Can this produce smooth clean chip-free cuts in plywood & other sheetgoods, & can it be used with a straight edge to keep the cut perfectly straight?
332521
Yes to both questions. I love this cordless jigsaw. So did someone else. My first one was stolen so I ordered another. Obviously, the blade makes a difference in chipping. However, this unit is powerful yet very responsive to delicate maneuvers. I used a strait edge to cut a butcher block countertop. It performed very well.
332522
Pierce, yes it can, with some care! Makita makes a small plastic insert (comes with the tool) that clips in around the blade within the foot plate. This largely eliminates chipping. I also made a four-foot guide out of angle aluminum (created a channel for both sides of the tool) that enabled me to make reasonably accurate cuts across a sheet of plywood. Am very happy with my Makita!
332523
plywood yes veneers an melamine no. It could be used with a straight edge. if you want chip free in veneer and melamine you probably would have to go with a festool, they have chip guards that hug the blade. The makita has play between the blade and the chip guard. bosch might make good chip guards too but I don't know first hand.
1080733
In my use this saw (using the included blade) makes relatively chip-free cuts. As you would expect from the price it is not a high precision machine. Preventing chips is largely a matter the operator's care in use. The saw is only designed to make straight, plumb cuts. If the work is kept flat and fed slow and straight the cut has minimal chipping. It is not a precision lapidary saw, however.
1107475
Yes, it makes a nice clean smooth 6 inch hole. let the saw do the work and don't apply too much pressure when cutting.
1790624
Greetings Pierce, good questions, but sorry to say I have no idea. It cuts several layers of denim-type fabric (that frays easily) without jamming on the frayed bits (unlike Black and Decker electric scissors!!), and cuts card and stiff plastic etc. but not sure it would be powerful enough to cut plywood. Ciao for Now, Tricia, Bermuda : )
241220
I've only used it straight. I expect you would have to go slow to preserve a shape over a lot of cuts because the wire is just that- not very rigid!
1459190
My answer is yes. In fact, even without a straight edge the cut stays very straight. When you desire the maximum precision, use a sharp, medium toothed blade with a straight pitch setting. It will be slower but more accurate.
174892
I am probably not the person to ask. I used it on plexiglass. I don't know a reason why it would.not work on smooth wood....
1349091
This saw is best for straight cuts so while it might be useful for preparing blanks for your purpose it might not be suited to even gentle curves. Keep one in your tool collection anyway. New uses will suggest themselves !
1982939
If you get a Diamond Blade, you would be successful. Maybe the carbide blade for a while but I expect it would wear faster. As for straight? How steady are you.
1472951
I've only used it on foam-core board but it does slice cleanly through all the layers and slice into the mat board I use to prevent the wood support from being marred. It is easy to use with a straight rail that is anchored somehow. The foam-core I use for model building. I would expect you to go through blades fairly fast but that happens any time you want super-crisp cuts with thin blades.
1643740
Only with a jig or an attachment to set for angles. It is fine for straight cuts.
238647
I don't think it would do well for small irregular items. Great for straight flat cuts.
2181195
I would say yes. I have cut the 2-ply chip board with it and that was what I bought it for and it has done well.
2112004
Hello Angel. Yes. I cut through 3/4" thick TREATED plywood, which is a really dense and heavy plywood because of all the chemicals in it. Treated plywood also tends to hold more moisture than regular plywood, at times it even feels damp to the touch, and two sheets stacked together with out some kind of divider between them will actually "sweat". So I really thought I would have had a problem cutting it, but this tool did great. Just make sure you use the cutter that is specifically for wood. With the correct bit you should be able to cut through any thickness of plywood. Hardwood may cause problems if you cut anything thicker than 3/4". I have not tried it in a full 1" thick hardwood board; as I have only cut ply. Just take your time, don't rush the cuts and clean them out often if you are making thin and curved cuts. If there is a high moisture content in the ply, the sawdust will build up in the cuts. I just repass the bit along the inside of the cut and the spinning bit can be used to clean the area. Please protect your eyes, wear goggles -- I tend to lean down really close to the area as I cut as my eyes are old and getting bad! Good luck with your project -- oh and this tool can be used just like a small dremmel brand tool. I needed to cut some really big nails out of some old wood and I tried one of my metal cutting disk from my dremmel and it worked great. So you can use this for a lot of different things.
1166305
Sir, in my humble opinion there is no blade anywhere close to the blade I have. I do make a lot with plain plywood, the same blade has inadvertently been used to cut a few nails and it still cuts quietly and sandpaper smooth. I have probably cut 20,000 feet of assorted materials hardwoods (even some Yarrow)and use it each day. All I have done is clean it three times. Hope this helps you. Boyd Jackson 71 yo woodbutcher frm Tx
1274331
yes, i have used it to cut hardwood flooring when installing a floor level threshold to an exising floor. You do have to use a guide for a perfectly straight cut
1622909
I have not had a problem with chipping with the 40200H and I have run serveral thousand feet of various soft and hardwoods, still on the oiginal blade side 1 and still works with very little sanding needed after I run them through. I think the slower speed reduces chipping.