My Growth Rings with Scott Markwood

[RFGuy]

I watched all the jigsaw videos and didn't see anything that would get me to buy a jigsaw. In fact, I owned a new in-the-box clone that came with a Shopsmith I bought and I practically gave it away to get it out of my garage. I currently own two scroll saws. If I did not own these scroll saws, I would not buy a jigsaw to do scrolling. Like you, I think the way to cut a large circle is with a router. A router can easily and accurately cut circles of just about any size. As for metalworking, I can see some benefit in using die files, but I don't do enough metalworking to justify the cost of the storage space. Unless Scott comes up with something I really need in the next video I'm not going to be in the market for a Shopsmith jigsaw.

Thanks for the feedback Rob. Much appreciated. Yeah, if I was ready to take on scroll saw type work, I am sure I would rather buy a scroll saw than the Magna Jigsaw. IF I already owned one then I can see the benefit of using it to do some of these other tasks, i.e. to get more use out of the tool. Since I don't own one though, I just don't see a compelling reason to run out and find a used one. Of course, in the next, and final, Jigsaw video this week perhaps will show how the Magna Jigsaw excels at slicing bread...then I might have to get one.

[JPG]

I would use the band saw for slicing bread. ;>}

[beeg]

I would use the band saw for slicing bread. ;>}

What size blade?

[RFGuy]

I would use the band saw for slicing bread. ;>}

What size blade?

[reible]

Files and sandpaper do much the same thing on wood and the like. It is not a metal only thing with files like these. You can also buy sanding sleeves and sanders that fit the jig saw. It also takes sabre saw type blades without the arm in place so it is quite the tool. They are a different animal then the scroll saw but they do have over lapping tasks.

Ed

[RFGuy]

Files and sandpaper do much the same thing on wood and the like. It is not a metal only thing with files like these. You can also buy sanding sleeves and sanders that fit the jig saw. It also takes sabre saw type blades without the arm in place so it is quite the tool. They are a different animal then the scroll saw but they do have over lapping tasks.

Ed

Ed,

Correct me if I am wrong, but don't they have the same sanding blades for scroll saws? I am just wondering what, if anything, makes this particular Jig Saw "special"...compared to a scroll saw. So far, I haven't seen anything compelling to convince me that I need to own one. I see no benefit in having a fixed base jig saw. I'd much rather have a portable one.

[rlkeeney]

They do make sanding blades for scroll saws. You can make better ones yourself.

Scroll saw sanding blades are made by several companies, and you can find them in many places. They are a bit pricy and don't fit some scroll saws without modification. These are very easy to make.

All you need to make a sander for your scroll saw is an old saw blade, a piece of cloth-backed sandpaper, and some carpet tape. Cut two strips of sandpaper about 1/4-inch wide. Put carpet tape on the back and make a sandwich with an old scroll saw blade in the center.

I tried paper-backed sandpaper. It didn't hold up well. I have also tried various glues to hold them together, and nothing works as well as the carpet tape.

You will not get square edges sanding with this method. There will always be a slight curve.

[reible]

Take a look here, a old post I did back in 2009 and shows two sanding options that a scroll saw can't do well.

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4686

Keep in mind that the scroll saw has to have both arms attached to be used, the jig saw doesn't, the top is just a spring return if you will. So if you were to be doing a lot of inside sanding on a project the jig saw is much faster, no unattaching and reattaching between holes.

You can check out this post to see the files I have for my jig saw:

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=23300

Ed

[rlkeeney]

Sanding with a scroll saw does not do a good job it just works. It does not sand square and you still have fuzzies to deal with. The fuzzies are smaller but they are still there. I can't imagine how a jigsaw would better at sanding.

If you sanding a lot of inside cuts in your scroll work you are doing something wrong. Wrong blade, dull bale, cutting too fast for the blade you are using, and bad wood. In good quality hardwoods and even better grades of softwoods, you can get mirror-smooth cuts.

With modern quality scroll saws moving the blade to another hole is very fast. About ten seconds. This video is why I bought an Excalibur EX-21. This is very important if you are doing a production run or cutting portraits that may have hundreds of inside cuts.

https://youtu.be/bUC7wutR3A4

No jigsaw for me. I'll keep that money for a new Pegas or Seyco scroll saw.

[Chad]

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My Growth Rings with Scott Markwood

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/IMy0YpJl61o

One final "trick" that we can do with the Shopsmith Jigsaw (or a clone like this one) is to use it as a reciprocating sander. This is also the last video I'll be shooting in the garage shop, so be sure to catch the sneak-peek of our new temporary digs in my sister's basement at the end of this video.