Old style jigsaw.. who uses it?

[easterngray]

Hi Folks - well other than paint, I've just finished the restoral of my old Magna jig saw - as always, it was great fun taking a rusty froze-up neglected old tool and bringing it back to life! I would like to hear from anyone that uses one of these old saws with any feedback regarding your experience with them. Why did SS discontinue this tool and move to a scroll saw? Any suggestions for blades? Has anyone made their own table inserts? I still don't have power in the new shop , but as long as the sun is shining I can keep rust at bay! Alec

[al_killian]

I used one for almost a year. It worked fine.The only real proble is the vibration and lack of fine detail work on it. Recently upgraded to the newer model(mid 80's) scroll saw, which they also dicontinued. For inserts, I have made them out of corian, which seems to hold up for a long time before wearing out.

[bigmoe]

I have one with the 1955 Shopsmith I am rebuilding. I hopefully can find enough parts to rebuild it. I have only had about 2 hours to look everything over since I bought it. My wife has had health problems, and I need her more than I do the Shopsmith, so priority's first. She has always been there when I needed her.

[fjimp]

Bigmoe,

My hat is off to you sir. Your priorities are alligned correctly. I pray your life partmery recovers her health soon. Jim

[Nick]

Ditto Jim's sentiments. And by the way, I own and still use one of those great old jigsaws. With a saber saw blade mounted, it makes a very handy tool fot making "stab" cuts when cutting out Carpenter Gothic trim and other complex shapes in stock that's too big for the scroll saw. You have a lot more control with small- and medium-sized pieces than with a hand-held saber saw.

It's also a great metalworking tool, with the right size files. I've used it as a die grinder, removing the flash from small castings, and for cleaning up sheet metal work.

With all good wishes,

[woodburner]

I was given (yes, for free) an old SS jigsaw by a neighbor who didn't want it anymore. It had been hardly used until I got it.

I use it with saber saw blades, files, etc.. I've used it to cut and scroll cut a lot of sheet metal, brass and copper sheets for woodworking project accents. I just put a metal cutting saber saw in it and I'm off and cutting. I use this tool for this instead of using my bandsaw because of the metal filings it creates. It is easier to clean-up the mess.

Draw back is that it is clumsy to move around and store.

Big Plus is that you can take off the upper arm and have unlimited cut-off capacity unlike a regular scroll saw.

I won't trade it or sell it. It's one of those tools that once you have it, you wonder why they ever stopped making them. Maybe they will make a comeback like the overhead pin router has.

[bigmoe]

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. My wonderful wife of 38 years is improving a little every day.

I just opened my Magna Jigsaw, it has a few pieces that cannot be repaired. I found a parts list and it is some were on my computer. Windows Vista is hiding a lot of stuff I have downloaded. 1 piece I need is the nylon piece that connects the crankshaft to jig. Any Ideas. I could make a piece but way too time consuming. This Forum has really been a help to me. I have been told no parts are available????
I did find a parts list with pictures, The 3 parts I am needing are 1. 612300 Yoke Bracket assembly. 2. A 3239 Backup. Lower 3. C3234 Table Insert. I have the original Shopsmith manuals & parts list. I have the capabilities of making pdf files for those who might need one.

[bigjim21054]

I have the same broken nylon coupling that connects the crankshaft to the drive rod. I have not been able to fine the part or even identify the part number. I have not been able to find the manual or parts list for this Jig Saw. I use the Jig Saw and have found it to be quite useful. Have you had any luck locating the Nylon coupling?

[SDSSmith]

I have the same broken nylon coupling that connects the crankshaft to the drive rod. I have not been able to fine the part or even identify the part number. I have not been able to find the manual or parts list for this Jig Saw. I use the Jig Saw and have found it to be quite useful. Have you had any luck locating the Nylon coupling?

Shopsmith probably does not have these anymore, though I would try to be sure. Bill Mayo monitors the forum and usually pipes in if he has something to sell. Another source would be Simon Eng, ebay seller id simon*e. Last suggestion would be David Ruggles, ebay seller id ssmithparts. Keep your eye on the bay as one complete saw sold for $40 and craigslist is always a possibility.

[billmayo]

I have the same broken nylon coupling that connects the crankshaft to the drive rod. I have not been able to fine the part or even identify the part number. I have not been able to find the manual or parts list for this Jig Saw. I use the Jig Saw and have found it to be quite useful. Have you had any luck locating the Nylon coupling?

I had the jig saw couplin machined from UHMW material and is available. I stock almost all the jig saw parts including seals and the bearing. I have 3 oz bottles of non-detergent oil available. I have the latest Shopsmith jig saw parts list with many still valid and available part numbers listed. Contact me off-line (bill@billstoolz.com) for more information.