If you are so inclined to discover it, the world of DIY can be an intriguing place.
It starts small, with a simple toolbox filled with hand tools like a saw, hammer and screwdriver. Before long, you’re staying awake until the early hours looking up things like pneumatic nail guns and electric jigsaws.
The latter is a surprisingly versatile tool that received a seismic reaction when it was first unveiled back in 1947 by the Scintilla AG group, which itself went on to be bought by DIY king, Bosch.
What is a jig saw?
First off, it’s got nothing to do with kids’ games. In DIY, a jigsaw is a handheld machine that carries a guard and a blade, affording users the freedom to make complex cuts, holes, curves and waves. You’ll often find them used in kitchen fitting and joinery projects since they can make straight cuts and bevelled edges (cuts on a tilt or angle).
What’s the difference between a saw and a jigsaw?
Circular saws can make far deeper cuts than a jigsaw, which may be ideal for heavy-duty jobs but can prove unnecessary and cumbersome for domestic DIY. Jigsaws are small, handheld tools that run a little slower, which means you can make precision cuts.
What sort of DIY jobs is it best for?
If you want furniture to sit flush against the wall but the plug point is getting in the way, you can use a jigsaw to freestyle a cut around it, allowing it to poke through and continue giving you access to mains power. Similarly, it can be used to create curves so that baseboards sit snugly against furniture, creating a professional, built-in look.
They’re great for upcycling furniture or making bespoke trim to take cupboards and drawers to the next level.
What materials can jig saws cut through?
Jigs can cut through an array of materials, adding to its appeal. With the right blade, users can get to work tearing through wood, plastic, metal, and ceramic. Some can even handle tile depending on the depth but always check you’re using the right blade first.
If you’re looking to expand your DIY collection with an electric jigsaw, we’ve gathered corded and cordless models from across the market to help you compare.
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Stanley Fatmax SFMCS600D1K-GB 2Ah V20 Cordless Jigsaw - 18V
Got a distinct home renovation project or furniture build in mind? Stanley’s FATMAX V20 jigsaw to the rescue. The tool comes with three pendulum settings with variable speed, allowing you to make curved cuts and straight lines in a host of materials including MDF, SB, chipboard, and plywood. It also works a treat on laminate, so if you need to make awkward cuts when you’re laying laminate floor tiles, this will help you make precise cuts.
The fact that it’s cordless means it’s so helpful for working in awkward spots with no wires to become entangled in.
Buy now £130.00, Argos
Guild CSJ18W.5 2AH Cordless Jigsaw - 18V
From wood and plastic to steel, freestyle your cuts easily with Guild’s jigsaw. The powerful cordless tool is up to tasks big and small, from upcycling old furniture to laying parquet flooring. If you’re working between materials, the tool-free blade-changing system allows you to swap seamlessly without too much interruption to your workflow.
Buy now £50.00, Argos
Bosch Home and Garden Cordless Jigsaw UniversalSaw 18V
Whether you want to make wavy trims for shelves or like the idea of crafting a coffee table from scratch, Bosch is the DIY specialist that can get you there. Its cordless jigsaw can cut down to 10cm of wood and 8cm of steel, powered by a four-step pendulum which propels the blade through dense materials. Comfortable in advanced and rookie hands, the machine features a soft start and adjustable power control, plus an SDS system that allows for easy and speedy blade swaps.
Buy now £104.00, Amazon
Black + Decker 400W T-shank Blade Jigsaw
A cordless tool is all good and well, but if you’re working on a task that req uires longer firepower, look for a mains-operated model. From Black + Decker comes this bright orange jigsaw which also features a dust blow to keep the line of cut free from shavings.
It works on wood and metal, using a T-shank blade to make curved cuts and complicated shapes. You can even do bevel cuts
Buy now £30.00, Argos
Ryobi R18JS-0 ONE+ Jigsaw with LED
There’s no losing this jigsaw down the bottom of the tool box: the luminous green hue means you’ll be able to spot it instantly. The machine comes as ‘body only’ - without the battery - since Ryobi is part of the One+ network which uses one universal battery and charger to help curb e-waste.
So what do you get for your money? There’s a lock-on switch that keeps the blade running when cutting large pieces of material, which can be anything from wood to steel sheets. An LED light illuminates the work surface, allowing users to see clearly and make precise cuts. And though its cordless, it offers a similar level of power to a mains device. A power tool to covet.
Buy now £82.99, Amazon
Makita 4350FCT 240V 720W Orbital Action Jigsaw
This heavy-duty jigsaw comes with Makita, designed to make tough jobs quick and easy. It’s ideal for making complicated bits of furniture and trim cuts, working well on softwood and hardwood. As for plywood? This baby will fly right through it
Buy now £142.65, Amazon
Black + Decker Corded Jigsaw
This smaller Black+Decker model comes with a cord, carry case and a selection of blades including T shad U Shank blades. It can be used on everything from hard and soft wood to plywood, MDF, chipboard and more. Cut profiles, corners, curves and bevel edges with ease thanks to this electrical tool.
Buy now £48.00, Argos
Hyundai 20V Max Li-ion Cordless Jigsaw
Fitted with an LED light allowing DIYers to work in low-light areas, Hyundai’s jigsaw offers four orbital settings, giving users total control over the cuts they’re making: straight, wavy or somewhere in between. It can manage wood, plastic and steel and there’s a laser guide to help you make exacting cuts with each pass.
Buy now £62.99, Amazon
HYCHIKA Jigsaw
Whether you want to cut power outlet holes into the back of furniture so everything sits flush against the wall or you’re wrestling with crown moulding in the most awkward corner of the room, you’ll need a jigsaw you can rely on.
Hychika’s tool allows you to make cuts straight down as well as angled for those who dream of bevelled edges. A guide ruler helps accuracy while a self-locking switch means you can run the jigsaw for a long time.
Buy now £35.99, Amazon
