What Jobs Would You Use a Jab Saw For?

A hand saw is a must-have piece of equipment for any professional carpenter or do-it-yourself home repair enthusiast. You know the drill: having a lot of tools in your toolbox is great, but having specific tools for each job is ideal. Since we have multiple types of saws available on the market to perform different kinds of cuts, look out for your specific needs. The combo of a saw’s form, tooth count and tooth contour will establish the tool’s objectives.

If you are looking for a tool to cut or carve details in the drywall’s inner sidewall, a small yet powerful and solid tool is what you need. In such cases, there are no substitutes for a jab saw. Read on to learn everything there is to know about jab saws to use them efficiently in home repairs or other professional tasks.

Why Is It Called a Jab Saw?

A jab saw, also known as plasterboard or drywall saw, is intended to puncture or ‘jab’ the middle of a piece of material to start carving — especially if the material lacks any border. A jab saw features a big pointy blade and a curvy grip. It is handy for swift cutting, trimming or clipping operations both indoors and outdoors. It’s a standard yet useful item that should be in every DIYer’s arsenal.

Components of a Jab Saw

Type of Blades:

Jab saws are divided into two distinct categories:

• Fixed blade
• Foldable blade

Fixed blade models are preferred if you want to buy a jab saw for the least amount of money. On the flip side, a foldable blade keeps the saw secure in the pocket and makes it more portable, reducing the risk of injury.

Handle

Comfort is the foremost priority of every individual. This is why you should choose a jab saw with a handle that is easy to grip. A sturdy and ergonomic handle makes it safer to use and keeps the instrument from slipping away.

Wooden handles are the most affordable and are commonly used in jab saws. Nonetheless, many complain about them not being as ergonomic.

When selecting rubber handles, use toughened ones for added comfort. Plastics may appear better if they are engineered to be more work-friendly.

Blade Teeth

The alligator teeth of nearly all the jab saws are pretty similar. In many ways, the teeth’ lengths and shapes are identical. Harder teeth are more durable and, as a result, favored.

Blade Tip

Opt for a sharp and pointed blade tip if your work majorly revolves around drywall. Since cutting directly through the material with a sharpened point will be more convenient. Contrastingly, a blunt tip may be a better choice if you simply intend to make minor trimming or pruning cuts.

Uses of a Jab Saw

A drywall saw is a jab saw with an extra-thick metal blade and rough teeth for cutting through gypsum or plasterboard. It allows you to pierce it through a small hole to enlarge it. Not only does it assist in poking drywalls or cutting tiny holes or notches in narrow spaces, but it is also used to make cutouts in drywall for the installation of pipelines and electrical panels. It was often employed to slice keyholes in the era of skeleton keys; consequently, it was dubbed a keyhole saw.

This conventional cutout tool is used to make crude incisions and saw-out slots for switch boxes and other minor apertures. They are most suited for usage in drywall with a thickness of one-fourth, three-eighths, half or five-eighths of an inch. But beware, they aren’t sturdy enough to be employed for acoustic drywall types containing concrete or other more rigid materials, such as plywood or tile — a tile saw is required for this!

While cutting, sanding or polishing drywall may be a dusty job, jab saws are manual instruments, so you won’t get a lot of tiny gritty particles, but do plan to vacuum the place after finishing the project.