Cutting wood straight is one of the most common problems whenever someone picks up a jigsaw. In fact, chances are if you’re reading this article, you’ve made a few mistakes when cutting some wood along the way. It can be so frustrating being trying to get all worked up only to have your work fall apart on you in a matter of seconds.
Let’s take a look at some of the things that you need to know in order to ultimately cut wood straight with your jigsaw. Of course, if you’re looking for more advanced techniques check out this article which will provide unique content on how to make curved cuts with the best jigsaws.
Don’t Rush Things
The most crucial step in cutting wood straight with a jigsaw is to work slowly. Now, this is something that many people don’t do and it’s mainly because they like to try to get the job done as quickly as possible.
The whole point of using a jigsaw is so that you can make more precise cuts than if you were to use say a circular saw. So if you rush things, the likelihood of your cuts lining up will be slim to none.
Measure Twice and Cut Once
Another step that too many people don’t take is to measure twice and cut once. If you’re someone who likes to just go ahead and get started without taking any measurements then you’re setting yourself up for failure. Remember, jigsaws are precise tools so not having proper measurements will give you a hard time getting your line straight when cutting wood with it.
When measuring make sure that you triple-check everything before making any marks on your wood or else there’s no telling what might happen down the road.
Don’t Make Blind Cuts
This is another huge mistake that most people make making blind cuts. A perfect cut actually has both ends of the wood being able to connect together. So if you’re making a cut where there’s no clear line to follow, this will make it much harder for your cuts to be straight when using a jigsaw.
Blind Cuts in General
To put it simply, blind cuts are when you don’t have an endpoint that can clearly be seen in order to give you some direction on where exactly the blade should go. Furthermore, doing any cuts without having yourself properly squared up with what you’re working on is also considered making “blind” cuts.
As soon as you feel like your lack of measurements or squaring off may be getting out of hand, take a break and come back to things later when you can look at them with a fresh set of eyes.
Always Do Trial Runs
The last tip that I want to share is that you should always do trial runs before actually making your final cuts in regards to cutting wood straight with a jigsaw. The whole point of doing trial runs is so that when it comes time for you to cut your actual pieces, the chances of anything going wrong will be a lot lower.
To get the most out of doing a trial run, try and follow all of the steps mentioned above such as taking accurate measurements and making sure that everything is squared up. This way there won’t be any surprises or mishaps if you’re going based on what happened during your practice sessions.
These are just a few tips and tricks that you can follow so that you can cut wood straight with a jigsaw the next time around. Using these guidelines will ultimately allow you to get more accurate cuts which will ensure that your work comes out looking professional.
Safety Precautions:
Ever since the early days of jigsaws, their main purpose has been to cut through the material. It should also be known that they are capable of causing lots of damage in the wrong hands. Keeping safety precautions in mind while using them is crucial for not only your own well-being but other people around you as well.
Some things that you can take into consideration when making cuts with a jigsaw include using protective eyewear and gloves, keeping both hands on the tool at all times, keeping an eye out for any nearby bystanders, and always checking your surroundings before actually making any moves.
How to cut wood straight with a jigsaw?
This is the best way I’ve found to ensure cuts are straight measure 3 times, mark once. Finish marks with a block plane align your jigsaw with the block plane after marking for final cuts.
Try using an orbital sander instead of your normal sandpaper on the wood. It will speed up your process doing it that way then freehand.
In my experience, when cutting lumber with a jigsaw to make strip cuts it’s better to cut from both sides of the wood, especially if you’re going for a very clean edge on one side or both sides of your piece. In order to get the best results possible out of this technique, I’ve found that starting in the middle and working your way outward will give you much cleaner edges than just going outward from one side all at once.
Different blades in different conditions work better for certain tasks in different ways. The best way to know which blade works best for what application in terms of cutting straight is through practice and experience.
The advantages of cutting curves with a jigsaw are that it’s relatively light, small, easy to use, and versatile in terms of what you can cut.
I would say the biggest advantage to using one over another method for cutting wood straight is the speed at which you’re able to get your job done when dealing with curves rather than just free handing the whole thing. It’s also very helpful in regards to being able to make tight cuts where saws or routers might not be able to provide any help whatsoever.
If you’re planning on making any cuts with a jigsaw of any type, you should always make sure that it’s unplugged or that the battery is taken out right away. This way you’ll be able to avoid any problems that might arise and ultimately keep yourself and your workplace safe.
Once you know how to cut wood straight with a jigsaw, it’s crucial that you keep on practicing with different types of blades to see which works best for your needs. Different blades will have the ability to cut through the wood in different ways so you’ll need to know what type of blade is good for what type of cuts if you’re planning on doing everything precisely.
Conclusion
If you want to cut wood straight with a jigsaw, it is important to use the right blade for the job and make sure that your saw is in good condition. You also need to be aware of the grain direction of the wood you are cutting and take your time when making cuts. With a little practice, you will be able to make perfectly straight cuts with your jigsaw!