How to Use an Electric Power Jigsaw
The power jigsaw is the most fundamental cutting power tool to have in your toolkit. Although it has limitations in terms of material thickness, the jigsaw is a very versatile power tool. The availability of interchangeable blades, depending on the material to be cut, can make your life easier.
Although the power jigsaw is not a high-risk tool, it is still advisable to wear eye protection. Blades can snap and flying pieces of cut material can cause harm.
Instructions:
- Position yourself comfortably, legs apart, positioning the metal base, or shoe, on top of the material that you are about to cut and facing the cut you want to make. I find that positioning the work at about knee height works best for me.
- Hold the grip firmly, press the power button and begin your cut.
- Apply gentle pressure when cutting and do not force the blade. The motor and blade will do the work for you and forcing the cut can bind the saw. The blade of the jigsaw moves very fast in a vertical motion. If forced forward, the blade can snap off completely.
- When making a curved cut, follow the line and regulate the speed of your cut according to what the material will allow.
- When an absolutely straight cut is required, you will need a guide for the saw to follow. Due to its small size, the jigsaw blade can wander in the cut if not guided. The saw guide can be as simple as a straight piece of wood clamped at both ends onto the work piece. Over and above the gentle push forward, you would now also need to firmly push the tool against the guide. Some power jigsaws come with an accessory known as a rip-guide. Assuming the edge of your work piece is straight and you do not need to cut too far away from the edge, this will work fine.
- On completion of the cut, let the blade come to rest before laying the tool down.
Below is a short video clip to demonstrate the basic use of the power jigsaw:
Tips:
- Never force the cut as the blade may snap.
- The power jigsaw has a limitation as to the thickness (about 35mm) of material that can be cut. Cutting thicker pieces than this can cause overheating of the tool and the cut may not be true.
- Jigsaw blades are designed to cut on the up stroke. So, if you are cutting a material that has a finished side, such as laminate or panelling, you should have the finished side facing down.
- Make sure the blade is always sharp. Blades are fairly cheap and sharp blades make the saw operate much easier and more effectively.
- Should you need to stop midway through the cut, let the blade come to rest before lifting the tool from the cut. Lifting the tool with the blade still running will cause the blade to bend when hitting the top of the work piece on the down stroke.
- Should the blade get bent for some reason, it can be straitened quite effectively with a hammer on a metal block.
- If possible, invest in a power jigsaw that features variable speed as it gives you better control of the cut.
Filed under PowerTools by on Feb 21st, 2012. Comment. 
Save Money Through Regular Lawn Mower Maintenance
One of the most common electric power tools in the average household must be the lawn mower. Because it is such a common tool, it is almost accepted that it has to perform consistently without any servicing or maintenance. Lawn mowers are not exorbitantly expensive however, there is no need to replace your lawn mower every 5 years if, through proper maintenance, you can make it last for 20 years. A properly serviced lawn mower can last you for many years.
Selection
There are many types and makes of lawn mowers available today. Deciding on the type is not difficult – you either want a ride-on, a walk-behind or a push unit. The make is dependant on where you are in the world. Mowers are sold under different brand names in different parts of the world. When buying a new lawn mower, it is important to do a little bit of research (and read some reviews) in terms of what makes are popular in your area, what the availability of spare parts is like and the quality of the after sales support.
Maintenance
I have just recently retired a lawn mower after 18 years of weekly use. During this time, I replaced the blade twice. I sharpened the blade on the bench grinder at the beginning of summer every year.
Apart from giving you a nice smooth cut, this also largely reduces stress on the motor. Most modern mowers have plastic shaft bushing as opposed to wheel bearings. These I replaced once.
Purchase
If you are in the market for a new lawn mower, you may want to see what is available at Amazon.com
Feel free to leave a comment below about your experiences with your lawn mower.
Filed under PowerTools by on Feb 6th, 2012. 1 Comment.
Learn About Sharpening Drill Bits Manually
Although electric drill bit sharpeners can provide you with a perfect end result, there is no reason why sharpening drill bits manually cannot be contemplated. Over the years I have been sharpening my steel and wood drill bits quite successfully on a bench grinder. It also makes a lot of sense to practise on old or broken bits. A bench grinder fitted with a diamond-grinding wheel is the best tool for sharpening drill bits
If you have a fairly good eye for angles, you should not have too much of a problem. The most important aspect is that the cutting edges be at the same angle with the corners at the same level horizontally. Also, it is important to note that the shoulders are rounded and slope gently down, backwards from the cutting edge.
The bigger the drill bit, the easier the task. With smaller bits it becomes trickier. A snapped bit is even more challenging as you have to start from scratch. A good starting point here is to flatten the break first before starting to shape the angles.
I find that “displaying” my largest bit, gives me a good guideline for sharpening other bits. You can even use this bit to practice the required motions on the edge of your workbench.
Most manual drill bit sharpening guidelines neglect to tell you on which side of the grinding wheel you are operating. For this exercise we are operating on the right hand side if the grinding wheel, which in my opinion is natural for a right-hander. If you are left handed, just reverse the order.
Stand slightly to the right of the grinding wheel, feet apart. Hold the drill about a quarter of the way along from the point, using the left thumb and forefinger. Rest these fingers on the grinder’s tool rest. Use the right hand to hold the drill at its shank.
Hold the bit with the shank angled off to the right at about 60 degrees. Use the right hand to swing the shank of the drill out to the right. These movements are only slight. Remember to keep the left hand supported by the tool rest. As you move your right hand, use your left hand fingers to roll the drill anti-clockwise about a quarter-turn and simultaneously feed the drill forward against the grinding wheel.
Repeat this action as required and then repeat the whole process for the opposite cutting edge.
The video below visually demonstrates the hand action as described above.
If still not convinced, you may want to take a look at what electric drill bit sharpeners are available.
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Filed under PowerTools by on Jan 27th, 2012. 7 Comments.
Some Power Tool Safety Precautions
As professionals and DIY enthusiast, power tools have become part of our lives. They are obviously favoured due to the time saving factor both in terms of speed and physical effort required. However, these tools need to be treated with respect and handled with care in order to avoid unnecessary injury. Accidents mostly occur as a result of negligence or distraction and often due to overconfidence. Power tool safety is very easy to neglect and In order to safeguard ourselves against any mishaps, we need to consider the following safety aspects:
1. Personal Safety Protection
- Safety Glasses – Basic ones are relatively cheap to buy. They are very effective in protecting the eyes against dust, grass cuttings, wood shavings and splinters, fibreglass shards, metal filings, etc.
- Earmuffs/Plugs – Some power tools generate excessive levels of noise, especially in enclosed environments.
- Mask – Dust can cause more harm than what we might like to believe.
- Gloves – Although they can become a bit of an annoyance when handling small objects, gloves can prevent a lot of damage to the hands depending on the nature of the material worked on.
2. Dress
- Avoid wearing loosely fitting clothing and jewellery as these can be caught in rotating tools.
- Long hair should be tied back
- Ideally clothing should cover the whole body
- Wear solid shoes
3. Tool Knowledge
- Make sure that you study the manufacturer’s instructions in detail before commencing.
- For more advanced tools, some training may be advisable.
- It is important to be sufficiently knowledgeable in order to select the appropriate tool for the job.
- Do not carry corded power tools by their cords.
- When powering off a tool, wait for the moving parts to come to rest before laying the tool down.
4. Tool Inspection
- Check for cuts in cords and replace where necessary.
- Check for faulty parts like safety guards.
- Check for loose or dull blades.
- Check for defects or cracks in the tool housing.
- C heck for problems with safety shut-off switches
5. Tool Maintenance
- Always keep tools clean.
- Only lubricate tools according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Work Environment
- Avoid working in a wet environment.
- Keep cords out of traffic areas.
- Ensure sufficient lighting in dark areas.
- Disconnect unused tools at the power source.
- Always clean the work area thoroughly after use.
- Store power tools away and out of reach of minors when not in use.
Please fee free to leave your comments below.
Filed under PowerTools by on Jan 21st, 2012. Comment.
Exploring the Various Bosch Cordless Tools
From experience we know that Bosch tools are renowned for their reliability and durability. The Bosch cordless tools are no exception and to top it all, they are now covered by the ProVantage tool protection program. Let’s have a look at the options available:
Cordless Impact Drill/Drivers
The range comprises 14.4V and 18V Lithium-ion units. A 1/4″ Hex Drive allows one handed bit changes. A 3-LED feature ensures visibility in dark areas. A 3,200 BPM/2,800 RPM gearbox allows superior performance with high torque output and fast drive time. Offers high speed for small diameter bits and high torque for larger diameter bits. 3 Modes of operation allow the user to optimize the tool for drilling, driving and fastening applications. Externally accessible brushes make replacement easy. A unique battery pack design and customized electronics deliver optimal battery life and performance.
Cordless Drill/Drivers
The range comprises 12V through 36V Litheon units. The Brute Tough’s™ unibody power train maintains alignment between clutch, gearbox and motor for the most durable drive train system on the market. The Durashield™ exterior housing employs a flexible ABS/nylon blend to withstand every day use and abuse.
Cordless Combo Kits
Bosch Combo Kits allow you to build your tool set economically, selecting from 12V, 14.4V, 18V, 24V or 36V options. Within the voltage categories, different combinations are available ranging from 2 through 8 items.
Cordless Saws
The saw category comprises the circular saw, the jigsaw and the reciprocating saw
Cordless Hammer Drills
With Litheon™ batteries ranging from 14.4V through 36V, the high-torque mode and high-speed mode offer superior performance. The Durashield™ housing and unibody power train provide optimum reinforcement to withstand harsh conditions. Lithium-ion battery technology coupled with Bosch’s proprietary ECP (Electronic Cell Protection) system guarantees optimal performance of the tool and batteries under tough working conditions. The Litheon™ batteries are designed for maximum cycle life and minimum self-discharge. A 1/2″ Metal chuck increases durability. A high strength metal collar enhances tool durability and protection when dropped on the chuck. A newly designed power train and gears increase tool life and durability. A 25-position clutch and variable speed trigger provide additional comfort and control.
Cordless Planers
The planers come in 14.4V and 18V variations. They are width and depth adjustable and electronically counterbalanced. The single-blade design system automatically positions the blade at the ideal cutting angle, providing fast operation and a smooth finish whilst eliminating unevenness typically caused by misaligned blades. They come equipped with Bosch Woodrazor™ Micro grain blades, which last up to 30% longer than standard carbide blades and resist fractures from nail and staple strikes. A ratcheting depth knob allows foolproof setting of depth increments from 0″ – 1/16″ in one revolution. A chip ejection switch directs shavings left or right. An edge guide fence ensures consistent planing through the entire work piece. A protective shield covers the section of blade not in use and an ambidextrous lock switch avoids accidental starts.
Cordless Rotary Hammers
The Bosch 36V drills faster than key competitors, drilling at 7.1 inches per minute utilising Bulldog™ power.
Cordless Impact Tools
The range comprises comfortable, powerful and versatile 12V through 18V Max Litheon™ cordless fastening drivers. The Impactor™ feature outperforms most standard impact drivers due to its specially engineered technical features and enhancements. An innovative Hammer and Anvil system delivers up to 1,150 in/lb of torque.
Cordless Flashlights
The Bosch cordless flashlights add a fair degree of safety and value to any working environment, especially when operating in dark spaces. They operate on standard Bosch batteries, varying from 12V through 24V.
For product owner reviews and pricing information on both new and refurbished Bosch cordless tools, you may want to visit Amazon.com
Otherwise, you’re welcome to post a comment or a question below.
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Filed under PowerTools by on Jan 7th, 2012. 1 Comment.
