Early A-34 Jigsaw Rust Removal and Clean-up

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Majones1
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Early A-34 Jigsaw Rust Removal and Clean-up

Post by Majones1 »

I picked up a somewhat functional A-34 Jigsaw this week and all parts appear to be present, except the mounting bolt spacer and one of the set screw locknuts used to level the jigsaw on the headstock. I was pleasantly surprised to find the lower chuck assembly was fully operational when the flexible coupling was rotated. The upper chuck assembly is clean and moves freely, but the spring cylinder assembly has some surface rust that causes it to jam in the bore of the upper frame. There is some rust on some of the other steel parts, but it is in pretty good shape. All parts in the crank shaft box look good, and I suspect that it had some oil in it prior to shipping because the jigsaw arrived covered in oily gunk, and the manual and original box, which had all been tightly wrapped in plastic with the jigsaw, we’re both permeated with oil. The photos of the box and manual in the eBay ad showed them both to be in pretty clean shape, so I think the oil leaked into everything.

Anyway, my question has to do with the spring cylinder assy., should I disassemble it to check for problems or rust? The upper chuck assembly shaft is clean and does pull out and springs strongly back into the cylinder, so it seems to be functional. Since the spring appears to be pretty strong, I would guess that taking the spring cylinder apart might be dangerous, and difficult to get back together, so I am reluctant to pull it apart if it’s probably not needed. I would appreciate any advice you might have on this. The parts inside the crankshaft box are in very good condition, as is most of this jigsaw.

The seller said “looks to be never used”, but I see signs of quite a bit of use so they didn’t know what they were talking about, or … Still, it’s in pretty good shape, except for some surface rust on the spring cylinder.

Also, I assume the crankshaft box should have a gasket under the front cover and should have some oil in it, am I correct?
A-34 Jigsaw Manual Front Cover
A-34 Jigsaw Manual Front Cover
FF9AD370-EF0E-4AB2-935D-EA440B5DECF9.jpeg (127.92 KiB) Viewed 1023 times
A-34 Jigsaw Spring Cylinder Assy and Upper Chuck Assy
A-34 Jigsaw Spring Cylinder Assy and Upper Chuck Assy
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Marc Jones

Model 10ER (1952), s/n: 72883 (MickyD restored in 2009/10) / Variable Speed Changer / A-34 Jigsaw / Jointer-Shaper Fence
Mark 5 Model 500 (1955), s/n: 309828 (MickyD restored in 2008/09) / Magna Jigsaw Model 610, s/n 65001 / Yuba 11” Bandsaw Model 630, s/n 39807 / Magna Jointer Model 620, s/n 17792 (restored in 2021) / Magna 6” Belt Sander Model 640, s/n 13742 (to be restored)
Professional Planer Model M5082, s/n 003918
DC3300 Dust Collector (circa 1998)
Majones1
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Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2021 1:11 am
Location: San Diego, CA

Re: Early A-34 Jigsaw Rust Removal and Clean-up

Post by Majones1 »

More photos, from the eBay ad.
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055FA526-834B-43D9-A28E-F8704554C514.jpeg (111.84 KiB) Viewed 1021 times
648D5E9B-D39A-4933-A902-C512B09EBD30.jpeg
648D5E9B-D39A-4933-A902-C512B09EBD30.jpeg (121.1 KiB) Viewed 1021 times
47961B45-B671-4BFB-AB5C-A2D001492990.jpeg
47961B45-B671-4BFB-AB5C-A2D001492990.jpeg (116.36 KiB) Viewed 1021 times
Marc Jones

Model 10ER (1952), s/n: 72883 (MickyD restored in 2009/10) / Variable Speed Changer / A-34 Jigsaw / Jointer-Shaper Fence
Mark 5 Model 500 (1955), s/n: 309828 (MickyD restored in 2008/09) / Magna Jigsaw Model 610, s/n 65001 / Yuba 11” Bandsaw Model 630, s/n 39807 / Magna Jointer Model 620, s/n 17792 (restored in 2021) / Magna 6” Belt Sander Model 640, s/n 13742 (to be restored)
Professional Planer Model M5082, s/n 003918
DC3300 Dust Collector (circa 1998)
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rpd
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Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2011 3:22 am
Location: Victoria, B.C.

Re: Early A-34 Jigsaw Rust Removal and Clean-up

Post by rpd »

Majones1 wrote: Sun Jul 04, 2021 7:01 pm I picked up a somewhat functional A-34 Jigsaw this week and all parts appear to be present, except the mounting bolt spacer and one of the set screw locknuts used to level the jigsaw on the headstock. I was pleasantly surprised to find the lower chuck assembly was fully operational when the flexible coupling was rotated. The upper chuck assembly is clean and moves freely, but the spring cylinder assembly has some surface rust that causes it to jam in the bore of the upper frame. There is some rust on some of the other steel parts, but it is in pretty good shape. All parts in the crank shaft box look good, and I suspect that it had some oil in it prior to shipping because the jigsaw arrived covered in oily gunk, and the manual and original box, which had all been tightly wrapped in plastic with the jigsaw, we’re both permeated with oil. The photos of the box and manual in the eBay ad showed them both to be in pretty clean shape, so I think the oil leaked into everything.

Anyway, my question has to do with the spring cylinder assy., should I disassemble it to check for problems or rust? The upper chuck assembly shaft is clean and does pull out and springs strongly back into the cylinder, so it seems to be functional. Since the spring appears to be pretty strong, I would guess that taking the spring cylinder apart might be dangerous, and difficult to get back together, so I am reluctant to pull it apart if it’s probably not needed. I would appreciate any advice you might have on this. The parts inside the crankshaft box are in very good condition, as is most of this jigsaw.

The seller said “looks to be never used”, but I see signs of quite a bit of use so they didn’t know what they were talking about, or … Still, it’s in pretty good shape, except for some surface rust on the spring cylinder.

Also, I assume the crankshaft box should have a gasket under the front cover and should have some oil in it, am I correct?

FF9AD370-EF0E-4AB2-935D-EA440B5DECF9.jpeg
3E957DF0-4A9C-4618-8CAF-C44E5E3BB60C.jpeg
The crankshaft does not run in an oil bath like the model for the Mark V does. There is an oil fitting, a few drops will do it. and a few drops in the top of the spring cylinder to help keep the leather seal for the air pump limber, don't over oil that one, see maintenance in the manual. Nice to see you got the coupler.
the spacer is only needed if you use it without the top arm mounted.
Ron Dyck
==================================================================
10ER #23430, 10ER #84609, 10ER #94987,two SS A-34 jigsaws for 10ER.
1959 Mark 5 #356595 Greenie, SS Magna Jointer, SS planer, SS bandsaw, SS scroll saw (gray), DC3300,
Majones1
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Re: Early A-34 Jigsaw Rust Removal and Clean-up

Post by Majones1 »

It’s cleaned up and ready to work. We’ll, ready to adjust and check before putting it to work. I did turn it on at a slower speed and it appears to run OK. Since I’ve never used one of these A-34’s before I’m going slow, reading the manual, and making sure I haven’t missed anything, but it does seem ready to make saw dust.
A-34 Cleaned up with blade
A-34 Cleaned up with blade
0717F8D2-02C7-4436-9079-F16260248B9F.jpeg (442.94 KiB) Viewed 994 times
A-34 Cleaned up, showing Spring Cylinder
A-34 Cleaned up, showing Spring Cylinder
57FD736B-8E75-4B9C-94D8-B1AC86AAF387.jpeg (367.69 KiB) Viewed 994 times
Marc Jones

Model 10ER (1952), s/n: 72883 (MickyD restored in 2009/10) / Variable Speed Changer / A-34 Jigsaw / Jointer-Shaper Fence
Mark 5 Model 500 (1955), s/n: 309828 (MickyD restored in 2008/09) / Magna Jigsaw Model 610, s/n 65001 / Yuba 11” Bandsaw Model 630, s/n 39807 / Magna Jointer Model 620, s/n 17792 (restored in 2021) / Magna 6” Belt Sander Model 640, s/n 13742 (to be restored)
Professional Planer Model M5082, s/n 003918
DC3300 Dust Collector (circa 1998)
Majones1
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Posts: 418
Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2021 1:11 am
Location: San Diego, CA

Re: Early A-34 Jigsaw Rust Removal and Clean-up

Post by Majones1 »

Forgot to turn my phone camera to landscape in my last post, sorry.
F457F744-F775-486C-B2F3-2864C2F5330B.jpeg
F457F744-F775-486C-B2F3-2864C2F5330B.jpeg (425.13 KiB) Viewed 994 times
E0C0FC84-7A61-40F1-A5A9-9F21C3345928.jpeg
E0C0FC84-7A61-40F1-A5A9-9F21C3345928.jpeg (378.25 KiB) Viewed 994 times
Marc Jones

Model 10ER (1952), s/n: 72883 (MickyD restored in 2009/10) / Variable Speed Changer / A-34 Jigsaw / Jointer-Shaper Fence
Mark 5 Model 500 (1955), s/n: 309828 (MickyD restored in 2008/09) / Magna Jigsaw Model 610, s/n 65001 / Yuba 11” Bandsaw Model 630, s/n 39807 / Magna Jointer Model 620, s/n 17792 (restored in 2021) / Magna 6” Belt Sander Model 640, s/n 13742 (to be restored)
Professional Planer Model M5082, s/n 003918
DC3300 Dust Collector (circa 1998)
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rpd
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Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2011 3:22 am
Location: Victoria, B.C.

Re: Early A-34 Jigsaw Rust Removal and Clean-up

Post by rpd »

Looking good. :)
I see the bolt on the top of the arm, did you get the lamp that mounts there too?
Ron Dyck
==================================================================
10ER #23430, 10ER #84609, 10ER #94987,two SS A-34 jigsaws for 10ER.
1959 Mark 5 #356595 Greenie, SS Magna Jointer, SS planer, SS bandsaw, SS scroll saw (gray), DC3300,
Majones1
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Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2021 1:11 am
Location: San Diego, CA

Re: Early A-34 Jigsaw Rust Removal and Clean-up

Post by Majones1 »

rpd wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 11:16 am Looking good. :)
I see the bolt on the top of the arm, did you get the lamp that mounts there too?

No, Unfortunately no lamp, but the belt cover bolt fits there, so maybe I won’t lose it. :)
Marc Jones

Model 10ER (1952), s/n: 72883 (MickyD restored in 2009/10) / Variable Speed Changer / A-34 Jigsaw / Jointer-Shaper Fence
Mark 5 Model 500 (1955), s/n: 309828 (MickyD restored in 2008/09) / Magna Jigsaw Model 610, s/n 65001 / Yuba 11” Bandsaw Model 630, s/n 39807 / Magna Jointer Model 620, s/n 17792 (restored in 2021) / Magna 6” Belt Sander Model 640, s/n 13742 (to be restored)
Professional Planer Model M5082, s/n 003918
DC3300 Dust Collector (circa 1998)
Majones1
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Posts: 418
Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2021 1:11 am
Location: San Diego, CA

Re: Early A-34 Jigsaw Rust Removal and Clean-up

Post by Majones1 »

I pulled pins out of one of my coping saw blades to test this, but I’m now wondering how long the blades should be, and can I just clip this coping saw blade to use in the jigsaw?
Marc Jones

Model 10ER (1952), s/n: 72883 (MickyD restored in 2009/10) / Variable Speed Changer / A-34 Jigsaw / Jointer-Shaper Fence
Mark 5 Model 500 (1955), s/n: 309828 (MickyD restored in 2008/09) / Magna Jigsaw Model 610, s/n 65001 / Yuba 11” Bandsaw Model 630, s/n 39807 / Magna Jointer Model 620, s/n 17792 (restored in 2021) / Magna 6” Belt Sander Model 640, s/n 13742 (to be restored)
Professional Planer Model M5082, s/n 003918
DC3300 Dust Collector (circa 1998)
User avatar
chapmanruss
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Re: Early A-34 Jigsaw Rust Removal and Clean-up

Post by chapmanruss »

Hi Marc,

Nice addition. The A-34 Jigsaw uses the same blades as the later Jig Saws and Scroll Saws. It would be okay to cut off the pin end of that type of blade for use. It would simply be a little shorter and the Jig Saw can adjust for that. Luckily it was only missing a common set screw used to adjust the Jig Saw on the Model 10. It appears you have all the specific parts for it.

As Ron has already said this Jig Saw does not have a crankcase full of oil but rather a few drops of light weight oil added from time to time in the oil fill hole for the crank shaft and oilite beatings similar to the ones in the Speed Changer. It does not use a gasket for the cover. I add a drop of oil to the top and bottom end of the lower chuck assembly shaft inside the gear box and a drop to the pin on the crank. That gives those moving parts some lubrication and can be done from time to time by simply removing the gear box cover. Watch for dust accumulation on the chuck assembly shaft outside the gear box and wipe away as needed.

Your Jig Saw is the early version and something to watch in it is accumulation of saw dust inside the lower frame. In this version of the Jig Saw the lower frame is hollow throughout. Any saw dust entering the frame holes can make its way into the gear box. I currently have one of the early ones I am restoring and found saw dust in the gear box. 2 others I restored of this early version had gunk in there too. The later version of the Jig Saw has a separation which encloses the gear box. I found the lamp mount a great place to put the belt cover bolt to keep from misplacing it while the Jig Saw is mounted. Luckily, but unfortunately, I have a lamp mounted on my restored Jig Saw and one for the one being restored so I now have to be careful not to loose the belt guard bolt.

If needed don't be afraid of taking the spring cylinder assembly apart for cleaning. It is not a difficult task for this Jig Saw and the spring is hardly compressed while in the resting position. Disassembling it will give you a look at the leather seal which if in good condition makes the air blow dust away from the cut.
Last edited by chapmanruss on Wed Jul 21, 2021 11:39 am, edited 1 time in total.
Russ

Mark V completely upgraded to Mark 7
Mark V 520
All SPT's & 2 Power Stations
Model 10ER S/N R64000 first one I restored on bench w/ metal ends & retractable casters.
Has Speed Changer, 4E Jointer, Jig Saw with lamp, a complete set of original accessories & much more.
Model 10E's S/N's 1076 & 1077 oldest ones I have restored. Mark 2 S/N 85959 restored. Others to be restored.
Majones1
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Location: San Diego, CA

Re: Early A-34 Jigsaw Rust Removal and Clean-up

Post by Majones1 »

I went to install the table insert for the jigsaw and was reminded that one of the screws had been broken off somewhere along the way, and someone had just turned the saw insert around and drilled/tapped new holes. This is not a problem for most table inserts, but the jigsaw cover has to be installed a specific direction for best utility, so I have a bit of a problem. I have to figure out if I’m going to just turn the jigsaw insert around also, drill out the broken off screw, or find another table. That’s a bit of a bummer, but still not a huge deal.

The jigsaw does work. The manual suggested new users take some scrap wood, draw some lines, and just practice to get comfortable with the machine. I started with the saw at a very low speed, cut some, increased it, cut some more, and then sped it up to the recommended 900 RPM; it works great!

I first did a router pattern type of cut, and then just drew a very curved line, and after the first cut, thought “why not go back and see if I can cut parallel to the first cut. Accidentally came up with a snake. :)

Eek! A snake on my 10ER! First cuts on the jigsaw.
Eek! A snake on my 10ER! First cuts on the jigsaw.
FD80D03F-F711-4E12-BC17-8E7CD7A1A231.jpeg (455.69 KiB) Viewed 939 times
Marc Jones

Model 10ER (1952), s/n: 72883 (MickyD restored in 2009/10) / Variable Speed Changer / A-34 Jigsaw / Jointer-Shaper Fence
Mark 5 Model 500 (1955), s/n: 309828 (MickyD restored in 2008/09) / Magna Jigsaw Model 610, s/n 65001 / Yuba 11” Bandsaw Model 630, s/n 39807 / Magna Jointer Model 620, s/n 17792 (restored in 2021) / Magna 6” Belt Sander Model 640, s/n 13742 (to be restored)
Professional Planer Model M5082, s/n 003918
DC3300 Dust Collector (circa 1998)
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