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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
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    Default #@#*)^#@ jig saws

    Show me the idiot who created jigsaws and I'll not be responsible for my actions.

    Have a 6month Ryobi and fair go it will not cut straight. fast-slow makes no difference, blade stays in the alignment wheel but just wonders below that cutting 6, 12 or 19mm ply.

    give me a break
    I would love to grow my own food, but I can not find bacon seeds

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
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    Millmerran,QLD
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    11,061

    Default

    Tonyz

    The jig saw is not my favourite tool. I have one and I would place it in the medium price bracket. It is a "blue" Bosch which today would weigh in at over $400 although I did not pay that almost twenty years ago. It is still limited in its capabilities, although I would expect it to easily cut the materials you have described. It has become apparent to me that there are big differences in blade quality too, although I have still got to get completely on top of this subject. Down at the budget end of the market (you have not said exactly which saw you have and whether corded or cordless) I can quite understand that you will be disappointed. I should also point out that there a machines a lot cheaper than a Ryobi.

    You have my sympathies.

    Regards
    Paul
    Bushmiller;

    "Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Bundaberg
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    54
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    3,399

    Default

    I’d be tempted to blame the blade rather than the tool; although I truly utterly despise Ryobi products a quality blade should track straight. My blades are all Bosch and Makita and I don’t have any issues.
    Nothing succeeds like a budgie without a beak.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    6,954

    Default

    Same as Chief,
    I use my Makita from time to time it has know problem cutting 19mm.

    You do need to “drive the saw”
    Ie pushing the body a little left or right bit like driving a rear steer vehicle,if that makes sense.
    I can’t comment on Roybi tools as I generally use Makita.

    Cheers Matt

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Sydney Upper North Shore
    Posts
    4,464

    Default

    My Makita is the worst jigsaw I’ve ever owned. I have a 40 year old Ryobi, which I can’t buy blades for anymore, that would leave it for dead.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
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    lower eyre peninsular
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    Default

    mine is basic cordless Ryobi 18v and I am using fine tooth blades.
    I would love to grow my own food, but I can not find bacon seeds

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    33
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    6,127

    Default

    I suspect it might be a blade issue as well, I used to get pretty good results with Festool S 75/4 blades.

    I did manage to get a hold of a couple of Hitachi branded carbide tipped blades years ago and they were soooooo good (not the carbide grit coated ones, actual carbide saw teeth), stuffed if I can find them again. Both Sutton and Bosch make them, can't seem to track down a local supplier though.

    EDIT: Turns out Festool make them too...not cheap though Festool - Jigsaw Blade HM 75/4.5

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    4,468

    Default

    Ryobi ! say no more, not what they use to be

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Shepparton *ugh*
    Age
    48
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    1,185

    Default

    Years ago I bought a GMC jiggy when select outlets were getting rid of stock for $20 a pop no matter what powered hand tool they were.

    I swear that from day one the jiggy worked better as a lathe rather than anything else.
    Cripes, I'd even prefer to try and floss my teeth with it than attempt cutting out a template within 470mm +ve on the pencil line.

    Still...20 bucks is 20 bucks...
    *miss my bandy*
    Every time you make a typo, the errorists win.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    10,803

    Default

    I have a Makita 4300BV, which must be over 20 years old now. They don’t make them like this anymore - heavy and solid. I only use it for sawing ply for templates, but it works very well. The trick is to saw slowly and not stress the blade ... and use the correct blade for the task.

    Regards from Perth

    Derek
    Visit www.inthewoodshop.com for tutorials on constructing handtools, handtool reviews, and my trials and tribulations with furniture builds.

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Hobart, Tas
    Posts
    1,211

    Default

    I used to have a cheep no-name brand which was horrible. When we were building our house it died. I then bought a barrel style Makita (the older version of the photo below), and it was night and day. Also, good sharp blades make a significant difference.

    4351fct-001_888a9b9986147267a36a9e9270dcb292.jpg

    It is worth remembering that it is by no means a precision tool. However I can and do reliably run it against a fence to break down panel stock too big for my table saw.

    Kind regards,
    Lance

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Melbourne, Vic, Australia
    Posts
    1,255

    Default

    Is the problem that the jigsaw is not tracking a line on the surface or that you are getting an angled cut from top to bottom? I found the latter is easy to do on thicker stock (40mm+) and I concentrate on only pushing forward on the saw and not putting in any lateral pressure as the blade will then deflect through the cut - it'll look like you are tracking the line from the top, but it won't be a square cut through the thickness of the stock. So no lateral force or movement, just pivoting and forward pressure if that makes sense - although I suspect that you are aware of that and your issue is with the blade drifting off the cut line on the surface?

    I use bosch hss blades and find them to be fine.

    Cheers, Dom

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    bilpin
    Posts
    3,540

    Default

    Check the blade connection and shaft. The looser, the worse it will track. A smooth running, tight tolerance jigsaw is a pleasure. The loose as a goose, rattle like a child's toy variety have a mind of their own.

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Hobart
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    5,097

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by derekcohen View Post
    I have a Makita 4300BV, which must be over 20 years old now. They don’t make them like this anymore - heavy and solid. I only use it for sawing ply for templates, but it works very well. The trick is to saw slowly and not stress the blade ... and use the correct blade for the task.

    Regards from Perth

    Derek
    Sound advice. At least three teeth in the wood.

    G

  16. #15
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    237

    Default

    I use a $100 Makita jigsaw and hate it. I had the chance to try a Festool PS300 (Festool - PS 300 Barrel Grip Jigsaw) and it was a world of difference. Not sure if there's any models in between that would be just as good.

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