What can be made from an electric jigsaw. DIY jigsaw machine - drawings and video details. Advantages of using an electric jigsaw
What if you need to use a jigsaw, but have no desire to purchase one? Experienced craftsmen They 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 available 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 it is done threaded hole 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 kind 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. We attach with clamps ready-made device on a flat surface, such as a table.
Option 2
To make a jigsaw you can use sewing machine, the repair of which is not necessary. To make such a tool you will need following materials and tools:
- foot or manual sewing machine model;
- hacksaw blade;
- needle file;
- electric drill.
We unscrew all the bolted fastenings from the lower parts of the machine structure, completely remove all working system with thread. 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. Finally secure the tool using clamps to flat surfaces will not be an effort. 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. Steel sheet(1 mm) we will need 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 is best to place working materials on flat surfaces.
Video “Jigsaw. Modernization"
Without a jigsaw, many woodworking operations are impossible. Compact and lightweight, it allows you to manufacture products of even the most complex geometries. Sometimes, for example, with large volumes of work, it is more convenient to work with this tool not as a manual jigsaw, but in a machine format. Such equipment is presented in the catalogs of many manufacturers. household power tools, but if necessary, you can make it yourself.
Equipment selection - main points
First, it’s worth answering the question: what material will the master most often work with? An electric motor power of 50-90 W is sufficient for most types of wood, but if you plan to process hard wood and significant volumes, pay attention to the 120 W options. Stepwise adjustment of engine speed (blade speed) is desirable; choose models with a smooth change in this parameter.
The ability to adjust the speed is needed to adapt the machine to work with various breeds wood - heating of the material, which will ruin the cut, is avoided. In addition, by gradually increasing the speed, the master concentrates on a complex procedure, and the engine operates in a gentle mode, which increases its service life.
Some models provide the ability to cut not only in horizontal surface, but also at an angle, and a special scale will allow you to select the most accurate position of the workpiece. Semi-professional and household machines allow you to change the tilt of the desktop up to 45° in one direction, professional ones - up to 45° in both directions.
Pay attention to work surface. It should be massive enough so as not to sag under heavy workpieces, very smooth (so the part slides over the base without problems) and polished so as not to stain the workpiece.
When choosing equipment, it is important to remember the nominal number of revolutions. Many craftsmen mistakenly believe that it must correspond to at least 1650 reciprocating movements of the saw in 60 seconds - only with this indicator the cut will be perfectly smooth, without chips or nicks. However, modern benchtop machines from famous manufacturers guarantee an ideal cutting line even at speeds of 700-1400 strokes per minute.
Don't forget about the maximum stroke saw blade– the thickness of the processed parts depends on this value. Additional options are also important:
- Availability of engraver – extra. shaft for particularly precise cuts and the manufacture of fine crafts;
- removing wood dust and shavings from the working surface;
- illumination of the cutting area.
How to navigate models from different manufacturers?
On modern market There are many models of jigsaw machines, but there are several main “players”, and each of them has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.
Corvette models from the Enkor company are household-class machines and for use in industrial conditions are not suitable, but this is quite functional equipment, equipped with a rotating worktop for performing an inclined cut at the desired angle, fixed by a stop with a degree scale.
Although the machines of this model are not designed for processing massive workpieces, the manufacturer offers a 150 W drive. The motor is a commutator type, quite noisy and prone to overheating, unable to work without interruption and requiring regular brush replacement.
The amplitude of the saw stroke is 40 mm, the oscillation frequency is 700 per 60 seconds (in some modifications, a second speed is added - 1400 per minute to select the optimal mode when processing wood of different hardnesses). The files supplied with the equipment are not of impeccable quality, so it makes sense to immediately replace them with analogues from a third-party manufacturer.
Household machines also include Zubr models, which are compact enough even for use in a city apartment. The main feature of this equipment, which can be called its disadvantage, is noticeable vibration, which interferes with high-precision cutting.
Zubr machines are capable of processing in horizontal plane and at an angle plywood, solid wood, plastic, thin aluminum. They also perform drilling, grinding and polishing; for this purpose, the delivery set includes an additional work table and a flexible shaft with a chuck.
Overheating of the cutting tool is prevented by the built-in cooling system; there is an electromagnetic switch to prevent accidental activation. The files used in Zubr machines are special, reinforced, and have pins at their ends.
The working surface is separated from the operator by a transparent casing to protect it from dust and chips, and the cutting area is cleared of sawing products by blowing to improve visibility. Effective waste disposal is provided. The motor used is a commutator type, quite resistant to overloads. Its brushes are designed for long-term operation, but their quick replacement is still provided for in the equipment.
RSW jigsaws are designed for creative carpentry workshops. Among their features are minimal backlash and the most accurate trajectory of the cutting tool. The equipment provides everything for efficient work operator: fencing and lighting working area, the ability to remove sawing products using a conventional vacuum cleaner.
In RSW machines, the file has an unusual arrangement - with the teeth down, pin files are used, and they can be replaced without a key. Also among the features of the equipment is the presence of the most powerful engine in the category of similar professional machines.
JSS jigsaw machines from the JET brand are intended for craft workshops, art studios and serious hobbies. They provide a stable cutting angle, the speed of movement of the cutting tool is infinitely variable by the built-in electronic system.
The manufacturer offers its branded files with pin fastening, but JSS JET equipment can also work with “regular” ones. These machines are suitable for cutting complex shapes, but the workpieces processed should not be excessively large. Their materials are wood, chipboard, plywood, fiberboard, hard and soft plastics.
The blade tension lever is located in the upper part of the machine, which increases the convenience of working with it, and the cutting blade is installed in two versions - across and along the longitudinal axis of the equipment. Dust and sawdust are easily removed with an adjustable nozzle connected to the dust extraction system. The work table can be installed at an angle; to control the accuracy of its position, there is a transport scale and a stopper.
How to build a jigsaw machine on your own?
Such equipment can be made at home with your own hands; craftsmen even create such machines from old sewing machines. If you have certain skills, the drawing and design diagram are developed independently.
As a table you can use a tabletop, a workbench, and if they are not there - homemade design from laminated plywood minimum thickness 10 mm. From it you should build a kind of table with a working surface size of about 500x500 mm and a height of legs of about 400-500 mm. They can be two or three solid or four separate. In the first case, the design resembles a box, in the second, a traditional table on a reduced scale).
The necessary parts are cut out with a hacksaw or circular saw, V unified system individual elements are fastened with self-tapping screws. Use a drill to drill holes in the table cover for attaching the tool and for the file. You will also have to make mounting holes in the sole of the jigsaw. After this, you can bolt it to the tabletop so that the cutting part points vertically upward.
The advantage of such a homemade jigsaw machine is the clear fixation of the tool and the guarantee that the master’s hand will lead the cut along the desired path.
This version of the machine does not always form the correct curved cut - the file can deviate, especially if a massive workpiece is being processed. The problem is solved by rigidly fixing the cutting tool with a pair of rollers that need to be placed on an additional part.
It is made from bars with a cross-section of about 50x50 mm. which are connected into an L-shaped element using a furniture corner and self-tapping screws, attached to the work table, and at the free end a bent metal plate with rollers made of bolts and bearing parts is placed with rigid fixation.
What to do if you need curly and very precise cuts?
To perform extremely precise, very fine figured cuts a homemade jigsaw machine must be equipped with a cutting blade tension system. Among the features of this device:
- the fork must be used very thin - for hand jigsaws;
- stock electric tool must be connected to the clamp that tensions the saw blade using a special adapter;
- As a tension block, use the clamp of a regular hand jigsaw.
In terms of design, the machine differs little from that described above. It is necessary to build a work table with a hole for cutting tool and attach a clamp to the tabletop, and place an electric drive underneath.
If cuts are needed especially precise and thin, which implies extremely delicate and slow work, it is necessary to reduce the force on the files while simultaneously ensuring strong tension and precise movement. To this end homemade machine
should be equipped with spacer devices on the long arms instead of the traditional clamp of a hand jigsaw.
allows you to quickly and efficiently cut wood. consists of a working surface, stands, motor and spindle assembly. Some devices are made on stands. Clamps are quite often installed on the side of the work surface. It is also worth noting that the models differ in power. The manufacture of a jigsaw machine can only be carried out if the instructions are followed.
If you believe the reviews, then making a desktop modification is very simple. First of all, a stand is prepared for the working surface. Its width should not exceed 30 cm. It is more advisable to select a single-phase motor with ultimate voltage 220 V. A homemade jigsaw machine (desktop) produces an average operating frequency of 55 Hz.
Reviews from experts say that it is better to use yews made of steel; if desired, you can cut them yourself. The file is installed on a spindle assembly, which is attached to the stand. Many models use a latch that acts as a stop. To secure the file, a small screw is used.
Models with legs
If necessary, you can do this yourself. Modification drawings include frames different sizes, and spindle units are usually used with guides. Many models are made on a wide bed. Legs can be installed from tubes. There are also machines with plates. After cutting out the working platform, you should work on the spindle assembly.
If we consider devices with control units, then the model will require a controller. It is more expedient to use a 220 V commutator type motor. Yews on jigsaw machines are installed as a rotary type. The direction must be welded to the edge of the plate. In this case, the file must be securely fixed. Optimal height spindle assembly is 2.2 cm. At the end of the work, it is important to start installing power cable and connecting equipment.
Reviews of devices with wide frames
Professionals are able to assemble a jigsaw machine with their own hands. Device drawings indicate the presence of wide stops. However, first of all, you need to install the bed. If we consider a simple machine, then the lock for modification can be selected of a small length. Reviews from experts indicate that two racks are enough for the model. To assemble the machine it is used welding inverter. The spindle assembly itself is installed in the central part of the working platform. The hole for the file can be made with a milling cutter. It is also worth noting that experts do not recommend using two-phase motors.
Compact modifications
By following the instructions, you can assemble a compact jigsaw machine with your own hands. Device drawings include double racks and narrow frames. Beds are used with a low profile. Many models have a spindle assembly without a holder. In this case, the guides are installed at short lengths. For self-assembly For models, it is recommended that you first select a high-quality frame.
Additionally, a clamp is soldered under the working plate. To reduce vibration levels, you can use a pad. To fix it, use regular glue. The file for modification should be selected with a small thickness. Optimal distance installations central hub equals 14 cm. At the same time, the width of the platform is on average 17 cm.
Jigsaws 2 kW
If you wish, you can make this jigsaw machine with your own hands. Drawings for assembling the modification are very easy to find. As a rule, frames are used with a width of 35 cm. The thickness of the plate should be about 1.5 mm. The hole for the file must be made before installing the central unit. If we consider models without stops, then the frame is used with a low profile. It is also worth noting that it is more advisable to install the spindle assembly on a lining.
A casing is used to reduce noise levels. Many models use multiple stops. In this case, the unit is installed at a height of 10 cm. It is better to fix the file on the plate. The clamp can be used as a screw type. After fixing the central unit, the motor is installed. For modification of this type, a device with a single-phase unit is suitable.
3 kW models
It’s quite easy to make a 3 kW desktop jigsaw with your own hands. Experts recommend using racks with wide stops. The clamps need to be installed only after the central unit. The modification file can be adjusted to 1.2 mm. Some experts make the hole after installing the frame. In this case, the supports are soldered to the sides of the table.
Next, it is important to evaluate the spindle size. It is more advisable to use the motor with a protection system and casing. It is also worth noting that collector devices that operate at a frequency of 45 Hz are very popular. They have low energy consumption and do not overheat. Holders are used to secure workpieces. The optimal spindle height is 15 cm. It is also worth noting that there are models with tuning plates. A flywheel is used to control the stand. A conventional controller is available to install the control unit.
How to make a 5 kW device
Having prepared several stops, you can make a jigsaw machine with your own hands. Reviews from experts indicate that 5 kW models are well suited for longitudinal cutting. Before starting work, all necessary tool. You will need a saw and welding machine and cutter. It is more expedient to assemble the frame for a jigsaw from steel plates with a thickness of 1.3 mm or more. You need to immediately provide a place for the motor. The frames in the devices are installed with a high profile.
At this stage, you can immediately cut a hole for the file. The plug assembly must be mounted on the top of the plate. Additionally, it is worth noting that the file will require a large holder. If we consider a simple model, then the racks can be installed on the sides of the frame. Yews are of the rotary type. There must be a stand at the top of the frame. A small casing is fitted under the motor. On average, the width of the frame should be 35 cm. If we consider professional models, then they use adjustable clamps.
Modifications for two quills
How to make a jigsaw machine with your own hands? The model with two quills is assembled only on a wide frame. First of all, the plates for the bed are cut out. If we consider a desktop modification, then it is more appropriate to install the control unit at the top of the device. Optimal width frame is 45 cm. In this case, the spindle assembly is installed behind the stops.
There must be provision for racks. Many models use transmission units. In this case, motors are only suitable for commutator type with a frequency of 30 Hz or more. The file is installed as standard in the holder. The optimal height of the spindle assembly for models is 35 cm. Quills for adjusting the bed are used with flywheels.
Models with three quills
It’s easy to make this one with your own hands based on a single-phase motor. Tools should be prepared in advance. Many models are equipped with frames with four stops. They have a long length and a high profile. It is also worth noting that spindle assemblies are selected from. At the beginning of work, it is very important to calculate the length of the frame. If we consider ordinary spindle units, then the stand for them is prepared in a short length.
The central support must withstand heavy loads. A welding inverter is used to install the plates. The motor will require a casing that will significantly reduce the noise level of the device. The saw for modifications of this type is suitable for 1.2 mm. With a power of 3 kW, a device with three quills will produce a frequency of 55 Hz. To fix the flywheels, brackets are needed.
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 out parts or elements complex configuration V 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.
Except home use, they are widely used in furniture production and manufacturing enterprises musical instruments. True, they are replaced quite often laser machines, but the burnt edges left last do not make their use universal.
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 tensioner and fastenings for the saw;
- 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 attaching 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 single out machines from the 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 a table top 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. And the main disadvantage of this design is 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 using a drill or screwdriver with an adjustable speed of rotation of the output shaft as a drive, 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 cut 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 a large amount of work and you manage to save a sufficient amount by using the materials you already have. Otherwise, there’s no point in making similar designs with your own hands, considering that inexpensive factory-made jigsaw machines can be purchased for less than 4 thousand rubles, not so much.
Of course, the latter does not matter if you are interested in the process of technical creativity itself.
Dear readers, if you have any questions, please ask them using the form below. We will be glad to communicate with you;)
Since childhood, we have been familiar with the technology of sawing with a jigsaw. The principle is simple - a stationary part is placed on a stand with a technological cutout, the cut is made by moving the saw. The quality of work depends on the steadfastness of the hands and the skill of the worker.
In this way, you can literally cut lace from thin wooden or plastic blanks. However, the process is labor-intensive and slow. Therefore, many masters thought about small mechanization.
A simple design from the last century
Also in the magazine Young technician“Drawings were offered on how to make a jigsaw machine with your own hands. Moreover, the design does not involve an electric drive; the drive operates from muscular force, like a knife sharpener.
The machine consists of main parts:
- bed (A)
- work table (B) with slot for canvas
- lever system (B) for holding the saw blade
- flywheel (G), which is the primary drive pulley
- crank mechanism (D), combined with a secondary drive pulley, and driving the levers (B)
- pedal assembly (E) with a crank mechanism driving the flywheel (D)
- saw blade tensioner (W)
The master uses his foot to move the flywheel (D). Using a belt drive, the crank mechanism (D) connected to the lower arm (B) rotates. A file is stretched between the levers; the degree of tension is regulated by a lanyard (G).
With a well-balanced flywheel, sufficient smooth running of the saw blade is ensured, and such a homemade jigsaw machine allows you to massively cut out the same type of workpiece, saving time and effort. In those days, jigsaw files were produced in the form of a flat, unidirectional strip.
Therefore, to obtain patterns complex shape I had to rotate the workpiece around the canvas. The dimensions of the workpiece are limited by the length of the arms (B).
From a mechanical jigsaw to an electric one one step
The foot drive cannot provide real freedom of action and uniformity of the saw stroke. It makes more sense to adapt an electric motor for the crank mechanism. However, if you use a tabletop jigsaw occasionally, there is no point in making a stationary structure with its own motor.
You can use home power tools. For example, a screwdriver with a rotation speed controller.
The materials used are literally scraps of wood and old trash. The only critical part is the bed. It is better to make it from durable plywood with a thickness of at least 18 mm.
We make all connections using wood screws; the joints can be coated with PVA glue. From the same material we assemble a support pedestal for the lever rod. The design of the support should not have any play; the subsequent accuracy of the entire machine depends on its strength.
