Wood and sheets (plates) based on it are one of the cheapest and most pliable materials. For those who like to work with a jigsaw, plywood is primarily of interest.

It is her home craftsmen who most often choose to make various crafts. If you organize the work correctly, you can create real masterpieces.

Crafts from this material are made for various purposes, but basically they can be divided into two groups - to decorate rooms or territories (for example, fences with inside, garden plot and so on).

Kind of plywood

If you focus on the optimal combination of indicators such as quality and price, then PSF or FC products are selected. It is characterized by resistance to moisture and temperature fluctuations. This alone is enough to ensure the durability of the handmade crafts. But between these varieties of plywood there is a fundamental difference - in component composition glue that holds the layers of veneer together.

In the first case, it is toxic, so FSF sheets are used only for outdoor work. But for crafts intended for placement in the house, FC plywood is quite suitable. Its counterparts are much more expensive, and therefore are not considered as a material for simple, easy-to-perform crafts.

Type of sheet grinding

It is easy to understand: Ш1 and Ш2 - respectively, one- and two-sided; NSh - rough plywood. That is, the craft will still have to be “brought to mind”, polished. The choice for this parameter depends on how it is planned to be designed and placed in the future. A sample fixed on the wall and, for example, a figurine (stand, vase, toy or other), which can be viewed from all sides, are different things.

plywood texture

A lot depends on personal preference here. If it is planned to preserve the natural look of the tree when applying the protective coating of the craft, then under the varnish it is better to purchase plywood from birch veneer. But for subsequent coloring, it is desirable to choose pine.

For various plywood crafts, it is advisable to focus on oil or acrylic based. The explanation is simple - they are less prone to fading in the sun, and therefore do not have to frequently renew the outer coating; it will not change its original appearance for several years.

Plywood grade

When choosing a sheet for crafts, it must first be inspected for knotty and inclusions. Significant defects will not only complicate the cutting of the material, but also initiate the appearance of cracks or “pits” (as a result of the same knots falling out). Next - inspection of the end surfaces. During the cutting process, plywood is subjected to dynamic loads (vibrations). If at least signs of veneer peeling are visible on the side parts, such material should not be purchased, even if its price is too tempting.

In the future, in the process of making crafts, many problems will arise. As a result - rejection of plywood and its increased consumption. In total terms, this will come out approximately the same in terms of money compared to the acquisition of high-grade material, and in terms of the time spent and the quality of work - a big minus.

Sheet thickness

If crafts are cut out with an electric tool, then it is limited to 30 mm. For a manual jigsaw, it is advisable to use relatively thin plywood; maximum three layers. That is, no more than 9 mm thick.

What you need to work

jigsaw

This is a priori, since we are talking about making crafts using such a tool. The question is different - which one is better to work with. Electric models are much more expensive than manual counterparts, but have a lot of advantages. About in .

For example, high cutting speed and accuracy, edge cleanliness, the ability to change cutting parameters, and a number of others. If a plywood craft is not a one-time, short-term hobby, then it’s worth spending money on an electric / jigsaw. It is universal, and it will come in handy more than once on the farm, because, depending on the type of file, it can “work” not only with wood, but also with non-ferrous metals, plastics, and plexiglass.

A little more difficult with a manual jigsaw. Its design is quite simple - a frame with screw clamps and a handle + file.

The nuance is that the cutting blades break quite easily (from excessive pressure, changing the position of a hand tool), and therefore it is advisable to purchase them with a margin; well, they are cheap.

Hacksaw

It is needed only at one stage - when cutting the overall sheet into separate fragments. Doing this with a manual jigsaw is an unpromising and unprofitable occupation; a lot of time and files will be spent.

Stand

No one will lead cutting plywood on weight; This is clear. Cut out the details by laying the sheet on the countertop - the risk of damaging it. It is in order to ensure the "safety" of the latter that the stand is needed. With your own hands, it can be made from cutting boards. What such a device looks like (one of the options) can be seen in the figure.

The stand is fixed on the base with clamps (on a non-working table) or self-tapping screws (in case there is a carpentry workbench in the outbuilding, shed, garage). Although this is not the only mounting options. It is easy to understand how to proceed, in accordance with local conditions.

Skin

The ideal tool for fine woodworking -. But for plywood crafts that do not differ in large areas, it is not suitable. Therefore, only sandpaper; medium fraction - for primary grinding of workpieces and with fine grain - for finishing.

Additionally

• Files and files.
• Awl.
• A simple pencil and carbon paper.
• Glue, if the craft is created composite or multi-level, that is, with the fixation of two or more figured fragments in separate sections.
• Varnishes, paints, stains.

Examples of drawings and sketches of plywood crafts

Copying "one to one" in this case is hardly advisable. Any work done by one's own hands is a process with a creative component. That is why the dimensions should be determined independently, depending on where it is supposed to place (or how to use) the craft. For example, whether it will “look” in a particular place, whether it will organically fit into the interior of the room.

Even if you liked the drawing, it is not difficult to change the geometry of the figure by applying the scaling rules. Especially when it comes to drawing a contour on plywood with a simple pencil; correct any mistake, in some areas it is quite easy to correct something. It is not much more difficult to modify any sketch, bringing something original, original to the sample.

There is another solution - you can download from the Internet any picture that you like. Printing it in the right scale is not a problem. It remains only with the help of carbon paper to transfer it to plywood and shade the areas that need to be cut out. This is when it comes to curly crafts. With a contour sample it's even easier; cut exactly along the line - and that's it, you're done. It remains only to do the decoration of the product.

Basic rules for sawing with a jigsaw

• Laying under a sheet of rigid substrate. It is in order to ensure the hardness of the surface under the plywood that the stand is used. A sheet, even a small one, bends quite easily (under pressure), therefore, without this device, a high-quality cut, strictly along the line, will not work.
• The working body of the jigsaw (sawing) must be strictly perpendicular to the end of the sheet. And constantly, throughout the entire process of cutting the material.
• The tool is fed along the line in a translational motion, but without effort. Otherwise, the file will break immediately. As well as when it deviates from the "vertical".
• Sawing holes "deaf", that is, somewhere on a sheet of plywood, indented from its edge, is carried out as follows. At any point of the outlined contour, a "hole" is drilled with a slight offset to the center of the fragment. The diameter is chosen so that the file easily enters it. After attaching it to the tool frame, you can cut in any convenient direction.
• Figured drank in plywood involves sharp turns, smooth bends, and so on. First, at the point of change of direction with a jigsaw, without changing its position, it is necessary to make a small hole in the material. To do this, you need to continue the cut with a file, strictly maintaining the orientation of the tool, and at the same time turn a piece of plywood. As soon as the plane of the cutting part coincides with the required direction of further cutting, it can already be carried out along the intended line.

Having mastered the manufacture enough simple crafts from plywood, you can take on more complex options. As an example - self-assembly of furniture (racks, whatnots, original hanging shelves). With a skillful approach to business, excellent countertops are obtained from plywood, cutting boards, platbands on windows and so on. It is easy to make a folding chair from this material, and various modifications. Who is interested in this.

Plywood also makes excellent frames for paintings and photographs. Those who have a plot will be able to do the decoration of outbuildings; the same gazebo, a house over a well, or something else. Lots of options. The main thing is to want to learn.

In the process of preparing for sawing with a jigsaw, one should not forget that all drawings and drawings are nothing more than the basis for developing your project. A little imagination, time, effort, and you can make a really real masterpiece out of plywood.

AT modern world littered with Chinese trinkets and consumer goods, handicrafts are always striking, look expensive and unusual. Especially if we are not talking about plastic things, but about natural wood. To get such an ornament for yourself, you can order it from a master carver or try yourself in a new art. For woodcarving using a regular jigsaw, templates and photos will come in very handy. finished works for both beginners and experienced craftsmen. Souvenirs and other interior trifles made using the wood carving technique look beautiful, in addition, carved facades and platbands on private houses are also appropriate and very beautiful.

We select materials and tools for woodcarving with a jigsaw

To decorate your home and practice in handmade, you will need quite a few tools and materials. The main ones are a manual or electric jigsaw, a drill or an awl and a wood blank. In addition, you can not do without sandpaper, varnish or paint, a prepared stencil and accessories for fastening. The latter depend on what product the master wants to receive as a result of his work.

Jigsaw for woodcarving.

How to choose suitable material for wood cutting.

The size and type of blanks depend on the purpose of the future product. For platbands, elements of the facade of the house, decorative wall panels, you should choose a beam up to 2 centimeters thick, with a height and width suitable for size. It is better to use an array of soft woods such as linden or alder. For small decorations, you can use a plywood board 0.7-1.2 cm thick.

How to work with a wood cutting template.

Before you start working with a tree, you need to decide on a pattern for cutting. You can make drawings yourself, or you can peep patterns on the Internet. To make it convenient to cut, you need to transfer the sketches to the tree. This can be done in several ways. The first is to use carbon paper. The second is to attach a sheet with a printed pattern to the tree and make punctures in the corners and bends with an awl, then remove the sheet and connect the dots. You can also copy the stencil piece by piece. This option is a little more labor-intensive, but in this case, you can change the proportions as needed. In addition, templates can be changed to suit your needs: add elements, remove unnecessary items, smooth corners, and so on.

We prepare the workplace and create a workpiece before cutting

For comfortable and easy work, you need to prepare in advance workplace. Take care of lighting, ventilation. If carving at home, you can put newspapers on the floor to make it easier to collect shavings after work. Transfer the stencil to the tree in any suitable way. Carefully process the bar with sandpaper, select the required tension on the jigsaw. This is very important, because the speed of work depends on it, in addition, if the tension is incorrect, it can lead to breakage of the file.

The beginning of sawing a pattern on wood with a jigsaw.

The jigsaw sawing technique is slotted carving, or openwork. It is characterized by the fact that the pattern has no background, it is cut through. To achieve this effect, the first step in kerf carving is to drill holes in the places where you want to cut out the excess. After that, a jigsaw file is inserted into the holes and the details of the desired shape are cut out along the drawn contour. For beginners, templates with a small amount of detail and with the absence of notches and sharp corners are better suited.

Easy wood cutting templates for beginners.

How to work with a jigsaw: the secret of beautiful carving

When carving wood, the jigsaw should be held perpendicular to the tree, it is better to work slowly so that unnecessary cutouts do not form. It is important to remember that smooth and accurate work, the exact repetition of patterns and patterns - this is what makes wood carving beautiful and really worthwhile.

After sawing out the pattern, the product must be sanded, brushed off dust and chips, and then coated with varnish, paint or stain. Next, the part must be fixed in its intended place. It is important to remember that waterproof paint for outdoor use is suitable for facade decorations, because otherwise the product will please the eye for a very short time. If we are talking about collecting a box or the like, a good universal super glue, glue gun or other convenient and familiar to the master will do.

A selection of videos on the topic of the article

On the Internet, there are a lot of different lessons and workshops on wood carving. Below are some of the videos about woodcarving with a jigsaw.

Wood carving with a jigsaw is one of the types of applied art. Decorative and artistic sawing makes it possible to make an original interior detail from a simple thing. Even a simple overlay on the cabinet door panel, made with a simple flat-relief pattern, decorates it and makes it unusual.

The realization that a thing is made by one's own hands gives inspiration for new ideas. As you know, the confidence that you can realize your internal potential- one of the components of happiness.

Jigsaw device

The cutting part of this tool is a thin steel saw. It is fastened on both sides with two clamping screws to the arched frame. A handle is installed at one of its ends. The frame tends to shrink. This can be done by hand or using a clamp. The saw blade is fixed with screws in the compressed position of the frame. When unclenched, it stretches - the jigsaw is ready for work.

The saw teeth must always point towards the handle. The cut occurs when the jigsaw moves down or towards itself (with a horizontal position of the sawing plane).

They work with one hand, making smooth translational movements up and down, while the other presses the workpiece to a reliable base. Traditionally, craftsmen use a special emphasis for this - the “dovetail”.

This is a rectangular piece of board with a hole in the middle. A wedge-shaped cutout serves to wind the saw into it. This stop is attached with clamps to a suitable base (table, workbench) and serves as a removable work table for sawing.

Material and preparatory work

A board made of valuable species of wood has a characteristic texture. After processing with decorative varnishes, carved and openwork products made of such material look especially artistic. However, it is better for individuals starting their creative path to first learn the craft of sawing on plywood.

This material is most suitable for this type of processing. It consists of several layers of thin wood veneer. Plywood, despite its lightness and flexibility, has sufficient strength. It is difficult to process it with a chisel or planer, but it cuts perfectly with a jigsaw. You can pick up a workpiece of various thicknesses, but at first (for working out the technique) it is better to take a thinner one.

Decorative processing of modern chipboard and modified boards with a decorative laminated coating is also woodcarving. With a jigsaw, patterns, including on such materials, are cut out after transferring the contours of the pattern to the surface to be treated. This is done with carbon paper.

If there is a finished carved element or template, it can be carefully outlined along the contour. There are times when you need to transfer a pattern or composition to a workpiece in an enlarged or reduced form. To do this, you need to master the technique of copying on a grid or squares.

Saws and accessories

A jigsaw without a saw is not a tool. Therefore, it must be protected. The part or jigsaw must not be allowed to hang in the cut. After work, do not leave the saw blade clamped in a taut state.

Files come with a large and small tooth for working with thick and thin wood, respectively. When purchasing canvases, you should pay attention to their quality. The material should not bend easily. The saw must be sufficiently rigid, made of hardened steel, with sharp teeth.

Woodcarving with a jigsaw requires the presence of an auxiliary tool. For rough filing of a wooden workpiece, you will need a hacksaw. Where it is impossible to make a hole with an awl, you will need a brace or drill with a minimum set of drills.

For processing the edges of the cut, it is convenient to use files. A hammer, a chisel, pliers, a reliable knife will also come in handy.

How to work: wood carving with a jigsaw

Photos of the workflow allow you to understand how the tool is gripped and the sawing itself is done. The position for the stop is chosen convenient for work, usually at the level of the belt, so that in the sitting position one can hold the workpiece with one hand, and with the other one make forward movements with the jigsaw up and down.

If it is necessary to cut a section limited by a plane, then first, closer to the cut contour, a hole is made. A saw is inserted into it from below the workpiece. To do this, each time you have to release the clamp, release the blade, then pull the jigsaw frame again and tighten the mount.

In thin plywood, the hole is usually made with an awl to the required thickness. In dense material and in thick workpieces, this operation is performed with a brace or drill with a drill of the required diameter.

They cut with a jigsaw with smooth movements, without jerks and distortions. In places of a sharp change in the direction of the cut, it is better to turn the workpiece. This should be done smoothly, without stopping the translational movements of the jigsaw. After completing the sampling of the enclosed space, one end of the blade is released from the attachment, the saw is removed, and the process is repeated with a new pattern.

The edges of the cuts usually have uneven or torn edges, burrs, scuffs. Such places are processed with files, needle files, polished with sandpaper before final finishing.

Techniques and finished products

Although sawing a pattern of intricate compositions requires certain skills and knowledge, a beginner should not give up trying to learn this craft. Experience is gained in work, and therefore do not be afraid to try your hand, you just need to start by cutting out simpler decorative elements.

Sawn parts will serve as an overhead decoration for furniture, cabinets, bedside tables and sideboards. Over time, with the acquisition of experience, you can begin to decorative trim caskets, caskets, lampshades, vases and other interior items.

Slotted wood carving with a jigsaw makes it possible to cut decorative patterns along marked contours on a flat wooden surface. Often the pattern in this technique is an openwork grid of repeating or alternating through segments. They can have smooth oval edges or strict geometric proportions with right angles.

A flat through ornament on the stripes of the facades of houses is wood carving with a jigsaw. Window trims look especially good when decorating wooden buildings. Motifs depicting animals, birds, and floral ornaments are common. The most popular pattern is an S-shaped curl with wrapped ends, imitating a snake's tail. Since ancient times, she has been a symbol of the guardian of the house.

Jigsaw with electric drive

This tool turns rotary motion motor shaft into the translational stroke of the rod, on which a relatively short saw is mounted.

It is clamped at one end by the shank. Such its fastening gives a significant advantage in the work. Models from leading manufacturers are equipped with adjustable engine speed, there are options for the pendulum motion of the saw, and the anti-vibration system eliminates rattling.

Wood carving is different from traditional technique. It is convenient to work with such a tool on an inclined plane. The sole of the jigsaw glides over the surface, eliminating distortions. It remains only to follow the applied contour, the engine will do the rest.

However, the one-sided fastening of the saw also has disadvantages. It is impossible to process thin and graceful patterns with such a tool. To withstand the load, saw blades for electric jigsaws are made thicker and wider. Therefore, it is not possible to make a thin cut of 1-2 mm with a sharp turning radius of the pattern.

But with such a tool it is good to process the end parts. A powerful engine and reliable blades make it possible to cut dense wood with a thickness of up to 40 mm and more.

Safety

Working with a cutting tool involves a responsible and serious approach. Any technological process must be carried out in accordance with the rules and regulations for safe work.

The handles of the working tool should be comfortable. The stop table must be securely fastened. The stronger the support, the better. The file in the jigsaw is securely fastened. The work is carried out with smooth and measured movements without jerks.

Leaning too low to the workpiece is not recommended. The height of the workplace should be optimal. Attention should be paid to the organization of correct and sufficient lighting.

When using a power tool, it is necessary to study the instructions for use, check the operability of the device, the presence of grounding. You can start sawing only with a clear idea of ​​the entire technological process of the operation from start to finish.

Woodcarving with a jigsaw is not an expensive, special additional equipment does not require. You don’t need a special workshop for this, you can cut it even in an apartment. Indeed, the work requires only a jigsaw, a small blank, the idea of ​​\u200b\u200ba pattern or composition, and the desire to turn a flat piece of plywood or board into an elegant, eye-pleasing thing.

Drawings for cutting out plywood allow you to create products of various subjects and purposes. Sawing decorative panel, toys and household items is provided with an electric jigsaw. Among the additional materials, the use of plastic, ceramics, metal is acceptable.

Attention! By means of a narrow file, direct cutting and intricate patterns are carried out.

Working with a jigsaw

Sawing with a jigsaw will require a little skill. With straight cuts, there will be no questions, and with beautiful curly patterns, the correct selection of files will be required. For a more detailed consideration of the recommendations, you can use the following list:

1. Sawing with an electric jigsaw from plywood according to the drawings requires an even cut. For this, the correct selection of files for equipment is provided.
2. On the front side, the saw cut will not have burrs, provided that a thin saw blade with downward teeth is used.
3. The product presented for processing requires a strong fixation. Otherwise, the cut will be uneven.

Choice of jigsaw

It will be easier to cut toys according to drawings with a jigsaw if you use the basic parameters :

• Saw or side divorce. Alternating right and left flare teeth and large teeth provide fast, straight cuts. The edges are rough, so their finishing is carried out using an abrasive skin. Below you can see how to properly cut plywood with a jigsaw in the photo.
• Undercut. The teeth do not form a divorce. They are adapted for thin and clean cuts. However, the speed of work is reduced. If there is a small divorce, the process will speed up. The main bias is towards the quality of the cut.

• Wavy splits. To work with small and narrow files, providing a wider cut, the cutting edge has a wavy shape. Typically, such tools are used when working with metal elements, but are often used to process plywood. This allows you to get a narrow and clean cut in a short period of time.

Creating patterns

To implement sketches on plywood, it is necessary to provide a number of works:

• The pattern is transferred to a sheet of paper.
• A stencil is cut out using a clerical knife or scalpel.
• A stencil is applied to the coating and outlined with a simple pencil.
• The pattern is cut out.

Implementation of works:

• Cutting along a curve is carried out with a file with a narrow panel.
• You can cut a circle in the panel using a special nozzle - a circle cutter. Its fixation is made in the center of the circle.
• The creation of grooves in the blanks from the array is carried out with a rasp instead of a saw. It also serves to clean uneven cuts.
• Perfectly precise and even cuts are ensured by parallel stop. Its attachment to the jigsaw is provided using screws.
• A guide ruler is mounted on the "ski" to ensure cutting parallel to straight edges.
• An auxiliary guide is used to create a straight long cut. The jigsaw moves along a longitudinal fixed bar. This tool provides cuts with an inclination up to 45 gr. The slope can be set on a scale.

Drank gaps. When forming ornaments, the master makes gaps in the plywood sheet. There are 2 options for this:

In the first case, a recess is drilled with an electric drill, then a file is inserted into it and a pattern is cut out.

The second case includes the technology of mortise or plunge cuts. The starting gap is not drilled. The installation of equipment is carried out on the front edge of the "ski" without touching the workpiece with the cloth.

The motor is turned on and the fork is slowly lowered, introducing the saw into the array until it forms a vertical arrangement, and the "ski" does not touch the workpiece.

Correct jigsaw setting

Important! Plunge sawing starts in the waste area of ​​the plywood.

The tool must enter the panel far from the cut line to prevent damage to the material.

If you are cutting a board of great thickness, you can use a file with pointed ends. Initially, the workpiece is sawn from one part, then it turns and is sawn from the back. For sawing curly elements, equipment is fixed at the bottom of the desktop. With a uniform and smooth feed of the workpiece, you can get a cut that has clean, even edges.

Preparation of equipment and materials

Plywood. The best option would be to use thin sheet, including laminated hardwood. Normal or moisture resistant material is used.

Among the tools you can choose ordinary jigsaw or a power tool, if you need to do bulk work.

An awl creates gaps for cuts. The saw starts after inserting the file into the recesses created by the awl or electric drill.

Files are used to properly clean all the edges of the cuts.

The thrust board serves to reinforce materials and equipment.

Transferring the drawing to plywood

For artistic sawing, tracing paper is used. Transferring the pattern to the workpiece is done manually.

What are jigsaws

An alternative is a projector, a projected pattern on a work surface. It is not allowed to move plywood, it is important to provide for the most durable fastening. The use of the projector is carried out with small sketch parameters.

The jigsaw is used when gluing self-adhesive paper onto the coating. Using a printer, an image is printed, followed by a sticker on plywood.

Today, many people tend to decorate the interior with pleasant little things, for example, carved elements. Wood products with beautiful ornaments and patterns are very popular. The tree always decorates the house, creates comfort, and most importantly, is a natural material. Wood carving is a very pleasant and interesting activity that everyone can master if they carefully study the process and prepare for work.

Features of work

A jigsaw is a tool that allows you to cut various elements out of plywood and create ornaments. A thin blade with teeth makes various cuts, lines and allows you to create jewelry from wood. The jigsaw is also used in construction, but in this article we will focus on cutting out decorative elements. Cutting with a jigsaw has a number of features. There are many variations of this tool. The two main varieties are manual and electric jigsaws. Initially, a manual jigsaw was invented. This design consists of an arc and a blade. The blade is secured with clips that allow you to change the tension. The frame includes a handle.

The clamps can be positioned to rotate. This allows you to change the plane and create complex threads. The blade of a manual jigsaw and its entire structure are subject to wear, so the blade has to be changed frequently. masters who work hand tool, have a lot of spare files for replacement. A jigsaw is a tool that runs on a network. There are mechanisms in the body, there is a handle on the body, the sawing element is located in the front part at the bottom of the body. Sometimes there is a foot that helps to cut more evenly. There are models with nozzles used to facilitate sawing, leveling the edge.

When working with an electric jigsaw, you should familiarize yourself with the parameters that are prescribed in the instructions in order to know exactly how to use the tool for cutting out patterns. Such a tool differs from a manual jigsaw in the attachment of the file, its thickness and weight. The jigsaw has more weight and less accuracy, but much higher performance.

You can use a jigsaw for construction work. It is difficult to work with such a tool for a long time. For decorative elements, it is heavy and not very accurate. The material may suffer, and the accuracy of the pattern may be distorted.

Choosing the Right Material

To work with a jigsaw for sawing, plywood is used. Birch thin plywood 2-8 mm thick is best; for very openwork and dense patterns, sheets up to 3 mm thick are used. And also use specially prepared wooden blanks. It is more difficult to work with wooden blanks, but very beautiful edges remain. Plywood is easier to use and more affordable. Before starting work, it is worth preparing high-quality plywood. It is important to pay attention to some features of the material.

• For artistic cutting, sheets less than 5 mm thick are used, for furniture elements, 1-2 cm sheets are used.
• If you are going to cover the product with a colorless varnish, then the color of the plywood must be chosen carefully. If the finished product is covered with paint, colored varnish or stain, then plywood can be any.
• Plywood should be dried well up to 40-65%. Raw material will cause the tool to jam.
• The quality of plywood for art work must be high, plywood of the first or highest grade.
• Carefully check the material for knots and foreign spots.
• Check that the material is free from bulges, voids and resin stains.
• Check the sheet for material delamination.

You can check the quality of factory gluing of plywood like this: saw off a piece 1-2 cm wide, if the plywood is of high quality, then the strip will not delaminate and will not crumble.

Required Tools

When sawing with a jigsaw, a certain set of tools is used. So, for work you will need:

• electric jigsaw and manual jigsaw;
• plywood or special processed board (thickness depends on the product);
• an awl, a drill with a drill, in order to make a hole into which the blade will then be lowered;
• several different files and sandpaper to smooth the edges;
• drawings, patterns, stencils for applying to wood;
• mallet, hammer, pliers;
• desktop - a surface of 20 by 30 cm with a hole converging to a cutout 3-5 cm in diameter at an acute angle;
• a thin awl and a pencil for transferring the image to the board;
• spare saw blades for electric jigsaw different kind cut;
• spare files for hand tools.

Beginner files for a manual jigsaw will need a lot. They are consumed in large quantities by trained carvers. To create patterns, it is worth using a manual jigsaw; longer and straighter cuts are made with an electric tool. The accuracy of the manual is higher, but the performance is less.

Jigsaw sawing technology

Like any hobby and craft, sawing will take time to learn, but if you master this not the most difficult stage, you can create extraordinary gifts and jewelry. You will be able to realize many ideas without spending much on materials. Start by preparing a workplace that has everything necessary tools, drawings and materials. It is recommended to sit on a chair of sufficient height so that the back does not slouch. Place your right (or left, if you are left-handed) hand on your knee with your elbow to relieve some of the load. At the same time, make sure that your knee or arm does not become numb. The desktop must be in order, remove all unnecessary tools and materials that you are not currently using. Fix sketches and drawings vertically in front of you at the same level with your eyes. Observe safety precautions.

In order to cut chipboard evenly, a number of requirements must be observed.

• Make only the correct vertical movements with a hand with a jigsaw. Do not try to speed up the process by pushing the jigsaw to the side.
• Work with the maximum possible amplitude of the tool up and down, without jerking and choppy turns, to make a cut, use the entire surface of the blade. It will be more efficient.
• Gently rotate and move the workpiece with the other hand. Do it slowly and calmly.
• Do not press on the canvas from the side with a file.
• The sawing process takes place when moving from top to bottom; when moving backwards, you should also not press on the tool.

When working with a hand tool, cut along the inner border of the pattern contour, because any material leaves a cut, and this should be taken into account when working. At the end of sawing, loosen the jigsaw clamp so that the arc is longer elastic. Do not store the jigsaw with the file taut. This is detrimental to the performance of the instrument and its frame. To master carving with a jigsaw, you should start with the simplest elements. For example, with a straight cut. A straight line is the basis of the simplest drawings. Sometimes it takes a lot of skill to cut a simple countertop, any elements require a straight cut - as part of the pattern, as a docking point.

When carving, chips may form. It's very spoiling appearance. A straight cut will allow you to create even elements and sharp corners. The main thing is to avoid chips and bumps.

To reduce chips, you need to properly thread:

• with low quality materials, use tools with small teeth, and cut faster;
• try a file with reverse or reverse teeth;
• using masking tape or tape, reinforce the cut line;
• Moisten the reverse side of the plywood with water.

• fix the material, as with a straight cut;
• put plywood with a contour on the work surface;
• cut slowly, moving the workpiece so that it does not exceed the contour boundary, with your left hand;
• when deviating from the line, stop the feed, and with a short straight motion move the blade back to the line;
• the first circles that are made will most likely not be perfect, but after a few attempts you will be able to show off an even circle.

Similarly, it is worth cutting any elements, including obtuse corners. An acute angle, in order to avoid a chip, is made by two lines connecting at the top. At the finished product, all edges should be processed with a file, and then with sandpaper. After processing, the product is varnished, colored paint, stain.

On the Internet today you can find a huge number of diagrams, drawings and sketches for cutting. For beginners, it would be better to use simple elements, for example, cartoon images without small details. With the help of different sawing out of figures, toys, parts for the artistic decoration of furniture, shelves, countertops, doors, decorative boxes and candy boxes are created. Large and very small items, such as brooches.

With a simple jigsaw, you can make wooden decorative tiles. Such elements are used to decorate walls. They also use sawing with a jigsaw to work with laminate, its edges and individual parts. When cutting according to a drawing, it is not necessary to complete the model with accuracy. When performing a part, you can change the proportions, add additional elements: beads, buttons, decorative elements, ribbons.

Here are some simple and more interesting patterns and patterns for cutting out. You can change their sizes and parts.

How to cut patterns?

The most difficult, but beautiful, is the artistic cutting out of patterns. To create an ornament, you need to transfer the stencil to plywood. In order to make a stencil, use whatman paper, paper or wallpaper remnants. Large pieces of furniture can be placed on whatman paper or a piece of wallpaper, for small items a simple A4 sheet is suitable. On a sheet with a pencil, you need to create a drawing or take a ready-made one, then you need to duplicate it with a brighter pencil or felt-tip pen to make it easier to transfer the drawing to a wooden blank. In order to make a pattern or ornament using a manual and electric jigsaw, you must:

• draw or find a drawing on the Internet that you will translate and cut out;
• transfer this pattern to the workpiece;
• cut out a drawing - large elements can be made with an electric jigsaw, small elements only with a manual jigsaw;
• remove the remnants of paper if you glued the stencil to plywood;
• process the edges;
• clean the product from dust and chips;
• cover with varnish, stain or paint.

There are the following options for transferring a pattern to a workpiece:

• simple drawings can be transferred with an awl, and then connect the lines with a pencil;
• you can use carbon paper;
• stick the drawing on the plywood with glue or double-sided tape, and after work remove the rest of the paper.

Artistic jigsaw carving involves preparation and skills that require patience and hard work to learn. Start with simple patterns, gradually complicating the schemes. Openwork products are very elegant and beautiful, and they are also an inexhaustible space for creativity and imagination. Figured cutting will require more work with a manual jigsaw than an electric one, as mentioned above. A manual jigsaw allows you to make small elements in a drawing. Particular attention should be paid to the corners, which can provoke cracks or splitting of the corner.

A large number of elements and parts makes the workpiece more fragile, so do not make sharp turns, cut slowly, carefully move the workpiece, work smoothly.

fixtures

To work with a jigsaw, it is worth using a number of tools that have been described earlier. But there are also a large number of devices for cutting out elements. At the first stage, most likely, you will get by with the necessary minimum set, then you can use special tools to equip the workplace. Their choice will depend on the initial set. You will understand in the process of work what you need. To make complex elements, different types of files are used. But also special attention should be paid to the countertop. All figures are cut out according to the same principle, but the smaller the details, the more difficult their execution.

Safety

When working with a jigsaw, it is worth comply with safety regulations.

• To protect yourself from fine dust and chips, use goggles, gloves, and a bathrobe.
• When working, keep a distance between your hand and the blade. Carve carefully and calmly.
• Carefully read the instructions for the tools, study the parameters of the jigsaw. Use the tool as directed to avoid injury and tool failure due to misuse.
• If you are a beginner, please read the instructions carefully to understand how to use.
• Use only fully functional and serviceable tools. Before each use, check the jigsaw and other equipment for damage and integrity of the insulation.

• Do not use damaged blades.
• When working with an electric tool, attach the workpiece with a clamp, hold the jigsaw with both hands. If it is not possible to secure the workpiece tightly, work with an assistant who must also observe safety precautions by wearing protective equipment.
• Observe fire safety when working with flammable substances: open fire and electric heating elements and appliances cannot be located closer than 5 meters from the workplace used.
• Provide proper ventilation for removal of dust from a carving and vapors of paint and varnish substances from a working space.

Woodcarving with a jigsaw should be neat, done with special care. Both your health and the beauty of the finished product depend on it. Use glasses even with the manual method, as the file can easily break and its fragments will scatter around. This is an important condition for working with sawing tools.