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It is common knowledge that Jigsaws are a great woodworking tool. Often a straight cut is needed to make a piece of wood or other material fit perfectly and look professional. However, getting a straight cut can be more difficult than it sounds.
Cutting straight lines with a jigsaw sounds simple, but it is something that is not always as easy as it looks. These tips will help ensure that you always do a great job.
Mark The Wood
You should always mark the wood, even if you are experienced in cutting with a jigsaw. This is one of the best ways to make sure that you will get a precise cut. If you are a beginner, then it is a good idea to mark the wood with a complete line that you can follow. As you become more experienced, then you can start to make intermittent marks along the line that you want to follow.
Making The Cut
When you are ready to make the cut you should get the material in place and then turn the jigsaw on. Push the wood gently into the blade of the saw, but do not be too aggressive or try to go too fast.
You may be using a jigsaw that has a laser to guide you, and this will make cutting in a straight line easier. If you do not have this laser, then just follow the line that you have drawn. This will become easier with experience but the wood can always be sanded afterwards if it is needed.
It is best to look both at the jigsaw guide line and the blade to be sure that are cutting in the right place and are going to be cutting in the right place.
Use A Fence For Longer Cuts
If you are making a longer cut, then it can be a good idea to make a fence. This can be placed along the line that you want to cut and act as a guide. The best way to attach this fence to the wood is to clamp it down.
Cutting longer pieces of wood with a jigsaw can be difficult, and so having a guide in place can make things a lot easier.
Making Straight Cuts
Jigsaw are not really designed for making straight cuts, jigsaws are specifically designed for making curved cuts. If you want to make a very straight cut it is best if you use a circular saw or better still a table saw. Circular saws, track saws and table saws are specifically designed for making straight cuts. A table saw or track saw are the best tools for making straight cuts as they usually come with a track (in the case of a track saw) or a fence in the case of a table saw that will help keep the cut straight.
Conclusion
I hope that this short guide has provided you with the information that you need to make straight cuts for your next project. Straight cuts are possible but jigsaws are not specifically designed to make them. A circular saw, track saw or table saw are best used to make straight cuts.
