Using anti-splinter insert for Bosch jig saw

Can anyone answer tell me if I'm doing this correctly?

I have a Bosch jig saw 1587AVS that I'm using with the anti-splinter insert for the first time. If the diagram in the manual is accurate, the clear plastic piece (insert) should be inserted

• from the bottom of the tool, into the bottom of the footplate,
• with the rabbeted side of the plastic facing down.
• with the smooth side of the plastic facing up.
• inserted this way, the smooth side of the plastic is on the bottom of the footplate and the bevels face toward the blade roller.

Attachment 465005

I question this, because

• there is no corresponding rabbet in the bottom of the footplate to mate with the plastic piece; however, there is a rabbet on the top side of the footplate.
• inserting the plastic piece requires shoving it forcefully into the footplate and tinkering with it to get it flat on either sides and even with the bottom of the footplate.
• it would have made much more sense to design the tool so the insert snaps into place, with something to hold it flat to the footplate and to ensure it doesn't just pop out.
• it appears impossible to install the insert in the top of the footplate because the blade roller is in the way. . . . :anoyd:

I can't find anything on YouTube or elsewhere online that shows the proper way to install the anti-splinter insert.

By the way, the insert functioned very well, giving me a clean cut on the top of the work piece. However it seemed to contribute to a lot of sawdust piling up in front of the blade, even with the chip blower set to max, and I had to stop the tool every 6 inches or so to blow the dust away.

if you can't insert it the way the instructions imply, is your footplate attached in the correct orientation ?

I have a very old Bosch and I am sure mine is inserted from the bottom. Here is a link to a video for one of the models which might help.

Thanks for the suggestion, Poundy--it's clever of you to imagine the plate might be upside down. However I can't remember ever taking the footplate off or using the plastic insert for fine surfaces, so the footplate must be attached in the proper orientation.

Hi Dallas AKA Treecyle,

That's a lovely machine in the video--they made some welcome practical improvements in the new models, including designing a splinter insert that easily snaps in place! I wouldn't mind not having to do the hokey-pokey to get my blades in and out, either.

The video moves so fast that it's hard tell if he's putting the insert in with the bevels up or down, but from what I can tell I'm doing it correctly.

For all my complaining, I should put a good word in and say that I like how the Bosch cuts--it does a super job and I wouldn't be surprised if they are the best jig saws out there.

Thanks for your help!

Another way to stop splintering,is too run your cut be it jigsaw handsaw circular saw through masking tape,
Ie place a piece of masking tape over the line you want too cut, then cut through the tape an timber in one go.

Cheers Matt

I'll try that, Matt. Thanks.

I've been cutting something really wimpy: 1/2-inch medium density fiberboard. LOL I bought a new blade touted to give clean cuts on both sides of the work, and it performed like a dream! There's no tear out at all on the side facing the operator and the face down side only needs a slide of the thumb to remove the tiny bits along the cut. It's the Bosch T308B Xtra-Clean for Wood. I don't know how long Bosch has been producing this blade, but when I used a jig saw fifteen years ago, the blades didn't cut nearly as clean and straight as this one. Seems like Bosch is catering to the woodworking segment of the market and not just the builders. :U

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Simplicity

Another way to stop splintering,is too run your cut be it jigsaw handsaw circular saw through masking tape,
Ie place a piece of masking tape over the line you want too cut, then cut through the tape an timber in one go.

Cheers Matt

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What I was going to say
Regards
John