and makes your sawing work easier.
7. How can fraying be avoided?
The saw blade of jigsaws cuts with every upward movement. This often results in a tear-out of the edges and frayed cutting lines.
Most craftsmen simply avoid this problem by turning the workpiece over, applying the saw the other way round, masking the cutting edge with adhesive or masking tape or using a special saw blade with reversed toothing.
Jigsaws from Trotec have a transparent anti-splinter guard that permits precise tear-free cuts without needing any of the above workarounds.
8. What does the watt specification of jigsaws reveal?
What applies for all other power tools, is fundamentally also true for jigsaws: The higher the wattage, the higher the machine’s performance capacity. Ideal for novices and domestic usage are compact entry-level jigsaws with an input power of about 600 watts. For professional usage, powerful pendulum action jigsaws with at least 700 watts are better suited: they not only achieve greater cutting depths but also higher cutting rates.
9. What other equipment features are worth noting?
Looking at the jigsaw’s equipment features can save yourself a lot of trouble at a later point in time. A spare battery, for instance, can turn out to be as much of an asset for cordless jigsaws as a battery status indicator. An electronic stroke rate regulation permits material-compatible, safe working. Another practical feature is the integrated connection option for dust extraction, so chips and sawdust are removed right away. Also a must-have is the matching transport case that will neatly hold the jigsaw and all its accessories.
With the powerful jigsaws from Trotec you always have the appropriate tool at hand. With its 20 V lithium-ion battery our cordless jigsaw PJSS 10‑20V allows you to work in areas without power connection. To accomplish precise straight, curved or mitre cuts we recommend using our laser-guided jigsaws PJSS 10‑230V and PJSS 11‑230V. All of Trotec’s jigsaws are supplied with several saw blades for wood, one for metal and a comprehensive range of further accessories.
