Page 1 of 3

Old style jigsaw.. who uses it?

Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 5:39 am
by 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

Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 1:37 am
by 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.:rolleyes: For inserts, I have made them out of corian, which seems to hold up for a long time before wearing out.

Old Style Jigsaw

Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 4:34 am
by 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.

Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 5:57 pm
by fjimp
Bigmoe,

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

Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 7:38 pm
by 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,

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 2:44 pm
by 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.

Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 6:53 pm
by 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.

Old Green Jig Saw built in June 1955

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:08 am
by 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?

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 12:40 pm
by SDSSmith
bigjim21054 wrote: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.

Jig Saw Couplin

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 3:22 pm
by billmayo
bigjim21054 wrote: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.