Jigsaw.....why own one if you have a bandsaw and scroll saw?

mickyd · Post by **mickyd** » Fri Apr 23, 2010 12:58 am

Are there any woodworking applications where it would be advantageous to use a ShopSmith jigsaw over a bandsaw or scroll saw?

kalynzoo · Post by **kalynzoo** » Fri Apr 23, 2010 1:55 am

I gave my jig saw to the kids, although I did borrow it back for a snowman lawn decoration. It is hard to work a full sheet of ply on the bandsaw.

foxtrapper · Post by **foxtrapper** » Fri Apr 23, 2010 7:17 am

Well, to my mind, the scroll and jig saws are kin. The band saw is in a different category. There's a lot you can do with a band saw that you can't do with either a scroll or jig saw. And viceversa.

So it's a matter of jig vs scroll. I happen to have a jig saw, mine came with it. So I'm content with it and don't feel the need for a scroll saw. Were I to be a busy maker of decorative light panels or such, I might feel differently.

By and large, the scroll saw strikes me as a neutered jig saw. Conversely, the jig saw is a testosterone laden scroll saw. OK. So, which sort of work do you find yourself doing more? I tend to cut thicker stuff, so the jig works better for me. And when working with my boy, he cuts wood for his toys that are a bit thick for a scroll saw. So the jig works well enough for me.

And neither a scroll or a jig saw would make me give up my band saw. In fact that almost becomes more a question of bandsaw vs table saw. I use my table saw much less now, since I got the bandsaw.

wlhayesmfs · Post by **wlhayesmfs** » Fri Apr 23, 2010 8:10 am

I see a need for all three. The number one is the bandsaw, do way more on it than most tools in the shop except for the lathe. The scoll saw with a quick release is a must for fine fret work on stock 1/4 or under. Heavier than that I use the jig saw. Since I keep a thicker resaw blade on the band saw most of the time I go to the jig saw to save the time of changing blades on the band saw. If I had one I could do without it would be the jig saw and just change blades between needs on the band saw. But a band saw cannot do the same work of the scroll saw on fret work and designs.

robinson46176 · Post by **robinson46176** » Fri Apr 23, 2010 8:25 am

wlhayesmfs wrote:I see a need for all three. The number one is the bandsaw, do way more on it than most tools in the shop except for the lathe. The scoll saw with a quick release is a must for fine fret work on stock 1/4 or under. Heavier than that I use the jig saw. Since I keep a thicker resaw blade on the band saw most of the time I go to the jig saw to save the time of changing blades on the band saw. If I had one I could do without it would be the jig saw and just change blades between needs on the band saw. But a band saw cannot do the same work of the scroll saw on fret work and designs.

I kind of wish that I had kept one of the bandsaws that I sold. It would be very handy at times to have one with a resaw blade and one with a narrower blade for most regular curved cutting. I guess a person could pick up one of those around $100 bandsaws just for resawing when you just need a few pieces thinned down quickly.

ryanbp01 · Post by **ryanbp01** » Fri Apr 23, 2010 9:01 am

robinson46176 wrote:I kind of wish that I had kept one of the bandsaws that I sold. It would be very handy at times to have one with a resaw blade and one with a narrower blade for most regular curved cutting. I guess a person could pick up one of those around $100 bandsaws just for resawing when you just need a few pieces thinned down quickly.

Farmer-

I feel the same way. When I bought a SS Bandsaw, my wife wanted me to sell my Craftsman Bandsaw, something I have not yet done. While it would give me need floor space, I just can't bring myself to do it. I do own a cordless jigsaw and, like Hayes, see a need for all three. The only thing I need to do is find someone to make a resaw blade for the Craftsman. It take an odd size and Sears only sells 2 blades for it.

BPR

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Fri Apr 23, 2010 9:05 am

Anybody know how to mount files in the scroll saw?;)

billmayo · Post by **billmayo** » Fri Apr 23, 2010 11:39 am

[quote="JPG40504"]Anybody know how to mount files in the scroll saw?]

Since the files fit in the jigsaw, I would believe they should fit in the scroll saw. You may have to modify the insert for holding the file. I do not know if the upper arm will give you any problems using the scroll saw.

I keep a jig saw handy without the arm or the upper part. I use the metal cutting files and different wood and metal cutting jig saw blades shown below. It is very light and quick to mount. I am finding new uses all the time for this setup.
[ATTACH]8689[/ATTACH]

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Fri Apr 23, 2010 1:07 pm

billmayo wrote:Since the files fit in the jigsaw, I would believe they should fit in the scroll saw. You may have to modify the insert for holding the file. I do not know if the upper arm will give you any problems using the scroll saw.

I keep a jig saw handy without the arm or the upper part. I use the metal cutting files and different wood and metal cutting jig saw blades shown below. It is very light and quick to mount. I am finding new uses all the time for this setup.
[ATTACH]8689[/ATTACH]

Bill, As you know the jigsaw has a fixed jaw that the blades (or files) fit into, that's not the case with the scroll saw. The lower blade block is pinned and free to rotate. Without the other end pinned it could get pretty ugly when you fire it up.

mbcabinetmaker · Post by **mbcabinetmaker** » Fri Apr 23, 2010 8:38 pm

{Jigsaw.....why own one if you have a bandsaw and scroll saw?}

Because you can.