When doing a project at home, chances are you’ll need a reciprocating saw. The reciprocating saw (also called a jigsaw, saber saw, or Sawzall) is one power tool that every home and any small shop should have.
They are useful, light, and relatively cheap to buy. But for anyone who has never used one before, using one correctly can be a frustrating experience. That’s because most people don’t know how to use it properly.
Cutting straight with a reciprocating saw is easy if you follow these steps.
Step 1 – Use A Regular Blade.
Generally, you should avoid using a Sawzall or masonry blade. These blades are made to cut steel, concrete, and masonry, not wood. As they are used to cutting through tougher materials than wood, they can get quite dull very rapidly.
Next, don’t use a metal-cutting reciprocating saw blade: they’re not meant for that. It could work on occasion, but chances are you’ll have difficulties and end up smashing your teeth off in the blade guard attempting to stop those vibrations from rattling your teeth loose from their sockets, so don’t do it.
Hacksaw blades are also not a good idea for this kind of project. They tend to be very thin and flexible, which makes them prone to breakage when working against some pretty heavy vibration forces at work during a project like this.
Step 2 – Make Sure That The Teeth Are Facing Up And Towards The Front Of The Saw.
The second step is to ensure that the teeth are pointed up and toward the front of the saw. When this happens, they will be exposed and ready to go! Just look at them from above and you should be able to see them if you look at them from above, with the blade pointing down on a table.
Step 3 – Make Sure Your Blade Straight
When tightening the blade, make sure that it doesn’t bend. This can happen if you’re not using a hex wrench and instead are using a regular screwdriver or a pair of pliers. Make sure the blade is tight but not too tight; if it’s too loose, you’ll have to start over again with another piece of metal.
Make sure that your reciprocating saw has all its parts in working order before you begin cutting with it. You won’t have to stop halfway through your project because one of its parts broke off while you were sawing something else.
Step 4 – Cut Using The Top Edge Of Your Saw As A Guide.
The next step is to cut using the top edge of your saw as a guide. You’ll want to mark where you would like your cut to be made with a pencil or marker.
Next, start by placing your saw on a flat surface and making sure there is enough room for you to move around with it as necessary. After that, tilt the blade down until it is perpendicular to the ground (or close enough). Ensure that when you do this, the weight is evenly distributed to prevent it from falling over, and you can always add extra weight if you need it later.
All that’s left is making sure your blade is perpendicular so there won’t be any slippage during operation time which could cause damage or deterioration towards other parts such as bearings within the engine.
Step 5 – Before Cutting, Make Sure You Have A Straight Edge Along Your Cut Line.
You can use a straight edge to line the saw up with your cut line. This is especially important when cutting something like a floorboard or cutting at an angle, which requires extra precision. The most common ways to do this are:
- Use a tape measure, ruler, chalk line, or laser level (or combination of two)
- Line it up with an existing straight edge in the room you’re working in.
Step 6 – Ensure That Your Saw’s Handle Is In Front Of The Work Surface.
The first thing to remember when using a reciprocating saw is that you should keep the saw’s handle in front of the work surface, not above it. The best way to do this is by standing with one foot slightly forward and one foot back, with both knees bent at a 90-degree angle. This will allow for easier cutting and more control over how deep your cuts go.
Once your hands are on their respective handles, straighten out your arm as much as possible while still holding onto both handles firmly. You’re now ready to start making cuts!
If you’re using an electric reciprocating saw, keep the trigger on halfway to avoid overheating while cutting through wood or other materials like PVC pipes.
The most important thing to keep in mind while cutting with a reciprocating saw is to hold the trigger down only halfway. This allows the blade to move at a slower, more controlled speed and keeps it from becoming too hot (which can cause serious damage to whatever you’re cutting).
Step 7 – Keep Steady And Straight
- Keep your hand firmly placed against the base plate while cutting to keep it steady and straight.
- Use your other hand to guide the saw, ensuring it stays in a straight line.
Our Final Thoughts
We hope this was helpful for anyone out there struggling with their saw’s precision. It can be frustrating when trying to cut straight, but as long as you follow these steps carefully and take your time, then we’re sure that you’ll have no problem getting the job done in no time at all.
