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Perfect for cutting anything from wood to metal and tile, a jigsaw happens to be one of the most versatile and affordable power tools.
Woodworking is, however, it’s most popular use. And if you’re planning on getting yourself one of the best woodworking jigsaws out there, you’ll want to read this guide first!
Snapshot! Best Woodworking Jigsaws
In a hurry? Here are our top picks:
Best Overall | |
Runner-up | |
Best for the Money |
Comparison Chart of the Best Woodworking Jigsaws
Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
Dewalt DCS331B  | Best Overall | |
Bosch JS260  | Runner-up | |
Black and Decker JS670V  | Best for the Money | |
Crafstman CMES612  | Editor's Pick | |
Makita XVJ03Z  | Honorable Mention |
What Makes a Jigsaw Great for Woodworking?
A jigsaw can handle a wide range of cutting chores. It is user-friendly, safe, and accurate. And if you pair it with the right blade, it will chew even through hardwood. What’s more, it will certainly not cost you an arm and a leg! But here’s why it is so great for woodworking:
A Blade Design For Cutting All Shapes
A jigsaw works with a reciprocating blade with a width between 1/4- to 1/2-inch. Its size and the up and down motion that cuts while doing the upstroke, make it fit even the tightest cutting patterns. Usually, it also has a blade guide bearing, for more accurate cuts.
LED Headlights & Dust Blower
The headlight helps you follow the cutting pattern effortlessly. Since you’ll be using it for all kinds of odd shapes, it will prove extremely useful. The up and down movement of the blade will also facilitate dust removal. Yet some woodworking jigsaws specifically include a dust blower that keeps the cutting track even more visible.
Variable Speed Cutting
Some models have a variable speed trigger. Others just a couple of preset speed settings. Whatever it is, being able to customize the blade’s speed depending on each cut is highly valuable. It lets you speed things up with straight cuts and slow down as you’re getting closer to a challenging point of the pattern.
What Size of Jigsaw Do I Need for Woodworking?
From the overall dimensions and weight to the blade particularities, many factors relate to a jigsaw’s size. Here’s how they all count to woodworking applications:
Motor/Battery
Motors range from 350 to 850 watts. The lower the power, the lower the depth of the cuts, and the overall performance. For the smallest, DIY projects, a 350 W motor may work just fine. Consider a 500 W motor for woodcuts of up to 60 or 70 mm. Or a 700 W motor for cuts of up to 100 mm. In many jigsaws, you will find that 18 volts is plenty for most situations.
Blade Dimensions
Length can be anything from 2 to 3-1/2 inches. Note that the length of the blade measured from below the saw base will determine the maximum thickness of the wood it can cut.
Blade Dimensions
Length can be anything from 2 to 3-1/2 inches. Note that the length of the blade measured from below the saw base will determine the maximum thickness of the wood it can cut.
Jigsaw blade widths vary from 1/4 to 1/2 inches. The 3/8-inch ones are best for general cutting purposes. If you’re looking to make some tight radius cuts, consider a 3/8 inches blade.
Quick Take: Best Woodworking Jigsaws
Hoping to cut right to the chase? Below are the best woodworking jigsaws:
- Best Overall: Dewalt DCS331B
- Runner-up: Bosch JS260
- Best for the Money: Black and Decker JS670V
Review of the Best Woodworking Jigsaws
With all of the above details in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best options you can find on the market. As always, our selection will cover all bases!
Best Overall:
Dewalt DCS331B
PROS
CONS
Our Review
The best overall woodworking jigsaw comes from DeWalt, a company well-known for the power and quality it provides with its tools. It weighs 5.84 lbs at 11.2 x 11 x 3.9 inches, which makes for a compact unit. And thanks to the 20-Volt battery, it can handle up to 3000 SPM, translating into an excellent woodworking capability.
The list of highly desirable features boasts a keyless blade with the all-metal lever-action design. It also comes with an adjustable dust blower, and the much-coveted LED light. For easy but firm handling, the anti-slip comfort grip is a savior.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
The DCS331B from DeWalt is a favorite choice of professionals, but not only. The numerous adjustable settings, along with the high operation speed it supports, make it stand out among all the other options. The fact that it is so easy to use, powerful, and cordless makes it an even better choice, compared to the corded models.
Runner-up:
Bosch JS260
PROS
CONS
Our Review
The second-best choice of woodworking jigsaw comes from Bosch. It has variable speed control and multidirectional blade clamp, orbital action settings, and dust blower, which are all great. It weighs 6.91 lbs at 7 x 9 x 3.5 inches. And even though it is a corded jigsaw, it does make up with its 120V motor.
Convenient to use, providing a good value for the money, and quite easy to maneuver, it stands out as a very good option. The 720 W motor makes it suitable for the various needs a handyman might have. And the sensitive trigger responsible with controlling speed variation is highly appreciated.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
Apart from carrying the label of a worldwide famous power tool manufacturer, this Bosch jigsaw is a powerful and ergonomic unit. It is super easy to control, with tool-less technology for blade changing. And it was designed with a two-finger control trigger that sits nicely over an accessible top handle.
Best for the Money:
Black and Decker JS670V
PROS
CONS
Our Review
If your budget is limited, Black + Decker will catch your eye with this surprisingly affordable woodworking jigsaw. Sized at 8 x 12 x 9 inches and weighing 6 lbs, with a 720 W motor ready to support up to 3000 SPM, it can’t be overlooked.
Just like the more expensive models on the market, this one, too, lights up your cut line. It features onboard storage for the blade. And it lets you change the blade in a jiffy, with a tool-free mechanism. Also, it has this variable speed trigger for enhanced control during operation.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
As our best for the money selection, its price is clearly making it stand out. But it is, in fact, the amount of value it provides for that affordable price. Among the numerous welcomed features and benefits, you’ll particularly appreciate the SmartSelect function that automatically sets the optimal orbital setting.
Editor’s Pick:
Craftsman CMES612
PROS
CONS
Our Review
Yet another affordable power tool that incorporates many sought-after features, this model from Craftsman caught the attention of our editor as one of the best woodworking jigsaws. It has a 720 W motor, and measures 11.37 x 2.87 x 8.69 inches, weighing only 5 lbs. It makes angled cuts of up to 45o and comes with a more than decent warranty.
As expected, it features variable speed trigger and four orbital settings to better suit various applications. And its over-molded, contoured handle will allow you to work with it for longer, without feeling any particular strain.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
With this jigsaw from Craftsman, you’re getting an effective power tool that works quietly. It’s comfortable to grip and to handle. Not to mention that, with a selection of different blades at hand, it can help you cut lots of curved lines in many different wood types.
Honorable Mention:
Makita XVJ03Z
PROS
CONS
Our Review
Makita made it to our best woodworking jigsaws list with the XVJ03Z cordless bare tool. At 5 lbs (without the battery) and 3.6 x 12.3 x 9.1 inches, it is a compact but sturdy size, and it boasts an ergonomic design. Expect it to suit a wide range of applications and work well without making things too tiring for the operator.
The variable-speed motor can handle up to 2600 SPM, which makes for fast and efficient enough cutting. And, for your convenience, it features a large variable speed trigger you can put two fingers on. The blade changes swiftly, without requiring any tool. And the heavy gauge base will increase its durability and make it more stable during operation.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
As an 18V Li-Ion cordless jigsaw, it does a great job of combining precision with power. What’s more, it features the manufacturer’s Star Protection Computer Controls, which translates into a couple of practical safety features. Basically, it has protection against overheating, overloading, and over-discharging.
What Are The Benefits of Having a Jigsaw While Woodworking?
A jigsaw is generally affordable, and one can use it for many different cuts. Wondering why you should get one yourself? Or why pay more for a model with extra features? Here’s a valuable reminder:
Install The Right Blade Effortlessly
A good quality jigsaw will feature a tool-less blade changing mechanism. What’s more, you can buy yourself a set of jigsaw blades specifically designed for cutting wood. Those are sharper, and with larger teeth, widely spaced, ready to cut only on the down-stroke. For smooth finishes and finer cut lines, you can always choose a model with smaller and more closely spaced teeth.
Install The Right Blade Effortlessly
A good quality jigsaw will feature a tool-less blade changing mechanism. What’s more, you can buy yourself a set of jigsaw blades specifically designed for cutting wood. Those are sharper, and with larger teeth, widely spaced, ready to cut only on the down-stroke. For smooth finishes and finer cut lines, you can always choose a model with smaller and more closely spaced teeth.
Get The Desired Pattern Naturally
Once you have drawn your pattern on the workpiece, cutting it will be a breeze. Not only will the blade work well, in straight or curved lines. But you’ll be able to follow the pattern closely. The best woodworking jigsaws include the laser blade and dust blower as basic features, both designed to make a world of difference in how easy you can follow the pattern.
Enjoy Orbital Action For Extra Accuracy
You must have seen how most of the top manufacturers advertise their jigsaws as having 3 to 4 orbital settings. In case you were wondering, orbital action is what reproduces the natural motion you’re doing with a manual saw. Thanks to it, you’re able to make more accurate cuts.
Also, the blade will help to extract the sawdust easier. And the blade will be significantly less torn.
Conclusion
Not all jigsaws will deliver excellently on wood, but with the information from this buyer’s guide, you know exactly what to look for! Pick one with a powerful motor and a high number of strokes per minute, from either DeWalt, Bosch, Black & Decker, Craftsman, or Makita.
People Also Ask
Just in case you were wondering, there are also some specific how-to questions related to woodworking with a jigsaw. Here’s what people usually want to know and what you, too, should know!
How Thick Of Wood Can A Jigsaw Cut?
A blade’s length, starting right from below the jigsaw’s base, will dictate how thick the wood the jigsaw can cut. When you’re looking to cut a thicker piece of wood, it helps to install a blade with fewer teeth, so it will handle the extra height of the material.
How To Notch Wood With A Jigsaw?
You can cut a square notch with a jigsaw by simply coming in, from the edge, to make the in cuts. Then, you’ll sweep in toward the line, starting from one of the in cuts, and continue with the long, straight cut until you reach the opposite in cut.
The extra material will fall, and you can now cut backward, by simply turning the saw around. This time, you’ll have the right angle to make a perfectly square notch.
How To Cut A Square Hole In Wood With A Jigsaw?
Begin by drawing the square hole on the workpiece where you intend to cut it. Then, take a drill and use it to make a hole at the inner side of the drawn square. It should be in a corner, and large enough so it will touch both of the corner’s sides.
Finally, you can place the cutting blade of your jigsaw into the drilled hole and proceed to cut the square hole following the drawn pattern.