When you need to cut small parts or make cuts of complex shape, handheld jigsaws are not quite handy for a number of reasons:
- First: The difficulty of clamping and holding workpieces of small parts;
- Second: The curvature of the cut is limited by the relatively wide saw blade.
The above difficulties are easily overcome by using bench-mounted jigsaw. Available at industrial models this type of tool, however, for most tasks enough homemade desktop jigsawBuilt on the basis of a manual jigsaw.
Features of factory benchtop jigsaws
Factory-made jigsaws are divided into professional и household models. These categories differ in the power reserve of the drive and the durability reserve associated with the allowable duration of continuous operation. The difference in cost is also significant: household jigsaws are several times cheaper than professional ones.
The capabilities of a desktop jigsaw are largely determined by the power of the drive. The maximum thickness of the material to be cut and the quality of the cut depend on the power. Adjusting the frequency of the jigsaw strokes allows you to adjust the sawing mode depending on the material. This function is implemented differently in different models: in some it is possible to select the frequency before starting work, in other models the stroke frequency is regulated by the degree of pressing the start button.
Most jigsaws are equipped with clamps adapted to the common type of shank introduced by Bosch. However, some manufacturers only focus their jigsaws on a certain type of shank. Therefore, when buying a jigsaw, pay attention to the clamping and compatibility with different types of shank saws.
There are electric jigsaws on the market that use 220V mains power and battery-powered models.
The first option for making a homemade desktop jigsaw
This method involves installing a handheld electric jigsaw on a base made of sufficiently strong sheet material, such as plywood. In the sheet of plywood, a slot is prepared for the saw and holes for the fixing screws. Corresponding mounting holes must also be drilled on the jigsaw base plate.
The slot can be made with a drill, drilling and smoothing out the holes one by one in a row. The jigsaw is secured to the plywood base plate with screws, and the base plate is secured to the work table with screw clamps. This is the simplest version of a bench jigsaw and uses a standard jigsaw blade that limits the curvature of the cuts.
To allow the use of narrow saws it is required to install a rocker arm. On one edge of the rocker is mounted a screw clamp for the saw, on the opposite side – a spring for tensioning the saw blade. The narrow saw blade is fixed on the bummer of a standard shank saw so that, without obstructing the stroke of the rod, to transmit the force to the narrow saw blade.
The second option of a homemade table jigsaw
This method of construction of a benchtop jigsaw is a machine of the classic scheme. In such a machine narrow jigsaw is fixed between the two rockers, which drive is an electric jigsaw. In order to build such a machine would need a hand jigsaw, a small piece of leather and a suitable table, which will be the base of the construction.
To make a table jigsaw, you should do the following:
- Remove the jigsaw protection plate.
- Make a marking on the surface of the table. It is necessary to provide a hole for the saw and fixing holes. The holes are prepared with the expectation of countersunk mounting: the screw heads must not protrude above the surface.
- On the underside of the worktop, mount the jigsaw. Between the countertop and the base plate of the jigsaw is laid leather or felt, which will absorb vibration.
As a rule, the device of such a machine takes no more than an hour of time. Spending a minimum of effort and materials, this way you can make a table electric jigsaw, increasing productivity and expanding the possibilities of sawing by freeing the hands for a more accurate direction of the workpiece. In addition, the table jigsaw provides the ability to work in a sitting position, which reduces user fatigue.
Video tutorial
- Making a jigsaw machine by ourselves.
- How to make a homemade jigsaw.
- Jigsaws Kraton, Dremel, Hegner.
- Choosing jigsaws (saw blades) for jigsaws.
- How to make a jigsaw with your own hands.
- Wood carving with a jigsaw: the tool and its possibilities.
- What are the differences between Bosch and Makita jigsaws?.