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On the other hand, a jigsaw features a so-called reciprocating motion, which means that it moves back and forth. The first major difference between these two tools, although it might not make a huge difference to you, is the way in which these two tools move their blades or attachments.Īn oscillating multi-tool features an oscillating motion, or in other words, the head moves side to side in a very quick manner. Now that you know what both of these tools are, let’s help you figure out which one to choose by taking a closer look at the main differences between them. These tools can be both battery-powered and corded and can be equipped with a variety of blades. In terms of the shape, you can imagine a jigsaw looking almost like an iron that you would use to iron clothing, but instead of heat and steam coming out of the bottom, there is a serrated blade that moves up and down at very high speeds. The jigsaw is a relatively small and handheld power saw, with the main purpose of it being to cut a variety of shapes and irregular curves into various materials including wood, metal, and other similar materials. Specifically, it is a type of reciprocating saw, which means that the blade moves back and forth very quickly, or in the case of the jigsaw, up and down. What is a Jigsaw?Ī jigsaw is a type of power saw. These tools can be both battery-powered and corded. These can allow for sawing, grinding, cutting, polishing, and more, all with a single tool and a few attachments. The neat part about oscillating multi-tools is that they can be used for a wide variety of tasks, and it is all thanks to the fact that they can accept many different attachments and accessories. The head of the oscillating power tool features an oscillating motion, which means that it works by moving the tool head side to side very many times per minute, up to 20,000 times in general. More or less, you can just imagine the letter L. In terms of its shape, it features a long and cylindrical body of about 15 inches, with a 90-degree bend at the front, which is where the head of the tool is. What is an Oscillating Multi-Tool?įirst off, we have the oscillating multi-tool, which is often considered one of the most versatile power tools around. Oscillating Multi-Tools and Jigsaws: The Basicsīefore we get into talking about the major differences between oscillating multi-tools and jigsaws, let’s first figure out what exactly both of these tools are. As such, let’s take a closer look at the two tools: at what the differences between them are and which one is better for your needs.
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If you are getting into woodworking of any sort, whether you are renovating an old house, building a new one, constructing a shed or birdhouse, or anything in between, two of the tools that you will most likely run into are oscillating multi-tools and jigsaws.īoth are very useful and versatile, but of course, they are not at all the same things. Handyman's World is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to.
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