How to cut curves with a jigsaw
Updated: 16 October 2026
The line on the board is tighter than a straight trim, and a wide blade with the orbit up will bind, twist or snap. How to cut curves with a jigsaw means a narrow blade, orbit low or off on a tight radius, and relief cuts so the blade is not asked to bend in its own kerf. The plug and the clamp are on [how to use a jigsaw](/hub/power-saws/jigsaw/sub/jigsaw-how-to-use). Which listing names an orbit dial is on the [jigsaw buying guide](/hub/power-saws/jigsaw/sub/jigsaw-buying-guide). The full table is the [jigsaw comparison](/hub/power-saws/jigsaw). Wonkee Donkee, Machine Mart and Screwfix supply the method.
The line on the board is tighter than a straight trim, and a wide blade with the orbit up will bind, twist or snap.
The line on the board is tighter than a straight trim, and a wide blade with the orbit up will bind, twist or snap. How to cut curves with a jigsaw means a narrow blade, orbit low or off on a tight radius, and relief cuts so the blade is not asked to bend in its own kerf. The plug and the clamp are on how to use a jigsaw. Which listing names an orbit dial is on the jigsaw buying guide. The full table is the jigsaw comparison. Wonkee Donkee, Machine Mart and Screwfix supply the method.
Our top picks
| Badge | Product | Orbital action | Wood cut | Sight aid | Note | Price | Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall |  Bosch Bosch PST 700 E 500 W | Not stated | 70 mm | Not stated | 9.2 | about £44.99 | View offer |
| Preis-Tipp |  HYCHIKA HYCHIKA 800 W corded jigsaw | 0–3 | 110 mm | Laser | 9.1 | about £32.19 | View offer |
| Alternative |  Enventor Enventor 800 W corded jigsaw | 0 straight, 1–3 curves | 110 mm | LED | 6.8 | about £36.99 | View offer |
On this page
Blade width before the saw model
The blade decides the radius before the brand on the handle does. A wide wood blade wants a gentle arc. On a tight corner the back of the blade rubs the kerf and the teeth snatch. Machine Mart tells you to fit a narrow scroll blade and not to force the feed. Wonkee Donkee says to slow down as the curve tightens. Neither page prints a universal radius in millimetres, so this page will not invent one. Only the Enventor prints tooth counts, 6T to 10T on wood and 21T on metal. The Bosch, the KS501-GB, the KS701EK and the 400 W DEKOPRO do not state an orbit control, so you only have feed speed and blade width.
Where to set the orbit
Orbital action swings the blade as it strokes. It speeds a rough wood cut and leaves a rougher edge. On a tight curve it wants a larger path than the line. Electrical Safety First says to switch that swing off for metal and plastic. Machine Mart says the same for a tight radius in wood: orbit low, narrow blade, no forced feed.
The Enventor bullets say position 0 for straight cuts and positions 1–3 for curves. A broad sweep can use a little orbit. A tight corner, or any metal, wants it off. Where the listing has no control, including the Bosch and the 400 W DEKOPRO, slow the feed. Set any dial with the power off.
From the edge, or from a hole
If the curve starts at the edge, enter there. Let the blade get up to speed, sit the shoe flat, and steer with your elbow rather than your wrist. Use light pressure. If you have to lean on the saw, the blade is too wide or the orbit is too high.
An internal shape does not start from the edge. Drill a starter hole in the waste, wide enough for the blade, then come to the line. Screwfix and Wonkee Donkee agree. A plunge with no hole bends the blade. On a tight inside corner, cut reliefs from the waste up to the line. If it still twists, stop.
When the blade twists
Binding feels like the saw has picked a direction. Ease off, back the blade out, and check the usual causes: the blade is too wide, the orbit is still up, or the waste has not been relieved.
Metal is not the same curve. Electrical Safety First wants orbit off, a fine blade and a slow feed. Do not treat a listing’s 6 mm or 10 mm metal figure as a tight scroll in plate. Mark the work in pencil. If you cannot clamp the board, or the cut is structural, get a joiner. If your saw has no narrow blade and no stated depth, use the best jigsaw page before you mark the board. A qualifying purchase can earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Common questions
What blade do I use for a tight curve?
Use a narrow blade and tug it with the power off. A wide wood blade binds once the radius is tighter than the blade is wide. The coarse blades in these kits are a common complaint, so plan on a better one. These UK guides do not print a universal radius in millimetres.
Should orbital action be on or off?
For a broad sweep in wood, a low orbit can clear the kerf. For a tight corner, or for metal or plastic, turn it off. The Enventor bullets say positions 1–3 are for curves and 0 is for straight cuts, which fits a gentle arc and not a tight scroll. Electrical Safety First and Machine Mart both want the swing low when the radius tightens.
How do I start a cut in the middle of a board?
Drill a starter hole in the waste, large enough for the blade, then bring the cut to the line. Screwfix and Wonkee Donkee both start an internal cut that way. Keep the shoe flat, let the blade reach speed, and add relief cuts where a corner would pinch. A worktop you have not cut, or one you cannot clamp, is a job to hand over.
Why does the blade snap on a corner?
The blade is being bent in a kerf that is too tight, usually with a wide blade, a high orbit, or no relief cut. The offcut pinches and the teeth catch. Back out, cut a relief from the waste up to the line, and come at the corner again with less feed. A blunt kit blade makes that snap more likely. Forcing the last centimetre also leaves an accidental bevel.
Can I cut a curve in metal the same way?
You can cut a gentle curve in thin metal if orbit is off, the blade is fine, and the feed is slow. Electrical Safety First is clear about switching the swing off for metal and plastic. Support thin sheet so it does not flap. Do not treat a stated 6 mm or 10 mm metal figure as permission for a tight scroll in plate. Those numbers are listing capacities, not a curve this site cut.
Will the laser help me stay on a curve?
No. Reviews of the DEKOPRO 800 W and the HYCHIKA already say the laser misses a straight line. One HYCHIKA review puts the beam about 4 cm short of the blade. A curve leaves a fixed beam even sooner. Mark the work in pencil and watch the shoe, not a line that does not sit on the teeth. A laser is not a reason to pick a saw for this job.
Related pages
Sources
Public UK sources and the amazon.co.uk listings used for this comparison, last checked on 15 October 2026.
- Electrical Safety First, electric jigsaws (retrieved 15 October 2026)
- HSE INDG175, hand-arm vibration (retrieved 15 October 2026)
- HSE, Worried about your hands? (retrieved 15 October 2026)
- HSE, Wood dust (retrieved 15 October 2026)
- BSI, BS EN 62841-2-11:2016+A11:2024 (retrieved 15 October 2026)
- GOV.UK, Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (retrieved 15 October 2026)
- GOV.UK, UKCA or CE marking in Great Britain (retrieved 15 October 2026)
- amazon.co.uk listings for the eleven jigsaws in this set (retrieved 15 October 2026)