Glen-L.com

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 ?

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

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.

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

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.

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

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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

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.

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This is my first, last and only boat build.

http://www.gdzipbuild.blogspot.com

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.

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

Cut wide and sand to the line seems to be the best way. A spindle sander will square up the edges.

Roberta

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

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.