Thread: Short jigsaw blade - or is there a better option?

First you can grind a jigsaw blade down. I have one 1" long for running between floorboards to cut the tongue off tongue & groove boards.

But

I see problems with this idea.

Scroll saw blades cut on the down-stroke, have very fine teeth for thin wood

Jigsaw blades cut on the up-stroke and unless you're using a hacksaw blade one the teeth will be too far apart to cut the guitar top. All you'll do is splinter it to pieces.

My first thought is live with what you've got but if that is not good enough try a Dremel with a router bit or similar, cut as near to the line you want as you can and carefully file the rest.

Originally Posted by dr4g0nfly

Jigsaw blades cut on the up-stroke and unless you're using a hacksaw blade one the teeth will be too far apart to cut the guitar top. All you'll do is splinter it to pieces.

You can buy "reverse cut" blades that cut on the down stroke with fairly fine teeth such as these: [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-10TPI-Reverse-T-Shank-Jigsaw/dp/B002SQNXNK]Amazon.com: Bosch 4" 10TPI, HCS Reverse Tooth T-Shank Jigsaw Blade (5pk): Home Improvement[/ame]

It is actually 6mm plywood I will be cutting (not a solid wood acoustic top or anything) so I am not anticipating too much splintering. Am I likely to be wrong about that?

Plywood does have a tendency to splinter or fluff particularly on the cross grain, but as elanjacobs suggested you could try a fine tooth blade that cuts on the downward stroke. Cut the end off the blade if it is still too long (thin cutting disc on an angle grinder). An untidy cut on the underside presumeably would not be a big issue

My first inclination was to suggest a laminate trimmer, which is just a very small router, with a 3mm straight bit. Clean up after with a rasp, file or sandpaper etc., again as per elanjacobs recommendation.

If you go down the router track you could make up a template. Reverse it for the other side.

If you haven't got a laminate trimmer or other small router the jigsaw blades maybe the way to go. As always experiment on some scrap first.

Regards
Paul

Peter,

cut the JIG SAW blade slightly longer than the machine stroke, with the area to be cut score with a very sharp craft knife around the design, then cut inside the scribed line , and you should avoid splintering . The finer tooth blade you can use the better, 10-12 tpi sounds good.

My 2 cents worth.

Jeff
vk4

Hi PS,
As has been said, I think, yes it may Splinter badly.
My thought would be to use Masking Tape.
You still may see your Pencil Drawing, & as Suggested use, very carefully a sharp knife 1st.
A Jig Saw is pretty rough, & could scratch the Top, as they Vibrate a bit.
Just a thought.

OK, now I am wondering about using one of my finer router bits (I have a 3mm straight bit from memory) on my big router. I don't have a laminate trimmer, and my dremel doesn't have a router base (although now could be time to get one). I will ponder on this some more.

Originally Posted by petersemple

OK, now I am wondering about using one of my finer router bits (I have a 3mm straight bit from memory) on my big router. I don't have a laminate trimmer, and my dremel doesn't have a router base (although now could be time to get one). I will ponder on this some more.

I routinely use my Dremel and plunge router attachment for things like this.
Cost $60 delivered, here: Dremel Plunge Router Attachment (335-01) | eBay

It's definitely worth considering buying one.
The jigsaw is very likely to ruin the face of the guitar. I wouldn't risk it.

You can get straight-cut bits/end-mills down to 0.050" in a 1/8" shank, and 1/16" is common, to suit the Dremel. I have a heap of both.

I vote router or plunging dremel route.