Floor layers use jigsaws when they need to cut a profiled or curved shape in a board product, such as hard underlay sheets, engineered floating floors and solid timber boards.

You can also use them to cut aluminium and plastic trims if you fit the correct blade and use the right setting.

Basic operating procedure

1. Select the correct blade for the material to be cut. Set the saw to the correct speed. In general, higher speeds are used for timber, and lower speeds for metal. Secure the material to be cut.
   
   
2. Place the front of the base plate on the material, without the blade touching the work. Check that the base plate is sitting flat on the surface. Start up the saw and let it reach full speed.
   
   
3. Begin to cut, keeping the base plate flat on the work at all times. Push the saw smoothly and at a steady pace through the material. Let the saw do the work - don't force the blade through faster than it wants to go.
   
   
4. When cutting curves, ease off slightly with pressure and speed to allow the blade to adjust to the changing direction.
   
   
5. Finish the cut at full speed and then release the trigger. Allow the blade to stop before putting the saw down.