Technical Foundation
What Is a Jig Saw?
A jigsaw drives a reciprocating blade vertically through the workpiece from above, making it the standard tool for cutting curves, cutouts and irregular shapes that a circular saw's fixed blade plane cannot follow. Orbital action moves the blade slightly forward on the upstroke in addition to its vertical motion, which increases cutting speed and reduces blade binding in wood, but produces a rougher cut edge — most jigsaws offer several orbital settings from off (straight reciprocation, for cleanest cuts and thin/hard materials) up through aggressive orbital motion for fast, rough wood cutting.
Blade shank type (T-shank is now the near-universal standard, replacing older U-shank designs) and tooth pitch (teeth per inch, TPI) are matched to material: coarse, low-TPI blades cut wood fast with a rougher edge, while fine, high-TPI bi-metal blades are needed for cutting sheet metal cleanly without stripping teeth. Stroke length (the vertical travel distance of the blade, typically 3/4 to 1 inch on full-size jigsaws) and stroke rate (strokes per minute) together determine cutting speed and are usually variable via a speed dial or trigger.
Prefer a quick quote?
Get Jig Saws Pricing in Your Inbox
Skip the search — tell us the power source (corded/cordless), material being cut and blade type and we will come back with pricing.
| Spec | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Power Source | Corded (continuous power) vs. cordless (battery, typically 18–20V) | Cordless favors mobility and jobsite use; corded avoids battery runtime limits on long cuts |
| Orbital Action Setting | Off (straight) through 3 aggressive orbital settings | Higher orbital settings cut wood faster but leave a rougher edge; off/low settings suit metal and fine work |
| Blade Shank Type | T-shank (standard), U-shank (legacy) | T-shank enables tool-free blade changes on virtually all current jigsaws — confirm compatibility before buying blades |
| Stroke Length | Typically 3/4 in to 1 in on full-size jigsaws | Longer stroke length generally cuts faster and handles thicker material more efficiently |
| Blade TPI (Teeth Per Inch) | 6 TPI (fast, rough wood) up to 24+ TPI (fine metal) | Lower TPI removes material faster; higher TPI leaves a smoother cut and is required for thin metal |
Shop Jig Saws
Browse Jig Saws Sub-Categories
Organised by power source and blade application. Pick a sub-category, or describe the material and curve/straight cut you need and let ChatMRO match the saw.
How it works
From Half-Remembered Part Number to PO, in Three Steps.
Ask
Type an MPN, paste a spec sheet, or describe the part in plain English. ChatMRO understands engineer-speak.
Compare
Side-by-side specs, cross-references, and equivalents from multiple sources — without the clutter of endless browser tabs.
Quote & Buy
Request a quote or add to cart. Volume discounts, VAT-aware pricing, and consolidated procurement — all in one place.
Applications
Where Jig Saws Get Used
Jigsaws are specified wherever a cut needs to follow a curve, template or irregular shape that a circular or table saw cannot make.
Cabinetmaking & Finish Carpentry
Curved cutouts, sink openings and template-following cuts in cabinetry and trim work.
Metal Fabrication & HVAC
Bi-metal blade cutting of sheet metal ductwork and light-gauge steel components.
Plumbing & Electrical Rough-In
Plunge cuts for pipe and conduit pass-through openings in framing and subfloor.
Countertop & Laminate Fabrication
Fine-tooth blades cutting laminate and solid-surface countertop cutouts with minimal chipping.
Flooring Installation
Curved and notched cuts fitting flooring material around obstacles and fixtures.
General Construction & Remodeling
Versatile curved and straight cutting across mixed materials encountered during demolition and rework.
FAQ
Jig Saws Questions, Answered
What does the orbital action setting on a jigsaw actually do?
Orbital action adds a slight forward-backward motion to the blade's vertical stroke, which makes the blade cut more aggressively and quickly through wood but leaves a rougher edge and more splintering. Turning orbital action off gives straight up-and-down blade motion for the cleanest cuts and is required for cutting metal, thin plastic laminate, or any material prone to chipping.
Do I need special blades for cutting metal with a jigsaw?
Yes — metal-cutting requires a bi-metal blade with a much higher tooth count (typically 18–24+ TPI) than wood blades, along with orbital action turned off and a slower stroke speed. Using a coarse wood blade on metal will strip teeth almost immediately and produce a poor, dangerous cut.
What's the difference between T-shank and U-shank jigsaw blades?
T-shank blades have a distinctive tang shape that locks into tool-free blade clamps found on virtually all current jigsaws, letting you swap blades without a wrench. U-shank blades use an older two-hole mounting style found on some older or specialty jigsaws and generally require a screw or wrench to secure. Confirm your saw's blade clamp type before ordering blades.
Should I choose a corded or cordless jigsaw?
Cordless jigsaws (typically 18–20V platform-compatible with other cordless tools) offer mobility for jobsite and overhead work without a cord to manage, and modern brushless models close most of the power gap with corded tools. Corded jigsaws remain the choice for continuous, heavy-duty cutting sessions where battery runtime and swap time would slow the work down.
How do I get straighter cuts with a jigsaw on long rip cuts?
Use an edge guide or clamp a straightedge to the workpiece as a fence for the saw's base to ride against, since a jigsaw blade can flex and wander on long freehand cuts, especially in thicker material. Slower feed rate and a lower orbital setting also reduce blade deflection and improve cut straightness.
Keep browsing
Related Categories
Explore More
Find Your Next Part Now.
Describe a part number, spec or what it does.