So my wife got me a nice Bosch 1590 EVSK as a present. From what people have said, it’s as nice as anything short of $300, so I’m sure it’s a good jigsaw.
So now I need to do something with it as a thank-you… what can a jigsaw do better than a bandsaw, scroll saw, or table saw? I ought to be able to come up with something, or I’d have to exchange a present, not a great alternative if I can think of something better.
What does a jigsaw add to my repertoire? 🙂 (Too bad David Thiel isn’t here, there’s a need for EVERY tool in his world hehe)
My goal is for my work to outlast me. Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
Replies
Good for cutting workpieces too big to take to the bandsaw. Therefore, make something large that has curves.
I thought of that, but don't need a picnic table in the shape of a turtle. Maybe yard decorations for Christmas...?
The other use I thought of was cutting metal, ceramic or plastic, none of which I'm keen to do with my bandsaw. :)
Thanks!My goal is for my work to outlast me. Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
When it comes to tools, it isn't always which one, does what job, the best. It's more about how can you use the tool to accomplish the best job. Your jigsaw is a very good model. You won't have to deal with marginal performance. I think you will find many uses for it once you get used to it.
It can do most things that a crosscut or rip saw can do but you may need to clean up the edges a little with a plane. If you are getting ready to mill some rough stock, it could be handy just to cut long boards to rough length. When you have a bowed edge, the jigsaw can rip off the high spots to make jointing easier and faster. The saw's operation is less compromised by rough and twisted lumber due to the small contact patch.
Jigsaws are great for cutting shapes and you can cut unlimited lengths and sizes with them. Unlike a bandsaw, you can carry them anywhere to the lumber. You can even resaw lumber with them, but they are limited by the length of the blade. They can also do scroll work, not quite as fine as a dedicated scroll saw. The jigsaw can substitute for these two stationary, expensive machines within limits.
Finish carpenters use jigsaws all the time. They are great when ever a piece of trim, cabinet, or other item has to be fit to an irregular surface. Some add an adaptor called a coping foot and use the jigsaw to cope inside corners on baseboards, chair rails, crown moldings, etc. They can be used in some fairly tight places where a sawzall won't fit and they are good for cutting out things like a birds mouth on a rafter, notching siding around a window, cutting out openings for electrical boxes, basically any place where two cuts intersect.
Since this saw has so many capabilities, the possible projects are wide ranging. You could start with something simple like a window box planter, nice scallop shape on top or bottom. A coat rack, nice shape with a few hooks. The saw can also play a part in higher level works like roughing out cabriole legs, shaping aprons, feet. I just posted a picture of a hutch in a previous thread that was cut with a jigsaw. Just think about nice cyma curves, shapes, elipses, arches and french curves. They are everywhere in woodworking.
http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=29605.19
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Hey, thanks for the cool ideas. :)My goal is for my work to outlast me. Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
What about a jigsaw table
Well, I have to admit I've no idea what a jigsaw table is! :)My goal is for my work to outlast me. Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
I mean't jigsaw puzzle, well there you go trying to be witty and it's just blown up in my face, just two words
Great ideas.
Took a look at that hutch in the link: very nice work!!!
Cheers!
James
Thanks, Pzgren. That hutch was a sophmore effort 30 years ago. It's the only picture I had with plenty of whoopdeedos.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
The first thing I seem to do with a new tool is to cut the cord off of it! That's a very good tool that you have there. Be nice to it. When cutting metal, in particular ferris (Iron, steel), metals. Make sure that you use a lubricant of some type when cutting, light oil etc. and clean the metal chips off when you are done, WD-40 works well. Don't use compressed air to remove metal shavings;
1) You don't want to "airborne" them, metal in the eye is NOTHING like a bit of wood dust.
2) You don't want to blow the chips into the machine.
Good Luck!
John
John,
Why don't you ask your wife what she had in mind for you to make when she bought it. You'll probably get a list!
Return it, I use the same saw you describe often. I have use for it, return it for a tool you can use.
mike
drop a carbide blade in it and cut cement board. The cement board can be the backer for any number of cool tile projects.
I use my jigsaw for cutting curved tops for gates (Lee Valley sells a nice drawing bow for making curves over 4' lengths). I've also used it to cut circles out of plywood (sink enclosure). Or you can use it to cut close to a finished edge and then use a router with a template guide to clean up the last 1/4" for large curved items.
Another fun project, you know those ugly fold up tables (6' by 30")? take the press board top off, replace with plywood with a nice curvy shape, finish it up with poly.
I've also used a jigsaw to cut a curved deck though the bottom of the blade drifted enough that I decided I need to learn more technique before I tried that again.
O.K. John, time to learn a new skill. Did you know that using it from the bottom side of the material rather than the top makes it much easier to follow a line and some even say it makes a cleaner cut. A counter top maker taught me the trick and I've been doing it ever since. The method doesn't bode well when cutting a circle out of the middle of a 4x8 sheet of ply, you'ld need pretty long arms for that, but for things like sink cutouts for that new kitchen counter top or maybe a nice Santa Claus for the front lawn it really is the way to go.
I like that. Much cooler than turning the stock over. I might use this technique in constructing a cage for the snipe I'm going hunting for this weekend.
Thanks!My goal is for my work to outlast me. Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
Actually, I am serious about cutting from the bottom up. Apparently it is most common on the other side of the pond. I first found out about it from a guy that made counter tops all of his life. I asked my Festool Rep about it and he looked at me with the "Well duh" look so I figured I'd try it. It really is a lot easier.
Edited 5/11/2006 11:32 am ET by XMLNut
For me, it would be simple to just turn stock over. I can see what you mean for builtins etc.
Thanks!My goal is for my work to outlast me. Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
could you explain this a bit more? Or perhaps a link? I have problems with the blade wandering so turning a piece upside down seems like it would guarantee a poor result because my show face would quite possibly have cuts not to the line.
Bosch make a 'reverse cut' blade so you don't have to hold the saw upside down.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
John,
I use my Bosch jig saw among other things to rough cut parts from brass and bronze for plane making. It works quite well for this application even though I would suggest wearing a safety sheild or goggles. Wood chips flying at you is one thing, small pieces of metal is an all together different thing. When it comes to cutting wood, play around with different blades. You'll be surprised at what a smooth surface it can produce cutting with the grain. I have also used mine during the construction phase of our house for almost everything.
Ron
Plug it in and B creative!
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