How To Make A Plunge Cut With A Jigsaw

When working with wood pieces, carpenters have to do a lot of cuts to meet the design requirements. Often they use special tools and accessories to achieve these intricate cuts. But for general people, cutting a shape into a wooden board seems quite impossible unless you have those expensive tools.

This is not entirely true! If you have a jigsaw, you can cut any shape into your wooden pieces. Even if it is a tricky plunge cut in the center, it is possible. Stick to the end to know all the tricks and tips on how you can plunge cut with a jigsaw the right way.

What Is A Plunge Cut?

In woodworking, plunge cut is a pretty common way to carve different shapes into a wooden piece. The Traditional cut starts from the edge of the board but the plunge cut starts in the middle. The cutting progression begins with plunging the saw into the board, hence the name plunge cut.

With this technique, you can cut circles, squares, and other shapes you desire. This particular cut is very helpful for making the subwoofer enclosure and making a way for another design element to take place.

Is It Safe To Plunge Cut With A Jigsaw?

Ideally, the jigsaw is a great tool for cutting in a straight line. More specifically, most people use a jigsaw for edge-to-edge cuts. Want to remove an excess portion of the board? Just run the blade on the mark. The blade will mostly use the middle part for all the cutting.

But in plunge cutting, the tip of the blade strikes first. After a few strokes, it cuts enough to sink the blade fully. So technically it is perfectly safe to use a jigsaw for plunge cutting. Unless you are using a very thin blade or a very thick workpiece, the blade won’t break that easily.

Which Jigsaw Blade Should You Use For The Plunge Cut?

Though there are a lot of variations in blade type, you should always use the T –shank blade for maximum performance. The locking mechanism in this blade is far superior to any other jigsaw blade in the market. It’s convenient too in terms of the quick swap.

For teeth count, use the highest number for the smooth finish. For quick cutting, lower teeth count makes the most progress in exchange for ragged edges. Also if you have a powerful jigsaw, a thick blade will give you the most benefits.

Step By Step Guide To Plunge Cut With Jigsaw

Step 1: Make the necessary measurement and marking for the cutting. Finding a good entry point is very crucial in plunge cutting.

Step 2: Securely place the workpiece on the table. Remember to keep enough space under the workpiece so the blade can move freely. You can use planks or any kind of support beam to lift the wood board.

Step 3: There are two easy ways you can plunge a jigsaw into a wooden workpiece. You can either pre-drill some holes at the entry point or use the jigsaw directly. Pre-drilling will make plunging significantly easy.

But if you don’t have a power drill, use the jigsaw blade to etch an entry point. Tilt the jigsaw slightly forward. The blade should contact the board at about a 90-degree angle. Run the jigsaw at half speed and apply gentle pressure in a scooping motion.

Step 4: Once you complete the initial plunging; you can now run the jigsaw at full speed if you like. And don’t forget to sand down the rough edges afterward.

Things To Keep In Mind When Doing Plunge Cuts With Jigsaw

Here are some pro tips that will allow you to get the most out of your jigsaw and plunge cut.

• Always go along the grain for easier entry
• Use multiple clamps to hold down your piece
• Plan beforehand about the wood dust
• Slow speed makes a smooth cut
• Use safety glasses and gloves
• Remove battery whenever you are swapping blades
• Keep your finger out of the jigsaw track

How To Cut A Square Hole In The Wood With A Jigsaw?

Making a square plunge cut is much easier than a circle cut. You don’t need special guiding tools or accessories. Begin your plunge cut from any point of the square. You can also pre-drill the four points to make things easier.

How To Cut A Circular Hole With A Jigsaw?

Although jigsaws can’t cut a perfect circle due to vibration, now it’s easier than ever. There are a lot of aftermarket guiding tools out there that help to move the jigsaw in a perfect circle. Just attach the guiding tool to your jigsaw and adjust the radius to your measurement. They are pretty affordable too.