A circular saw is a very commonly used saw amongst those who work with lumber, especially for those workers who are doing so on site. “As well as this, a circular saw is one of the most dangerous power tools to use if used incorrectly, with some 10” circular saw blades reaching max speeds of 6500 RPMs. You can imagine this. If you’re constantly needing to rip through boards, you know a jigsaw won’t cut it, so a circular saw is the more preferred option for you.
It’s a tough choice to make, but I think that a jig saw is going to be the better choice as a DIYer or homeowner’s first power saw. A corded saw, whether you choose a jig saw or circular saw as your first power saws, will last for years, while the batteries of a cordless saw might give out sooner. So that’s my take on the jig saw vs. circular saw purchasing decision.
Also known as a saber saw or scroll saw, the jigsaw is often advertised as a “Do it all” saw for home improvement as well as arts and crafts projects. Circular saws can be adapted to almost any purpose you can use a table saw for. If you’re looking for a saw that can handle the rigors of a construction site or furniture-making, circular saws are clearly preferable to jigsaws.
There are two types of circular saw, sidewinders, and worm drive saws – but both function in the same way. The main disadvantage of circular saws is that they can’t cut curves – they are designed to cut in straight lines only. If you need to cut curves or work on fancy craft-style projects, a circular saw won’t be the right option, but if you want to frame a house or garage or you need to cut long, straight lines through large sheets of wood, a circular saw is the ideal choice.
Tradespeople who have to make saw cuts – whether in wood or some other material – will often find themselves questioning whether a jigsaw or circular saw is the best tool for the particular task in hand. The jigsaw vs circular saw question largely comes down to speed and neatness vs curves and complexity. Although a jigsaw can be used for most of the tasks that a circular saw can perform, including straight cuts and cuts on a tilt, the jigsaw uses that really take advantage of the tool’s qualities are jobs such as kitchen fitting and joinery, with their frequent need for complex cuts.
circular saw vs jigsaw Related Question:
Is it better to use a jigsaw or circular saw?
If you’re constantly needing to rip through boards, you know a jigsaw won’t cut it, so a circular saw is the more preferred option for you. If you’re doing intricate shapes and complex number cutting – a circular saw won’t help you there!
Which is safer jigsaw or circular saw?
Jigsaws are considered safer than circular saws – while you can still injure yourself with a jigsaw, there is less scope for causing serious damage since the blade is smaller. They create less dust than circular saws, and the blades are also less expensive than the blades for circular saws.
Is a jigsaw good for cutting wood?
Jigsaws are best used for cutting shapes and curves in wood with its narrow blade, which is attached to the tool’s body by a spring-loaded clamp at the front. The blade’s sharp teeth are measured in TPI, or teeth per inch. A higher TPI gives a smoother cut that requires less sanding.
Is it worth buying a jigsaw?
Jigsaws can cut cut wood of varying thickness and density, and when fitted with the correct blade, they can also cut steel, fiberglass, and drywall. This adds to the tool’s versatility and makes it more valuable in your workshop. Changing blades is easy.
What are the disadvantages of jigsaw?
According to Johnson and Johnson (2000), there are also some disadvantages of using the jigsaw method, they are: 1) require some time to prepare students to learn how to work in groups, 2) require some time to make groups that each group has heterogeneity in their member ability, and 3) teacher should make special
What saw should I buy first?
A jigsaw is great for cutting curves and shapes, and it can also be used with a guide to make straight cuts, which is why this is the first power saw you should own. Unless you plan to rip long sheets of plywood, a jigsaw is preferable over a circular saw.
Can a jigsaw cut a 2×4?
The secret to doing straight cuts in 2×4 lumber is to guide the jigsaw steadily, in one go. As long as the pace is slow and consistent, you will be fine by allowing the blade to do the work of cutting for you – keep the focus on following the cutting line as you control the speed and pace of the cut.
Can you use a jigsaw to cut MDF?
A jigsaw cuts MDF as easily as it cuts plywood, although you should keep in mind that the more teeth the blade has, the less chance there is of chipping the material around the edges of the cut. Hence a steel-cutting blade, while cutting more slowly, will keep the edges intact in a sensitive cut.
Can a jigsaw cut a 4×4?
Most jigsaw blades can cut to a maximum depth of 1-1/2 inches, which is well below the depth needed for cutting through a 4×4. And, since a jigsaw blade is perpendicular to the saw’s guard and cuts using an up and down motion, it cannot cut through material thicker than the blade like a circular saw or miter saw can.
Why does my jigsaw not cut straight?
Your jigsaw may not be cutting straight because it’s outdated, lacking guide bearings necessary for straight cuts. Components such as blade clamps and guide bearings can also get damaged or worn. It’s also possible that human error is to blame, and you need a better straight edge or technique.
How thick can a jigsaw cut?
Jigsaws work best for cutting softwood that’s no more than 1-1/2 in. thick and hardwood up to 3/4 in. thick. Jigsaw blades tend to bend when cutting curves in thicker boards, leaving a beveled edge rather than a square one.
Which is better miter saw or circular saw?
A circular saw excels at breaking down sheet goods, and a miter saw is best for cutting down longer boards. A miter saw is more precise, due to the handheld nature of the circular saw. A circular saw is less expensive than a miter saw, and it’s more portable. A miter saw is safer to use than a circular saw.
Can a jigsaw replace a circular saw?
Although a jigsaw can be used for most of the tasks that a circular saw can perform, including straight cuts and cuts on a tilt, the jigsaw uses that really take advantage of the tool’s qualities are jobs such as kitchen fitting and joinery, with their frequent need for complex cuts.
Is Bosch a good jigsaw?
Bosch PST 700 E Compact: The best jigsaw for clean work spaces. This is a really well-put-together corded jigsaw that’s powerful yet lightweight. This Bosch model will cut through a variety of materials, venting the dust out of a tube at the rear that can be connected to a vacuum cleaner for efficient removal.
Are jigsaw puzzles good for your brain?
Puzzles are also good for the brain. Studies have shown that doing jigsaw puzzles can improve cognition and visual-spatial reasoning. The act of putting the pieces of a puzzle together requires concentration and improves short-term memory and problem solving.
