Jigsaw "puffer" question

stuish · Post by **stuish** » Sat Mar 16, 2013 2:18 pm

Hello all.
I was recently given a SS Mark V made in 1954. After a month of restoration I have finally made it to the jigsaw. My main problem is with the “air puffer” and its inner components. I have seen photos on here of how it is supposed to go together (two small springs and what look like plastic balls and possibly a rubber grommet controlling the air flow.) My problem is that the jigsaw I was given is missing all of these internal parts. I have called Shopsmith and found that none of these parts are available anymore. Basically I was hoping someone could provide an accurate description of them so I might be able to make/assemble my own. What are the diameters of the balls and is there in fact a “ring” or grommet of some type that the ball on the outlet side sits in? The jigsaw is a Magna model 610, Serial # 81340. Any and all help is much appreciated…
Thanks in advance.

reible · Post by **reible** » Sat Mar 16, 2013 3:47 pm

stuish wrote:Hello all.
I was recently given a SS Mark V made in 1954. After a month of restoration I have finally made it to the jigsaw. My main problem is with the “air puffer” and its inner components. I have seen photos on here of how it is supposed to go together (two small springs and what look like plastic balls and possibly a rubber grommet controlling the air flow.) My problem is that the jigsaw I was given is missing all of these internal parts. I have called Shopsmith and found that none of these parts are available anymore. Basically I was hoping someone could provide an accurate description of them so I might be able to make/assemble my own. What are the diameters of the balls and is there in fact a “ring” or grommet of some type that the ball on the outlet side sits in? The jigsaw is a Magna model 610, Serial # 81340. Any and all help is much appreciated…
Thanks in advance.

Hi and welcome to the forum!

I don't know this would be an OK option for you but in my early years I had a jig saw that I got at a garage sale, mine you it was not a shopsmith nor was it much of a jig saw for that mater.

It did not have a working "puffer" either so I went and got an air pump for fish tanks at a local k-mart pet department. At that time they were quite cheap, no idea now of what they cost but that and a section of tubing fixed my issue.

If I recall correctly I sold the saw and pump when I got a better jig saw, that one was new but I wished I'd kept the air pump cause the new ones "pump" never worked very well.

If you get lucky someone here might have some parts for you, either way you can keep checking ebay and the likes for possible parts.

Ed

putttn · Post by **putttn** » Sat Mar 16, 2013 4:25 pm

Do you have a parts diagram?

stuish · Post by **stuish** » Sat Mar 16, 2013 5:02 pm

Thanks Ed, that’s a good idea and I actually have an old aquarium air pump that I can use in the meantime. However, I still would like to get this thing working like it did when it was new. I do not have a parts diagram and the only clue I have of what is should look like is from the pictures I found here:
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=6108

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sat Mar 16, 2013 10:50 pm

IMHO yer best approach is to get an entire assembly off e-bay. As I recall, the balls were nylon, but the springs are critical. They needed to be just the right tension. All joints there must be air tight. This was not designed to be taken apart.

Wish I had some better answer!!!