Created by Gary W. Adams,
Canyon Lake High School
SABRE SAW

COMMONLY CALLED: Jigsaws or Bayonet saws.

REPLACES: Key hole saw and Copen saws

USES:
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cut wood,
plastics,
Rods,
rubber,
leather,
crosscutting,
miters.
sheet metal,
fiberglass,
tubing,
masonite™,
ripping,
bevels*,
SABRE SAW

It is found in carpentry and cabinet shops and
in carpenters’, plumbers’, and electricians’ tool
chests. In order to use the saw for cutting
different types of materials, the proper type or
kind of blade must be used.

ADVANTAGE:
 It can be carried to the job instead of the job being
carried to it as in the case of a table saw. It saves
time and energy as compared to using a handsaw.
○ Most are variable speed today.

Operation Motion:
 They operate by making a reciprocating
motion, an orbital, or oval motion.
 This type of motion allows the blade to make
the cut on the upward stroke and releases
the chips on the downward stroke.

Disadvantage:
 The stroke of the blade is about 1 inch. So
the whole blade never get used.
Parts
Procedure for Safely Operating
the Sabre Saw
A. Mark the material and either clamp it to a
workbench, put it in a vise, or lay it on sawhorses to
make the cut. Curved or scroll cut material may be
moved as the cut is being made.
B. Place the front edge of the saw shoe on the
material, turn on the switch, and slowly push the
blade into the material to be cut. Leave a little of the
line or mark on the usable portion of the material.
C. For most cutting jobs, use both hands on the
handles to move the saw forward in a steady pace
without forcing it. Some saws have a trigger lock on
the handle to operate the motor for long cuts.
Procedure for Safely Operating
the Sabre Saw
D.
To make plunge cuts:




E.
The plunge cut is used when no hole is bored to start the
blade or when the blade is not started on the outside edge.
Tilt the front of the base forward to clear the blade from the
material.
With the motor running at full speed, lower the back so that
the blade will enter smoothly into the material at a place where
it is marked.
When the entire base is fully seated, move the saw forward to
make the cuts along the inside of the marked area.
Square corners are to be cut,


make the first cut to the corner edge,
back the blade in the cut.
Procedure for Safely Operating
the Sabre Saw
E. Sawing metal is similar to sawing wood;
mark the metal and place the stock in a
vise or clamp on a workbench.
 Observe the following steps when cutting
metal:
 Use a blade finer than 14-tooth to cut tubing,
screen frame stock, and angle framing.
Procedure for Safely Operating
the Sabre Saw
 Cut large-diameter tubing by making a cut through the
tubing to insert the sabre saw blade. Proceed to cut
around the tubing, keeping the saw on top as the tubing
is rotated.
 Cut very thin sheet metal by clamping the stock
between scrap pieces of material, such as thin plywood.
The outside edges should be clamped to prevent
vibration. Lay out the line of cut on the top of the scrap
material. This method of cutting thin sheet metal aids in
preventing tearing.
 When cutting heavy metal (rods, bar stock, angle iron,
or thick sheets) lubricate the blade before starting the
cut with stick wax and wax the blade while cutting if
necessary.
Procedure for Safely Operating
the Sabre Saw
 Change the saw blade if it bounces during its
use.
 Do not start the new blade directly in the old
cut.
 The new blade is thicker than the old blade;
therefore, the teeth will be damaged. Start the
new blade on the outside of the old cut and
work it into the cut slowly.
Procedure for Safely Operating
the Sabre Saw
 It is important that a sabre saw and the metal
cutting blade do the work, so do not force the
saw into the metal. A metal cutting job must
not be rushed.
G. Such materials as Formica™, plywood,
Masonite™, and synthetic resin board
are easily cut using a 10-tooth short
blade.
Procedure for Safely Operating
the Sabre Saw
F. The sabre saw can also be used to
notch heavy lumber. Mark such
materials as rafters, braces, and wall
studs (2 X 4’s) and place them on a
sawhorse for notching or making other
forms of cuts. Notching for plumbing or
electrical fittings can be accomplished
with the sabre saw.
G. Two special attachments can be used
on certain types of sabre saws.
 For example, in order to make up to a 45degree cut, remove the regular base and
attach the angle adjustable base.
 When cutting material to a certain length or
width attach the saw guide to the regular
base to make the cut.
H. For most cutting jobs, use both hands
on the handles to move the saw
forward in a steady pace without forcing
it. Some saws have a trigger lock on
the handle to operate the motor for long
cuts.
I.
When making a plunge cut,

tilt the front of the base forward to clear the blade from
the material.

With the motor running at full speed, lower the back so
that the blade will enter smoothly into the material at a
place where it is marked.

When the entire base is fully seated, move the saw
forward to make the cuts along the inside of the marked
area.

If corners are to be cut, make the first cut to the corner
edge, back the blade in the cut, and cut a curve around
to the side; cut this and the other corners in the same
manner.

Remove and reinsert the blade to cut the curved
portions out of each corner. The plunge cut is used
when no hole is bored to start the blade or when the
blade is not started on the outside edge.
Plunge Cut
J.
Sawing metal is similar to sawing wood; mark the metal
and place the stock in a vise or clamp on a workbench.
Observe the following steps when cutting metal:

Use a blade finer than 14-tooth to cut tubing, screen frame
stock, and angle framing.

Cut large-diameter tubing by making a cut through the tubing
to insert the sabre saw blade. Proceed to cut around the
tubing, keeping the saw on top as the tubing is rotated.
 Cut very thin sheet metal by clamping the stock between scrap
pieces of material, such as thin plywood. The outside edges
should be clamped to prevent vibration. Lay out the line of cut on
the top of the scrap material. This method of cutting thin sheet
metal aids in preventing tearing.
M. The sabre saw can also be used to notch heavy
lumber. Mark such materials as rafters, braces, and
wall studs (2 X 4’s) and place them on a sawhorse
for notching or making other forms of cuts.
Notching for plumbing or electrical fittings can be
accomplished with the sabre saw.

N.
Two special attachments can be used on certain
types of sabre saws. For example, in order to make
up to a 45-degree cut, remove the regular base and
attach the angle adjustable base. When cutting
material to a certain length or width attach the saw
guide to the regular base to make the cut.
Practice Test 3 Sabre Saw Safety and Parts
1.
Safety glasses are not needed while
using the sabre saw
 False
2.
Loose clothing should not be worn
when operating the sabre saw
 True
3.
A clean work area free from
obstructions and debris should be
maintained during operation of the
sabre saw.
 True
4. The stock should be secured with a bench
vise or clamp to free both hands to operate
the saw.
 True
5. The stock should be clamped securely to
prevent movement or excessive vibrations.
 True
6.
The line of cut must be free from
obstructions above and below the work.
 True
7.
Be sure the sabre saw is operated only
in a safety grounded circuit.
 True
8.
Start the cut by placing the blade
against the edge of the work and
starting the motor.
 False
9.
One tooth should be in contact with the
cutting surface at a time.
 True
10.
Exert a constant, firm pressure on the
saw to maintain a uniform forward
movement.
 True
11.
The cut-off section of stock should be
supported to prevent binding the blade.
 True
12.
The handle should be gripped firmly
with the right hand and turning
movements should be controlled with
the left hand guide knob.
 True
13.
If the saw is to be removed from the cut
prior to reaching the edge of the work,
turn off the motor and wait until the
blade stops before removing the saw
from the cut.
 True
14.
The saw may be set down on the floor
or work bench before the blade stops.
 False
15.
Overloading the saw by cutting too fast
may overheat the motor or damage the
blade.
 True
16.
Any adjustments to be made to the saw
should be done with the motor running.
 False