Most blades will be labeled with the type of material they can be used on. Look on the packaging or on the label printed directly on the blade.

Wood blades tend to have as many as 12 teeth per 1 in (2. 5 cm), while metal blades can have up to 36 teeth per 1 in (2. 5 cm). Fine-toothed blades work best when they’re used at a slower speed so they don’t break.

Coarse-toothed blades leave a rough surface and will chip wood.

The type of connection you need depends on the model of your jigsaw. Check your jigsaw’s manual to see what type of connection you need. Some quick releases have a small lever you need to turn before the blade locks in. Try pulling on the blade once you insert it to make sure it fits tight. To remove the T-connection blade, pull on the lever on the quick release and pull the blade out. Make sure your jigsaw is unplugged or disconnected from power before you change the blades.

To remove the blade, simply turn the screw counterclockwise and pull the blade out.

Whenever you aren’t using your jigsaw, unplug it so you don’t accidentally turn it Coil the cord once around your dominant arm so the cord doesn’t hang down loosely.

If you need to cut a hole in the center of your material, balance it between 2 sawhorses so you can easily cut through it without damaging your work surface. You don’t need to use clamps if you’re making a vertical cut on a wall.

Most jigsaws have a lock switch next to the trigger. If your jigsaw has one, push it with your thumb to lock the trigger in place so you don’t have to hold it the whole time.

Use a slower speed when you need to make accurate cuts or when you’re cutting through metal. Some jigsaws have a variable-speed trigger, meaning the blade will move faster when you squeeze it harder. [12] X Research source

Don’t force the machine through your material since you may break the blade if you push too hard. Let the machine do the work for you. Keep your fingers away from the saw while you’re cutting since the blade is exposed.

Use a compass tool to draw the curved lines on your material to ensure you get a smooth outline. That way, as you work through the curve, the material will fall out in smaller pieces and relieve the pressure on the blade

Miter cuts are common for making 45-degree angles and creating clean joints between wood.

This allows you to make a cut out in the middle of the material without cutting in from the edge, like if you needed space for a vent or outlet.