Replies

1. 
   jazzdogg | Jul 05, 2006 05:03pm | #1

   Jig saw and sabre saw are synonyms everywhere I've been.

   -Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

2. 
   jackplane | Jul 05, 2006 05:15pm | #2

   yes, and yes. Newer jigsaws feature blowers and orbital action for more aggressive cuts.

    

3. 
   dwolsten | Jul 05, 2006 10:49pm | #3

   I think it's sort of like "planer" vs. "thicknesser", or "biscuit joiner" vs. "plate joiner". Different terms for the same tool. I've always called them jigsaws, but maybe in other places "sabre saw" is more common.

   "Some folks call it a kaiser blade, but I call it a swing blade. Mmm hmm."

4. 
   ETG | Jul 06, 2006 10:39pm | #4

   There are actually 3 terms - saber, jig and bayonet saw.  Porter Cable still makes the model 548 bayonet saw - their definition being the base is not capable of tilting.  The other two - jig and saber - are now used interchangeably.

   However, the early stationary jig saws made by Delta - the 24" model - had a removeable arm to convert the machine from a jig saw to a saber saw without the limitations of the arm.  So I think technically a jig saw is a device that that holds the blade on both ends while a saber saw clamps the blade from one end only.

1. 
   Rennie | Jul 06, 2006 10:44pm | #5

   Miriam Webster seems as confused as any of us on this topic - they do not give a definition for bayonet saw.

   Main Entry: 1jig·saw View ImagePronunciation: 'jig-"soFunction: noun1 : SCROLL SAW 22 : a light portable electric saw with a vertically reciprocating blade that is used especially for cutting curves

   Main Entry: saber sawFunction: noun: a light portable electric saw with a pointed reciprocating blade; especially : JIGSAW 2

    Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral. Frank Lloyd Wright

5. 
   JMartinsky | Jul 07, 2006 11:25pm | #6

   Yep, different terms for the same tool.

   John

1. 
   BG | Jul 08, 2006 01:34pm | #7

   JMartinsky,

   Back in the late 60's...in CT...a sabre saw was what they now call a sawsall. My guess is Milwaukee changed the name with their product line.

1. 
   JMartinsky | Jul 08, 2006 06:00pm | #8

   Dear BG,
   Back in the late 60's, in CT, I was born!!!! Thanks for the clarification!best,John

1. 
   EricAnderson | Jul 08, 2006 06:22pm | #9

   30 years ago I stopped woodworking and the tool now commonly called a jigsaw was a sabre saw.  When I started woodworking again about 9 years ago, it had now changed to jigsaw.  I wish I could tell you what created the transition. 

   Back 30 years ago to 45 years ago, a jigsaw was similar to what we now call a scrollsaw.  The jigsaw had a motor in the base that drove one end of a scrollsaw type of blade and a spring in the top side kept the tension, but it was not driven.  A father of a friend down the street had one of these and we used it all the time.