Flush Cutting; Operating Tips; Blade Selection - Bosch GST18V-50B Operating/Safety Instructions Manual

Flush Cutting

To allow the saw to make a perpendicular cut
close to a vertical surface in front of the saw, the
footplate may be repositioned as follows:
Loosen screw, move the footplate back in the 0°
alignment slot, and securely tighten screw. Note
that when the footplate is retracted in this man-
ner, only 90° cuts are possible, and the optional
cutting guide and anti-splinter insert guide may
not be used.
Tool Tips
Always hold the saw by the
insulated gripping surfaces
on the front of the tool and the switch handle.
Failure to hold the tool by the insulated gripping
surface may result in electric shock or electrocu-
tion if sawing into a blind area where live wiring
exits.
Always be certain that smaller workpieces are
securely fastened to a bench or other support.
Larger panels may be held in place by clamps on
a bench or sawhorses.
To begin a cut, clearly mark the cutting line, and
rest the front of the footplate on the work. En-
gage the switch, and move the blade into the
work using only enough forward pressure to
keep the blade cutting steadily. Do not force,
as this will not make the saw cut faster; let the
blade do the work.
When sawing metal or similar materials, apply
coolant/lubricant alongside the cutting line.
Use of reverse-tooth blade such as the Bosch
T101BR requires the orbital setting to be "0"
and that downward pressure be applied to the
top of the saw.
160992A88D GST18V-50 B 202302.indd 16

Operating Tips

Blade Selection

• Choose blades carefully, as the ability of the
jigsaw to make the fastest cuts, to follow tight
curves, to achieve the smoothest finish and/
or to maximize the life of the blade are direct-
ly related to the type of blade used.
• Always use a blade that is appropriate for the
cutting task.
• Always make a test cut in a piece of scrap ma-
terial.
• For tight curves it is best to use a narrow or
scroll blade.
• Most jigsaw blades have upwardpointing
teeth, which helps to pull the jigsaw against
the workpiece
Blades with upward-pointing teeth produce
a clean cut on the bottom of the workpiece.
• Blades with downward-pointing teeth (re-
verse-tooth blade) can be used to produce a
clean cut on the top of the workpiece (that
side that faces the jigsaw's footplate), such
as when cutting an already-installed counter-
top from the top. When using reverse-tooth
blades, downward force must be applied to
the jigsaw.
• Blades with teeth that point straight out (rath-
er than up or down) allow splinter-free cutting
on both sides of the workpiece. When using
such blades, downward force must be applied
to the jigsaw.
• The following types of blades should only be
used with orbital Setting 0:
– Blades with teeth that point downward (re-
verse-tooth blades).
– Blades with teeth that point straight out
rather than up or down.
– Carbide-tipped blades.
– Grit-edge blades.
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and minimizes vibration.
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