Glen-L.com

The Boatbuilder Connection
It is currently Sun May 19, 2013 3:24 pm

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: upside down jig saw
PostPosted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:20 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2009 8:43 pm
Posts: 127
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
I cut out my first frame in the weekend, I actually did two frames at once, and did it with an old jig saw, which got rather hot. So I'll probably buy a new one.

But, the problem I had was getting nice flowing curves.

Aside from safety issues which would have to be addressed, can anyone see any immediate downsides to making a jig in which the jigsaw was bolted down upside down. You could then stand back a guide your timber much like a bandsaw. I realise you would have to take it slow etc

Thoughts anyone ?

_________________
Building a Monaco....provisionally called "Serenity"
http://glen-l-monaco.blogspot.com/


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: upside down jig saw
PostPosted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:33 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2006 7:59 pm
Posts: 1464
Location: NH
the only thing i see as a problem is the leverage created by the long length of stock you are feeding skewing the blade and you might not notice it by "feel" if you bind on the handheld saw you would notice it pretty quickly. IMO get the best quality blades and saw you can and change them often before they get dull and you would be fine.

_________________
(insert witty phrase here)
Billy's Belle Isle website


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: upside down jig saw
PostPosted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:39 am 
Offline

Joined: Sun Jul 02, 2006 7:10 pm
Posts: 4394
Location: North Carolina
I know of few people that actually cut a perfect shape on any solid part freehanding with a jigsaw. The type of blade also makes a difference depending on the materials. While I use a fine blade for smaller and thinner parts, these may not be the best choice for your job, IMO. But jigsaw blades are only held in place at one end, which does create numerous issues when attempting to push a piece of wood against the blade with it reciprocating.

I also know of few folks that cut a finish edge with a bandsaw either, even the smallest ones would probably be better for what I think you are attempting to do.

. WHile the best blade for scrolling is the narrower blade, wandering will take place in hardwoods. Normally when attempting to do so you will always wonder and may end up with a narrow part when finishing the cleanup job. Personally I always cut to what we call the fat side of the line. WHile I have seen a lot of folks anal about being absolutely perfect with everything in the rough and attempt to jig everything, I learned a long time ago that cutting is just one step in the process of getting the right stuff to work with.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: upside down jig saw
PostPosted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 2:00 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Fri Dec 08, 2006 5:21 pm
Posts: 8006
Location: tarpon springs fl
I have modified my old(now deceased) jig saw to fit upside down in my router table just like you are talking about.

I usually only cut thin pieces like when I was trimming edges of parquet flooring squares.

Thick stuff would probably wander like others have said.

You have to very careful as with any exposed blade power tool

_________________
Boat building can best be defined as an endless series of
tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle, followed by a good bottle of beer.

Don't Dream Your Life, Live Your Dream


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: upside down jig saw
PostPosted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 6:55 pm 
Offline

Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 12:18 pm
Posts: 587
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
It's fine to do that bearing in mind the safety issues already mentioned, in fact at least one table saw manufacturer sold an adapter kit for mounting a jigsaw to the underside of the table just as you have proposed, believe it was Ryobi.

_________________
This is my first, last and only boat build.

http://www.gdzipbuild.blogspot.com


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: upside down jig saw
PostPosted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 1:06 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2009 8:43 pm
Posts: 127
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Quote:
Personally I always cut to what we call the fat side of the line


I do too, which was lucky as my first cut on the Sapele wasn't as pretty as I would have liked.

Safety wise, I don't think this is really much worse that a band saw, table saw, router mounted in a table etc.

I think I might put this idea in the basket of thing to play with on a rainy day. In the meantime I'll keep a lookout for a decent second hand band saw.

_________________
Building a Monaco....provisionally called "Serenity"
http://glen-l-monaco.blogspot.com/


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: upside down jig saw
PostPosted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 11:20 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:23 pm
Posts: 2871
Location: East Troy, Wisconsin
Cut wide and sand to the line seems to be the best way. A spindle sander will square up the edges.

Roberta

_________________
Roberta
Built Zip "Oliver IV" and Super Spartan "Jimmy 70"


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: upside down jig saw
PostPosted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 11:29 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2003 3:01 pm
Posts: 2947
Location: Lander Wyoming
Roberta Hegy wrote:
A spindle sander will square up the edges.


That's almost like saying: Somethings take longer than they take.

Must be a Yogi-ism.

Steve

PS...Roberta, I am going to give you a pass because you qualified it with "edges" vs "corners"...but it still had me scratchin my head. Of course, I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer either.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group