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Jigsaw blades for A-34
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 9:45 pm
by Akela9
Hello all,
I’m having a devil of a time finding jigsaw blades for my A-34. I have some scroll saw blades but need jigsaw blades now. My understanding is that they should be 5-inch U-shank blades. Is that correct?
Would these be a good choice?
Bosch U345XF 5-Piece 5 in. 5-10P TPI Progressor for All Purpose U-Shank Jig Saw Blades
https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-U345XF-5-P ... B000VC3OXM
Re: Jigsaw blades for A-34
Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 2:10 pm
by chapmanruss
The A-34 Jig Saw made for the Shopsmith Model 10E and 10ER uses the common straight end 5" Jig Saw/Scroll Saw Blades. It can also use single ended Sabre Saw Blades and do so without the Upper Arm attached. Due to the design of Jig Saws extreme care must be used when working with fine blades. They can easily be bent.
The "U" shape blades in the link you provided are single ended blades that can be used for Sabre Sawing without connecting to the Upper Chuck as long as the mounting end of the blade fits in the lower Chuck.
Jig Sawing, Sabre Sawing and Scroll Sawing names have become intermixed in their use to describe a type of sawing. There are differences in the actual tools and how they function.
Hopefully you have the Owner's Guide for the Jig Saw but if not a PDF copy of the first version of the A-34 Jig Saw is below. The only differences between the 1st and 2nd versions of the A-34 Jig Saw are the Lower Frame Assembly casting, the Drive Housing Cover and the number of screws used to hold the cover on.
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Re: Jigsaw blades for A-34
Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 3:17 pm
by Akela9
chapmanruss wrote: Wed Jul 30, 2025 2:10 pm
The A-34 Jig Saw made for the Shopsmith Model 10E and 10ER uses the common straight end 5" Jig Saw/Scroll Saw Blades. It can also use single ended Sabre Saw Blades and do so without the Upper Arm attached. Due to the design of Jig Saws extreme care must be used when working with fine blades. They can easily be bent.
The "U" shape blades in the link you provided are single ended blades that can be used for Sabre Sawing without connecting to the Upper Chuck as long as the mounting end of the blade fits in the lower Chuck.
Jig Sawing, Sabre Sawing and Scroll Sawing names have become intermixed in their use to describe a type of sawing. There are differences in the actual tools and how they function.
Hopefully you have the Owner's Guide for the Jig Saw but if not a PDF copy of the first version of the A-34 Jig Saw is below. The only differences between the 1st and 2nd versions of the A-34 Jig Saw are the Lower Frame Assembly casting, the Drive Housing Cover and the number of screws used to hold the cover on.
.
Jigsaw Model A-34_134-1X.pdf
Thanks, Russ. I do have the manual and I am aware of the difference in the three types of blades and how they’re used (jigsaw/scroll saw/saber saw).
The problem I’m having is finding a source for actual jigsaw blades, which meet the specifications of the A-34. I’ve spent hours searching online and that Bosch blade was the closest I could find. Apparently all the online sources I could find are calling saber saw blades jigsaw blades.
Do you by chance know of a source and/or a specific blade to look for?
Re: Jigsaw blades for A-34
Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2025 1:51 pm
by chapmanruss
Shopsmith currently sells Olsen Scroll Saw Blades. They can be found at other woodworking outlets too. Other brands are available. It's been a while since I have bought some and still have a fairly good supply. Jig Saws and Scroll Saws can use the same blades and due to the popularity of the Scroll Saw over the Jig Saw most are labeled as Scroll Saw Blades.
You said,
Apparently all the online sources I could find are calling saber saw blades jigsaw blades.
This goes back to what I said before about the terms being used for one and another.
