All You Need to Know About Jigsaw Cutting Depth – Best Guide

Other tools, such as a table saw or circular saw, cannot make cuts that the jigsaw can. With the jigsaw it is possible to cut curves and circles. On the other hand, table saws have the advantage of allowing the cut depth to be adjusted. But what about the cutting depth of a jigsaw?

The jigsaw cutting depth is fixed, but it can be adjusted by using longer or shorter blades. Four factors influence the thickness of the wood that can be sawed: blade length, TPI, wood type, and motor type.

Because many people are unaware of the jigsaw cutting depth and make numerous mistakes as a result, I will go over it in greater detail in this article. This way , you’ll know what the jigsaw can handle and how to use it correctly in your workshop.

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What Determines the Jigsaw Cutting Depth?

The jigsaw may be designed to make cuts that are impossible with other tools such as curves, circles, or other non-standard patterns , but there is a limit when it comes to jigsaw cutting depth.

The jigsaw cutting depth depends on several factors that determine how thick the wood can be cut with a jigsaw.

Jigsaw cutting depth factor #1: length of the blade

The first limitation on how thick wood a jigsaw can cut depends on the length of the jigsaw blade. A jigsaw cannot cut wood thicker than the length of the blade under the saw base. But beware, it does not mean that you have a saw blade of 75 mm (3 inch) that you can also cut wood with this thickness. There are parts of the blade that are not used.

The blade moves up and down and will only cut wood the length of the blade when in the top position. This length that provides the length you can cut is called the stroke length.

Never saw wood thicker than the stroke length. Otherwise, the tip of the blade will not penetrate the wood and will collide with the wood due to the swinging movement, which can cause the bending or breaking of the saw blade. More information on how to bend your jigsaw blade can be found in my article, 10 Jigsaw Blade Bending Reasons You Should Know (Solved)

Jigsaw cutting depth factor #2: TPI

The number of teeth on the jigsaw blade is the second limitation to how thick wood a jigsaw can cut. This is always expressed in terms of teeth per inch (TPI). You must understand that the thinner the piece of wood that can be cut, the fewer teeth per inch on the jigsaw blade.

This is due to the fact that with fewer teeth, the gullet between the teeth is larger, allowing wood chips to be removed more quickly. This keeps the blade from clogging and overheating.

Jigsaw cutting depth factor #3: Type of wood

The third constraint is the type of wood you are cutting. Because of the friction and heat produced, the harder the wood is, the more difficult it is for the jigsaw to cut. As a result , the softer the wood, the thicker the jigsaw can cut.

Jigsaw cutting depth factor #4: The motor

A final consideration, albeit much less important than the previous three, is the power of the motor in your jigsaw. If you have a less expensive cordless jigsaw, it may not have as much power and may struggle to cut through certain woods. This is not always the case, so learn more about your particular model.

Can You Set a Jig Saw for Depth?

No, setting a jigsaw to depth is not possible because of the fixed end positions of the jigsaw. What you can do to adjust the length, is to use shorter or longer types of jig saw blades.

What Is the Best Cut Depth for a Jigsaw?

There are many types of jig saw blades, and they come in a variety of lengths. The most common lengths are 75 mm (3 inch) and 100 mm (4 inch). In these unusual circumstances, longer blades are available for cutting thicker pieces of wood with a jigsaw.

As previously stated, your saw blade’s length will not be able to cut through the same thickness of wood. You can accomplish this with a simple rule. Subtraction of 25 mm (1inch) from the total blade length to determine the maximum thickness of wood that a jigsaw can cut. That is , a 100 mm (4 inch) blade has a stroke length of 75 mm.

Learn how to switch between blades properly in my step by step guide, How Do You change a Jigsaw Blade? a Clear 2 Minute Guide.

As mentioned earlier in this article, it is not a good idea to saw wood where the top of the blade does not or barely penetrates the wood. If possible, cut a piece of wood that is at least 15 mm (1/2″) thinner than the effective blade length.

The jigsaw blade can now move back and forth. It also keeps the blade from jamming and breaking while removing sawdust effectively.

How to Pick the Right Jigsaw Blade According to the Jigsaw Cutting Depth

Choosing the best jigsaw blade is determined by several factors. I’ve listed them briefly below, but I recommend reading my article, Choosing the Perfect Jigsaw Blades in 3 Simple Steps | FREE DOWNLOAD. I will go into greater detail here, and I can also quickly locate the appropriate jigsaw blade for your job. Check out that article for helpful hints and direct links to recommended jig saw blades.

The width of the wood

When cutting thicker wood, pay close attention to the teeth per inch (TPI) of the jigsaw blade you’re using. A blade with fewer teeth per inch has a larger gullet and can remove more sawdust with each blow.

For thicker cuts, it is also preferable to use the jigsaw at a slower speed. Reduce the pressure between the blade and the wood by not pushing the jigsaw as hard through the cut. The slower you want to move the jigsaw , the thicker the piece of wood.

A slower jigsaw blade speed is also recommended. therefore, most jigsaws have a button for controlling the sawing speed.

Understand the wood you’re working with.

Jigsaws can cut materials other than wood, such as plastic and metal. When it comes to wood , jigsaws can cut both hardwood and softwood.

However, the process you use to cut hardwood is different from if you were to cut softwood. The harder the wood, the slower you push the jigsaw through and the lower you set the speed of the blade.

Straight versus curved cuts

Wider jig saw blades are generally designed for making long, straight cuts. Narrow jig saw blades are used for curved cuts. Pay attention to this when determining the right jigsaw blade. ​

Remember, always use sharp jigsaw blades to achieve the best result. Learn how you can see your jigsaw blade is dull in this article , so you can change at the perfect moment.

Can a Jigsaw Cut a 2×4?

I couldn’t imagine doing woodworking without a jigsaw in my workshop. It’s a very useful tool for a wide range of cuts, but can a jigsaw cut a 2×4 or a 4×4?

I have good news for you : a jigsaw can cut through a 2×4. A 4×4, on the other hand, will no longer work with this type of tool. Unfortunatly, the jigsaw cutting depth of a standard blade will not be sufficient to achieve the thickness of a standard 4×4.

If you want to cut through a 4×4, you’ll need to look into other options, such as a table saw. If you don’t have a table saw, I recommend reading Small Workshop? Make Use of This Table Saw Alternative (Solved).