Lesto/Scintilla Jigsaw

**Bushmiller** · 3rd February 2021, 12:58 AM

A while ago Huon pine fan posted a thread in the Marketplace offering an old jigsaw.

DONE Scintilla jigsaw anyone? (woodworkforums.com)

He wished it to go to a good home as it was collecting dust and using space with him. He was just asking postage cost for it. I picked it up today from the PO. I had thought I would post a thank you in the Marketplace thread, but cannot do that as it has been closed (but not by Hpf). Consequently here is a new thread with a little bit more about the company. First up here is the jigsaw again:

Lesto Scintilla.jpg Lesto Scintilla 2.jpg

Although Hpf described the jigsaw as a Scintilla, I was fairly certain the brand went under the name of Lesto and here is the evidence.

P1070044 (Medium).JPG

In the pic it is quite clear, but in the flesh it is actually quite indistinct. The information I have is that Scintilla were the Swiss holding company and they had made their name and fortune producing magnetos between the two world wars and particularly during the the second world war itself. The rumour is that Scintilla devised the Lesto brand as both they and later Bosch who acquired a large share of scintilla around 1935 (for some reason they did not declare the interest until 1954) needed a name that was not associated with Nazi Germany. It looks rather as though they supplied aircraft magnetos to both sides in WW2. Scintilla had a New York branch and another in Sidney. This is the name plate on the machine:

P1070049 (Medium).JPG

The other rumour is that Scintilla invented the jigsaw or rather one of their employees, Albert Kaufmann did, but that may not be the case. There is evidence that jigsaws were invented before then, although the Lesto Scintilla may have been the first electric machine that was commercially available. This is a patent dating from 1930:

Pickerings 1930 patent.png

and this is an early Lesto model:

First jigsaw.jpg

The method of changing the blades is a little obscure. I could have asked Hpf, but I thought I must be able to work this out. It took me a good fifteen minutes! I fairly quickly guessed a slotted screwdriver has to be inserted down the "chimney" and that does release the blade but although loose it remains captured

P1070048 (Medium).JPG

The blade needs to be rotated 90 degs but to do that the guide bearing has to be moved back from the blade. The way this is done is to back off the right hand screw beneath the plate

P1070045 (Medium).JPG

Which in turn enables the all but hidden black tab to be pulled back thus enabling the bearing to move out of the way so the blade can be rotated.

P1070047 (Medium).JPG

The Lesto jigsaw was manufactured under that name between 1947 and 1964 at which time it was re-branded under the Bosch banner. I think this example is quite early as later models look as though they have an oscillating capability. Like the drills I have, the jigsaw motor after all these years still runs sweetly. The blades are slightly different to the two modern types of jigsaw blade we are used to in that they have a double tab and are slightly thinner.

P1070054 (Medium).JPG

Hpf also threw in some saw file blades. Wiltshire mainly (perhaps my favourite) plus a couple of older Nicholsons.

P1070051 (Medium).JPG

Thank you Huon pine fan. It is, for me, a wonderful acquisition and compliments the four other Lesto drill type machines I have.

Regards
Paul

**clear out** · 3rd February 2021, 08:05 AM

That’s identical to the one I had for years.
Mine had a 1960s date and owners name engraved on the body.
I bought mine from the manager of Tanner Middleton which was a large timber company here in Sydney.
They auctioned off their waterfront site here in Concord in 1987 just after we’d bought our house mit factory in the back yard.
They had 2 huge steam engines on site, the timber was barged in in balks and broken down.
After the auction I scored a couple of 10 metre lengths of railway track which I towed home behind the ute to keep delivery trucks off our house.
It was a good jigsaw I might still have the original screwdriver for changing the blades.
If it turns up I’ll send it up to you.
H.

**Huon pine fan** · 3rd February 2021, 08:12 AM

Paul
Great to hear that it's what you were hoping for. I would not have been of any use on blade fitting. Yes, I remember the slotted screwdriver but after that it took a lot of trying before I cracked the trick, but then I couldn't remember what it was!
In regards the files, maybe you could suggest a youtube video on how to sharpen a saw so that I can start using some of the files that I have. Otherwise my sons are likely to throw them out when they put me in a home

**Bushmiller** · 3rd February 2021, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by Huon pine fan

Paul
Great to hear that it's what you were hoping for. I would not have been of any use on blade fitting. Yes, I remember the slotted screwdriver but after that it took a lot of trying before I cracked the trick, but then I couldn't remember what it was!
In regards the files, maybe you could suggest a youtube video on how to sharpen a saw so that I can start using some of the files that I have. Otherwise my sons are likely to throw them out when they put me in a home

Hpf

Funny you should mention such subjects. SWMBO commented when she saw the jigsaw that I should "catalogue" my collectibles so that my descendants will know what to do with them and their value. She was more finite than a home though! I got the distinct impression it involved me not breathing.

I actually don't think you can go past this video for almost everything on saw restoration and sharpening by Andy Lovelock. It is quite long, but he gets into the sharpening aspects and associated jigs including home made vices in the first 40minutes. I find him easy to listen to, which is half the battle with such things.

Sharpening Western Saws - Bing video

Paul Sellers would also have some sharpening videos. I did a quick search on "Paul Sellers sharpening saws you tube" and it brought up quite a number. This is just one:

How to Sharpen a Woodworking Handsaw | Paul Sellers - Bing video

It is not as funny as his namesake

(6) Does your dog bite? - YouTube

Regards
Paul

**Bushmiller** · 3rd February 2021, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by clear out

That’s identical to the one I had for years.
Mine had a 1960s date and owners name engraved on the body.
I bought mine from the manager of Tanner Middleton which was a large timber company here in Sydney.
They auctioned off their waterfront site here in Concord in 1987 just after we’d bought our house mit factory in the back yard.
They had 2 huge steam engines on site, the timber was barged in in balks and broken down.
After the auction I scored a couple of 10 metre lengths of railway track which I towed home behind the ute to keep delivery trucks off our house.
It was a good jigsaw I might still have the original screwdriver for changing the blades.
If it turns up I’ll send it up to you.
H.

Thanks for that. I had it in my mind there might have been a dedicated screwdriver for such a task. I have seen railway iron used for such purposes before. In that instance it was inserted vertically in the ground and then bricked up to disguise the barrier! It was done after the second time a truck had rolled back down the hill into their front yard.

I put together what seems to be the chronological development of the machine.

Lesto scintila. early.jpg Lesto jigsaw oscilating.jpg lestoc scintilla oscialting w front knob.jpg

It seems the very earliest machines were devoid of any colour. I think Hpf's machine would be between the first two. The second machine pictured clearly shows the oscillating selector. By the time it scored the front knob it had become branded Bosch. Unfortunately I can only guess at the timelines.

Regards
Paul

**Simplicity** · 3rd February 2021, 11:32 AM

Paul,
Fantastic thread, yet I can’t seem to shake the idea that this is some sort of diversion,from hand power saws! is everything okay on the home front cheers?

Matt.

**Bushmiller** · 3rd February 2021, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by Simplicity

Paul,
Fantastic thread, yet I can’t seem to shake the idea that this is some sort of diversion,from hand power saws! is everything okay on the home front cheers?

Matt.

Matt

Thank you for asking: Everything is good, although I have been asked to catalogue anything that could be deemed valuable. I ponder on whether I am about to shuffle off the mortal coil and she knows something I don't in this regard. While ever there is a perceived value in my toys and my shipping container is no bigger than her studio I think every thing is smooth.

Regards
Paul

**Bushmiller** · 3rd February 2021, 01:21 PM

I mentioned before that the blades are not quite the same as modern types. The blade on the left is the old Lesto blade with a modern blade for comparison on the right.

P1070056 (Medium).JPG

As you can see, the old blade has a narrower tang and two tabs instead of one.Hpf included a small selection of blades but if anybody knows where to source more I would be interested to hear.

Regards
Paul

**Bill Houghton** · 3rd February 2021, 02:17 PM

I had a later one than that, but still quite early - and it still ran like a top!

**Huon pine fan** · 3rd February 2021, 03:58 PM

Paul
I will have another look around when I head down the coast this weekend. My father's filing system left a bit to be desired so there might be some more.
I will let you know.

**Bushmiller** · 3rd February 2021, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by Huon pine fan

Paul
I will have another look around when I head down the coast this weekend. My father's filing system left a bit to be desired so there might be some more.
I will let you know.

Hpf

Thanks. That's wonderful, but don't fret

over it. just if it happens.

Regards
Paul

**yvan** · 4th February 2021, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by Bill Houghton

I had a later one than that, but still quite early - and it still ran like a top!

Nothing like good ol' Swiss quality !!!

**Huon pine fan** · 7th February 2021, 05:46 PM

Hi Paul
I had a search and some good news and not so good news. As per the attached picture, 11 packets of blades but only one for wood. The other 10 are all for cutting metal.
20210207_173650.jpg

**Bushmiller** · 7th February 2021, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by Huon pine fan

Hi Paul
I had a search and some good news and not so good news. As per the attached picture, 11 packets of blades but only one for wood. The other 10 are all for cutting metal.
20210207_173650.jpg

Thank you. I will send a PM.

Regards
Paul

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