Orbital Jig Saw

Many skilled tradesman use jig saws to make more artistic cuts in their projects.  A jig saw uses a narrow blade that allows the user to make curved cuts.

Jig Saw vs. Orbital Jig Saw

The jig saw operates with a reciprocal sawing action, meaning, the blade goes up and down.  The orbital jig saw also has a blade the moves up and down, but at the top of the up stroke it move out (into the wood) and pulls in (away from the wood) on the down stroke.  This motion, orbiting, makes cutting thicker woods easier.  First, it moves into the wood and second, it clears the dust or shavings through on the down stroke.

Most orbital jig saws will have at least three, if not four, orbital positions.  This is necessary because in some mediums, you will not want to use the orbital motion at all, such as with most metals.  Turning the orbital motion down can help reduce the amount of splintering as well.  The more you use the orbital jig saw, the more you will learn about speed, orbit level, and blade settings in combination with the project material you will be working with.

Jig saws tend to have trouble with blades bending and breaking.  In an orbital jig saw, purchasing heavier thicker blades may be useful.  The orbiting of the blade helps remove quite a bit of the dust from the cut.  This will keep the blade cooler and reduce unnecessary friction, keeping the blade from dulling as quickly as in a regular jig saw.  However, the orbital jig saw is used on thicker woods, meaning that more of the blade is being used at one time and a heavier gauge will be useful in the forward thrust of the blade.

One of the hardest cuts for a jig saw is a straight cut.  The blades tend to bend and they are difficult to keep on a straight line, especially without making an angled cut.  Orbital jig saws control the blade movement much more effectively, making the straight cuts much easier.

With an ordinary jig saw, cuts can be painstakingly tedious.  The blade can grab and bite at the wood at times, making for a bumpy ride on the other end.  Because of the orbiting movement, the saw will feel like it is sliding through the stock much smoother and efficiently and the user will appreciate the improved cutting speed and quality of the orbital jig saw.

Locations

Orbital jig saws are sold at almost all home improvement centers.  Before you buy, do your homework on the different brands and the options they come with.  There are many article comparing different brands available in magazines and online.  Read about the different grips, LED lights, variable speed features, and dust blowers and vacuums.  Decide what you will require before you finalize your decision.  It is an investment worth your time and effort.

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