Jigsaws
Jigsaws are the go-to saws for curved cuts, worktop cut outs and neat trimming in timber, laminate and sheet material on site.
When you're cutting sink apertures, scribing panels or trimming awkward shapes, a decent jigsaw saves time and stops expensive boards getting ruined. Cordless jigsaws suit quick site moves, corded jigsaws make sense on bench work, and the choice between barrel handle jigsaws and top handle jigsaws comes down to how you like to guide the cut.
What Are Jigsaws Used For?
- Cutting worktop sink and hob apertures is where jigsaws earn their keep, especially when you need to follow marked corners cleanly without overcutting the laminate.
- Shaping curves in timber, MDF and sheet material makes jigsaws a standard bit of kit for joiners, fitters and anyone doing bespoke trim work on site.
- Trimming boards, panels and flooring around pipe runs, door linings and other awkward obstructions is far quicker with a jigsaw than trying to force a circular saw into tight spaces.
- Working through first fix and second fix alterations, a jigsaw is handy for cutting access panels, notches and short detail cuts where control matters more than outright speed.
- Using the right jigsaw blades and settings lets wood cutting jigsaws handle anything from rough fast cuts in studwork timber to cleaner finish cuts in laminate-faced boards.
Who Uses These on Site?
- Chippies and kitchen fitters use jigsaws constantly for worktop cut outs, scribes and curved finish work where a straight saw simply will not get in.
- Joiners keep one close for cutting sheet material, shaping trims and sorting awkward details on second fix where accuracy matters more than brute force.
- Floor layers and fitters reach for cordless jigsaws when boards need trimming around door frames, radiator pipes and uneven walls without dragging a lead across finished rooms.
- Maintenance teams and site snaggers use top handle jigsaws for quick adjustment cuts, access openings and repair work when the job changes halfway through the day.
- Bench joiners and workshop users often favour barrel handle jigsaws or corded jigsaws for steadier guiding and longer cutting sessions on repeated timber and laminate work.
Choosing the Right Jigsaws
Sorting the right one is simple: match the handle, power source and cut quality to the job, not the other way round.
1. Cordless vs Corded
If you are moving room to room, working in fitted spaces or doing quick cut-ins through the day, cordless jigsaws are the obvious choice. If the saw is living on a bench and doing repeated cuts in sheet material or worktops, corded jigsaws save you worrying about charge levels.
2. Barrel Handle vs Top Handle
If you like guiding the saw low and close to the work, barrel handle jigsaws usually give better feel through curves and detailed cuts. If you want a more familiar grip for general site use and quicker pick-up-and-go cutting, top handle jigsaws are easier to live with.
3. Clean Finish vs Fast Removal
If you are cutting visible laminate, finished boards or worktops, go for a model with good blade control, blower or extraction options and variable speed. If you are just roughing out sheet timber or site board, you can lean more on orbital action to get through material faster.
4. Blade Change and Base Adjustment
If you swap blades often between timber, laminate and finer detail work, a proper tool-free change saves a lot of messing about. Check the base adjustment as well, because if you ever need bevel cuts or awkward trims, a flimsy shoe will only knock your line out.
The Basics: Understanding Jigsaws
A jigsaw cuts by driving a narrow blade up and down, which is why it can turn through curves and get into spaces bigger saws cannot. The main things worth understanding are blade movement, speed control and how the handle changes the feel of the cut.
1. Straight Stroke vs Orbital Action
A straight stroke is better when you want a tidier, more controlled cut in laminate, veneered boards or visible finish materials. Orbital action adds an aggressive forward motion to the blade, which speeds up cuts in timber but usually leaves a rougher edge.
2. Variable Speed
Slower speeds help when you need cleaner lines, tighter curves or better control in plastics and laminates. Faster speeds are useful for general timber cutting, but if you push too hard on finish materials you will get more tear-out and a poorer edge.
3. Handle Style and Cut Control
Top handle jigsaws are the familiar all-rounder for general site use, especially when you are cutting from awkward positions. Barrel handle jigsaws put your hand lower to the work, which many joiners prefer for cleaner steering on curves, scribes and worktop cut outs.
Jigsaw Accessories That Save Time on Site
The right extras make a jigsaw cut cleaner, last longer and stop small problems turning into wasted boards.
1. Jigsaw Blades
Get the blade wrong and even a good saw will cut like rubbish. Keep separate blades for fast timber cutting, clean laminate work and tighter curve cutting, otherwise you will end up burning edges, wandering off line or tearing the face off a finished panel.
2. Splinter Guards
A splinter guard is worth having when you are cutting visible laminate, veneered board or finished faces. It helps reduce tear-out along the cut line, which is a lot cheaper than replacing a marked worktop or cover panel.
3. Dust Extraction Adaptors
Fit the extraction adaptor if you are cutting indoors or working in finished rooms. It keeps the line clearer, reduces airborne dust and saves you sweeping up half the kitchen after every worktop cut out.
4. Spare Batteries and Chargers
For cordless jigsaws, a spare charged battery is a no-brainer. You do not want the saw dying halfway round a sink cut when the worktop is already drilled and committed.
Choose the Right Jigsaws for the Job
Use this quick guide to narrow down the type that suits the way you actually work.
| Your Job | Jigsaw or Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting sink and hob apertures in fitted worktops | Barrel handle jigsaw | Low grip position, good line control, variable speed, clean-cut blade support |
| General site trimming and room-to-room fitting work | Cordless top handle jigsaw | Easy one-handed carry, no lead to drag, quick blade changes, decent battery platform |
| Bench work and repeated cuts in sheet material | Corded jigsaw | Constant power, no battery downtime, suited to longer cutting sessions |
| Fast rough cuts in timber and site board | Orbital action jigsaw | Multi-stage pendulum action, higher cutting speed, works best with coarse wood blades |
| Cleaner finish cuts in laminate and veneered boards | Variable speed jigsaw with fine blade | Lower speed control, reduced tear-out, better finish on visible edges |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying on stroke speed alone is a common mistake, because a fast jigsaw with poor blade control will still leave wandering cuts and chipped edges. Check how it handles finish work, not just how quickly it chews through timber.
- Using the wrong blade for the material ruins the cut before you start. Fit a fine blade for laminates and cleaner work, and keep coarse blades for faster timber cutting.
- Running full orbital action on every cut is asking for tear-out on visible faces. Back it off for worktops, veneered boards and any cut the client will actually see.
- Forcing the saw through tight curves bends blades and throws the line out. Let the blade do the work, slow down, and use a narrower blade when the shape gets tighter.
- Ignoring the difference between top handle and barrel handle models can leave you with a saw that never feels right in the hand. If you do detailed joinery work all week, handle style matters more than most buyers think.
Cordless Jigsaws vs Corded Jigsaws vs Barrel Handle Jigsaws
Cordless Jigsaws
Best for fitters and site users who are moving constantly, climbing up and down and cutting in different rooms. You lose the lead, gain speed on site, and stay on the same battery platform as the rest of your kit.
Corded Jigsaws
Better for bench work, repeated sheet cutting and longer sessions where constant power matters more than mobility. If the saw mostly stays near a bench or power source, corded still makes solid sense.
Barrel Handle Jigsaws
Favoured by joiners and kitchen fitters who want the hand lower to the cut for better feel and cleaner steering. They are especially good for curves, scribes and worktop cut outs where line control is everything.
Top Handle Jigsaws
The all-round site option for trades who want a familiar grip and easy handling in awkward positions. They suit general cutting well, even if some users still prefer barrel handle models for finer detail work.
Maintenance and Care
Clear Out Dust After Use
Blow or brush dust away from the blade clamp, shoe and vents after cutting MDF, chipboard or laminate. Packed dust affects visibility, runs hotter and can make blade changes a pain.
Replace Blunt or Bent Blades Early
A tired blade makes the saw work harder and starts pulling off line, especially on curves. If cuts are burning, chipping or drifting, swap the blade before you blame the saw.
Check the Shoe and Bevel Lock
If the base gets knocked out of square or the bevel setting loosens off, your cuts will never track properly. Give it a quick check before any finish work or expensive board cuts.
Keep Battery Contacts and Chargers Clean
On cordless jigsaws, wipe down battery contacts and do not leave packs rolling around in dust and swarf in the van. Poor contact means patchy performance and charging issues you do not need.
Store It with the Right Blades
Keep timber, laminate and fine-cut jigsaw blades together in the case so you are not digging through loose packs on site. Half the battle with a jigsaw is having the right blade to hand when the cut changes.
Why Shop for Jigsaws at ITS?
Whether you need cordless jigsaws for fitting work, corded jigsaws for bench cutting, or a choice of barrel handle jigsaws and top handle jigsaws, we stock the full range. That includes the blades, sizes and site-ready options trades actually use, all held in our own warehouse and ready for next day delivery.
Jigsaws FAQs
What are jigsaws used for?
Jigsaws are mainly used for curved cuts, worktop cut outs, notches and short detail cuts in timber, laminate, MDF and sheet materials. They are the saw you grab when a circular saw is too big, too straight or too clumsy for the shape you need to follow.
Should I choose a cordless or corded jigsaw?
Choose cordless if you are fitting on site, moving around rooms and want no lead under your feet. Choose corded if the saw stays on the bench or you are doing longer cutting sessions where constant power matters more than portability.
What is the difference between a barrel handle and top handle jigsaw?
A barrel handle jigsaw puts your hand lower and closer to the cut, which usually gives better feel for curves and finer guiding. A top handle jigsaw has the more traditional upright grip, which many site users prefer for general cutting and awkward working positions.
Which jigsaw is best for cutting worktop cut outs and curves?
For worktop cut outs and tighter curves, most fitters lean towards a barrel handle jigsaw with variable speed and good blade control. Pair it with the right fine-cut blade and take your time through the corners, especially on laminate-faced tops.
What features help a jigsaw make cleaner, more accurate cuts?
Variable speed, steady blade guidance, a solid base and decent visibility around the cut line all help. If the saw also takes a splinter guard and dust extraction, that is even better for cleaner finish cuts in laminate and veneered boards.
Do I need orbital action and variable speed on a jigsaw?
Yes, if you cut different materials, they are both worth having. Orbital action speeds up rough timber cutting, while variable speed gives you the control needed for cleaner cuts in laminates, plastics and any finish material you do not want to chip.
Which blades should I use with a jigsaw for wood and laminates?
Use a coarser wood blade for fast cuts in timber and site board, and a finer tooth blade for laminates, veneered sheet and cleaner visible edges. The blade choice makes a bigger difference than most people expect, so do not try to do every job with one all-purpose blade.
How do I reduce tear-out when using a jigsaw?
Use a fine blade, reduce the orbital action, slow the speed down a bit and support the material properly. A splinter guard also helps, and on laminate-faced boards it is worth checking which face will be visible before you start the cut.
