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505644 Jig Saw blades

miken

Hi guys, I bought a used 505644 jig saw and was looking for a recommendation on some aftermarket blades. Yes, i have become a full-on Shopsmith SPT addict. :D Can't stop myself from buying stuff I probably don't need. Preaching to the choir on this forum i suppose. I was warned. ;)

I asked if the puffer works and he said it does, but doesn't put out much air. Is that normal?

Any advise on things to look at when I receive it. I know about making sure it has oil in it, and I will need too add that as he removed the oil for shipping. What type of oil is best.

I plan to search for a manual, but really prefer the advice and experience of this forum.

Thanks, Mike

JPG

#10 machine oil/air compressor oil.

"Puffer" is weak - some oil on the leather piston seal will help.

miken

JPG wrote
Maintenance and Repair machine oil/air compressor oil.

"Puffer" is weak - some oil on the leather piston seal will help.

Thanks JPG, it has a Shopsmith badge instead of the Magna M. Any differences aside from the branding?

Mike -

jsburger

miken wrote
JPG wrote #10 machine oil/air compressor oil.

"Puffer" is weak - some oil on the leather piston seal will help.
Thanks JPG, it has a Shopsmith badge instead of the Magna M. Any differences aside from the branding?

Mike -

No. Magna = Shopsmith. Shopsmith = Magna. The original Shopsmith from 1947 was made by Magna Engineering. There have been minor changes over the years but they are the same machine.

Mike907

Scott Markwood's last four videos are on the jigsaw. In the first one, I believe he says to use pinless scrollsaw blades.

https://www.youtube.com/c/MyGrowthRings/videos

Mike

JPG

Or pinned ones with the pins removed.

garys

Shopsmith has some suggestions for blades. They are likely commonly available at your local stores.

https://www.shopsmith.com/mediawiki/index.php/Jigsaw

miken

garys wrote Shopsmith has some suggestions for blades. They are likely commonly available at your local stores.

https://www.shopsmith.com/mediawiki/index.php/Jigsaw

Thanks, interesting Shopsmith recommends Marvel Mystery Oil on that link site. I thought that was a detergent and generally frowned upon.

Mike -

chapmanruss

Mike,

John already said it but here is a little more information. The Jig Saw Model 610 (later 505644) came out in 1954 after the Mark 5. As with all the Add-a-Tools (Later referred to as SPT's) they were Magna tools not Shopsmith and had the M logo on the main housing cover. Shopsmith was the name given to the first 5 in 1 tools the Shopsmith Model 10E/10ER followed later By the Shopsmith Mark 5 in 1954. After Shopsmith Inc. formed in 1972 and brought back the Mark 5 and the SPT's all tools were Shopsmith but it was several years before the SPT's all had the Shopsmith Logo on them. Early Jig Saws were painted to match the Mark 5 of the time periods starting with Greenies then Goldies followed by gray. Very little changed over the years for the Jig Saw. The logo on the cover plate, going from straight mounting posts to eccentric ones and a late change to the table tilt lock using an Allen Cap Screw and washer.

As for blades it has already been said almost any straight end will work just avoid reverse tooth blades which cut in both the up and down strokes. They are good for use on the Scroll Saw but not the Jig Saw.

miken

Thanks for the info guys. I watched one of the my growth rings videos, and will watch the others (thanks Mike907). Russ, appreciate the history. I am hoping I got lucky and it's in good working condition like the belt sander I bought. I don't mind tearing it apart, cleaning, lubricating it, etc. but if parts are too worn or damaged, well buyer beware I guess.

Thanks again, Mike -

chapmanruss

Unless it has been run dry, no oil, it should be in good working condition. Since you have already watched Scott's videos you now know the weak link of the Jig Saw, the Yoke. That is the most often replaced worn part on the Jig Saw. It can easily be fabricated using a piece of a thick nylon cutting board. Just don't tell your wife why the cutting board is now shorter. :D There have been some 3D printed ones made and sold at online auctions.

Remove the 4 screws of the cap on the upper housing and add a few drops of oil in the cylinder for the leather seal of the air pump to keep it working well.

miken

chapmanruss wrote the weak link of the Jig Saw, the Yoke.

Yes, the ebay description and the seller said it was in good working condition, but that is of course open to a wide degree of interpretation. I am assuming if it works at all, the yoke must be intact. I plan to completely disassemble it anyway. I will let you know how it looks.

Mike -

miken

miken wrote
chapmanruss wrote
the weak link of the Jig Saw, the Yoke.

Yes, the ebay description and the seller said it was in good working condition, but that is of course open to a wide degree of interpretation. I am assuming if it works at all, the yoke must be intact. I plan to completely disassemble it anyway. I will let you know how it looks.

Mike -

So the seller had two jig saws for sale under the same listing, and though he said he was sending me the one pictured, I actually received a Magna branded one. I disassembled it to check the yoke and it appears in decent shape. I did notice that this was likely repaired at some time in its life. One of the brass bushings was chipped, and the cam had a couple weld beads to keep it from loostening. Everything seemed tight, no significant play. It also had a "Japan" branded bearing behind the drive coupler which I thought would not have been original. The hardest part of the cleanup was removing the drive coupler that was rusted on pretty good. It doesn't appear to be missing any parts except one spring that is on the tensioning knob that adjusts the top hexagonal down-post. Maybe I can find one somewhere? Anyway, it's all cleaned up, and ready for use. See pics. By the way, it's not actually blue at all, not sure why the picture looks that way.

Thanks, Mike -

miken

My mistake, I thought a spring belonged there, but I guess not.

Mike -

rlkeeney

Olson sells blades for the Shopsmith Jig Saw.

https://www.olsonsaw.net/shop/scroll-saw-blades/plain-end-scroll-saw-blades-5-in-6-in/5in-regular-tooth-blades-12-packs/

5″ Long Regular Tooth Blades 12-packs

$5.74

12-packs For precise internal and external cutting of irregular shapes and straight cut off applications in all types of sheet materials. Regular Tooth for medium smooth finish. Ideal for use in spring tension scroll saws such as Delta 24in., Powermatic 24in., Sprunger, Shopsmith and imported spring tension scroll saws under various trade names. The .100in. and narrower width blades can also be used in parallel and C-arm scroll saws.

miken

rlkeeney wrote Olson sells blades for the Shopsmith Jig Saw.

https://www.olsonsaw.net/shop/scroll-saw-blades/plain-end-scroll-saw-blades-5-in-6-in/5in-regular-tooth-blades-12-packs/

5″ Long Regular Tooth Blades 12-packs

$5.74

12-packs For precise internal and external cutting of irregular shapes and straight cut off applications in all types of sheet materials. Regular Tooth for medium smooth finish. Ideal for use in spring tension scroll saws such as Delta 24in., Powermatic 24in., Sprunger, Shopsmith and imported spring tension scroll saws under various trade names. The .100in. and narrower width blades can also be used in parallel and C-arm scroll saws.

Thanks, I tried locating some at HD, but couldn't find any at all on the shelves. Probaby order only item. I found a limited supply at Lowes and bought a few to try out. I will be ordering the Olsons you recommend.

Mike -

chapmanruss

Mike,

The chip out of the brass bushing is interesting. Wonder how that could have happened. The drive shaft must have slipped in the flywheel at some point. The spot welds seem to take care of that nicely and does not appear to interfere with the yoke. Something for others to remember if they have the same problem.

If you have any woodworking stores in your area they should have scroll saw blades.

miken

chapmanruss wrote Mike,

The chip out of the brass bushing is interesting. Wonder how that could have happened. The drive shaft must have slipped in the flywheel at some point. The spot welds seem to take care of that nicely and does not appear to interfere with the yoke. Something for others to remember if they have the same problem.

If you have any woodworking stores in your area they should have scroll saw blades.

Yes, I have Rockler near me but completely forgot about them.

I did consider grinding the welds down a bit, but they didn't seem to be interfering with the yoke or operation, so I left well enough alone (for now :D ). I didn't consider the bushing damage could have been from the flywheel when it came apart. I thought maybe from driving in replacement bushings, but your idea does make more sense. The bushing does not appear to have a thrust component to it and it is actually recessed a bit. I don't think the brass washer next to the flywheel even contacts it. If it does, it didn't leave any marks on the washer. There was also no signs of wear on the drive shaft, so again, I left it alone.

One thing I don't like is the clicking sound from the coupler when using the spring return upper chuck. Maybe I need a new coupler, or tighter fit? When the spring return part of the stroke kicks in it clicks, then clicks again when the drive part of the stroke starts. I only have one coupler right now and I really don't want to break it. This clicking does not happen in bottom chuck "saber saw" mode only.

Thanks, Mike

Hobbyman2

For us Menards is the place that has blades , we buy pin blades and just cut the end off with a pair of linesman pliers , we use ebay as well . I believe they are in the scroll saw blade isle .we dont use the SS jig saw much since we bought the excalibur scroll saw . the spiral blades are amazing . I still won't give up the SS jig saw , with it you have blade options the scroll saw does not offer . JMO

miken

Hobbyman2 wrote For us Menards is the place that has blades , we buy pin blades and just cut the end off with a pair of linesman pliers , we use ebay as well . I believe they are in the scroll saw blade isle .we dont use the SS jig saw much since we bought the excalibur scroll saw . the spiral blades are amazing . I still won't give up the SS jig saw , with it you have blade options the scroll saw does not offer . JMO

No Menards in Maine, but i appreciate the reference.

Thanks, Mike