Jig Saws

I'm thinking about getting a new jig saw to replace a cheaper old black n decker for large metal radius. I'm working on my corner guards which are 12ga with the big 16"+.25" radius and the angle grinder is just too loud, linear, and messy.

 

Haven't had much luck cutting steel with a jig saw.
I'll be interested to see what works. 12 ga. is pretty thick for a jig saw.


Dave

 

Variable speed , oscillating type is the Best . Check out the Bosch line. I really Like mine.

 

I have a Ryobi, variable speed, oscillating works great. The saw can cut sheet steel IF you have the right kind of blade and a quality brand blade, i.e. not Amazon chinesium blades.

 

Bosch is the way to go. The triggers are prone to getting dead spots, but overall a great saw.

 

I've been using a Milwaukee for about a decade and a half. Zero problems and smooth. I do like the Bosch blades better.

I also have a Bosch nibbler and a Milwaukee shear. Both of those are good options for sheet metal work.

 

What blade do you use for steel?
Got some jig saws, never had a good blade.


Dave

 

A small handheld pneumatic saw would be my recommendation. Easy to control, makes a good radius, runs cool and quick. I doubt I will ever use a jig saw again.

 

Tooth count matters. Thinner metal, smaller teeth. Bi-metal blades are good.

Then run it slow enough and with enough feed pressure that that the blade doesn't "burn" and lose its temper.

 

I also use WD40 for "lube" when cutting aluminum. Keeps the blades from loading up-yep, a bit messy. But it washes off with water.

 

Great idear. That would probably work well with die grinders.

 

I have skill brand jig saw that that has oscillating blade and it worked great for cutting my corner guards. Make sure to use a good quality metal cutting blade rated for the thickness you are cutting, it makes a big difference. Also make sure the base isnt plastic or the hot chips will get stuck in it and scratch the part your cutting

 

A lot of the Skil products are actually made by Bosch in Belgium. Not sure if the jig saws are though.

 

I'm in town so a pneumatic tool and the angle grinder is just too noisy.
I do have a solid two piston oil cooled belt drive air compressor.

I'll have to look the skil and bosch over, compare consumables, and replacement parts.

I'll also make sure the base is metal on whatever I get.

 

I bought an Astro 930 saw. I live in town also. I just wear hearing protection so I won't hear my neighbors.
Forty years and no one has bothered me. Your job should take less than an hour and four blades max. Used
mine to notch my wheelhouses and it worked perfect for the job.

 

Iv got a milwaukee i bought 20 years ago and its been great. usually use bosch blades because thats what is available. Its a T shank. I have 3 or 4 really old jigsaws i picked up at garage sales and such because i got a ton of blades from cleanouts and had no saw to use them with. My dads old craftsman crapped out. They come in handy when i run out of blades on the milwaukee. The old craftsman had a cool feature that you could turn the head with a knob on top. It worked great in tight spaces but rarely use it. The milwaukee has variable speed and occillation. also you can change the blower setting. Iv had bad luck with Bosch tools but that was 20 years ago when they were early in the game loading the tools with electronics that tended to fail. Maybe they are better now I dont know.

 

Following up on this thread...
I ran across a metabo HPT CJ 90VST2 at the local menards for 30% off. 5.5 Amp 4.9 lbs
But most importantly... box reads 3.5" wood capacity and 3/8" mild steel plate.
5 year professional warranty.

It is a brushed design but feels good.

 

Exactly in the same place with a Milwaukee and a couple of old Craftsman's. I keep the latter around just because of that 90 degree scroll feature.

 

"The old craftsman had a cool feature that you could turn the head with a knob on top. It worked great in tight spaces but rarely use it."

I had/have one of those. Haven't touched it in twenty years - my oscillating Dewalt will cut ten times faster.

 

I've been using this today for a 8' counter in the laundry room. Apparently this has an orbital setting and it came with a wood blade. It cuts as fast as I work with my circular saw.