Best corded jigsaw tool | For woodworking

Best barrel-grip corded jigsaw

Electric jigsaws are power tools that use reciprocating blades to make irregular cuts into wood, metal, plastic, and other materials like fiber cement.

Typically used to cut circles, curves, and other shapes, they are popularly used to create stenciled designs. 

Like most power tools, jigsaws are based on manual or hand-powered devices. When electrically-powered jigsaws were introduced, they were commonly called “scroll saws.”

The introduction of portable cordless jigsaws was a later development, making these tools popular choices among DIYers and pros alike. 

Features to think about first

• Speed. The best jigsaws can go up to 3,800 strokes-per-minute (SPM). However, it is important to have the ability to set the speed slower for different tasks.
• Motor. Brushless motors transfer energy more efficiently, resulting in better performance. Brushless motors also result in longer tool life and fewer maintenance hassles.
• Design. Electric jigsaws typically come in D-handle and barrel-grip designs. Both can perform equally, but many pros prefer the better control that a barrel-grip design provides.
• Power. An electric jigsaw with a high-amp rating will provide more power and be more suitable for demanding jobs.

Before you buy an electric jigsaw tool…

1. What’s the expected durability?

 Electric jigsaws are subjected to considerable stress and pressure, so they will have to be durable enough to go the distance.

It is essential to go for a brand with a proven track record of durability if you frequently have to cut through thick pieces of wood or sheets of metal.

2. Is the brand – quality.

Going for a jigsaw from a reputable manufacturer is always advisable.

Companies such as Makita, Bosch, and Festool are known for superior quality tools that combine pro attributes and proven reliability, and they do the best jigsaws for the money.

3. What’s the required price.

As always, I recommend buying the best electric jigsaw in your budget rather than going for the cheapest model on the market.

Unless you are using your jigsaw for a one-off job–and even then–it is always better to spend more on a higher quality jigsaw than to have to replace a cheap tool a few months down the line with a first class tool you can always pass it down if you don’t need it anymore.

Electric jigsaws are some of the most useful tools for cutting circles, curves, and more complex shapes.

Electric jigsaws can be worked with to cut shapes from a wide variety of materials. Also, good for finishing the last bit of a corner cut, you would typically start with a circular saw.

Keep in mind that cutting circles and complex shapes into wood does require a steady hand to guide the blade.

Although you could use a router to cut precise circles, setting up a jig will require more time than simply using an electric jigsaw or cordless jigsaw for the job.

Traditionally, corded electric jigsaws provided more power than their cordless counterparts. Most early electric jigsaws could cut through plastic and thin wood just fine. But for heavy-duty work, pros would typically pull out their trusty corded jigsaw.

However, more efficient designs have resulted in more powerful cordless jigsaws that are equal to corded models in performance and capability. When choosing between a corded and cordless model these days, power isn’t as much a concern as portability. 

The most significant advantage of a corded saw is virtually unlimited runtime. As long as you have a power outlet nearby, you can keep your electric jigsaw running apart from the occasional breaks to prevent overheating.

Of course, not all work sites will have a power outlet handy, which is why I strongly recommend getting a first class cordless jigsaw even if you already have an electric model.

Some of the best models can provide pretty good runtimes on a single charge, and you could always stash an extra battery in your tool bag if you have to cut through a lot of material.

A cordless jigsaw can be much easier to use than corded models unless you want a cheaper option, or the work you do requires constant power on tap. You have a factory/garage setup where portability is not so much of a drawback for you. You might want to have a look at what’s available here.

Electric jigsaws generally come in D-handle and barrel-grip designs.

Grips are intended to keep the blade straight along the cutting line, and both generally do a first class job at it.

Which one you choose is mostly a matter of personal preference.

Some feel that D-handle grips are easier to maneuver, while some feel that they can make handling somewhat awkward.

For some users, barrel-grip handles are more ergonomic and provide better control.

They also allow you to get closer to the workpiece, helping you make more accurate cuts.

Barrel-grips also allow you to cut upside down easier, which might be useful for certain tasks.

Most basic jigsaws run at just one speed, which should be sufficient for most applications.

But the best jigsaw tools have variable speed controls that allow you to set the speed to any of up to five settings. 

The 3,800 SPM speeds that most jigsaws can do just fine for non-critical work wherein you aren’t really concerned about accuracy.

However, if you want better control for more precise cuts, you will want the ability to take the speed down to a slower setting.

Variable speed controls allow you to do this, resulting in a more versatile tool that you can use for a wider variety of tasks.

The Makita 4350FCT is a powerful D-handled electric jigsaw that has a unique low-noise and vibration-free design. It has an electronic variable speed control that allows for speeds ranging from 800 to 2,800 SPM.

It also has three orbital settings plus a straight cutting setting to handle pretty much any cutting job.

Combined with the 6.3 amp motor, the 4350FCT is a versatile and powerful unit that is easy enough for DIYers to use yet packs enough grunt for heavy-duty applications. It also has an LED light that lets you see the work surface clearly and a dust blower that clears away debris.

The Festool 561593 is a barrel-type unit that has a maximum cutting speed of 3,800 SPM. It can cut wood to a depth of 4 ¾ inches and steel up to ⅜ inches, with a base insert platform that expands its capabilities beyond most other electric jigsaws.

If you are a stickler for precision cuts, you will appreciate the triple-blade guidance system that allows you to make perfectly perpendicular cuts every time.

This feature and the built-in splinter guards also ensure smooth and tear-free cuts. Other attributes include a high-intensity stroboscopic LED light and a rugged support rod and carbide jaw combo that prevent the blade from wandering and drifting.

Electric jigsaws are convenient and versatile tools that can make a variety of cuts in different materials.

They can cut through thin and lightweight materials such as plastic sheets, cardboard stock, and fiberglass, and even through tough plywood and sheet metal. Many pros also use electric jigsaws to cut holes into ceramic tile.

The best woodworking jigsaws are most effective for cutting softwood up to 1 ½ inch thick and hardwood up to ¾ in thick.

With thicker material, the blades of your jigsaw will likely bend, resulting in a beveled edge rather than a straight-edged cut.

If you want to keep your cuts perfectly straight, make sure to use a sharp blade and avoid forcing it through the material.

If cutting a circle out, you will need to pre-drill a hole to start the blade in. If you don’t already have a first class cordless drill, have a read of my cordless drill review.

Although electric jigsaws can handle a wide variety of jobs, your results will vary considerably depending on the blade type you use.

Getting clean and precise cuts requires choosing the right blade for the job and the type of material you are cutting. 

Using a sharp blade will help you keep the edges of your cut straight. You can also avoid unwanted bevels in the cut edge by cutting into the material slowly without forcing the tool in. 

Coarse blades should be sufficient for most quick-cutting tasks. Keep in mind that cutting with a coarse blade can result in a rough edge that will require some sanding afterward.

As effective as electric jigsaws are for cutting a circle cut out in wood , plastic, or metal, some other tools can do the job as well. 

You can use gib saws for plasterboard, which are commonly known as keyhole, drywall, or jab saws. These are especially useful for cutting small and intricate holes into plasterboard. 

You could also use a band saw, which has a long-toothed blade attached to two wheels. These tools are commonly used for wood and metalworking.

A band saw is a big unit that is not portable.

However, it does have the most grunt for cutting thick materials like metal, without the blade bending, as the blade is supported at the top and bottom. 

Hole-saws are a drill bit attachment for your power drill that allows you to drill holes without making initial cuts into the material.

They have a pilot drill bit that keeps the blade centered that prevents drifting. 

You can get a perfect circle cut out in plasterboard, wood, and metal pretty quickly as long as you can find a drill attachment that is the right size. So finally, consider using a hole saw kit if the hole size is small enough.

Hole saws can be expensive to buy individually, but as a kit, you can get a first class range of sizes that are cheaper in a kit than buying each one by one as you need them.

But you are limited by the max-hole saw attachment that you can find. A jigsaw has no hole-size limit and can even cut squares.

The invention of the modern-day electric jigsaw is attributed to Albert Kauffman [1], who came up with this idea for a new tool based on the same principle as the needle in a sewing machine in 1947.

Realizing the needle’s up-and-down movement’s effectiveness, Kauffman replaced it with a blade from a hacksaw, inventing the earliest form of the electric jigsaw. The following year, the company that Kauffman worked for, Scintilla, began manufacturing what was known as the ‘Lesto jigsaw.’

Many other companies saw the potential of the new tool and quickly came out with their own designs. By the 1950s, the electric jigsaw was one of the most popular power tools around and was a common sight in workshops all over the United States.

The Makita 4350FCT is one of the best value jigsaws on the market if you are looking for a traditional D-handle model to handle various tasks.

From quick-and-dirty DIY work to more precise cutting, the 4350FCT is a dependable all-around performer that maintains cutting speed throughout the 800 to 2,800 SPM speed range. 

The Festool 561593 is an equally capable solution that has a more manageable barrel-type design. One of the best jigsaws for cutting metal, it has a top speed of 3,800 SPM.

The triple-blade guidance is an especially nice touch, allowing for perfectly perpendicular cuts with minimal effort. Cuts are smooth and splinter-free as well, thanks to the built-in splinter guard.