What is the cutting depth of a jigsaw?
What is the cutting depth of a jigsaw? |
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The cutting depth, or cutting capacity, is the maximum depth a jigsaw can cut. It is determined by the stroke length of the jigsaw as well as the length of the cutting edge of the blade. For more information, see
Most manufacturers will give their jigsaw’s maximum cut depth for wood, steel and non-ferrous metal. |
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Wood |
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The depth a jigsaw can cut to in wood ranges from 40mm (1½”) to as much as 150mm (6″).
Saws with a greater cutting depth are much more versatile as they are able to cut through a wider variety of workpieces. |
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Whilst a greater cutting depth is certainly advantageous in terms of adaptability, a deeper cutting action does increase the chance of the blade deflecting which will affect the accuracy of your cut. | |||
Non-ferrous metals |
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Jigsaws are capable of cutting to a depth of between 10mm (⅜”) and 40mm (approx 1½”) in workpieces made of non-ferrous metal. | |||
Mild steel |
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As steel is harder than wood and metals like aluminium, the cutting depth of jigsaws for steel is considerably less.
The capacity of a jigsaw for steel is usually between 5mm (approx. ¼”) and 15mm (approx. ⅝”). |
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However, the cutting capacity of a jigsaw does not necessarily determine the materials it can cut.
The thickness and density of the material that can be worked on is dictated by the power of the tool’s motor. For more information, see |
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