A power-driven jigsaw is a tool used by the carpenters in the same way as a hand-held coping saw-that is, for cutting curves and complex shapes. Its blade is small and pointed and moves rapidly up and down with a stabbing motion. Various types of blade are available for cutting wood, plastic and sheet metal, but it will not cut very thick boards or sheets. It can manage a 50mm thick softwood board or hardwood hall as thick. Jigsaws should not be pressed forward too hard, or the highly tempered blade may snap.
But they should be held firmly down on to the material they are cutting to resist the down-stroke of the blade. The blade is narrow enough to cut l3mm radius curves, but will not turn a right angled corner. It can, however, be started in the middle of a piece of wood by tilting the machine forward on its nose and gradually lowering the blade into the wood until it is upright. Jigsaws are available both as power tool attachments and as integral tools, hand-held or bench-mounted with the blade pointing upwards.