There are various ways to achieve square holes in woods, and one of such ways is by using a jigsaw. Jigsaws are efficient tools that cut square holes in various types of woods. Also, they are lightweight tools for cutting curved lines in lumber and other materials. Being a versatile tool, it also works very efficiently in cutting straight lines and leaves you with clean work upon completion.
Table of Contents
Materials You Will Need
There are basic things that you will need to cut a square hole in wood using a jigsaw. These include;
- Measuring tape: This measures the dimensions before making them into cuts.
- Sandpaper and a sander: This helps in smoothening, polishing, and cleaning the surfaces of the wood.
- A marker (either a pen or a pencil): You’ll use this to make marks on the wood after measuring them with the measuring tape, thereby allowing you to spot your measurements easily.
- Protective wear: Safety is essential when working in the workshop. Therefore, you’ll need safety goggles, gloves, and other protective items to protect you from workshop hazards.
- Sawhorses and clamps: Both are useful for holding the wood while cutting. They lock your work, thereby minimizing mistakes during work.
- T-square: You can use this to make accurate 90 degrees on the edges of the square.
- Drilling machine: It assists in the drilling of the holes into wood.
Before going into these procedures, we will quickly give you some safety tips to ensure you’re protected while at it.
Safety Tips
- Ensure the environment has an excellent ventilation system. Adequate ventilation keeps the surroundings from being so stuffy during the sawing process.
- Strictly follow the instructions that come with the equipment.
- Wear protective clothing such as gloves, safety goggles, nose masks, which prevent you from having cuts and inhaling dust.
- Ensure that every piece of equipment is in perfect condition. Make sure you critically check the current conditions of the equipment. Have the equipment serviced where necessary. This is to ensure a safe and smooth experience while using them.
We have judiciously set out steps to help you cut square holes in wood. Without any further ado, let’s get right into these procedures.
Procedure 1: Outlining
It will prove quite challenging when trying to cut straight lines using a jigsaw freehandedly. You will only get clean cuts when you set up patterns for your jigsaw to follow.
The first step is to take correct measurements of the wood you want to use. Measure the whole length and width of the wood and outline where you want the square hole to fall.
You can achieve this by using a measuring tape, a T-square, and a marker. A T-square is used to make a correct 90 degrees in each corner of the wooden sheet. Use a tape measure or a ruler to check whether your dimensions are precise.
Also, you can use a clamp and straightedge to guide you in outlining the square you want to cut out. This works more effectively for a bigger cut and more accuracy.
Pro-tip: You should consider the shoe of your jigsaw and the distance from its edge. This is so you know the distance to place the straight edge away from the line.
Procedure 2: Secure the Wood on a Surface
After taking your measurements, secure the wood you want to work upon using a clamp. Sawhorses are preferable as they will allow a free space under the wood. The space under the wood will prevent the jigsaw from penetrating through other surfaces. Use the clamps to secure the wood on the sawhorses. Ensure that you appropriately place and clamp the wood to avoid slip-offs while working.
Procedure 3: Insert Starter Holes at the Corner of the Wood
Jigsaws cannot penetrate from above as they work effectively for sawing from the sides of the woods. Therefore, it will be vital that you make starter holes to enable the efficient performance of the jigsaw. You make starter holes by drilling into the corners of the square to be cut.
You achieve this by putting the drill bit on one of the square corners drawn. Drill till you make a hole through the wood. The starter holes are where you will put in the jigsaw blade to start the cutting. Do this to the four corners of the square.
Procedure 4: Start Cutting
Now that you are ready to start cutting, you will have to first insert the jigsaw blade in the jigsaw. Afterward, you turn the jigsaw on and put it in the starter holes you made earlier. Strictly follow the lines you drew until the square comes out of the wood. Always ensure the edge you are using the jigsaw on is square. This is to ensure that you do not come up with a cut-out outside the outlined square.
Procedure 5: While Finishing Up, Use a Sander for a Smoother Surface (Optional)
Jigsaws ordinarily would give you an excellent and smooth outcome when you are done sawing the wood. However, in a case where you are left with an uncompleted hole, or you want a very smooth surface. This is where the use of a sander comes in.
You will need sandpaper and the sanding machine itself to use a sander. You will use the sandpaper to sand down any rough surfaces the jigsaw may have left in the wood, and this will remove all rough edges and leave a fine surface. Use low grit sandpaper first, then do this a few times as you gradually increase to a 320-grit sandpaper.
The use of this is not compulsory, but in case you want to, by all means, you can go ahead.
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How to Pick an Appropriate Blade for Your Jigsaw
Electrical outlets and openings are usually made using jigsaws to make square cut-outs. You can go for the reverse teeth jigsaw blade when making square cuts with small rough edges. The reverse tooth jigsaw blade is also very efficient when dealing with fragile materials and other softer woods. This blade is to be used on woods with a finer surface to reduce the occurrence of nicking while cutting. It also works to avoid the formation of splinters at the bottom of the wood.
A plunge cut blade is more useful and efficient when working on pre-fitted plasterboards. They are also adequate for cutting softwoods, and wider blades make better long straight cuts.
Appropriate Woods for Making Square Cut-Outs Using a Jigsaw
Jigsaws are powerful equipment. Although square cut-outs can literally be made on any kind of wood, there are still some preferred ones. These types of woods are usually softwoods as they even allow for easy use by the users.
Softwoods that are more than one to two inches thick work best for jigsaws. For hardwoods, three to four inches thick also work well for jigsaw. Jigsaw blades can bend when used with some hardwoods. Hardwoods are also sometimes inadequate as they produce so much heat and friction. In addition, cut hardwoods at a low speed, or the blade will break.
Furthermore, jigsaws cannot cut woods thicker than the entire length of the blade below the saw base. Usually, jigsaw blades are four inches long. For a less challenging work experience, use a blade that is an inch longer than the thickness of the wood. This is to enable the machine to work efficiently back and forth.
Places to Get a Very Good Jigsaw
You can easily get jigsaw from most building materials stores around you. If this is not the situation, you can easily place an order online and have it delivered. Various online stores offer excellent and efficient jigsaws. Furthermore, these stores have good refund policies. They include Amazon, Makita, Bosch, Indiamart etc.
These stores get lots of good reviews. They are prominent stores you can quickly check out at your own convenient time and space. So, you would be able to get any of your choices without shedding a sweat.
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Conclusion
Square hole cutting is quite essential to becoming a professional in woodworking. Therefore, you should learn it until you attain a high level of mastery. You can also achieve square cuts using other tools such as chisels, routers, drills, and saws. However, if you want to achieve a very clean cut, you should use a jigsaw.
You should also consider that using a jigsaw can amend lots of mistakes. Nevertheless, it cannot make the hole smaller, as this is impossible.
Following these procedures with enough consistency, you will do it with more accuracy and comfortability and become a professional in this aspect of the woodwork.
Finally, endeavor to put on safety wears to protect yourself from dust and other wood particles. Consider the jigsaw blade you are using and keep all equipment away after use to avoid serious injuries afterward.
After you’ve come across this, we believe you will be able to overcome any hurdle you meet while working. We wish you a great woodwork experience!