Last updated on February 13th, 2024 at 04:17 am
Among the most useful tools you can use in your workshop or garage is a jigsaw. This is because you can use jigsaws to cut different materials in either straight or curved cuts. Since a jigsaw has different uses, knowing how to use all its features can be challenging. Can a jigsaw cut metal? The answer is yes. We’ll show you the best situations.
The Best Situations to use a Jigsaw to cut Metal
You might need to learn how to get the best out of a jigsaw from someone with firsthand knowledge and tips about home improvement DIY projects. For instance, various situations in your workshop or garage might require you to make special cuts on metals. Depending on the specific situation, you might need to use a jigsaw to cut the metal.
Curved Cuts
Although many people use jigsaws to make straight cuts on metals and wood, their main purpose is to make curved cuts. You should use a jigsaw for all your curved cuts since its versatility will ensure that it handles almost every curved cut you will need to make. This is because jigsaws come with small blades that usually bend when cutting metals. With bending blades, it could be difficult for users of a jigsaw to make straight cuts. However, using the jigsaw to make curved cuts will be easy.
Cut Holes
If your work entails cutting holes on metals or cutting out any curved shapes, a jigsaw is a must-have tool for you. This is because the jigsaw will help you drill holes in your metal surfaces easily and quickly. If you need to cut small holes within a metal, you can use a jigsaw to cut the holes because the blades of a jigsaw are thin. You can also use it to cut curved cuts with tiny radius. You can even use a jigsaw to make square holes on your metal surfaces. All you need to do is drill tiny holes in each of the corners of a square and connect them to make one square hole.
Flush Cut
If you want to make a flush cut, a jigsaw that features a standard saw blade is not appropriate for vertical surfaces. This is because the saw’s base plate is extended, making it difficult to make a flush cut. To make a flush cut with a jigsaw, you will need to use a flush cut blade. A flush cut blade will make it possible for you to cut right up to a cabinet side, backsplash, or any vertical surface to attain a flush cut. The blade can cost you between $5 and $10.
Cut Circles
You should use a jigsaw if you need to make circle cuts on your metal. A jigsaw can help you cut out any circle from a metal with no hassle. If you need to cut out accurate circles, you will have to avoid free handing. Instead, you should use a circle-cutting jig. A circle jig has a longer flat arm known as a beam. This arm is attached to the saw with an adjustable pivot that is the center of the circle. You can use the adjustable pivot to set the radius of the circle you would like to cut. This makes the cutting process accurate.
Different types of metals are used for different purposes. Unlike other construction materials like wood, metals are usually hard and cannot be cut easily. Depending on the metal type that you need to cut, you will be able to determine whether the situation allows you to use a jigsaw to cut it. So, can a jigsaw cut metal? As discussed above, you can use a jigsaw to cut metals when you need to cut out circles, make curved cuts, when making a flush cut on metals, and when you need to cut holes on a metallic surface.
