Jigsaw machine for beginners. Answers on questions

Why the files break. Why the file takes away. What should be the tension of the file. What you need to cut straight.

I invite you to my page with templates for cutting. DIY wooden things.

Recently I received a letter in which one of my subscribers asked just the above questions. Since I myself faced these problems when working on a jigsaw machine, I decided to share my experience here.

Why files break

The main reason that I noticed and because of which the files break is that the machine is not tuned.

When working, the file should run smoothly, without hesitation from side to side, and when viewed from the front of the working file, it should appear as a clear line. When walking the file from side to side, sooner or later it will break closer to the attachment point.

If the file is blurred during movement, then you need to look for the cause and eliminate it.

To do this, it is advisable to check all the components of the machine that affect the movement of the file and eliminate backlash, if any.

Also, the saw attachments can be located off the center of the rods or in another way: mounts can be offset from the vertical. Then the file will move as if diagonally and this is also one of the reasons for the oscillation of the file.

With the machine set up, I only change the saws when they are dull.

Why does the file take away and what should be the tension of the file

If the task is not to saw off something at an angle, then the file should be located at right angles to the table.

And not only from the front, but also from the side.

Since the attachment points shift during movement, it is certainly not possible to get an ideal 90 degrees here, but adjusting so that the offset is about 0.5 mm is quite realistic.

With this setting on the machine, you can already safely cut out cylinders, and not cones.

Usually, I additionally check the setting by sawing a small loop in the thick material, and if the sawn piece goes easily in both directions, then the setting task is completed.

For thick material, the tension of the file also matters. When sawing, there is an inevitable pressure on the file and its deviation from the vertical and, accordingly, it will be cut crookedly.

And if for a material with a thickness of up to 20 mm, tension is quite enough, at which light pressure will deflect the file by 4-5 mm, then for a thick material you need to tighten it more.

This is especially true when thick material is sawn with files No. 5 and thinner, because with a weak tension the file does not have time to align and a "barrel" is obtained

What you need to cut straight

This is perhaps the simplest question. To saw exactly requires skill, and this is acquired by training.

The easiest way to practice is to draw curves and straight lines on a board or plywood and cut along them.

Such training allows you to learn not only to lead along the line, but also to understand when the file is blunt.

For clarity, I suggest watching the video.

Thanks for reading. I would be glad to have your support in the form of a like and a subscription to the channel. And see other publications on the channel.

Alexander.

P.S. I also invite you to your site.