Jigsaws
| MachineInfoBox Jigsaws | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms: | pendulum jigsaws, DE: Pendelstichsägen |
| Material: | wood, metal & more (depending on blade) |
| Access Requirements: | Reciprocating Saw Introduction |
| Tutors: | Lukas Pakue Johannes Luzian Keno Utis Sebastian Baumphil |
| Similar (More or Less): | reciprocating saw |
A jigsaw is a powerful tool for cutting various hard materials in curved lines. For intricate shapes and thin materials, have a look at a scroll saw or a laser cutter. While relatively straight lines can be achieved by means of a fence, a handheld circular saw (especially chop or table saw) will produce better results if you need precision.
Safety
When using the jigsaw, always take the time to properly clamp down your workpiece, hook up a shop vac and wear safety glasses. Wear hearing protection as it is really loud.
Accessories
Blades

Some saw blades for various materials should be available in each saw's box - if you broke one or need anything specific, please buy some new ones!
As a rule of thumb, the blade should be at least 1.5 cm longer than your workpiece is thick. [1]
Links
Basics
Upgrade Ideas
- jigsaw table (can be self-built)
Project Ideas
Here are some examples of projects you could use a jigsaw for:
-
large, curved shapes like a giant football
-
cutting a corner out of a custom-fit shelf
-
some router jigs can also be used with a jigsaw, but at least the corners won't turn out nearly as nice
Bosch PST 750 PE "EXPO2000"
| MachineInfoBox Bosch PST 750 PE "EXPO2000" | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms: | DE:Stichsäge |
| Type: | Jigsaws |
| Material: | Wood |
| Location: | Saw Station |
| Access Requirements: | Reciprocating Saw Introduction |
| Status: | Working |
| Manual: | ManualsLib |
| Tutors: | Lukas Pakue Johannes Luzian Keno Utis Sebastian Baumphil |
Lukas donated his Bosch jigsaw to the Space in the early years.
It requires T-shank blades to work.
Malte 3D printed an adapter to use this saw with our Festool shop vac, here's the design on Thingiverse in case it should break or go missing. You may need to tape the adapter to the saw.
Makita DJV181
| MachineInfoBox Makita DJV181 | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms: | DE:Stichsäge |
| Type: | Jigsaws |
| Location: | Office |
| Access Requirements: | Reciprocating Saw Introduction |
| Status: | In Commissioning |
| Manual: | icmsmakita.eu |
| Tutors: | Lukas Pakue Johannes Luzian Keno Utis Sebastian Baumphil |
This cordless Makita Jigsaw was donated via Bauhaus Bonusprogram.
Key features are:
- three-stage pendulum action
- tool-free blade change.
- Engine speed can be adjusted between 800 and 3 500 min.
- stroke length: 26 mm
- cutting capacity: 135 mm in wood and 10 mm in steel
- can be used with external extraction
- works with T-Shade blades.
To adjust the speed, use the dial at the end of the handle.
| Position | Cutting action | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Straight line
cutting action |
For cutting mild steel, stainless steel and plastics. For clean cuts in wood and plywood. |
| I | Small orbit cutting action | For cutting mild steel, aluminum and hard wood. |
| II | Medium orbit cutting action | For cutting wood and plywood. For fast cutting in aluminum and mild steel. |
| III | Large orbit cutting action | For fast cutting in wood and plywood. |
| Workpiece to be cut | Number on adjusting dial |
|---|---|
| Wood | 4 - 6 |
| Mild steel | 3 - 6 |
| Stainless steel | 3 - 4 |
| Aluminum | 3 - 6 |
| Plastics | 1 - 4 |
This tool is not ready for use yet since not all commissioning steps have been completed. The process is also tracked on GitHub. Feel free to contribute to making it usable, any help is very welcome!
| Task | comment | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Name the tool: | - | Done |
| Take a picture | - | Done |
| Find the manual as PDF | https://cdn.axminstertools.com/media/downloads/506274_manual.pdf https://www.icmsmakita.eu/CMS/custom/fi/attachments/user_manuals/User_manuals_EU2/DJV181.pdf --> Directly from Makita Page should (hopefully) be better |
Done |
| Documentation | this page, status: in commissioning | Done |
| Print QR-Code | use the MachineQR Factory | pending |
| Introduction | Jigsaw Introduction needs to be checked for adjustment needs | Done |
| Security Check | to be done or witnessed by a manager | pending |
| Test | to be done or witnessed by a manager | pending |
| tool's name, owner and approx. value | provide to Johannes for inventorization | Done |
| Last step: make it available | physically and in the wiki - then delete this template | pending |
Parkside PSTD 800 A1
| MachineInfoBox Parkside PSTD 800 A1 | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms: | DE:Stichsäge |
| Type: | Jigsaws |
| Material: | Wood |
| Location: | Saw Station |
| Access Requirements: | Reciprocating Saw Introduction |
| Status: | Working |
| Tutors: | Lukas Pakue Johannes Luzian Keno Utis Sebastian Baumphil |
Mitja's jigsaw works with T-shank blades.
It has a laser sight but you are better off ignoring that feature and setting up a solid fence to cut along ;-)