Style is not the same as a circular saw. Their cutting process by blade motion is an alternative. You can use a jigsaw for curved cuts, but not a circular saw for the same works. Generally, a circular saw is used for heavy-duty and straight cuts. This is not all about jigsaw vs. circular saw. Now we will learn details about both saws. So, let’s go for the explanation.
What is a Jigsaw Saw?
A jigsaw can be easily identified due to its reciprocating motion. It has blades that cut irregular curves on various materials such as wood, metal tiles, etc. The saws can be manual or electrical powered. This saw is excellent in making curved cuts as well, as it can make a hole at the center of your workpiece!
What is a Circular Saw?
Its circular motion quickly notices a circular saw. It is a saw that uses a toothed disc to cut some materials using rotatory motion. It has a round disc with teeth. It spins around an arbor to be able to make straight cuts. The circular saw is not the best choice for making curved cuts. It can cut wood, plastic, masonry, or metal. Further, you may hold it by hand or mount it.
Jigsaw VS Circular Saw: When to Use a Jigsaw
A jigsaw has a long thin blade, just like a serrated knife. It cuts in an up-and-down motion rapidly. This tool comes in different types of blades, hence its ability to cut through different material types, making it a versatile material. It can cause long straight cuts, curved cuts, and beveled cuts. It is best known for cutting curves.
The quality of the cut you make will highly depend on the blade. Examples of blades include your shank, progressive tooth, reverse tooth, and standard tip. For fast cuts, choose blades with fewer teeth. They will, however, give rough edges. Smaller tooth blades give smooth edges but are slower. Continue reading to learn more about jigsaw and circular saws.
When to Use a Circular Saw
The disc rotates very quickly to make a fast, long but straight cut. On average, a disc has 24 teeth; however, for more delicate cuts, 55 teeth work better. Fewer teeth give a rougher edge, while more sharp edges are obtained from an increased number of teeth. The saw has numerous types of blades. Each blade has a specific kind of material to cut. For instance, cutting wood, they best make rip-cuts and cross-cuts.
When it comes to masonry, it is advisable to use a diamond blade. You will get several types of circular saw in the market as sidewinders, worm drive, hypoids. All these saws are known as circular saws.
Features of a Jigsaw
Orbital Action
A standard jigsaw moves the blade up and down. However, when it comes to orbital type, the direction of the blade’s movement slightly changes, i.e., the blade moves slightly forward into the workpiece for the upstroke. In contrast, the blade will move somewhat backward in the downstroke, and the cycle begins again. This woodworking jigsaw gives a slightly elliptical movement. You can adjust the cutting angle. The orbital action usually gives smoother cuts than the standard up-down movement.
Variable Speed
The feature is not very important when cutting. It is not the right thing. To know the issue well, you have to learn to use a jigsaw properly. But if you are a beginner-level jigsaw user, you can’t realize the importance of its speed. However, it becomes essential when cutting metals. In such cases, a slower pace makes for better cutting. Also, slower speeds are crucial when making curved cuts.
Motor Power
When a jigsaw has a higher amps rating, then it has more cutting power. On average, a 6.5 to 7 amps score does a better jigsaw.
The Depth of Cut
Most jigsaws will cut to a depth of 2 inches on woodwork, while on metals, they will cut to about half an inch. The blade may bend or even break when the cut is too deep. Besides, this might cause an angle cut to be undesirable. The same type of cut can be cut with a corded or cordless compact reciprocating saw, but it is not reliable like a jigsaw for precise finishing.
Laser Guideline
This is a feature of modern jigsaws. The saws emit a laser guideline, which is the read form of the saw. It gives a guide on where the cut should be made. It is a valuable guide to building a straight-cutting line. The feature is similar to the one in circular saws.
Scroll Saws
These types of saws come with a blade-steering knob. The knob is located on top of the tool’s body and is directly in line with the blade, which allows the blade to be rotated while cutting. How to cut with a scroll saw, many people carry this question. This makes it easier to cut tight curves, provided the pressure is consistent behind the blade. Constant pressure ensures that the cut is controlled.
Dust Blower
This feature makes it easier to make a straight cut: some jigsaws blow air ahead of the blade to remove dust and debris, making the cutting line clear.
Features of a Circular Saw
Depth Adjustments
Circular saws come with some simple modifications to make. However, you can draw your marks to use. Most come with levers that lock depths. Such levers are placed on the outside of the saw.
Bevel Angle
When a saw comes with marks on everyone’s degree, then it is easier to set the angle. Also, the slight marks on the bevel angle quadrat are longer lasting than in thicker paintings. Definitive pointers down close to the degree mark efficiently reduce parallax errors and increase the setting precision.
Weight
A circular saw must not be too heavy. While using the saw, you must not feel much weight, affecting the saw’s balance. This is a problem, especially in cordless circular saws that carry the extra weight of batteries.
Trigger Safety
Trigger safety is the most critical issue among the circular saw safety caution. Trigger safety must be within reach of your thumb and must be easy to push.
Accuracy
Cutline markers: these cutline markers line up with the kerf cut precisely with a notch that is not more comprehensive than a thin-kerf saw blade. This enables you to tell where you plan to aim to cut one side of your mark.
Visibility
While cutting, it is not always possible to get sight of the cut through the cutline marker. Here, the only visible part is the blade. The visibility of this blade as it enters the material is vital. When the blade faces you, you have an unobstructed line of sight.
However, the saw and the blade are facing away from you. This possesses a more significant challenge with the aspect often blocked by the upper guard housing, lower save retracting level, or your hand on the front knob.
Conclusion
Jigsaw vs. circular saw: The jigsaw and the circular saw are very different tools in function and appearance. The jigsaw makes curved cuts, while the circular saw makes long straight cuts. Again, the circular saw is a disc with teeth, while a jigsaw has an elongated narrow blade.