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Fig. 10
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
and minimizes
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:
160992A7EF_GST18V50_202203.indd 14
Operating Tips
– 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.
Plunge Cutting
Plunge cutting is useful and time-saving in mak-
ing rough openings in softer materials. It is not
necessary to drill a hole for an inside or pocket
cut. The longest blade to be used for plunge cut-
ting is 3-1/8" (80 mm). Footplate must be set
0° setting.
Draw lines for the opening, hold the saw firmly,
vibration.
tilt it forward so that the toe of the saw foot
rests on the work, but with the blade well clear
of the work. Turn the tool on and run at top
speed, and then very gradually lower the blade
(Fig. 10).
When it touches, continue pressing down on the
toe of the saw foot slowly pivoting the saw like
a hinge until the blade cuts through and the foot
rests flat on the work. Then saw ahead on the
cutting line. We do not recommend plunge cut-
ting with a scroll blade. Do not try to plunge cut
into hard materials such as steel.
To make sharp corners, cut up to the corner,
then back up slightly before rounding the cor-
ner. After the opening is complete, go back to
each corner and cut it from the opposite direc-
tion to square it off.
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3/25/22 11:47 AM
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