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Is your Makita jigsaw not cutting properly? Perhaps the blade is wandering, the cut isn't straight, the jigsaw is struggling to cut through material, or the blade keeps moving away from your cutting line.
A Makita jigsaw is designed to produce accurate, controlled cuts, but several different problems can affect its cutting performance. Fortunately, many of these issues can be resolved by checking the blade, settings and components before replacing the entire tool.
In this guide, we'll look at the most common reasons why your Makita jigsaw is not cutting properly and what you can do to fix the problem.
View all of our Makita Jigsaw Spare Parts
There are several possible causes of poor cutting performance.
The most common include:
Before assuming your Makita jigsaw has developed a serious fault, start with the blade.
One of the most common reasons for a Makita jigsaw not cutting properly is a worn or damaged blade.
Jigsaw blades gradually become blunt with use. A blunt blade can make the jigsaw work harder, produce rough cuts and make it much more difficult to follow a straight line.
Inspect the blade for:
If the blade is damaged or worn, replace it with a suitable blade for the material you're cutting.
Different jigsaw blades are designed for different applications.
For example, blades designed for wood may have a different tooth configuration from blades designed for metal. Using the wrong blade can result in poor cutting performance and premature blade wear.
Always select a blade suitable for both the material and thickness you're cutting.
If your Makita jigsaw is cutting crooked, the blade could be bending or deflecting during the cut.
This can happen when:
Try slowing down and allowing the blade to do the cutting rather than forcing the jigsaw through the material.
A sharp, suitable blade should normally require relatively little forward pressure.
If the blade isn't properly secured, it may move during operation and cause inaccurate cuts.
Remove the blade and inspect the blade holder for dirt, damage or debris.
Then install a suitable blade correctly according to the instructions for your Makita model.
If the blade continues to feel loose after installation, there could be a problem with the blade holder or blade clamping mechanism.
This may require further inspection or a replacement spare part.
Many Makita jigsaws have an adjustable pendulum or orbital action.
This setting changes the movement of the blade and can significantly affect cutting performance.
A higher pendulum setting can provide faster cutting in suitable materials, while a lower setting can provide greater control and a cleaner cut.
If you're getting poor results, try adjusting the pendulum setting to suit the material and type of cut you're making.
For delicate or fine cuts, a lower setting may provide better control.
It's tempting to push a jigsaw through the material when it isn't cutting as quickly as expected.
However, excessive pressure can actually make the cut worse.
Pushing too hard can cause the blade to bend, resulting in a Makita jigsaw cutting crooked or wandering away from your intended cutting line.
Instead, allow the blade to cut at its own rate and guide the jigsaw steadily along the line.
The base plate, or shoe, keeps the jigsaw positioned against the material.
If the base plate is bent, damaged or not sitting flat, it can affect the accuracy of the cut.
Check that:
A damaged or loose base can make it much harder to achieve accurate cuts.
The blade guide helps support the blade as it moves through the material.
If the guide becomes worn or damaged, the blade may have excessive movement.
This can result in:
If you've fitted a new blade and your Makita jigsaw is still not cutting straight, the blade guide is worth checking.
Depending on the model, replacement components may be available.
Even when using a new blade, the blade can bend if you're cutting thick or particularly hard material.
This is known as blade deflection.
If the blade starts cutting at an angle inside the material, the top of the cut may appear straight while the bottom is angled.
To reduce blade deflection:
If your Makita jigsaw has variable speed, the speed setting can affect the quality of your cut.
Different materials and blades require different cutting speeds.
Running the blade too quickly can produce excessive heat and may damage the blade or material. Running too slowly can also produce poor results depending on the application.
Experiment with the speed setting while keeping the blade and material requirements in mind.
If you've replaced the blade, checked the settings and confirmed that the base and blade guide are in good condition, the problem could be inside the jigsaw.
Potential causes include:
If the jigsaw has excessive vibration, unusual noises or significant movement around the blade, it may require further inspection.
Excessive vibration can make accurate cutting almost impossible.
If your Makita jigsaw suddenly starts vibrating more than usual, check the blade first.
A bent or damaged blade is one of the easiest causes to eliminate.
If a new blade doesn't solve the problem, inspect the base plate, blade guide and other components for excessive movement or damage.
A mechanical fault may be responsible if the vibration occurs regardless of which blade is installed.
If your Makita jigsaw is not cutting straight, start by fitting a new, suitable blade.
Then check:
If the jigsaw still consistently cuts away from your intended line, there may be a problem with one of the tool's mechanical components.
If your jigsaw is otherwise working correctly, you may not need to replace the entire tool.
A specific component could be responsible for the problem.
Depending on your Makita model, replacement parts may be available for components such as the:
Always identify your exact Makita model before ordering a replacement part, as components can vary between models.
If your Makita jigsaw is not cutting properly, work through these checks:
1. Fit a new blade
A blunt or damaged blade is one of the most common causes of poor cutting.
2. Use the correct blade
Choose a blade designed for the material and thickness you're cutting.
3. Check the blade holder
Make sure the blade is securely held and doesn't have excessive movement.
4. Adjust the speed
Use a suitable speed for the material and blade.
5. Check the pendulum setting
Adjust the orbital action depending on the type of cut you're making.
6. Reduce pressure
Don't force the jigsaw through the material.
7. Inspect the base plate
Make sure the jigsaw sits flat and securely against the workpiece.
8. Check the blade guide
Excessive movement around the blade can cause inaccurate cuts.
9. Inspect for mechanical problems
If the problem continues, an internal component may need attention.
The most common causes are a blunt or incorrect blade, incorrect speed or pendulum settings, excessive pressure, blade deflection or worn components.
A blunt, thin or damaged blade can bend during cutting. Excessive pressure, incorrect blade selection or a worn blade guide can also cause crooked cuts.
Try replacing the blade first and make sure you're using the correct blade for the material. If the problem continues, check the blade guide, blade holder and base plate.
A blunt blade, unsuitable blade or incorrect cutting speed can make cutting wood difficult. Thick or particularly hard wood may also require a more appropriate blade.
In many cases, yes. Depending on the model and fault, replacement Makita spare parts may be available for individual components, potentially allowing you to repair the tool rather than replace it.
If your Makita jigsaw is not cutting properly, don't immediately assume that the tool itself has failed.
Start with the blade, as this is often the simplest and most common cause. From there, check the blade installation, cutting speed, pendulum setting, base plate and blade guide.
If you've tried a new blade and the problem remains, there may be a worn or damaged component inside the jigsaw. Identifying the faulty part can allow you to repair the tool and get it back to producing accurate cuts.
Always make sure the jigsaw is unplugged or the battery is removed before inspecting or working on the tool, and use the correct Makita parts for your specific Makita model.
