The Jig Saw is designed for cutting curves, circles, and irregular shapes on relatively large pieces of wood, although it can also be used for straight cutting. The Jig Saw is the hand-held counterpart to the Band Saw. Whereas the Jig Saw is limited by the initial size of wood you work with (i.e., it is very hard to cut on a 4 inch square piece with the Jig Saw), the Band Saw will allow you to start with a larger piece, but the size of the material is limited to 14 inches on the left side of the cutting table

• DO NOT operate while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication
• SECURE any loose fitting jewelry or clothing, tie back long hair - they can get caught in moving parts
• AVOID accidental starting. Be sure power switch is off before plugging in
• UNPLUG tool when you need to change the blade or adjust the shoe angle
• DO NOT start saw with material to be cut touching the saw blade
• ALWAYS BE AWARE of where your fingers and power cord are in relation to the cutting blade
• DO NOT cut metal with a blade rated for cutting wood. Typically blades for wood will have larger and fewer teeth than blades for metal (smaller and more teeth)
• ALWAYS use the proper blade for the task at hand. The wrong type blade may cause the blade to seize and shake the tool violently, or may break the blade (see jigsaw chart for recommenced blade type - .pdf document)
• USE CLAMPS to minimize vibration of the workpiece
• ALWAYS USE CLAMPS when cutting any metal
• BE AWARE of sharp burrs on the cut edge on metal pieces
• DO NOT start cutting until the blade is moving at full speed
• DO NOT FORCE the saw blade into a very tight curve too fast. You can break the saw blade
• MAKE SURE blade is installed with the cutting teeth facing the front of the saw, and that it is aligned straight
• DO NOT CUT without adequate clearance for the blade below the cut line. If the tip of the blade strikes down on a solid surface, it will usually break
• DO NOT attempt to reinsert the blade into the cut line while the saw is running
• DO NOT TOUCH the blade or reciprocating parts of the saw while it is in motion. The tip of the saw may not be visible while the saw is running
• BE AWARE that the blade will be very hot after finishing a cut
• REFER to instruction manual for further information (see Studio Technician)

Recommended maximum cutting speed

0

1

OTHER THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN USING THIS MACHINE:

• The speed control dial can be set from 1-7, with 1 being the slowest speed and 7 the highest speed
• Check the orbit lever before making cuts. A setting of "0" is no orbit, and a setting of "3" is maximum orbit
• The orbit adjustment lever will allow you to make faster cuts, but with less precision. The cut line will be rougher
• For the red Milwaukee jigsaw: the speed dial control maintains the preset speed during the cut. The On/Off switch is not variable speed
• For the yellow Dewalt jigsaws: the speed dial sets the maximum speed. The On/Off switch is variable speed
• Blade change for Dewalt: Lift the lock knob on the top of the saw and rotate counterclockwise until the blade clamp is open. Insert blade then tighten clamp by turning knob clockwise (knob must be pulled up) until you hear a click
• Blade change for Milwaukee: Rotate the Quick-Lock tension lever as far as it will go and hold in position. Insert blade into the groove in the support roller and push the blade into the blade clamp as far as it will go. Release the Quick-Lock lever (don't let it go rapidly) and make sure the blade is seated straight (this is most IMPORTANT!!!)
• To lock the On/Off switch, hold in the lock button while pressing the On/Off switch, then release the On/Of switch. To unlock the On/Off switch, press the On/Off switch and release
• Make sure the shoe is resting flat on the material you are cutting, or the saw will be come unstable
• It is more challenging to make beveled cuts through thick material with the jigsaw due to the flexibility of the saw blades. The bandsaw is recommenced for more precise beveled cutting