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Types of jigsaw files, their features and the right choice. What files can be used to work with a jigsaw on metal? Jigsaw file for figured cutting

Today, every craftsman has a jigsaw in his home range. This device is quite useful because it will easily allow you to accurately and accurately perform any manipulations with the material. When buying a jigsaw, as a rule, most people also buy files “in reserve”, the purpose of which they have not the slightest idea.

But when it's time to put the jigsaw to the test, then the choice of the required blade is done at random, since it is quite difficult to immediately figure out which file is needed. To correctly select a tool such as a jigsaw, you should know the type of blade, their markings and other nuances.

Markings

Knowledge of labeling will make it possible to choose the right blade for a jigsaw, since it can tell quite a lot, including about its purpose. To do this, you just need to take a close look at the canvas and decipher the symbols that are indicated.

The markings are usually a set of Latin letters and numbers. The first place in the marking is the Latin letter, which indicates the type of shank.

The most common letters that you can see on the canvas are “T”, “X”. The most commonly used marking is the Latin letter “T”, which means that the tool shank is T-shaped. Quite a rarity is a canvas with the letter U.

Immediately after the letter there is a series of numbers; you should pay attention to the first one. The numbers indicate the length of the canvas:

• standard blade 75 mm long;
• medium file 90 mm;
• extended file 150 mm;
• long file, the size of which is more than 150 mm.

Immediately after the numbers there are again letters that will help you find out the size of the teeth. The size of the teeth is indicated by the following letters:

• “A” - small teeth;
• "D" - large;
• “B”, “C” - medium teeth, so to speak, an intermediate option.

Sometimes there is more than one last letter, but several. In this case, the last letter indicates quality consumables. The quality of consumables is indicated by the following letters:

If you are interested in the canvas material, in this case, the following markings, which can be seen under the T-shaped protrusions of the tail and the canvas, will help. Three Latin letters tell you about the material from which the instrument is made. This marking is divided into four options:

What to look for when choosing a jigsaw file?

Tooth shape

Such a nuance as “tooth shape”, cannot be ignored, since their configuration can determine the capabilities of the purchased jigsaw. Before making a purchase, it is worth understanding for what needs this or that canvas is being purchased. A huge number of small teeth will significantly improve the quality of the cut, but at the same time the speed will be reduced. A blade with large teeth will significantly speed up the process, but the cutting will be rather sloppy. Based on the shape of the teeth, the blade can be divided into the following groups:

File width and thickness

Such a nuance as the width and thickness of the jigsaw blade, cannot be ignored when choosing a jigsaw, since criteria such as the quality and speed of the work depend on these two nuances various kinds works Both wide and narrow products have their own positive points. The wide file is quite strong and stable. When using it, you don’t have to worry that it will deviate from the intended course. Narrow blades make it easier to perform various maneuvers compared to wide ones. Thickness is also important because the thicker the canvas, the greater its stability.

Wood canvases

Purpose of a jigsaw- direct work with wood, and with those materials that are made on its basis. Wood jigsaws come in many varieties. Jigsaws are distinguished both by the size of the teeth and by their sharpening and by the shape of the file. There are two main varieties:

They are distinguished by the following parameters:

1. File length. This parameter determines the immediate thickness of the cut.
2. Blade width.
3. The size of the teeth directly affects the cleanliness of the cut.
4. Orientation of teeth.

Cloths for metal

Jigsaw blades They are usually made from high-speed steel. This product is quite hard and has a bluish tint. The file has a different tooth shape and the geometry of the blade itself. Depending on what kind of cut is needed, products with fairly fine teeth that are exactly the same size are used. As a rule, a blade with such teeth is used for soft metals.

If the choice fell on a product that has teeth with varying geometry, the file is used to cut more hard metals. This product has teeth, where the pitch and size increases towards the edge. The advantage of this option is the direct simplification of the cut, since this structure of the teeth, as it were, planes the metal, with each of the teeth performing its own function. This structure of the file minimizes the load on the tool, therefore increasing its service life. The same function is performed with a slightly curved blade at the bottom.

All, without exception, jigsaw files for metal have small teeth. These products have a certain marking, where you can always see the Latin letter “A” in the last or penultimate place. This letter indicates the strength of the metal. Before choosing a saw for cutting metal, you need to understand what material it will be intended for. Because the harder the metal, the smaller the tooth should be.

When choosing a file for a jigsaw, it is worth taking into account the peculiarities of the material, because the wrong tool will not bring the desired result. To choose the right file, it is important to study the following marking list:

• T111CHCS - a carbon steel product that is used for cutting wood and plastic (length 75 mm, tooth pitch 3 mm);
• T119B0HCS – carbon steel, designed for working with soft wood (length 56 mm, tooth pitch 2 mm). As a rule, it is used when performing delicate work, figure cutting;
• T101BHCS - carbon steel blade, used for cutting soft wood. The advantage of such a blade is an even cut (length 75 mm, tooth pitch 2.5 mm);
• T101BRHCS - also used for the manufacture of carbon steel, the main nuance of the blade is the reverse teeth. Designed for working with soft wood (length 75 mm, tooth pitch 2.5 mm);
• T118AHSS – hardened steel is used for manufacturing and is intended for hard metals (length 50 mm, tooth pitch 1.2 mm);
• T144D HCS – carbon steel is used, the blade has set teeth. The direct purpose of the blade is cutting hard and soft wood. (length 75 mm, tooth pitch 4 mm);
• T127DHSS – hardened steel is used, designed for working with non-ferrous metals. The blade has milled set teeth (length 75 mm, tooth pitch 3 mm);
• T118GHSS – made of hardened high-speed steel. The main difference is the wavy teeth and is used for hard metals. (length 50 mm, tooth pitch 0.8 mm);
• T118BHSS – made of hardened high-speed steel, tooth shape – slotted wavy. Main use for cutting hard metals (length 50 mm, pitch 2 mm).

Such markings can be found directly at the foot of the jigsaw blade.

Naturally, when choosing jigsaw files, you cannot remember all the nuances and criteria. When buying jigsaw files, pay attention to following points:

Speaking of the manufacturer, you can safely mention “Bosch”, "Makita", "Practice". Jigsaws from these manufacturers have proven themselves to be excellent in quality and durability. When choosing a file, remember its intended purpose, otherwise your goals will not come true. Knowing the types of files used, and paying attention to the markings, method of fastening, as well as the manufacturer, the correct choice is guaranteed.

A jigsaw is a high-speed device, which is why do not neglect safety rules!

Bosch jigsaw

Almost every craftsman has an electric jigsaw. After all, a tree is the most comfortable material for home crafts. However, today the jigsaw is not the only one that can handle it, and the secret of new possibilities lies in saw blades – jigsaw files. In this article, we will introduce you to the standards of saw blades, as well as their scope of application.

The modern master places high demands on the tool he uses. He is interested in productivity, geometric accuracy of the cut, as well as the final result - the quality of the cut line. To choose the right file for your jigsaw, you need to take into account a number of criteria: the material to be processed; the pitch of the saw teeth and their shape; shank type; width and thickness saw blade, as well as the material from which it is made.

Processed material

Different materials create different cutting resistance forces. Therefore, for each of them, optimal strength and geometric characteristics saw blade. So the first search criterion is by purpose. There are files for wood and for metal, for wood with metal included, as well as many types of files for special purposes - for of stainless steel, abrasive materials, laminate, ceramics, cement, for different types plastics and fibrous materials.

Tooth shape

Based on the shape of the teeth, saw blades can be divided into four types, which are shown schematically in the figure. The capabilities of the file depend on the size and shape of its blade and the size of the teeth. A large number of small teeth ensures precise cutting, but the work progresses slowly. A small number of large teeth gives a quick but rough cut. The geometry of the tooth is largely determined by the manufacturing technology of the saw blade.

Saw blade geometry

	The teeth are milled and set. The teeth are alternately bent in different directions. The width of the layout is considered normal if it is equal to one and a half thickness of the canvas. The routing prevents excessive heating of the saw blade and helps remove sawdust trapped between the saw blade and the walls of the cut. Used for quick cutting of hard and soft wood, non-ferrous metals and plastic.
	Milled teeth, wavy. Blade The setting is performed not through one tooth, but in groups, deviating either to the right or to the left. The saw blade is designed to obtain an even and clean cut when sawing aluminum, non-ferrous metals and plastics in a straight line.
	The teeth are ground, with conical grinding. The saw blade with a conical ground non-working edge is designed for clean cuts in wood and plastic.
	The teeth are ground and set apart. Saw blade for fast cutting of wood with a rough cutting line. Used for cutting soft wood (5-50 mm), blockboard, chipboard and fiberboard.

Tooth pitch

In our country, pitch (t) is the distance between the tips of the teeth. In some countries, pitch is designated TPI (teeth per inch) and is measured by the number of teeth per inch (for example, TPI = 7, i.e. 7 teeth per inch). When cross-cutting wood, it is convenient to use a saw with a large tooth t = 3.5-6.5 mm (TPI = 7-3.5), for ordinary carpentry work - with a medium tooth t = 3-3.5 mm (TPI = 9 -7), for critical sawing - with a fine tooth t = 2-3 mm (TPI = 13-9). In this case, it is necessary to take into account the thickness of the material being cut. It is easier to saw if at least 5-8 teeth are involved in the work at the same time. If this rule is not followed, the blade will vibrate during operation, and the cutting line will turn out crooked and torn.

Saw blade width

The quality and speed of cutting when moving in a straight line, as well as the ability to cut curves, depend on the width of the saw blade. The wider the saw blade, the more stable it is: it allows a higher cutting speed and deviates less from the cutting plane. To cut curved lines, you should use narrower saw blades: they fit better into turns. It is important that the teeth of such a saw blade are located on the drive axis of the jigsaw. This increases the controllability of the tool: it can more accurately follow the intended cutting line.

File thickness

The thickness of the file affects the stability of the saw blade when cutting in a straight line and ensures that the cut is perpendicular to the plane of the workpiece. However, for cutting thick workpieces that require high precision in the relative position of surfaces, it is better to use circular saws.

Saw blades for cutting wood

Below are saw blades for wood from Wilpu. The numbers in brackets indicate the corresponding Bosch equivalent.

	Precise cut, also suitable for plastic.High carbon steel saw blade with pointed teeth and conical grind. Provides a clean cutting line in softwood and chipboard up to 30 mm thick, as well as in plastic. (Wilpu NS 12 / Bosch T101 V)
	Bimetallic saw blade.The bimetallic saw blade is very durable, made by laser welding: the back part is made of flexible high-carbon steel, the cutting part is made of high-quality high-speed steel (HC 12 bi / T101BF)
	Saw blade with reverse tooth system.Thanks to the teeth directed in the opposite direction, the blade cuts when moving backwards. At the same time, the visible cut line remains clean and without chips. Area of ​​application: veneered boards (NS 12 R / T101BR)
	Clean line with curved cuts.With the saw blade width halved, the teeth are located on the axis of the longitudinal stroke of the jigsaw. With this blade you can cut along a very steep curve, as well as in a circle (NS 12 K / T101 AO)
	Saw blades for flooring.Special saw blade designed for processing materials such as laminate and parquet; the teeth are directed in the opposite direction and the distance between the teeth is smaller than that of traditional files (HC 19 R bi / T101 BIF)
	Wood sawing master.New generation of saw blades: the teeth have a special geometry and are triple sharpened. Very spicy! (NS 123 / T234 X)
	Universal saw blade.A saw blade for all occasions: this universal tool for rough and quick cutting of wood up to 5 cm thick. The file is made of high-carbon steel, the teeth are set apart and ground. Cuts quickly and cleanly (HGS 14 / T144D)
	Saw blades for wood up to 120 mm thick.The geometry of the teeth is the same as that of the universal saw blade, however, the length of the working part is 155 mm. Using this saw you can cut timber with a thickness of 120-130 mm (HGS 54 / T744D)

Specialized saw blades

If there is a need to saw materials such as glass, stone or metal, you will need special saw blades with the appropriate characteristics. Obviously, the saw teeth must be harder than the material being cut. However, hard materials have a big disadvantage: they are brittle, which causes frequent breakage of saw blades. For such cases, manufacturers produce bimetallic sheets. They are 2/3 made of elastic high-carbon steel and one third of hardened high-speed steel. Such files provide optimal ratio price - quality and quickly pay for themselves thanks to long term operation.

	Saw for soft wood and insulating materials.Such saw blades have a tooth pitch of 1.2 to 2 mm; with their help it is convenient to saw soft wood, as well as various insulating materials (HW12 / T119A
	Sheet metal file.Saw blades with a small pitch and a wavy blade are designed for sawing thin sheet metal with a thickness of 0.5 to 1.5 mm. Since the tooth pitch is only 0.7mm, a clean cut line is obtained (MG107/T118G)
	File for plexiglass and metals.Plexiglas, polycarbonate, non-ferrous metals and aluminum up to 30 mm thick are not a problem if you use a saw blade with a clearance angle and pointed teeth (MC 12 bi / T101A)
	Steel file.A bimetal file with a wavy blade is designed for cutting thin sheet metal, multilayer materials, pipes and aluminum profile(MG11bi/T318AF)
	File for multi-layer materials.A special bimetallic blade is designed for cutting workpieces up to 120 mm thick, consisting of different materials(metal, insulating material). Highly flexible (MG 51 bi / T718HF)
	Wood file with metal.This saw blade with a tooth spacing of 1.8 to 2.5 mm is intended for sawing wood structural elements containing nails and other metal elements (MG 1014 bi / T111HF)
	Saw blade with a special tooth system.Universal saw blade with a special M-shaped tooth system. The saw blade quickly cuts material (wood and metal) when moving both forward and backward (ST-006 bi)
	Rubber file, carpets and skin.A jigsaw file with a wavy sharpening is designed for sawing materials such as cardboard, leather, rubber, polystyrene foam up to 120 mm thick, as well as carpets (313 AW / T313AW)

Saw blade shanks

	suitable for tools: AEG, Bosch, Metabo
	suitable for instruments: AEG, Atlas Copco, Bosch, Black&Decker, DeWalt, Elu, Festool, Flex, Hitachi, Holz-Her, Kress, Mafell, Makita, Metabo, Protool
	suitable for tools: Black&Decker, Skil, Ryobi
	suitable for tools: Fein ASt(e) 636,638; MOt 6-17-1
	suitable for tools: Fein ASt(e) 649; MOt 6-18-1, Spitznas
	fits tools: Makita

Jigsaw accessories

Leading tool manufacturers produce additional accessories for their power tools. Such pleasant additions include a device that prevents chipping of the top layer of material: it is mounted on a base plate. And the support panel itself can be made of different materials, which prevents slipping when cutting.

It will not be superfluous in the workshop and rip fence, providing cutting of the same type of slats; distance between parallel lines can vary up to 140 mm. A circular cutter will provide the ability to accurately process radius surfaces. Additional accessories significantly expand the capabilities of tools and give a new impetus to creativity.

A few visual examples of how saws work differently

What types of jigsaw files exist and how to choose the best option for a particular case should be known to every craftsman who has this tool in his household.

There are many factors that influence the choice of cutting blade: the material that will be sawed, its thickness and density, the required cut quality, etc. To avoid making mistakes when purchasing, you should consider specifications files, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of one or another model.

Material for making cutting blades

The first thing you need to pay attention to when choosing a file is the material from which it is made.

Each cutting blade famous manufacturers has its own marking. Knowing how to decipher it, you can easily determine whether the file is suitable for you for the upcoming work.

The marking indicating the material used to make the canvas is as follows:

Table on the use of files.

1. HCS. These files are classified as woodworking tools. They are made of high-carbon steel, which has ductility and elasticity. They can cut wood, chipboard, plywood and plastic. When choosing such a fabric, you should pay attention not to its hardness, but to its flexibility.
2. H.S.S. Hardened steel products that can be used at high speeds. Used for processing durable materials, including metals of varying densities. Despite all its rigidity, hardened steel is a rather brittle substance that must be used very carefully.
3. BIM. Bimetallic blades, which are made from a mixture of high-carbon and hardened steel, due to which they have all the advantages of the first two types. Depending on the shape and size of the teeth, they can be used for both wood and metal work.
4. HIM. They are made from high-strength alloys, due to which they are characterized by high strength and rigidity. Mainly used for cutting ceramic tiles.

The color of the file can also indicate the material of manufacture and purpose of the file:

• white (BIM) – for cutting wood and metal;
• gray (HCS or BIM) – for processing wood and wood-based materials;
• blue (BIM or HSS) – for cutting metal;
• black (HIM) – for performing special tasks (sawing ceramic tiles, durable steel, etc.).

Marking of jigsaw files

Files intended for working with wood are marked with the letters HCS.

On the tail of any jigsaw cutting blade there is a marking consisting of letters and numbers. The first is the letter “T” or “U”, which indicates the type of attachment of the blade to the tool: T-shaped or U-shaped. It is followed by numbers indicating the length of the file:

• 1 – short blade (up to 7.5 cm);
• 2 – standard cutting element (7.5-9.0 cm);
• 3 – extended file (9-15 cm);
• 7 – long file (more than 15 cm).

The longer the product, the thicker the workpiece it can cut.

After the numbers there are again letters that indicate the size of the teeth:

• A – the smallest teeth (perfect for cutting laminate);
• B – larger teeth (used for processing wood, fiberboard, chipboard and plywood);
• C and D are the largest teeth used for rough cutting.

Some manufacturers use two letters at the end instead of one (for example, T101BR). The second letter means:

• O – for figured cutting;
• R – with reverse tooth (improves cut quality);
• F – bimetallic products (considered the most durable and reliable);
• X – universal blade (it can cut both wood and metal);
• P – thick files (used for corner cutting).

For example, the T118AF marking means that the selected model has a T-shaped mount and fine teeth, its length is up to 7.5 cm, and the material of manufacture is bimetal.

Types of saw blade shanks.

When choosing a cutting blade for a jigsaw, you need to know what material it will work with. This tool capable of cutting not only wood and wood-based materials (chipboard, fiberboard, plywood, etc.), but also plastic, slate, brick, metal and even tiles. Moreover, for each material being processed there is its own type of saw with which the jigsaw will work with best efficiency. There are also universal cutting blades that are equally suitable for wood and metal, for example.

Wood files. Depending on their purpose, such products are divided into two groups:

• for quick cutting;
• for a clean cut.

If you are faced with the task of sawing a large amount of wood, spending a minimum of time, then the best option would be a cutting blade with large teeth.

The larger the teeth, the faster the cut. However, as the speed of work increases, the cleanliness of the cut decreases, so here you need to choose between speed and quality.

If speed of work comes first, then the best option would be a blade marked T101D. With its help you can quickly cut wooden blank up to 7.5 cm thick; for thicker material, you can purchase model T244D or T344D.

For a clean cut good option is the file T101B. It is often used for professional purposes when assembling furniture and other work that requires high-quality cutting. This product can also cut thick workpieces, but you will spend twice as much time on this as when using, for example, the T244D model.

Canvas on laminate. When laying laminate flooring, it is important that the cut does not have burrs. This can be achieved using the T101BR file, which is equipped with a reverse tooth. However, if you don’t have this model at hand, and you need to cut the laminate with something, you can get by with the regular T101B blade. Only in this case, before starting work, it is recommended to paste over the place of the intended cut. regular tape, which will protect the processed material from chips, burrs and other defects.

Metal files. They have fine teeth and a blue tail. If you will be working with metal 3 mm thick, buy a T118A file. It is also suitable for cutting plastic. For thicker material, it is recommended to use a T123X cutting blade, and for aluminum - T227D.

Files for tiles. They are marked T150RIFF or T130RIFF. Instead of teeth, their cutting part is carbide coating. You need to know that using a jigsaw to cut tiles is recommended only in extreme cases, since the work will be slow and high level dustiness. In the absence of a specialized tool for cutting tiles, it is better to use a regular glass cutter.

Blade shape

For various tasks a certain tooth shape is suitable, which differs not only in the type of sharpening, but also in the setting method:

1. Milled set teeth. This blade is perfect for cutting wood. Divorce is carried out by analogy with ordinary hand hacksaw. This allows you to slightly widen the cut, thereby preventing overheating and jamming of the tool in the thickness of the wood.
2. Milled teeth with wave setting. In this case, not a single, but a group setting is performed (for example, 4-6 teeth). Similar files are used for cutting metals.
3. Ground teeth without setting. The best option for finishing cutting. This canvas allows you to achieve High Quality cut in wood, laminate and plastic.
4. Set teeth with grinding. This product is used for quick cutting when there are no special requirements for the quality of the cut.

Manufacturers of jigsaw files

To choose the right file for electric jigsaw, it is necessary to pay attention not only to the technical characteristics and labeling of the product, but also to the manufacturer. On the market construction equipment cutting blades are presented in a wide range of European, domestic and Chinese models.

Chinese files are not of the best quality; they quickly wear down and overheat. Their only advantage is low cost. However, it will be cheaper and easier to choose one high-quality canvas for 300-400 rubles than to purchase a set of 20-30 Chinese products for 150-200 rubles. But, if you still need to saw, but there is no file at hand, you can sharpen the old one.

The most popular and reliable jigsaw files are products from Makita, Bosch and Praktika.

A few useful techniques for working with a jigsaw:

What is a jigsaw? - historical reference

The popular Makita jigsaw had a predecessor, which was completely undeservedly forgotten. The manual jigsaw was replaced by laser cutting, jigsaw, and milling.
With a hand jigsaw you can cut wood, plywood, plastic, ceramics, sheet metal. Previously, in schools, during labor lessons, children practiced cutting out homemade products with a jigsaw - frames, shelves, dolls and other homemade products. There was no time for gadgets...

Jigsaw design

A jigsaw is a U-shaped arc (1), at the ends of which there are clamping screws (4). A handle (3) is attached to the lower end of the jigsaw. Between the ends of the jigsaw arc, a file (2) is secured using clamping screws, which is installed with some tension (until it rings).
A jigsaw with a wooden arc has a third screw - a tension screw, which serves to tension the file between the ends of the arcs, since a jigsaw with a wooden arc does not have sufficient elasticity to tension the file to working condition.

Files for hand jigsaws (a, b, c) are made of high-quality carbon steel. but despite this, sawing with a jigsaw is quite painstaking work that requires patience and attention. I hurried a little and trinket! You need to insert a new file.

What can you do with a jigsaw?

The modern jigsaw has replaced manual jigsaw from many areas of activity, but if you need an accurate, curved cut, an ordinary, manual jigsaw cannot be replaced.
Craftsmen still use a jigsaw in jewelry production
for cutting complex figures from gold and silver. Using a jigsaw to cut out various shapes from plywood and wood for handicrafts is an excellent hobby; your hands are busy and your nerves are like ropes.

For those who have in their household jigsaw, from time to time you should buy files for it. There are quite a lot of varieties and manufacturers. The most common types of files are, of course, for wood; in addition to them, there are blades for metal and tiles. In order not to get too confused in the choice, let’s look at the most popular files in everyday life, from Bosch. In terms of price/quality ratio – a good choice. The letter “T” in the marking indicates the type of shank - T-shaped. The most common type of files.

Wood files. There are several types, it all depends on the nature of the work being carried out.

For example, if you need to quickly saw a bunch of boards, then a saw with a large tooth is best. The larger the tooth, the faster the cut will be, but the less accurate, the cut is not very smooth, but if you are making a fence or building a shed, then in principle, accuracy is not needed.
For these purposes, you can take a file marked T101D. It is suitable for boards up to 75mm thick.
If the board or block is up to 100mm, you will need a 244D file.
For boards up to 200mm - long file 344D.
It can be seen that the larger the number in the marking, the thicker the board the file is intended for.
It is necessary to take into account that for a thick board you will need.

For a clean cut, you will need a file, for example, T101B.

File for clean cutting T101B

Her tooth is noticeably smaller, which means the cut is smoother. This is suitable for assembling furniture, where you need an accurate and even cut, without chips.
It is often used for cutting fiberboard, plywood, and chipboard.
It can also cut thick boards, of course (up to 75mm), but it will take longer than saws with large teeth.

Laminate file.
It has a reverse tooth, directed in the opposite direction compared to other files. This is done to prevent chips from the front side of the laminate and not to spoil appearance. Fine tooth – for a clean cut. It is marked T101BR.

The letter “R” means reverse (reverse). And so it is no different from the simple T101B made of wood.

Files for curved cutting.

Their teeth are always small, they are used for cutting out radii, circles, and are used in furniture production. They are noticeably narrower in shape than all the others, this is done so that the file does not get pinched when turning the jigsaw.
From personal experience I can say that I cut a circle in a fiberboard slab for a sink, and the cut turned out to be very accurate and even.
The marking for such files with the letter “O” in the name is T119BO.

They always have small teeth, to make them easier to recognize, they have a shank of blue color. If you are sawing metal up to 3mm, a T118A file is suitable; it can also cut plastic, for metal up to 6mm - T123X, for aluminum - T227D, it has a larger tooth.

Combined file.

With this you can cut both wood and metal. Her tooth is small on one half of the canvas, large on the other. Marking T345XF.

Ceramic tile file. It is marked T150RIFF, T130RIFF. It has carbide coating along the edge.

With carbide coating

Most often, the files are clamped into the jigsaw using a 3mm hex key; sometimes there is a quick-clamping mechanism.

As for prices: the most popular saws cost about 25-40 rubles, long ones for thick boards cost about 80 rubles. The ceramic file stands out from the general range; its price is 150-170 rubles. Prices are current for 2012.

Let's try to understand the labeling of such a common consumable as a jigsaw file.

The purpose is determined by the color of the shank on the side of the alphanumeric designations. If the shank

• gray - the file is intended for sawing wood:
• white - for wood and metal
• blue - only for metal work
• red - for sawing plastics
• black - other materials

Now let's go over the alphanumeric symbols mentioned above. Let's go in order.

First comes the letter T or U. It indicates the type of fastening of the file. The more common T-shaped fastening, but there is also a U-shaped one - see diagram

The letters M (Makita) and F (Fein) may also appear

The following numbers indicate the working length. They can be 1,2,3,7

1. short (length up to 75 millimeters)
2. medium (length from 75 to 90 millimeters)
3. long (length from 90 to 150 millimeters)
4. very long (length exceeds 150 millimeters)

The second and third numbers show the purpose of the file itself.

F - bimetallic files. They are of the highest quality: they cut cleaner and faster, last longer
O - narrow files for curved cuts
P - thicker files, due to which they move less from side to side and the cut is perpendicular to the surface.
R - regressive blades, that is, with a reverse tooth
X - universal blade (for any materials)

Then comes the steel grade

HCS(high carbon steel) - high carbon steel, its hardness is 45-48 HRC. This steel is optimal for work on soft materials, (wood and its derivatives - MDF, chipboard, fiberboard, as well as plastics);

CV(chrom vanadium) - Chrome is vanadium steel, its hardness should be 50-52 HRC. It is more wear-resistant compared to the previous one. Used for the same materials;

H.S.S.(high speed steel) - high speed steel, also a quick cutter, hardness of at least 61-65 HRC, used for processing hard materials(aluminum and other non-ferrous metals and even mild steel). Compared to HCS, HSS files are thinner, but have significantly greater hardness;

BIM(bi-metal) is a combination of HSS and HCS steels in one sheet. Files of this kind are expensive and are usually used for professional use. They take both wood and metals well;

H.M.(hard material) - the hardest grade of steel, tungsten carbide hard alloy, hardness 79 HRC. Such blades are suitable for special types of work - cutting fiberglass, tiles and aerated concrete.

This classification is quite arbitrary and is not followed by all manufacturers. Therefore, it is worth discussing each file separately.

Files used for woodworking

T101B- this is a fairly short fine-toothed file (length 74 mm). Designed for working on soft wood, plywood up to 30 mm thick. The fine tooth allows for a clean cut.

The same thing, but with the teeth in the opposite direction. Excellent for cutting materials where chips on the front surface are undesirable (for example, tabletops). When working, additional force is required to press the jigsaw onto the material, since the working stroke throws the tool up.

T101P- has a larger tooth compared to T101B (4.5 mm). Allows you to cut the same materials, but their thickness can reach 45 mm.

An even longer file (91 mm), the maximum thickness reaches 65 mm.

A narrow thin file with a fine tooth (1.4 mm) is used for clean curved cuts of wood and its derivatives with a thickness of 1.5 - 15 mm.

Short, fine-toothed bimetal file. Designed for sawing laminated materials up to 15 mm thick. - the same, the nose has a larger tooth (2.7 mm), the thickness of the materials reaches 30 mm.

The same, but with a reverse tooth.

This is a file with a fairly thick blade and large teeth (4 mm). The teeth are set apart. Due to its thickness, the file is more stable in one plane and does not move to the side. Cons - it's a rough cut with big amount chipped

The same thing, but with a bimetallic blade, it is more expensive, cuts longer and has a better length of 74 mm.

This file is twice as long as the above-mentioned one - it is 126 mm.

T345XF is another long bimetal file (106 mm). Its tooth is quite large. Designed for cutting wood with nails, plastic, metals (including aluminum).

Specialized metal files

T118A- a short, fine-toothed file for metal sheets no more than 13 mm thick.

T318A- this is a longer file, great for cutting metal pipes with a diameter of no more than 65 mm.

T118G- the file has the smallest teeth (0.7 mm) and is designed for cutting on the thinnest sheets of metal (0.5-1.5 mm)

Universal files

T234X, T123X are universal saws for cutting various types of wood, plastic and metal.

Special files

File for cutting thin stainless steel (up to 2 mm)

Longer file for steel 2-5 mm thick

Fiberglass file. Thickness limit 65 mm

Drywall saw and cement particle boards up to 50 mm thick

Longer blade (106 mm), which makes it possible to cut materials up to 85 mm thick

T101A- file for plexiglass up to 20 mm thick

T113A- file for leather, rubber, cardboard up to 50 mm thick. Has no teeth, has cutting edge, similar to a knife.

Longer saw blade for similar materials up to 100 mm thick. Has a wavy blade

T130Riff,T150Riff - saw blades designed for cutting ceramic tiles. They are equipped with diamond coating. T130 is intended for rough cuts, and T150 is for finishing cuts.

T308B, T308BF - file, for cutting materials laminated on both sides. Thanks to two rows of teeth, the number of chips is minimized. This is a fairly thin file, so it shakes quite a lot from side to side.