Shopsmith Forums

I needed to cut some 'I' shaped slits in two pieces of 3/8" thick white oak.
The slits were to be 1/4" wide. No longer owning a scroll saw, I used a Bosch saber saw.
The two pieces were taped together with double side tape and holes were drilled in the corners of the 'I'.
The saber saw blade was a bit under 1/4" wide.
Got the slits cut and boy, was that some ugly cutting. I needed to smooth them out but, even my smallest rasps and files were too big.
Then I remembered seeing somewhere a guy glued sand paper to his saber saw blade to sand in some tight places. Thought I'd give it a go.
I had a couple old blades so I ground the teeth off one and used 3M 77 spray glue to fix the paper to both sides of the blade.
So far, it's working out good. The infinitely variable speed and smoothness of the Bosch makes it easy. Some final detail with sand paper on a tongue depressor and I'll be done.

Gene, a LONG time ago, the Model 10
jigsaw was set up to use especially made
files, where the blades went, in the lower
clamp. It was also designed to run saber-saw
blades, after removing the upper half.

steve

Gene Howe wrote:I needed to cut some 'I' shaped slits in two pieces of 3/8" thick white oak.
The slits were to be 1/4" wide. No longer owning a scroll saw, I used a Bosch saber saw.
The two pieces were taped together with double side tape and holes were drilled in the corners of the 'I'.
The saber saw blade was a bit under 1/4" wide.
Got the slits cut and boy, was that some ugly cutting. I needed to smooth them out but, even my smallest rasps and files were too big.
Then I remembered seeing somewhere a guy glued sand paper to his saber saw blade to sand in some tight places. Thought I'd give it a go.
I had a couple old blades so I ground the teeth off one and used 3M 77 spray glue to fix the paper to both sides of the blade.
So far, it's working out good. The infinitely variable speed and smoothness of the Bosch makes it easy. Some final detail with sand paper on a tongue depressor and I'll be done.

Nice thinking Gene!!! I have some blades that are supper fine, straight teeth,/ no up or down to them. but do have a set and are about 3/16" from front to back, never had ugly cuts with them. Bosh makes them.
https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boscht ... o-29830-p/

Gene they make them in this style too.
https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boscht ... o-30557-p/

skou wrote:Gene, a LONG time ago, the Model 10
jigsaw was set up to use especially made
files, where the blades went, in the lower
clamp. It was also designed to run saber-saw
blades, after removing the upper half.

steve

Yup, I have two sets but I think I am still missing one profile. I will have to check. I have not seen them on eBay in a while. When they do come up they are a bit pricey most of the time IMO. Magna also sold them for the MK 5 jig saw.

If you have the old jig saw here are a few ideas for sanding:

http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/gener ... t4686.html

I have the old file set also. I seem to recall someone here finding ones that fit from a new source. I have some air files that sort of work.... anyway I can't seem to recall what the source was/is right now and I don't have time to search for it now.

Ed

Nice innovation.
If you had many to do and 1/4" dimension was crucial I might try drilling a pilot hole at one end and using an up cut spiral router bit in a jig. But at $16 for a bit .... I would need to believe I was going to repeat that operation a number of times. Then again, maybe a router bit would not have given you the depth of cut you needed.

Glad you came up with a working solution

Be well,
Ben

I have a jointer book, how to make most joints with a number of tools and by hand tools, not all joints can be made with most common power tools but can be with hand tools, as they where done originally.
That book and my Finishing book are my wood working Bibles.

Finishing book
https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Wo ... +finishing

Jointery
https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Illustr ... s=jointery

Thanks to all for your comments and suggestions.
Unfortunately I don't own a SS jig saw. And, I sold my Delta scroller.
For the next two, I'm considering splitting the pieces and bandsawing the design then, gluing them back together.