One of the most versatile tools you could own is a jigsaw. You can cut curves and shapes in the centre of materials without cutting in from the edge as well as straight lines when a guide is fitted ...

One of the most versatile tools you could own is a jigsaw. You can cut curves and shapes in the centre of materials without cutting in from the edge as well as straight lines when a guide is fitted. What’s more, since different blades can be fitted you can cut a variety of materials including wood, plastic laminates, ceramic tiles and even metal.   To cut material the jigsaw blade moves quickly up and down. The sharp blade is exposed so you must take safety precautions to protect yourself from injury. You should: Always prepare the work environment Wear safety gear Learn how to handle the jigsaw   PREPARING THE WORK ENVIRONMENT   Before beginning work make sure your surroundings are safe and free of hazards.

• Ensure pets and young children are not running loose and are kept away from the work area.
• Make sure your work area is clear and tidy, including the floor; pick up any objects that you could trip over or slip on.
• Clear away any cords or wires from the cutting area.
• Ensure any bystanders are well out of reach of the saw or are wearing protective clothing and goggles.
• Always run an electric power tool through an RCD (residual current device) to reduce the risk of electric shock, and use cords that are free from nicks or damage. 
• Secure the material being cut and lightly draw the pattern out first before cutting so you have a cutting guide.

As well as preparing the work environment you need to prepare yourself. Make sure you are not tired as you need to be alert for potential hazards, and always wear protective safety gear. This should include:

• Safety goggles that will protect your eyes from dust and any flying debris.
• Earmuffs that are at least Class 5 to prevent hearing damage.
• A dust mask or respirator to avoid breathing in dust.

As with all DIY projects it’s worthwhile to have a first aid kit on hand.

If you’ve taken all the required safety precautions and prepared your work space you can move on to using the jigsaw.

Before cutting your material make sure you have the correct blade fitted. Different blades allow the jigsaw to be used on different materials and to make different cuts. A fine toothed blade is best if you want a finer finish and a heavy duty blade works better on coarse material. To change the blade follow the instructions in your jigsaw’s user manual as the brand and model of the tool will alter how the blade needs to be changed. Newer models generally have a blade release button while older models may need to be unscrewed. Take care changing a blade, especially if it’s broken, as the ends are sharp and always check the blades you buy are compatible with your saw.

Also make sure you have secured the material to the workbench as the vibrations of the jigsaw will move the material around if it’s not properly secured.

1. Plug the saw in.
2. Position the tip of the base of the jigsaw on top of the material you're cutting and face the saw in the direction you want to cut. Make sure you start with the blade slightly away from where you want to begin.
3. Ensure you have a firm grip on the saw and gently press the power button.
4. Gently apply pressure and guide the blade in the direction you want to cut. Don’t force the blade as if to much force is applied the blade will snap off.
5. Sawdust may build up whilst cutting. It not only obstructs your view of the cut line but can hinder the saw movement. If you need to stop the saw during cutting to clear sawdust, stop the saw slowly, carefully clear the dust then back up the saw slightly before turning it on; you shouldn’t ever turn the saw on while the blade is engaged in the material you are cutting.
6. As you come to the end of the cut reduce the pressure to avoid a sudden
7. Once you’ve finished cutting, depress the power button, let the blade come to rest then switch off at the mains power.
8. Never curl your fingers around the work piece near the line of the cut.
9. Relieve the pressure on the saw as you are about to finish a cut, to avoid the sae from speeding up as the blade cuts through the end of the material.
10. Switch off the saw and wait for the blade to stop before setting the saw down.

Top tips:

• Jigsaws have a limitation as to thickness of material being cut. About 1½" is the limit for these saws.
• Jigsaw blades cut with a fast upwards motion so if you’re cutting a material like a laminate that has a finished front side place the front side face down as if splintering occurs it won’t be exposed.
• Look for a saw with a variable speed feature as this allows for greater control over the cut being made. Use a slower speed for hard materials and corners and a faster speed for softer materials and straight cuts. For best results slow down when cutting detailed designs.
• Always turn the power off when adjusting or changing the blade.
• Use the safety lockout switch when you pick up the saw; all saws have them.
• Always watch out for your fingers and use both handles on the saw.
• Always use a sharp blade; a blunt blade will not cut well and poses a safety risk.
• Keep the motor and all blades clean and free of sawdust and wood chips
• If you have scrap wood around try practicing your cuts. Good hand eye coordination is needed when making precise cuts and it can be a little tricky to get the cut exact first time.
• The pendulum action setting on a jigsaw allows the user to cut faster as it moves the blade forward and backward as well as up and down.