Looking for a 610 jigsaw part or repair technique

[Matanuska]

Drat!
Does anyone have a 610 jigsaw blade guide bracket they would be willing to part with?
Has anyone had any luck soldering or brazing whatever metal Shopsmith used to make these?

IMG_2096.jpg (141.02 KiB) Viewed 72815 times

[chapmanruss]

I don't know what kind of alloy it is made from. Since it holds one of the set screws, I don't think it would hold very well trying to solder or braze if you can even determine what metal it is made from. Like most of the Jig Saw parts it is no longer available from Shopsmith. It is something you will want to watch out for on the used market.

[JPG]

J B WELD COMES TO MIND.

[Matanuska]

Update - I’ve been wanting to try out some of the low temperature Harbor Freight alumiweld brazing rods. I tested them on aluminum scrap and they worked great. Unfortunately, the “pot metal” alloy used for the jigsaw casting has a lower melting point than the low temp rods, so that was a no go. The good news is I discovered that with a little fiddling only the front set screw is needed to adjust the inner blade guide and anchor the outer barrel until I can find a replacement part. It may also be possible to make an acceptable replacement out of aluminum bar stock or perhaps even some very hard and dense ipe hardwood scrap I’ve got. More later.

[chapmanruss]

I have been thinking more about this part of the Jig Saw. Since its function does not put a heavy strain on it some inventive person with a 3D Printer may be able to make a suitable replacement.

[Matanuska]

I had the same thought. Any 3D printer guru's out there who care to comment?

[Matanuska]

Success! Just received the replacement part from an ebay seller. After striking out with a search for "Shopsmith 610 jigsaw parts" I took a shotgun approach and sent a "looking for" picture to a dozen ebay sellers who were offering Shopsmith items. Got 11 "Sorry, no" or "Have a jigsaw but not willing to part it out" or "Good luck finding that part it's like gold" responses but the 12th was "Sure, you can have it for $15, shipping included". My jigsaw is now good for another 55 years if the replacement part lasts as long the original.

What would we do without the internet?

[JPG]

Fill the landfil!

[chapmanruss]

Glad you were able to find the part and reasonably priced too.