Thread: Help with selecting best tools

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Need suggestions/advice on what are the best tools for cutting our shapes(both angular and curving) in wood. Had trouble cutting out 3/4" plywood. Skill jigsaw just doesn't work on thick wood even with right blade. Sawzall sucked but did the job in very rudimentary way. Hoping that that those who know might lend friendly advice for finding right tools for beginners workshop list. Appreciate any help.

Something I have been using recently is the 'multi-tool', mine is from harbor freight. It's got multiple blades you can use depending on material & cut-size. Not the best at fine detail, but probably better than a reciprocating saw. This also works well with styrofoam, btw.

I can usually get it for ~$30, and you can find coupons for the physical store if there is one close (back of popular mechanics is a decent source for the coupon)

Here's the online link:
http://www.harborfreight.com/multifu...ool-67256.html

Hope it helps...

I am going to assume several things that I may have missed or you left out.

1.) You are a beginner and probably bought the cheapest jigsaw you could to do the job.
In a jigsaw especially, the quality means everything. Blades also can make or break a project. I love Bosch jigsaws. The price is a bit hefty but it is worth it. Get high quality blades also. For 3/4" plywood you will want a blade with fewer teeth per inch than you would use for a thinner material. If the cut has to be much better quality, a finer blade can be used but you will have to put up with going much, much slower and probably breaking multiple blades. At any rate a good quality jigsaw will do everything you want it to do in either straight or angeled cutting.

2.) If you have a pattern and you want to make multiple pieces without angeling the blade then you might want to consider a router. This tool is harder to use but with a 1/4" pattern cutting bit you can follow your pattern easily while flying through the cutting process. Multiple pieces can be made in a matter of minutes instead of hours freehanding it with a jigsaw. A little dangerous until you get the hang of it. Get good instruction from someone before trying this tool.

Hope this helps! I am a building pro. Over 40 years of experience. These may or may not be the best choices for your projects but with your info this is the best I can recommend.

I'll 2nd the Bosch jigsaw. I use a 1590 series and I swear I could cut bricks with it if I had to. Clean, straight cuts and the Bosch blades that came with it last a long time. CPO Bosch has a factory reconditioned 1590EVSK-RT Top Handle Jig Saw with Case for $140 bucks. That is a great deal.

http://www.cpotools.com/factory-reco...gid=bosch-saws

You get what you pay for

If your serious about cutting 3/4 plywood to get fine details, get a band saw.

Even a cheap jigsaw, like my Black & Decker, should cut through 3/4 ply with the right blade just fine. I have a Bosch too, but I got that for cutting out curves in 2x12 pressure treated lumber which is very tough. Use the right blade for the wood, go slow, and have the work held down securely and you should see better results.