Use a circular saw instead. When cutting wood, follow these guidelines: Jigsaws work best for cutting softwood that’s no more than 1-1/2 inches thick and hardwood up to 3/4 inch thick.

However, a circular saw does its best work when it cuts in a straight line. A jigsaw, on the other hand, is more of a precision tool. Its smaller blade allows you to change the angle of the cut ...