For figured cutting on wood, a hand jigsaw was traditionally used - a simple tool with a thin file that allows you to create elegant patterns from wood. Later, a jigsaw machine was invented, working on muscular traction like a foot sewing machine or potter's wheel.
The development of technology and the emergence of compact low-power electric motors led to the creation of a manual jigsaw, and then a corresponding electrified machine, which you can make yourself.
Purpose
Stationary units that ensure vertical movement of the saw make it possible to cut parts of complex shapes and elements with curved edges from sheet materials. If you insert a file into through hole, drilled in the workpiece, you can make a figured contour inside the product.
Using jigsaw machines, workpieces from various sheet materials are processed, including:
- solid wood;
- plywood;
- wood-containing boards (chipboard, fiberboard, MDF);
- aluminum;
- plastic.
Using a jigsaw machine, you can increase labor productivity and significantly improve the quality of processing of shaped edges of products. This is explained by the fact that the working person has both hands free and he can position the workpiece as accurately as possible relative to the moving cutting blade. This is the main advantage of a stationary tool with electric drive from a manual jigsaw.
Jigsaw machines are installed in school and home workshops; this type of equipment is also used in furniture production and manufacturing musical instruments. Modern laser machines can be used instead of jigsaws, since they provide the highest cutting accuracy along a given contour, but their use is limited by the effect of burnt ends of parts.
Device
The tabletop jigsaw machine consists of the following elements:
- bed (supporting structure on which all mechanisms and components are mounted);
- desktop;
- electric drive;
- crank mechanism (responsible for converting the rotation of the engine shaft into reciprocating movement of the saw);
- double rocker (equipped with clamps for saw blades and a tension mechanism).
The machines produced today are mostly designed to use saw blades with a length of 200-350 mm and a working stroke of 30-50 mm. Files vary in width (2-10 mm), thickness (0.6-1.25 mm) and type of shank - they come with pins and without pins. The latter are more convenient, since to cut out the internal contour it is necessary to drill a hole in the workpiece through which the end of the file should pass. If there is a pin, the hole should be noticeably larger. Some models of jigsaw machines allow you to attach both types of files, including old-style ones, from Soviet hand tools. Files also vary in the size of the teeth and their arrangement - it can be straight or spiral.
Tool selection
To select good machine, suitable for solving specific problems, you need to pay attention to its power. The majority of models are equipped with an electric drive with a power of 90 to 500 W. For home use Optimal power is 150-200 W.
An important selection criterion is the presence of two operating speeds of the unit. In the standard version - 600 and 1000 rpm. This makes it possible to select the appropriate mode for working with materials of different densities.
The desktop can be fixed or rotating. Fixing the table at an angle allows you to cut material at specified angles other than 90°. There are also models that provide adjustable table height - this allows you to extend the service life of the file, since you can use different sections along its entire length for work, and not just the central part.
Manufacturers equip jigsaw machines with a variety of options, including:
- a compressor to remove chips from the marking line with a stream of air;
- drilling block;
- illumination of the work area;
- guarding the blade (will not allow your fingers to come into contact with the moving saw);
- clamping device (prevents vibration of sheet material of small thickness).
Additional options increase the cost of the jigsaw, but do not fundamentally affect its functionality.
Manufacturers
The power tools market includes various types jigsaw machines: from devices designed for creative work at home to high-performance models designed for professional use. In addition to machines that use regular saws, you can find band jigsaws on sale.
The list of popular brands includes Bosch, Hegner, Einhell, Proxxon, Makita, DeWALT, JET, Xendoll, Excalibur, Kroton, Korvet, Zubr.
The leaders in quality and reliability are the products of famous German brands Bosch, Einhell and Hegner. In addition, the lines of jigsaw machines include a wide range of models of varying power and configuration, which makes it possible to choose a high-quality electric jigsaw for the home that is optimal in functionality.
Budget models, including those made in China, have also performed well. Models of the Korvet, Zubr and other brands are suitable for home use without increased loads.
Before purchasing a jigsaw machine, regardless of its brand, you should definitely conduct tests to evaluate the smoothness of the working part and the noise level, and make sure there are no extraneous sounds or vibrations. It is recommended to compare several models different brands and purchase the option with the best performance.
Making a jigsaw with your own hands
A homemade machine, made to replace a conventional jigsaw for wood, is capable of providing high-quality execution basic set of operations for figure cutting sheet materials. Depending on the purpose, you can design a compact electric model or a stationary unit designed for high loads.
Materials
As a basic diagram, it is most convenient to use a drawing of a simple wooden jigsaw with a flywheel and pedal assembly and replace the mechanical drive with an electric one. If the machine is intended to be used only occasionally, you can do without a special electric motor. Instead, connect any suitable power tool. It is convenient to use a screwdriver with adjustable rotation speed.
The material used to manufacture the machine itself is wood, and:
- It is better to make the bed and the supporting pedestal for the lever rod from high-strength plywood ( minimum thickness– 18 mm);
- for a lever structure, you need to take dense wood that is not prone to cracking under load - beech or oak (instead of buying bars, you can use straight legs of old chairs of suitable size);
- for the crank mechanism, plywood with a thickness of 10-12 mm is required;
- For the remaining elements of the structure, pine lumber and various trimmings are suitable.
According to the jigsaw machine diagram, a bed and a supporting pedestal are made. Wood screws should be used as fasteners, joints wooden elements It is recommended to coat the structures with PVA emulsion. It is important that the structure is strong and there is no play, otherwise the accuracy of the machine will be low.
Parts preparation and assembly
Next, the levers of the required length are cut out, and cuts are made at their ends for fastening the saw. The mount is made of a steel plate 2-3 mm thick, with a pair of holes. The upper hole allows you to fix the plate on the lever, and the lower one is intended for attaching the shank of the file. Fastening elements - screws of suitable diameter and nuts - are more convenient to use wing nuts. The mount is installed on the lower arm in the same way.
At the next stage, the lever system is mounted on the frame. To connect the free ends of the levers, a screw tie (lanyard) is used, which makes it possible to easily adjust the tension of the saw blade.
Pay attention! The length of the files used should be determined in advance, since the size of the lever mechanism depends on this. It is necessary to ensure that the levers are as parallel as possible relative to each other.
The racks need to be fastened together to create a strong support for the flywheel. The axis can be a pin or a bolt of at least strength class 8. The flywheel is connected to the lower lever using a connecting rod made of the same plywood, while the rods connecting to the lever must be metal.
At the next stage, a work table with a rotating mechanism is made - a rotating arc with a slot must be cut out of plywood. The table is installed on the bed. For easy fixation swivel mechanism in the desired position, use a wing nut.
In this model, the electric drive is a screwdriver - to operate it, just connect its chuck to the flywheel axis. You can regulate the speed using a variable-force clamp made of a durable strap and a small clamp (or other screw tightening).
Simple in design homemade machine convenient to use.
Robust stationary design
Design of a jigsaw machine for professional use practically no different from the compact wooden model. It is only important to choose the right materials so that the unit is able to withstand increased loads and does not vibrate during operation.
- bed – heavy chipboard;
- stand for a lever structure - hardboard, textolite of suitable thickness;
- levers – steel square pipe;
- table top - any durable, hard and smooth material.
Elements for fastening the blade (can be taken from an old hacksaw) are soldered to the levers or secured with screws.
You will need a working electric drive with a gearbox that will provide the necessary torque. To start the engine of a homemade jigsaw machine, it is convenient to provide a foot pedal (taken from an old electric sewing machine or made using any suitable electric button).
When assembling the structure, they are used metal racks and metal fasteners. Using a metal insert, you can strengthen the fastening of the connecting rod. This will reduce vibrations and reduce wear.
The tabletop has a long working slot to allow rotation around the longitudinal axis.
A spring is provided to tension the web. The lower lever is responsible for the movement of the working blade, the upper one helps to hold the file in a vertical position.
Thus, an electric jigsaw can be assembled on your own using available materials. This will not require serious financial costs, but will only take some time to find materials, necessary parts and assembly.
- Hand tools
- Jigsaw
- Preparing the stencil
- Sawing process technology
- Defects in work
Wood carving with a jigsaw is rapidly gaining popularity: many people want to purchase interesting subject decor for decorating your home, furniture and even clothes! Carved objects of various thicknesses fit organically into any interior style; people often purchase photo frames for photographs with ornaments, cut-out words and letters, or order intricate shelves and other interesting products. Few people know that artistic cutting out of plywood with a jigsaw is a task accessible to anyone, even the untrained and inexperienced. You just need to understand how to work with the tool.
What is a jigsaw: general description
A jigsaw is a tool designed for cutting various contours from plywood, including curved ones. It is equipped with a blade with fine teeth that can make an even cut of plywood without the formation of significant burrs.
Hand tools
The ancestor of this type of tool is the manual jigsaw. It consists of a metal arc in the shape of the letter “U”, between the ends of which a sawing blade is stretched and attached to clamps. They securely hold the file during operation and allow you to adjust its tension. On one side of the frame there is a handle.
The clamps on the tool can rotate, creating different planes for sawing, thereby providing the opportunity for wood carving of varying complexity.
When cutting out plywood with a hand jigsaw, you need to be careful: its design is quite fragile, and during intensive work, the blade often breaks from force and heat, so it has to be replaced. To do this, each master must have several dozen spare files.
When working with a jigsaw to carve internal contours, it is convenient to use such an auxiliary board as in the photo: it will help both protect the table and solve the problem of convenient placement of the workpiece.
Jigsaw
The tool runs on electrical network. It is a housing in which the working mechanisms are located, and there is also a handle for control on it. The sawing organ is located in the lower front part. The blade is often protected by a foot, which allows you to cut the contour exactly along the line without deviation. Advanced and professional jigsaw models have various attachments that facilitate the cutting process and straighten the edges of plywood.
Blades can have different teeth in shape and size. It is necessary to select files that match the material being processed to avoid damage and damage. plywood sheet when operating the mechanism.
Classification of jigsaws by power and application:
The instructions on how to use a jigsaw, or the technical data sheet, should describe the main parameters of the tool that must be taken into account when using the mechanism.
Wood carving tools
Sawing with a jigsaw is a creative process, but it requires preparation and additional equipment. What you will need for work:
Preparing the stencil
Drawings for cutting with a jigsaw can be different sizes, depending on the scale of the product being manufactured. To create a diagram of a shelf, a piece of furniture or a composite three-dimensional toy, you can take a large sheet of whatman paper A1 or A0, the wallpaper left after the renovation will also work, for small figures take regular A4 paper or another suitable format.
On the surface bright pencil or use a marker to draw the outline of the future product, following the dimensions. This could be an element for assembling furniture, a shelf or another large product.
There are such a wide variety of templates for cutting with a jigsaw that it can be difficult to choose the right one. It is much easier to come up with your own cutting patterns and transfer them to paper.
Transferring an image to the surface of plywood or boards
Before you start cutting with a jigsaw, you need to transfer the image from the stencil to a piece of wood or plywood. To do this, cut out a shape from a sheet, apply it to the surface of the plywood and carefully trace it. It is desirable that the line be smooth and accurate. We use a simple pencil so that, if necessary, we can correct the line by erasing it with an eraser.
We apply the contour with back side to finished product no remnants of the lines were visible. The internal area can be shaded so as not to cut off excess and to mark untouchable areas.
It is important to transfer the design in such a way as to minimize cutting along the grain with a jigsaw - it is so difficult to get an even line.
Sawing process technology
Many people have probably heard how to use a jigsaw. Working with the tool will not cause difficulties if you prepare for it correctly.
Plywood carving begins with the inner contours of the design. To do this, you need to make slots for inserting the tool blade:
- The plywood is often taken thin, and when cutting a large contour there will be no problems, but tension may arise in a small remainder. Sawing with a jigsaw inside can damage the product - chips, burrs, cuts;
- It’s easier to work this way: you always have something to hold the workpiece by. WITH large sheet much easier to handle than trying to hold a small sawn piece while shaping its interior.
How to saw with a jigsaw:
Working with a jigsaw is much easier than using a hand tool; there is no need for physical effort and the process goes faster.
How to saw with a jigsaw:
As you can see, there is nothing complicated in this process.
Defects in work
If you did not follow the technology or hold the tool incorrectly, the saw may simply move off the line. Why does a jigsaw cut crookedly:
- tilted the tool while working;
- the tension of the file has weakened;
- With an electric saw, the fastening of the saw may become loose.
To avoid such problems, before starting sawing, be sure to check the tension of the saw and the fastening of all working elements. If the blade is beveled and stuck, it is better to start over and make a line parallel to the defective one.
A little about safety
Safety precautions when working with a jigsaw for cutting plywood and wood are simple:
- Use protective equipment- glasses, gloves, robe. These things will protect you from dust and small chips.
- Sawing with a hand jigsaw should be done carefully so as not to damage your fingers with the saw. Maintain a distance between your body and the tool.
- If you are a beginner, carefully read the instructions on how to use a jigsaw and the main characteristics of the tool. This information will help avoid accidental injury and unit breakdown.
Wood carving with a jigsaw requires care and attention. Both your health and the integrity of the finished product depend on these qualities.
What can be made from plywood: interesting ideas and drawings
Sawing wood with a jigsaw or hand tools is a creative process. You can create many decorative products of different directions:
Drawings of plywood crafts do not have to be made in exact dimensions. Even taking an example from the Internet and changing its proportions, you will get a unique product that no one else has in this form.
DIY plywood crafts can be painted or left in a natural color; you can glue buttons, beads, ribbons and other decor onto them to liven up the product. To do this, it is worth involving children in the work; their imagination is a bottomless well of interesting ideas.
We offer you diagrams with photos for cutting out of plywood with a jigsaw.
You can come up with your own idea of what you can cut using a hand or electric tool, make your own sketch and transfer it to paper, then to a piece of wood or plywood.
Carving plywood with a jigsaw requires certain knowledge and skills. If you don't have them, take note following rules:
In life home handyman, periodically there is a need to make figured and simply decorative cuts, including inside the workpiece. Gasoline, circular and regular hand saws They cannot cope with this task due to their design features. To solve this problem, use a manual jigsaw, specially designed for performing such operations. This tool undoubtedly copes with its task, but when working with large volumes or dimensional materials, it definitely loses to its more professional brother - a jigsaw.
Purchasing a brand new, shiny, and functional benchtop jigsaw is absolutely effortless. Store shelves are filled with products from various manufacturers aimed at professional and amateur work. At first glance, the stationary jigsaws on sale seem to be very complex in terms of design, the assembly of which is carried out only by selected expert technicians. In fact, this is quite simple devices that you can do yourself if you have the desire and step by step instructions. And if the first point depends only on you, with the second we will definitely help and provide detailed guide By self-assembly homemade jigsaw machine.
Scope of application
The special design and thin saw blade make the tabletop jigsaw a unique device, indispensable when performing certain types of tasks. This device has gained the greatest popularity in the woodworking industry. It is often used in delicate work to make jewelry, souvenirs, musical instruments and furniture.One of the main features for which the wood jigsaw is so valued is the ability to carry out internal cuts on the workpiece without damaging its contour. Not the least role in the usefulness of this device is its ease of use, when both hands of the operator are free and can in the best possible way control the position of the product on the working surface. To everything else, it is worth adding the accuracy of the resulting cutting line, as well as the ability to work with plastic and metal. All of the above advantages make a table jigsaw the best tool for cutting decorative elements.
The working principle of a jigsaw machine
To form the clearest possible picture of the structure of a tabletop jigsaw, you need to understand what it consists of. Next, we will list all the design elements of an elementary apparatus of this type, without additional functionality (removing sawdust, speed control, tilting the working surface and other gadgets). So, a stationary jigsaw consists of the following components:- Stable foundation
- Electric motor
- Crank assembly
- Desk
- Upper and lower arm
- File clamping device
The whole process originates from the motor, which transmits rotation to the crank mechanism, which converts the circular motion into reciprocating motion. The connecting rod, which is part of the mechanism, transfers movement to the lower arm, causing it to move up and down. The entire structure described above is located under the desktop. The upper lever is located above the table surface and is connected to the lower spring, which serves as a saw blade tensioner. At the ends of both levers opposite to the spring there is a clamp where a saw is installed to cut the workpiece.
For greater clarity of the entire process described above, we present the following drawing of a jigsaw machine with the function of a saw blade tension regulator. At least this opportunity and is one of the main ones, we did not present it in the description of the design of an elementary device, since it is possible to work without it.
Jigsaw machine from electric jigsaw
Not everyone has a need to regularly carry out decorative figured cuts. Often, to solve such problems, home craftsmen only need a regular hand-held electric jigsaw. Not everyone wants to purchase a bulky and rather expensive device for one-time use and further collection of dust. Still, in everyday life, sometimes there is a job that requires the most accurate and accurate cutting. In this case, you can assemble a fairly simple jigsaw machine with your own hands, using a minimal set of materials and a little imagination.
Today, the network offers many different options for desktop jigsaws, with varying degrees of complexity and efficiency. After reviewing dozens of products, we settled on the most interesting and at the same time simple assembly that meets the main requirements for cutting quality. Even a beginner who has at his disposal can assemble such a jigsaw machine from a manual jigsaw with his own hands necessary tool. For assembly you will need:
- Chipboard sheet (3 pcs): 600x400x20 (length, width, height)
- Spring
- Profile pipe (1.5 m): 30x30x2 (length, width, thickness)
- Jigsaw
- Flat washers (4 pcs)
- Bolts for washers and connections
- Self-tapping screws for countertop assembly
Required tools:
- Welding machine
- Grinder with a metal disc
- Screwdriver
1.First of all, you should assemble the base of the future machine. To do this, take 3 prepared sheets of chipboard or other thick enough wood material and make a structure out of them that looks like the letter “p”. We fix it at the edges with self-tapping screws. For greater reliability and stability, you can make a back wall.
2. In the center of the surface of the assembled tabletop, we outline future holes for a file and several fasteners for a jigsaw. To do this, remove the sole from the jigsaw, apply it with the opposite (not flat) side to the future attachment point and make several points through the grooves of the sole. At this stage, it is necessary to maintain accuracy, since the jigsaw installed from below must have the most accurate, perpendicular location to the side edges of the table, in order to avoid distortion of the file when further work. We drill the marked points with a drill 3-4 mm, and the central one (for the file) by 10 mm. As in the photos below.
3. After fixing the jigsaw under the tabletop, we proceed to assembling the upper lever from a square pipe, which serves as a saw blade tensioner. As a fixed base, we cut off a part of the pipe, 300 mm long, and weld fixation elements (corners or ears) at one of the ends. The moving part should be slightly longer (about 45 cm). The connection of two elements is carried out using a bolt with a nut and a U-shaped metal element, welded to the end of the post, as in the photo below.
A washer is welded to the end of the movable lever, which will be located directly on the file, which will serve as the upper fastening element.
4. Before installing the assembled tensioner structure to the surface of the table top, be sure to make sure that the end of the boom is located directly above the hole drilled for the file. If the top fastening moves too far to the side, the file will often tear, complicating the cutting process. When the ideal location of the tensioner has been verified, we fasten the structure to the tabletop with bolts.
5. Since the jigsaw is not suitable for working with thin files, we make a simple adapter fastener for it. To do this, take an old saw blade, grind off the teeth with a grinder, cut them to 3-4 cm in length and weld a regular nut to the end, into which the saw blade will be clamped using a second nut and bolt.
When making such an adapter, pay attention special attention to its length. If it is too large, the nut will hit the bottom of the table top, which may cause the tool to break.
6. When the file is clamped in both fasteners, all that remains is to tension it and start working. The implementation of such a function is simple. We attach the spring to the back of the movable lever using a bolt and nut, and fix the opposite part to the tabletop to the required length. Determining the tension is very easy. To do this, just run your finger along the file, like a guitar string. A high sound will indicate that the device is operational.
At this stage, the assembly of the elementary device is considered complete. To more clearly understand how to make a machine from a jigsaw, we recommend watching the following video.
Homemade jigsaw from a drill
A screwdriver and drill are among the most common power tools in any household. These devices are quite powerful, have a wide range of applications and are sometimes even used as drives for various mechanisms. The author of the following manual on assembling a tabletop jigsaw with his own hands uses a drill as a motor.
The manufacturing process of a classic machine presented below does not require welding and cutting metal with a grinder, but at the same time perfectly demonstrates the principle of operation similar apparatus. The device is based on a simple crank mechanism, which can be made in a couple of minutes, having at your disposal a piece of plywood and a short steel rod with a diameter of 6 mm. Unfortunately, the author did not provide detailed drawing jigsaw machine, but answered many questions by editing a visual video instruction.
The entire assembly process includes quite a lot small parts, easy to understand and do not require additional comments. For this reason, we decided not to explain basic things in words, but to touch only on the basic details of the design. By tradition, we begin the instructions by listing the required materials.
- Wooden slats (2 pcs): 500x40x20 (length, width, thickness)
- Chipboard for base: 400x350x20
- Chipboard for work surface: 320x320x20
- Chipboard strips (2 pcs): 350x50x20
- Aluminum sheet: 400x400x1
- Drill (screwdriver)
- PVC pipes (4 pcs): 300 mm in length
- Self-tapping screws, bolts, washers and nuts
- Wood glue
- Steel rod, diameter 6mm (for crank assembly)
- Spring
Required tools:
- Screwdriver or drill
- Pliers
- Metal scissors
- Hammer
In place of the presented saw tension mechanism, you can install a small lanyard with a fixing nut. This way, the tensioning process will be more convenient and efficient.
As a file, the author uses steel wire for survival in the forest. Of course, a perfectly even cut cannot be obtained with such an element, so a fastening element should be made at the ends of the upper and lower arms. You can clamp the file between two washers, tightened with a screw and a pair of nuts.
For the most durable and convenient fixation of the crank, it is better to use a drill chuck with a key. If you have this element, you can quickly remove the drill or screwdriver when you need it in another place. You can just as easily tighten it back.
We hope that the presented manual was useful and clearly conveyed the principle of operation and manufacture of the device. More visual instructions You can see how to make a homemade jigsaw in the video below.
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The era of electric tools did not come with the first electric drills, but when the electric motor became an attribute of a narrower tool: scissors, hacksaws, impact wrenches and, of course, jigsaws.
Moreover, the jigsaw became one of the first in this series. Today it is one of the most popular tools in the home (and not only) workshop. And first of all, we are talking about hand tools.
But in this article we are looking at jigsaw machines, and this is practically stationary devices, which often have their own specific place in the workshop, because for comfortable work they require a base with given parameters: height so that the hand placed on the work table has a 90º bend at the elbow and stability so that it dampens vibrations of the machine itself.
What are jigsaws used for?
Jigsaw machines are primarily designed for cutting parts or elements of complex configurations in sheet material: wood, plywood, MDF, fiberboard, chipboard, plastic, aluminum. They are also used to cut out the internal contours of products with preliminary drilling of the sawn material.
Such a tool, unlike manual or electric jigsaws, leaves both hands free for the person working on it, which greatly facilitates the work and allows it to be performed with the greatest accuracy. Most jigsaws, provided correct selection and installation of nail files, allow sawing even in fairly thick workpieces, with strict adherence to an angle of 90º relative to the plane of the workpiece.
Also, many models have an inclined table, which makes it possible to perform complex patterns at strictly specified angles other than straight, which is almost impossible when using manual or electric jigsaws.
In addition to home use, they are widely used in furniture production and enterprises producing musical instruments. True, quite often they are replaced by laser machines, but the burnt edges left by the latter do not make their use widespread.
General drawing, structural features of desktop jigsaw machines
The most common layout of jigsaw machines is as follows:
It includes:
- a frame (or body) on which all components and mechanisms are mounted;
- drive, often from an electric motor via a V-belt to a crank;
- a crank mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the electric motor shaft into the reciprocating motion of the saw;
- double rocker with tensioning device and attachments for saw blades;
- desktop, sometimes with a mechanism for rotating in the horizontal plane at a given angle.
Previously, miniature jigsaw machines with a somewhat simplified design were on sale, but it was precisely because of this, which led to the rapid failure of the files due to their short stroke, that their production was discontinued.
Most currently produced desktop jigsaw machines work with files 200–350 mm long and have a working stroke of 30 to 50 mm.
The differences between the machines mainly consist in the power of the electric drive (from 90 to 500 W for most models), as well as the type and methods of fastening the files. The optimal power, in our opinion, is 150 W.
And files, in addition to length, can vary in width (from 2 to 10 mm), type of shanks (with or without pins) and thickness (from 0.6 to 1.25 mm).
Some models can be equipped with the simplest, often called “Soviet”, saw blades for manual jigsaws, which is a big advantage. To realize just this opportunity, owners of jigsaw machines that do not have it often improve the fastenings of their devices by installing clamps from a manual jigsaw on them.
Most desktop jigsaw machines have 2 speed modes: most often 600 and 1000 rpm, which is very useful when working with materials of different thickness, hardness and viscosity. The presence of the already mentioned turntable for 99% of the work performed on the machine, the function is useless.
Also, most jigsaw machines are equipped with additional accessories, such as:
- compressor for blowing chips from the cutting line;
- lighting of the sawing area;
- drilling block, etc.
These devices cannot be called useless, but it is still not worth relying on their presence when choosing a tabletop jigsaw machine, since these same functions can be successfully performed by:
- a compressor for an aquarium, with a blowing power selected by you, often more efficient than the standard one;
- a table lamp or carrier with a light output that is comfortable for your eyes;
- electric drill or screwdriver.
Even more complex devices, such as engraving drills, which can be equipped with your machine, generally cause some confusion, but let’s say right away that it is better to have such tools not tied to a jigsaw (or any other) machine. Their mobility is often more expensive than the advanced functionality of this very machine. In addition, all this is far from free.
Choosing a jigsaw manufacturer
Most often, Russian consumers choose jigsaw machines from Proxxon, Dewalt, Hegner, Xendoll, Zubr, JET, Enkor Corvette and Croton. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Based on reliability and compliance with the characteristics declared by the manufacturer, we would highlight the machines German company Hegner. And their line of this equipment is longer than many others, but be sure to insist on sea trials when purchasing, regardless of which company’s machine you are planning to buy.
And even if it is possible to choose from 2 identical machines, demand that both are turned on. Buy one that has less operating noise and vibration.
DIY jigsaw machine
Finding a drawing of such equipment on the Internet is a rather trivial task, but we do not consider it advisable to single out any specific one from them, due to completely different approaches to implementation, both the very idea of building such a machine, and the selection of materials, type of drive, etc. We will offer several concepts for a homemade jigsaw and briefly analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each so that you can figure out what is best for you.
- First: the easiest to implement, suitable for performing most tasks in the manufacture of parts with a rather complex contour at home.
There are many options for attaching a manual jigsaw to the tabletop that serves as the machine’s work table. Choose any, or offer your own and share with the readers of our site, for which we will be grateful.
The video also shows techniques for making a complex contour using a not-so-thin file. A main drawback This design is due to the impossibility of using thin files, which makes it difficult to manufacture openwork parts.
- Second: wooden. It is interesting due to the fact that the material is accessible, easy to process and repair.
In our opinion, the interesting thing about it is the use of the same manual jigsaw, which is rational for two reasons:
- if necessary, it can also be used as stand-alone instrument, as it was made;
- the drive has built-in speed control, oscillation amplitude, and eliminates additional mechanisms that reduce the reliability of the design.
However, for those who like to tinker, there is alternative options manufacturing a wooden jigsaw machine.
When used as a drive of a drill or screwdriver with an adjustable speed of rotation of the output shaft, it will also be possible to smoothly regulate the frequency of movement of the saw.
Moreover, control of this process can be transferred to the pedal using a simple device, which will make the work even more comfortable and the cutting more accurate. Such jigsaw machines need to be well strengthened with braces and stringers and securely fastened to the floor so that they do not move during operation.
- Third: metal. There is no doubt that this particular concept is the most reliable and durable (provided that serious manufacturing errors are excluded), but it is also the most expensive. It makes sense to implement it if there is work large number and you will be able to save a sufficient amount by using materials you already have. Otherwise, there is not much point in making such structures with your own hands, given that inexpensive factory-made jigsaw machines can be purchased for less than 4 thousand rubles.
Of course, the latter does not matter if you are interested in the process of technical creativity itself.
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Having made a jigsaw with your own hands, you will not only be able to purchase practical tool, but also save cash: it will be much cheaper than the factory analogue, while possessing a full range of functions. A homemade jigsaw will allow you to create products of complex shapes from wood, plastic and other materials, the production of which with hand tools normal conditions would take a lot of time and effort.
A homemade jigsaw allows you to make cuts of complex shapes.
You should consider the structure and sequence of manufacturing a simple tabletop electric jigsaw, assembly features and the procedure for working with it.
How does a tabletop jigsaw work?
As the name suggests, this tool is designed to be placed on the surface of a desktop or workbench. Compact dimensions allow you to work with a jigsaw both in a workshop or garage, and at home. An electric jigsaw is an indispensable tool for making complex jewelry made of wood, figured carving on plywood and similar works.
Kinematic diagram of the jigsaw drive.
It is necessary to take a closer look at the structure of a factory-produced desktop jigsaw. This will allow you to understand the main features of the device and apply them in a homemade model.
The components of an electric jigsaw can be divided into 3 parts:
- movable frame with saw;
- fixed base;
- electric motor.
The operating principle of the tool is as follows: an electric motor rotates a crank mechanism, which converts rotational movements into reciprocating movements. The movements are transmitted to a movable frame on which the saw is tensioned.
The homemade device works using the same principle. To simplify the design, the movable frame can be replaced with a regular hand jigsaw.
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Parts for electric jigsaw
When assembling an electric jigsaw, it is important to find a suitable motor that will drive the working tool - the saw. A motor from a drill, blender, food processor or other equipment of the same type is perfect for this purpose.
It is better to make the jigsaw frame from aluminum pipe.
The movable frame is made from metal profiles, wooden slats or slats made of durable plastic. It is most convenient to work with aluminum tubes square section, as they are easy to process, have low weight and a significant margin of safety.
To fix the jigsaw in the desired position, you should make a reliable frame for it from wood or metal. The dimensions of the frame do not have much impact on the operation of the jigsaw. They depend only on which version of the tool you need - a compact tabletop or a full-size one installed on the floor.
The jigsaw table is made from a thick sheet of plywood, in which a small diameter hole is made where the saw will move (Fig. 2).
A gasket made of elastic material - rubber or leather - is placed between the body and the table, which will dampen vibration.
There is also a simpler option on how to make a homemade jigsaw. It consists in the fact that a manual electric jigsaw is mounted in a vertical position on a table-stand, while its file is attached tensionally to movable guide bars - levers.
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Assembling a table jigsaw
Construction homemade jigsaw begins with assembling the body, which can be made of plywood, chipboard or metal. The most simple model of this instrument can do without a housing, but in this case strong vibrations occur, which can significantly affect the ease of operation. In this case, two holes are made in the jigsaw - one for attaching the crank to the tool, the second for movably fixing the jigsaw itself to the table. After starting the engine, the jigsaw begins to produce reciprocating movements that facilitate sawing of the material.
Such a spring will provide required tension jigsaws.
A more sophisticated model includes two separate strips with wing nuts installed at the ends. At the opposite end, the planks are pulled together by a strong spring, ensuring constant tension on the saw. Such a device operates from a separate motor or, for example, from a drill.
There is a vertical bar running inside the case, which is fixedly attached to its bottom or one of the walls. Two holes are made in it, the distance between which should be 2-3 cm less than the length of a standard file. Bolts or pins are inserted into the holes, onto which strips are placed that hold the file.
The engine is built into the housing and is attached to the bottom bar by means of a disk with a connecting rod mechanism. A table with a hole for a file acts as a cover for the case.
The main disadvantage of a jigsaw with a separate motor lies in its most intricate part - the crank mechanism. The file with it makes not only vertical, but also oblique movements, which cannot but affect the cutting accuracy. If you need to get a precise tool, then it is better to replace the engine with an inexpensive factory-made manual jigsaw. It is attached under the surface of the body and a file is passed through the table, clamping it with one end in the jigsaw and the other in the upper bar of the structure. This design ensures sufficient cutting accuracy, bringing this parameter closer to factory models.
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Advantages of using an electric jigsaw
A jigsaw allows you to make complex cuts very accurately.
Unlike hand tools, an electric jigsaw has clear advantages, including:
- higher operating speed;
- the ability to work with two hands, which increases accuracy;
- safety - with proper organization A stationary labor tool is much safer because it cannot break out of your hands.
Besides this, self-production An electric jigsaw will save money, since factory machines of this type are quite expensive.