We cut out the drawings with a hand jigsaw. How to make a jigsaw and a jigsaw machine with your own hands

Here is a general diagram of how a jigsaw machine works.

I had a homemade machine, I already briefly wrote about it. Since I am a furniture maker, I made it from leftover LMDF. Cheap and cheerful :). I didn’t care at all about appearance, as long as I worked. And he did a good job! On it I understood all the nuances of sawing from solid hardwood, such as walnut, oak, ash. Everything would be fine, but the drive, and it was a Krees 350W construction jigsaw. I worked for 15 years! The speed control of the drive is “closed”, it turns on immediately to maximum and immediately breaks the file. I couldn’t find a native branded regulator. I have tried all sorts of regulators, dimmers for chandeliers and regulators from the seams. machines, vacuum cleaners. I could not achieve the desired result, namely a wide range of adjustment.

The photo shows the principle of operation of the jigsaw. a construction jigsaw transmits oscillatory movements to a rocker arm, on which the file in turn is fixed.

In the end I gave up. The Moor has done his job, the Moor must go. I decided to buy a new jigsaw drive. All Chinese versions of jigsaws are not suitable; adjustment on them is the same name. In the Makita company store I found what I was looking for. 450 W jigsaw. Wide range of adjustment, and does not scream like Chinese jigsaws! Works quietly!

Here is my new drive, Makita 4327.

I found a new drive, but it didn’t work out to install it instead of the old one, the height is not suitable. I decided that rather than redo it, it would be better to make a new one, taking into account the elimination of the inconveniences identified during the process of working on the old one.

1. Increase the clearance from the file to the frame (on the old one it was 27 cm). For this you need an elongated rocker arm.

2. Increase the vertical stroke of the saw for good chip removal. (on the old one, the saw stroke is 18mm.)

3. Appearance! Schaub was not ashamed to take photographs. :)

And so! the machine is ready!

Here it is my new machine!

The clearance from the file to the frame is 45cm! The vertical stroke of the saw is 30mm! Dream!

Test cutting. The result is excellent! The Makita regulator works great. The machine makes noise like a household sewing machine.

What if you need to use a jigsaw, but have no desire to purchase one? Experienced craftsmen will answer that in this case the easiest way is to make a jigsaw with your own hands.

There are multiple ways to make and repair such a tool yourself. Below is a list of options for using the simplest and most accessible of them.

Making a manual jigsaw using simple technology

Before making a jigsaw, you should prepare inexpensive and accessible materials. Let's present them in the form of a list:

sheet plywood - 12 mm;
sheet plywood - 5 mm;
sheet steel - 2 mm;
set of bolts and nuts;
drill (manual or electric);
chisel;
sanding paper;
files.

As a base for a manual jigsaw, you must use a bracket, which is made from a sheet of plywood (12 mm).

After this, you should thicken the handle using a thinner plywood sheet (5 mm). This thickening is glued evenly on both sides of the handle, which ensures its comfortable position in the hand during subsequent work with a jigsaw. At the same time, the bracket and handle must be carefully processed using sandpaper and files of different classes.

The steel plate must be cut out using a chisel and the clamping jaws must be cleaned using a file. Next, you will need a drill to make slits in the jaws. Having taken this step, we begin to cut out notches on them with a sharp chisel. The left clamping jaw must be modified in such a way that a threaded hole is made for the bolt. We attach the jaws to the bracket, and then screw in the bolts on the left clamp, securely securing it with a nut.

Options for making a tabletop jigsaw

Desktop devices of this type can be made either from scratch or by modifying existing devices.

Option 1

To make a new benchtop mechanical jigsaw, you must first acquire the following tools and consumables:

duralumin pipe;
plastic base;
screws;
copper sheet;
drill.

First, we prepare the frame; a duralumin pipe is well suited for this purpose. During the manufacturing process of the frame, a passage must be provided through which an electrical wire is laid, which will provide the tool with power. Using a copper sheet, a U-shaped frame is made, which is then attached directly to the frame. In the area where the frame connects to the jigsaw handle, the frame is screwed in with screws.

Then we take a plastic base to drill holes and mounting slots in it. We fix the jigsaw on the prepared base so that the file can pass freely through the hole. Using clamps, we attach the finished device to a flat surface, for example, to a table.

Option 2

To make a jigsaw, you can use a sewing machine, the repair of which is not necessary. To make such a tool you will need the following materials and tools:

foot or manual sewing machine model;
hacksaw blade;
needle file;
electric drill.

We unscrew all the bolted fasteners from the lower parts of the machine structure, and the entire working system with thread is completely removed. We remove the metal fastening rod by knocking it out and remove the drive shaft. We unscrew 2 more bolts and disassemble the panel that covers the sewing machine; removing it is quite simple. Using gentle movements, remove the sewing needle and get to work.

First of all, we carry out work with the slot for the needle. We expand it to such a size that the file can fit there. A needle file will help you cope with this task. It should be selected based on the size of the hacksaw blade. Try to adjust the size of the slot for the file as accurately as possible. Having bored out the connector, you can install the blade in place of the former needle holder. And finally, when turning the wheel, you need to check a few things to:

there was no contact between the saw, the panel and the presser foot;
there was free passage of plywood under the saw in the upper position;
the materials were drawn in a smooth motion without jerking.

These jigsaws are suitable for use with plywood, balsa wood and plastic, and when using an electric machine, such a device can be converted into a jigsaw.

Video “Jigsaw. Choosing a tool and working with it"

If it is not possible to repair the jigsaw

If using a manual jigsaw is not up to the task, and electric jigsaws cannot be repaired, then you should use the options presented below that will allow you to make a jigsaw. Electric jigsaw table type:

electric jigsaw for manual use;
sheet plywood;
set of clamps;
10 pieces of screws;
electric drill.

We make markings for the slots in the plywood and carefully cut them out. If there is a pendulum stroke, it must be turned off. Then we place a hacksaw blade in the slot and attach it there. We also make several slits on the plywood by drilling holes with a drill and connecting them to each other. Screws are placed in the slots made. As a result, securing the tool with clamps on flat surfaces will not be difficult. The device is ready.

Jigsaw from an electric drill:

steel sheet (4 mm);
steel sheet (1.5 mm);
steel sheet (1 mm);
steel rail (2 mm);
spring rail (0.9 mm);
steel rod (7 mm cross-section);
electric drill.

Using sheet steel (4 mm), we make a product in the form of a C-shaped frame, which will be the base of the jigsaw. Next, attach it to an electric drill. For this purpose, it is necessary to create a special clamp from a steel sheet (1.5 mm), which will ensure fastening. We attach spring slats to the edges of the base. We will need a steel sheet (1 mm) to make clamps with which the saw will be attached. Clips like these on the edges will also help strengthen the C-frame. And from a steel rod you can make a crank that will power the saw. For the connecting rod we need a steel strip, which will allow us to create a crank mechanism.

At this point, the work on making the jigsaw can be considered complete. Due to its massive size, for safety reasons it is better to clamp the drill in a vice while working. And it’s best to place working materials on flat surfaces.

Video “Jigsaw. Modernization"

Fretwork, a hand saw, has been in existence for over 450 years. The first mention of this instrument appeared in 1870 in a book about ornaments. For the last few centuries, this wonderful jigsaw has been used to make all kinds of decorative items: picture frames, various furniture inserts, stylish boxes and boxes.

Much has changed since then. The jigsaw has also undergone changes - now it has become electromechanical. And this is not surprising. The need for this tool has not gone away, just like in previous times, people are engaged in creativity, some for pleasure and others for profit.

Tool for making decorative and openwork crafts

Sawing with a jigsaw is a type of creative activity that most people are familiar with from childhood, from school. At least it wasn't that long ago. When labor lessons began at school and girls learned sewing and needlework, boys were introduced to such a tool as jigsaw.

It is not difficult to use, and crafts made with a jigsaw from plywood carry not only artistic value, but also practical application. Manufactured products can act as souvenirs: various boxes and toys, and also have practical applications in everyday life. Decorated elements of the porch of a house, windows, stylish benches with carved legs, beautiful kitchen furniture and many other useful wood products can be made using this wonderful tool.

Ideal hobby tool

A hand jigsaw is a tool for cutting shapes out of plywood or some other material, for example, plastic. Its manual version is budget-friendly - its cost does not exceed several hundred rubles, and its scope is very wide. Figure cutting with a hand jigsaw is a very interesting activity. This is not only a pleasant pastime, but also practical benefits, not only financial, but also moral.

The design of this tool is very simple:

Electromechanical jigsaws

The electric hand jigsaw has become an indispensable tool in the household. It can be used to cut various materials: plywood, wood, plastic, metal, ceramics, etc.

This tool operates from a 220 W electrical network and is a plastic case with working elements, equipped with a control handle. Its main component is the saw blade, which is mounted on a rod located in the front of the device.

The rod is driven by an electric motor. The movement of the cutting blade is reciprocating. To speed up the sawing process, some samples of this tool use the pendulum principle, that is, the file moves not only up and down, but also back and forth.

Cutting blades - consumables and they need to be changed from time to time. They are functionally different from each other - there are attachments for wood, metal, and ceramics. There are thicker blades, with more or less rigidity, with larger or finer teeth. An important characteristic of files is their shank. The most common saws today are those with U-shaped and T-shaped shanks. It is with such files that you need to purchase a jigsaw - then there will be no shortage of consumables.

Electric tools differ in many respects, but in this article we will pay attention to only one important factor - this saw blade play. This characteristic affects the movement of the cutting blade towards the side during figure cutting. Many brands of jigsaws cannot cope with the task of perpendicular cutting, this is especially sensitive when cutting thick wood - the error can be up to 5 mm.

Conducted experiments on figured cutting of wood showed that the best jigsaw turned out to be a tool from the company Festool. Popular company Makita in this competition it did not show its best side - the error of the perpendicular-shaped cut turned out to be quite large (up to 5 mm), and the jigsaw of this brand also enters the tree with large chips.

- this is already professional equipment for sawing. Its design is more complex than the equipment discussed above. The principle of its operation can be compared to a sewing machine, which has a jigsaw blade instead of a needle. The quality of the products obtained using this unit is incomparably better. The error of a perpendicular cut with a large workpiece thickness is zero.

The only disadvantage of this electromechanical device is its high price. But this is compensated by the comfort of working on it and high productivity with the highest quality of the resulting products.

Manufacturing technology of decorative and openwork products

To work you will need the following:

Plywood or wooden blank.
A template, drawing or drawing of a future product.
Manual or electric jigsaw.
Files and needle files of various configurations.
Wooden square and ruler.
Skin of various grain sizes.

Cutting drawings

To begin work, you need to determine what should happen at the end of the work. To do this, you will need a drawing or template of the future product. You can come up with it and draw it yourself, or use ready-made solutions. There are many collections containing drawings and diagrams of crafts. The Internet is also replete with a variety of interesting ideas. And for almost everyone there will be an interesting diagram or drawing.

Typically, diagrams of small crafts are printed on A4 paper. To create drawings of decorative and stylish furniture or other large household items, whatman paper in sizes A0 and A1 is used, however, other paper and cardboard media, for example, pieces of unnecessary wallpaper glued together, can also be used for this purpose.

After the drawing is selected, it must be transferred to the material from which the craft will be made. There are several ways to do this:

Technology

After applying the drawing to the workpiece from which the future craft will be made, they begin to cut it out. Sawing begins with the internal elements of the workpiece and only then the outer contour is cut out. This order of work is more convenient - holding the workpiece is much easier.

Holes for the jigsaw blade are drilled in sharp places on the internal contour, which also makes work easier. You need to drill holes carefully, as chips may form on the back side.

To avoid this, you need to follow a simple rule - do not drill holes completely. For example, if the thickness of the plywood is 3 mm, then the depth of the hole to be drilled should also be set to 3 mm. This is easy to do if you limit the depth of penetration of the drill into the plywood using electrical tape - wrap it around the drill, leaving only the 3 mm long tip without electrical tape. After drilling, turn the workpiece over and use an awl to make holes.

After the workpiece is cut, it needs to be process and polish. If the outer contour is not difficult to process, then grinding the internal elements is sometimes difficult, especially in sharp corners. It is difficult to sand such places with a file or needle file. Therefore, ingenuity can come to the rescue. You need to cut a thin strip of sandpaper and insert it instead of a jigsaw and then it will be much easier to process hard-to-reach places.

The principles of sawing with a manual or electromechanical jigsaw are similar, but there are also differences.

Working with a hand jigsaw

When working with this tool, an additional device is required - sawing machine. It must be equipped with a clamp for attaching to a workbench or table. This device serves as the base on which the workpiece is sawed. This addition can either be purchased at the store, or you can make it yourself from a piece of thick plywood.

When working, the workpiece should be secured at chest level - this will make work more comfortable and maintain posture.

When working with a hand jigsaw, you need accuracy and patience.. The files of this tool are quite fragile, so you need to avoid sudden movements and distortions of the blade, and also not allow the file to overheat during operation; to do this, you need to pause work every 10 seconds and let the cutting blade cool.

When sawing, the jigsaw file should remain in one place, that is, it should not be moved forward or backward, the movement of a hand jigsaw is vertical, reciprocating. They only move the workpiece, turning it smoothly, without stopping the forward movements of the manual jigsaw.

Sawing with an electromechanical tool

The operating principle is very similar to a hand tool. The difference is that a manual jigsaw does not require additional equipment (a machine with a clamp). And also when sawing, the shaped movement is produced not by the workpiece, but directly by the tool itself. The wooden workpiece is firmly pressed or attached to the workbench, and all curly movements are made directly with a jigsaw.

A jigsaw has an advantage over a hand saw- this is the thickness that he can cut out figuratively. A wooden blank 50 mm thick is inaccessible for processing with conventional, non-electric tools. So, if you need to decorate elements of a porch or furniture, then you can’t do without a jigsaw.

You need to be very careful when choosing a power tool, since not all tools allow you to perform high-quality figure sawing of great depth.

Safety precautions

Basic safety precautions are required for all types of physical work.

After several unsuccessful attempts to cut out complex shapes with an electric jigsaw, I decided to make a homemade desktop jigsaw using the drawings from the network. It will be very easy to cut complex shapes of small sizes from lightweight materials.

To assemble a jigsaw machine with your own hands from a jigsaw you will need:

electric jigsaw
sheet of plywood and boards for support
wood screws
bolts with nuts

Tools: drill, sandpaper, clamp, tape measure.

Step 1: Cut out the lid and base

Draw two 250x300 mm rectangles on a sheet of plywood and cut them out with a jigsaw. These rectangles will be the base and cover of your machine. Carefully sand the surfaces of the rectangles, especially the one that will be the lid.

Step 2: Making the front pillars

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Measure the height of the jigsaw from the sole to the handle so that the jigsaw fits in the machine box; the stands must be greater than this distance. My jigsaw is 18 cm high, so I made 20 cm long posts from the board. Then I pressed the two pieces together with a clamp and sawed off 5 mm from them on both sides so that both posts were the same height.

Now the racks can be screwed to the base. To prevent the wood from cracking, you need to pre-drill holes for the screws and countersink them.

Step 3: Attach the jigsaw to the lid

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Remove the soleplate from the jigsaw using the supplied hexagon. There is already one hole in the cover, you just need to drill three more so that there is a mounting hole in each corner.
In the central part of the plywood cover, mark the place where you will attach the jigsaw sole and the hole for the jigsaw blade.
Now you can drill four holes in the plywood, countersinking them with a countersink bit so that the screw heads are flush with the surface. All that remains is to make a hole for the file.
Now put the sole back on the jigsaw skis, and attach the plywood cover to the sole so that the file fits into the hole provided for it.
Insert a washer into the widening of each mounting hole, insert bolts into the holes and tighten them on the other side with nuts. It was a little difficult to tighten the bolts, so I secured the head of each bolt with a flat head screwdriver and turned the other side with a wrench.

Step 4: Install the jigsaw on the base

Lower the cover with the jigsaw onto the base with the stands and secure it on top with screws, having previously drilled holes for them. Be sure to countersink these holes to prevent the wood from cracking when screwed. The jigsaw should not touch the base and should have a good grip on the lid. Therefore, the screw heads must be flush with the surface of the cover, otherwise they will unscrew while the jigsaw is running.

From the remains of the board, I made two additional rear posts, so the machine became much more stable.

Step 5: Modification of the machine

At this stage, the machine is quite functional; it is enough to simply secure it with a clamp on the tabletop and you can work.

I identified two features of my jigsaw:

the blade moved a little to the sides, especially when working at high speeds.
The blade width was wider than standard jigsaw blades, making cutting particularly thin holes poor.

Step 6: Reduce the width of the canvas

A narrower blade will give you the ability to cut fine curves and make it easier to cut rounded corners.

Pull the saw to the maximum, do not forget to turn off the jigsaw from the mains.
Mark the point where the blade exits the housing. Below this point nothing needs to be removed.
Remove the file from the jigsaw and use a grinder to grind the blade down to the desired width. When grinding, dip the file in cool water so that it does not overheat, otherwise the metal will lose its hardness and the file will no longer be able to cut through anything. A change in color is a sign of overheating of the metal.
Once you have the desired blade width, place the file back into the jigsaw.

Step 7: Making a guide for the file

The guide will prevent the blade from moving to the sides during cutting, especially at high speeds.

I made the guide from a small strip of PVC plastic. At one end of the strip, use a jigsaw to make a small slot at an angle to the middle of the strip. We secure the strip behind the file by screwing it to a wooden L-shaped piece mounted on the lid of your machine. The guide can be lubricated with oil for better movement.

Remember:

The guide should never be higher than the blade at the lowest point in the blade's path.
The guide limits the size of the material you are going to cut due to its height and mounting point on the surface. Therefore, it is better to fix the guide as high as possible (taking into account the previous remark), and move it as far away from the canvas as possible, with a slope to the side as soon as possible.

Step 8: Conclusion

With a little effort, you will have an almost real tabletop jigsaw. Of course, it will not replace a real machine, but given its zero cost, it is an excellent option.