Jigsaws

Precise cuts for every application.

Festool jigsaw tools enable precise curved and angle cuts, cut-outs and straight cuts in wood, plastic and metal, on site and in the workshop. High precision, optimal guidance and full control ensure clean cutting results. Whether corded or cordless, anyone looking to buy a Festool professional jigsaw tool will find the right model for every trade application.

An overview of all the uses of a jigsaw

Discover the wide range of applications for Festool jigsaws.
Laying flooring

Precise cutting of laminate, vinyl or parquet flooring.

Cuts in wood

Quick and easy cutting of various types of wood.

Kitchen installation

For example, cut-outs for sinks and hobs in worktops.

Precise contour cutting

Cutting to size trim strips, cover strips and more.

Cutting and trimming of timber components

Cutting rafters, beams and purlins up to 120 mm.

Precise curved cuts / circular cuts

Cut circles, curves and bends with precision and minimal tear-out.

Fitting-out work and furniture making

For example, cutting door frames to size.

Adjustments during installation work

Such as cut-outs for ventilation ducts or sockets in chipboard and MDF/HDF.

Cutting wooden slats to length

For example, in sub-structures and roof structures.

Timber framing

Precise cutting, notching and preparation of timber components.

Sawing in interior fit-out or drywall construction

For cutting holes in gypsum fibreboard or plasterboard.

Editing multiplex

Low-splinter sawing of veneered plywood and sheet materials.

Cutting insulation boards to size

Cutting into insulation boards and sandwich panels – including angle cuts.

Cutting of metallic materials

Such as aluminium, non-ferrous metals, metal profiles, steel and more.

Which tool is right for me?

Cordless or corded jigsaw tool?

“Whether to choose a cordless jigsaw or a mains-powered jigsaw tool it is a matter of personal preference. For me, a cordless pendulum jigsaw is naturally the first choice on a building site. Mobility and flexibility are the top priorities here. In the workshop or at a dedicated workstation, a corded jigsaw can also make sense.”
Festool Application Expert, José Kunze

The Festool PSC-E 18 cordless pendulum jigsaw tool is ideal for you if you’re looking for a compact, handy 18 V jigsaw for fitting work. It's suitable for quick timber cuts to length, up to a cutting depth of 40 mm and for example, during installation, in furniture, kitchen and interior fit-out work. The fixed 90° table ensures right-angled cuts are easy and without need for adjustment. The Festool PSC 500 and PSBC 500 cordless pendulum jigsaws are the right choice for powerful and versatile applications. With a cutting depth of up to 120 mm, these cordless jigsaws are also suitable for larger cross-sections, formwork and stair components made of solid wood. The large cutting depth expands the range of applications for thick materials.

Thanks to clever accessories and the mitre cut function, they are therefore an ideal tool for carpenters, joiners and cabinetmakers for a wide range of solutions. Do you prefer a corded jigsaw tool? Then the Festool PS 300 and PSB 300 pendulum jigsaws with mains connection are ideal for you. This also applies if, for example, you work a lot in the workshop or at a dedicated workstation. The various Festool jigsaw models are optimally tailored to different requirements and applications. The key is that the jigsaw tool suits your workflow in professional use, it’s the interplay between the machine, battery, saw blade and dust extraction that counts. Working with a Festool system and 18 V power enables you to seamlessly switch between batteries and machines on the job. Powerful TBX Tabless batteries ensures fast work progress and compatibility with all your 18V cordless machines and chargers. Festool jigsaws come in Systainer³ that are compatible with one another and can be connected to all previous Systainer generations, mobile dust extractors and many other system accessories, such as roll boards or the mobile workshop.

 

What materials can I cut with a jigsaw?

With a high-quality jigsaw, you can work with a wide range of materials and cut your workpiece with precision and minimal tear-out. The right saw blade makes all the difference: Designed for specific materials and applications, Festool jigsaw blades ensure clean cuts and efficient working. The Festool jigsaw blade range includes blades for wood as well as blades for plastic, metal and building materials.
WOOD jigsaw blade
Wood
WOOD jigsaw blade

Jigsaw blade for use on wood, delivering clean, tear-free cuts. Available in various types for fast, right-angled, highly precise or curved cuts.

Jigsaw blade for plastics
Plastics
Jigsaw blade for plastics

Jigsaw blade for cutting solid plastic, fibre-reinforced plastics, plastic profiles, acrylic glass (e.g. Plexiglas®), soft plastics, as well as laminate and melamine-faced boards (e.g. Trespa®).

Jigsaw blade for METAL
Metal
Jigsaw blade for METAL

The jigsaw blade for tear-free cuts in aluminium, non-ferrous metals and steel, as well as sandwich materials.

Jigsaw blade BUILDING MATERIALS
Building materials
Jigsaw blade BUILDING MATERIALS

The jigsaw blade for gypsum-bonded and cement-bonded chipboard and fibreboard, soft insulation materials, bricks and ceramics, cardboard or polystyrene.

Jigsaw Tool FAQ
Frequently asked questions about application, selection and use.

Basics and functions

What is the stroke length of a jigsaw tool?

The pendulum action refers to an additional back-and-forth movement of the saw blade, which increases cutting speed. Depending on the material and application, different pendulum settings can be selected to achieve faster cutting results, better curve tracking or cleaner cut edges.

“The pendulum action significantly speeds up the cut. For clean visible edges, I switch it down – this reduces tear-out at the cut edge,” explains Festool Product Manager Tobias Beisbarth.

What are the differences between a jigsaw and a pendulum jigsaw?

The main difference between a jigsaw with and without a pendulum action lies in its cutting performance and the tasks for which it is suitable. A jigsaw with a pendulum action enables rapid cutting progress when making straight cuts in wood. Without a pendulum action, on the other hand, offers maximum control and ensures particularly precise, clean cutting results.

Pendulum jigsaws such as the Festool PSB 300 EQ-Plus combine both advantages in a single tool. Thanks to switchable pendulum settings, the cutting speed can be flexibly adapted to the material and application – for fast sawing in wood as well as for controlled precision work.

Why is automatic speed control needed?

The automatic speed control ensures that the speed is reduced at the start of the cut and increases to the maximum speed when under load (fully engaged with the material). This makes it easier to position the tool and make the initial cut into the workpiece.

Do Festool jigsaws also have a light?

Our cordless jigsaws feature built-in light. The light improves visibility of the marking and cutting line and aids precision. The PSC-E 18 has a continuous light, whilst the light on the PSC 500 and PSBC 500 can be switched off and adjusted via the Festool app.

What is the difference between a jigsaw and a reciprocating saw?

A jigsaw is designed for curves and cut-outs. A reciprocating saw, such as the Festool RSC 18, is mainly used for rough cutting and dismantling work.

Batteries, charging and the system

Which battery pack or charger is the right one for my cordless jigsaw?

The Festool PSC-E 18, PSC 500 and PSBC 500 cordless jigsaws use 18-volt battery packs from the Festool cordless system. The batteries are compatible with numerous other Festool cordless tools and enable flexible, efficient use within the entire Festool 18V system.

Compact batteries are suitable for light assembly work, whilst higher-capacity batteries enable longer running times for power-intensive cutting results. Suitable chargers ensure short charging times and immediate readiness for use.

For maximum endurance and consistent performance, our application experts recommend the Tabless battery pack BP 18 TBX 4 C-ASI and the TCL 6 charger. Both are available together as a starter set.

Accessories and saw blades

Why do you need shatter protection?

The splinter guard reduces tear-outs along the cut edge, particularly when working with laminate, veneered or coated panels. The splinter guard presses the material down on the top of the workpiece during sawing, ensuring clean and splinter free finish.

Do I need different protection pad for different materials?

Different protective pads are useful for protecting delicate surfaces, such as coated panels or metals, from scratches. At the same time, they improve the guidance of the Festool jigsaw when working on delicate materials.

Is it worth using a guide rail with a jigsaw?

A guide rail for jigsaws improves precision when cutting long pieces of material. It helps you to cut in a straight line and is particularly useful for precise cutting in furniture and interior design. The corded Festool PS 300 jigsaws can be used in conjunction with a guide rail and a bevelled saw blade on materials up to 20 mm thick.

What is a rip fence used for?

A rip fence is ideal for making long parallel cut with a jigsaw and for quickly achieving consistently accurate cut widths of up to 200 mm without the need for a guide rail. Festool offers the PA-PS/PSB rip fence for this purpose, which you can use with the PS 300 and PSB 300 models.

How often should saw blades be replaced?

Saw blades should be changed as soon as the cut quality deteriorates, more force is required or the material starts to burn.

To ensure it lasts as long as possible, you should always use the correct Festool blade for the material in question. It is therefore advisable to change it whenever you switch materials. This not only ensures a better cut quality but also reduces wear and tear and increases cost-effectiveness. Festool’s clear colour coding makes it easy to quickly select the right blade.

What do I need to bear in mind when changing the saw blade?

First switch off the machine by removing the battery or unplug the power cord. The shank should be inserted correctly and secured firmly to ensure that the jigsaw blade is guided steadily during cutting.

When changing the saw blade, ensure you use the Festool jigsaw blade suitable for the material. Festool’s practical colour coding makes it easy to quickly select the right jigsaw blade for the material in question.

Application and materials

How do you make clean, straight cuts with a jigsaw tool?

If you want clean and straight cutting results, you require the right blade, a steady hand and the correct settings. A reduced pendulum action, a consistent feed rate and a clear view of the cutting line significantly improve precision.

How do you cut tight curves and rounded shapes?

For tight curves, our Festool application experts recommend a jigsaw blade with set teeth. The pendulum action should be reduced or switched off so that the blade can follow the contour cleanly. Our Festool application experts recommend using the PSC 500 cordless pendulum jigsaw in conjunction with the circle cutter and the circle cutter base plate for cutting circles.

Can I cut laminate flooring without leaving any splinter marks?

Yes, it is possible to cut laminate without splintering using a jigsaw. To do this, use a special laminate saw blade (e.g. the Festool PLASTICS LAMINATE jigsaw blade), a splinter guard and a reduced pendulum stroke. For particularly clean-cut edges, the laminate can also be sawn from the back to minimise tear-outs on the visible side.

Can you cut metal with a jigsaw?

The Festool metal jigsaw blade makes it easy to cut aluminium, non-ferrous metals and steel profiles. Our application experts recommend using the PSC 500 cordless jigsaw in combination with the steel base plate and the appropriate metal saw blade. A low stroke rate and a steady feed ensure clean cut edges and prevent overheating.

How can you reduce dust and noise when sawing indoors?

Connecting a dust extraction system significantly reduces dust levels. That is why our Festool jigsaw tools always come with the appropriate extraction adapters included. When used in conjunction with the appropriate Festool mobile dust extractors, you can reduce dust levels on the construction site and during stationary use by a factor of several times. Dust and sawdust are reliably extracted directly at the cut. This always ensures a clear view of the cutting line and facilitates precise work.

In addition, sharp saw blades and optimised stroke rates reduce vibrations and noise levels.

Potential problems and solutions

It's cutting crookedly – what can I do?

“In practice this is almost always down to the saw blade or the settings,” explains Nadja Körbel, Festool application expert.

If it's cutting crookedly, this is often caused by unsuitable or blunt blades, an excessive pendulum stroke or an incorrect feed rate. Straight cuts can be achieved with a jigsaw blade suitable for the material, correct settings and a steady hand.

Why isn't it cutting in a straight line, even though the base plate / table is correctly adjusted?

Even if the base plate is correctly adjusted, blunt saw blades, incorrect pendulum stroke settings or excessive feed rates can result in crooked cutting results. Our recommendation from the applications engineering team: always check the saw blades and settings before cutting and adjust them to suit the material.

My saw blade is warping or veering off course – what is the cause?

If blades bend or veer off the cutting line, this is usually due to an unsuitable, excessively long or blunt blades. An excessively high feed rate or incorrect settings can also cause the blade to veer off to the side.

What could be the cause if the material burns, smoulders or melts?

Material burns are usually caused by excessive stroke rates or blunt saw blades. Reducing the speed and using a sharp, suitable saw blade will prevent overheating.

What should you do if the jigsaw jams or vibrates heavily whilst cutting?

Jamming or severe vibrations are often caused by unsuitable saw blades or material tension.
Application examples
Implement practical ideas with step-by-step instructions
To the application examples
Sawing composite panels with jigsaws
Sawing
Sawing composite panels with jigsaws

This application example describes how to saw composite panels using a pendulum jigsaw and a special jigsaw blade. These enable clean, quick work that delivers a precise result, so the panels can be used as external cladding for buildings, for example.

Building your own saddled staircase in the garden area
Project description, Sawing, Drilling/Screwdriving, Routing, Sanding/Brushing
Building your own saddled staircase in the garden area

This application example shows how you can build your own saddled staircase. Furthermore, a Festool portable circular saw is used in conjunction with the cross cutting guide rail system to cut out the stair stringers.