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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Carpentry Questions >> jigsaw blades https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1117291356 Message started by bushy on May 28^th, 2005, 3:42pm

Title: jigsaw blades
Post by bushy on May 28^th, 2005, 3:42pm

i recently bought a second hand jigsaw of a bloke at work its a makita 4304t and it cleaned up well and i am well chuffed, it has the toolless blade change with the bayonet type fittng, the thing is i dont know which blades i should buy, i mainly use it for laminate floors but occasionaly worktops to cut out for sink, hob etc...are the blades graded? what does everyone recommend?

i know this is probobly a daft question but i dont want to waste my money on the wrong or rubbish blades!

Thanks

Title: Re: jigsaw blades
Post by big_all on May 28^th, 2005, 5:50pm

heeelllooo bushy and welcome[my twin ;D ;)

i use bosch 101b or d blades

although if you going to cut a work top you want to make shure the blade dosnt wander as you could soon ruin a good worktop!!!
try cutting on a scrap off worktop first to check for wander

ask the chap why he has sold it!!!!!

and if its anything like my brothers makita you may have to rub each side of the blade a couple of times above the shoulder on sandpaper just to get it to fit in to the clamp

Title: Re: jigsaw blades
Post by bushy on May 28^th, 2005, 6:33pm

thanks big_all,

he sold it because the base scratched a high gloss worktop so he lost his temper with it >:(

i have managed to clean the jigsaw preety well but dont think ill risk it on a high gloss worktop yet!

thanks for the hints ill check for "wandering blade"

its a timesaver tho for my,erm weekend laminate floor jobs ;)

and oh yeah ill give those bosch blades a go.

cheers,

Ali

Title: Re: jigsaw blades
Post by big_all on May 28^th, 2005, 8:51pm

ooooohhhhhh bad memories :-/ :-/ :-/ understandable ;)

was it contamination on the plastic base plate or a dent/ burr in the metal if the plastic base was missing ::) ::)

Title: Re: jigsaw blades
Post by bushy on May 29^th, 2005, 10:37am

it was the plastic base :-/

needless to say it was not a good day, some of the language, well it made me blush!

He has now got the new d/w one i think its the 331?

It has a couple of new features like alowing the base to be adjusted right up to the blade, and a new blade change system, £130 tho... :o

I will definatly be carefull if i have to cut those high gloss w/tops!

Ali

Title: Re: jigsaw blades
Post by HM on May 29^th, 2005, 12:41pm

That marking/scratching of a surface is not an unknown problem for jigsaws in my humble experience. I've had a similar thing happen before now.

A good way of preventing that problem is to cover the work area with hardboard, and then cut thru the hardboard. That way the jigsaw shoe isn't in contact with the work surface and can't mark/scratch it.

HM

Title: Re: jigsaw blades
Post by bstyle on May 29^th, 2005, 12:54pm

Sorry to but in but does anyone know the reason for a jigsaw to jump around like crazy when cutting? I've got the 24v Bosch and just recently it's been uncontollable especially on hard wood.

Title: Re: jigsaw blades
Post by big_all on May 29^th, 2005, 2:07pm

could be when the batterys getting low and your finding the natural frequency of the wood
i wont insult your intelegence by asking if youve put in a down cut blade by mistake or whether the blade has worked loose
or youve turned of the pendulum action ;)

does it happen on strait runs cutting curves tight curves !!!!!!!!!!!!

have you tried to see if there is any play in the blade clamp mechanism !!!!
have you changed to a different type or make off blades!!!

try with a different type of blade and if possible try another preferibly newer battery

Title: Re: jigsaw blades
Post by big_all on May 29^th, 2005, 2:20pm

wrote on May 29^th, 2005, 10:37am:

you could try masking tape to cover the whole width of the base plate taped to the worksurface

Title: Re: jigsaw blades
Post by JerryD on May 29^th, 2005, 3:49pm

If ever I have to jigsaw on a polished surface I place two sheets of paper kitchen towel between the base and the worktop. This kitchen towel can be rough cut to shape, is easily available and can be thrown in the bin afterwards.

Works for me :D

Title: Re: jigsaw blades
Post by HM on May 29^th, 2005, 4:25pm

Another pissobolity would be to cut from the underside of the workpiece. Wouldn't work for all jobs, but for jigsawing out a large area (such as for a sink hole it could be beneficial.

HM

Title: Re: jigsaw blades
Post by bstyle on May 29^th, 2005, 6:56pm

Cheers, actually the blade does have a little movement on it. I dont know if there is anyway of tightening it as it's got a quick blade change mechanism. I'll have a look in the instruction booklet, thanks.

Title: Re: jigsaw blades
Post by bushy on Jun 1^st, 2005, 5:53pm

re scratching of high gloss worktops...

thanks for all the hints espesially to my twin (you know who you are ;) ), H.M and Jerry D, its good to know that despite other people experiancing similar problems there is a way round it...

cheers guys :)