Jigsaw not cutting square

[transatlantic]

I know this is an extremely common issue, which through research, has lead me to checking the following :

- setting base square to blade
- setting for pendulum action (also tried without)
- going slow. Not forcing the tool, letting the blade do the work
- using a proper wood cutting low teeth bit

Yet it's still happening.

One thing I have noticed is that the side of the blade has a worn in mark, where it rides on the bearing. Is that normal?

Any ideas?

Material - 3/4 inch pine
Tool - http://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-eri49 ... gsaw/94377
Blades - http://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-101b- ... of-5/2851d

 

[Adam9453]

I'm afraid I've only ever found jigsaws good for roughing something out before final accurate trimming with a router or other tool.
I think they're generally just inherently inaccurate tools

 

[transatlantic]

I wouldn't expect it to be dead on 90, but this is very clearly off. I'd guess around 15-20 degrees off. And the material isn't even that thick.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Use Bosch ( or DeWalt, maybe) blades. You should be able to cut twice that depth square easily.

 

[transatlantic]

That was my next plan. Figured I'd get these, unless you can recommend any others?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-wood-ji ... of-5/11397

 

[RogerP]

As the blade is only held at one end even the best jigsaws are not the most accurate of tools and they do take time and practise to perfect the correct technique. However good blades and the correct ones for the material being cut can make the difference. Lenox blades are very good.

http://www.lenoxtools.com/Pages/high-carbon-steel-jig-saw-blades.aspx?Redirect=1

 

[Phil Pascoe]

T144Ds are fine, a good general purpose blade.

 

[blackrodd]

You don't mention the jigsaw make, model, or blade type.
As mentioned the jigsaw is not a joinery tool and extremely difficult to cut a straight line even using a straight edge of some sort.
Jigsaws are usually very good, and fairly safe for quick, sawing jobs daily.
I would be using Bosch 101D's for day to day jobs and Bosch 101B for ply and a smoother finish.
It may be a good idea to check you're blade mounting and back wheel, these are rarely oiled and when just about
knackered, will allow the blade all over the place.
If the back of the blade is wearing quickly, this is more than likely it.
HTH Regards Rodders

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Yes, the OP did specify the saw and blade type. You're right about oiling the guides - I oil everything nearly every day I use it. 101Ds and Bs are good as well. My Bosch still cuts square and accurately at nearly 20 years old and after several tens of tons of firewood besides anything else. I learned very quickly years ago not to use any sort of guide - it's easier and better freehand.

 

[yetloh]

A cheap jigsaw will never perform as well as one of the professional Bosch or other top quality machine. I have a De Walt and frankly, even that is pretty rubbish when it comes to cutting square. I only ever use it for rough cutting,

Jim

 

[blackrodd]

Yes, the OP did specify the saw and blade type. You're right about oiling the guides - I oil everything nearly every day I use it. 101Ds and Bs are good as well. My Bosch still cuts square and accurately at nearly 20 years old and after several tens of tons of firewood besides anything else. I learned very quickly years ago not to use any sort of guide - it's easier and better freehand.

Thanks Phil.p I just never took any notice of those two links, another senior moment!
In that case maybe the blades are wearing quickly, change to the bosch 144D as Phil said or the 101 D, and save the 101B that you have for ply etc, looks a reasonable tool so try the blades first.
Apologies for my mistake, regards Rodders

 

[sitefive]

A cheap jigsaw will never perform as well as one of the professional Bosch or other top quality machine. I have a De Walt and frankly, even that is pretty rubbish when it comes to cutting square. I only ever use it for rough cutting,

Jim

Got top of the range Bosch gst135 with the blade guide system and I sometimes use it to cut out ornaments (using dewalt blades as bosch ones were rubbish ) and other stuff where a fret saw /bandsaw would be a must and with some practice you can make accurate almost 90 degree cuts most of the time , the trick is to not let the blade start bending, once it starts bending game over!

But have to agree that a jigsaw is not an accurate tool at all and I hate to use it most of the times and would really wish I had a space for a bandsaw.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Here we go again. You were using blades that were not recommended for your purpose. There's no reason whatsoever why you shouldn't get reasonable accuracy from a good saw with good blades. In two inch softwood I wouldn't expect to deviate more than about a 1/16th" from square. If I cut down a sheet of 18mm ply I wouldn't expect to deviate either side of the line by much more than that, either.

 

[custard]

Here we go again. You were using blades that were not recommended for your purpose. There's no reason whatsoever why you shouldn't get reasonable accuracy from a good saw with good blades. In two inch softwood I wouldn't expect to deviate more than about a 1/16th" from square. If I cut down a sheet of 18mm ply I wouldn't expect to deviate either side of the line by much more than that, either.

+1

I don't use a jigsaw all that much but when I do I'm generally delighted with what a good and accurate cut it delivers. I use a Festool jigsaw that's a good few years old now, it absolutely needs the correct blade for the job, plus the pendulum action needs setting correctly for the task in hand. Get these right, pay attention during the cut, and excellent results are virtually guaranteed. The OP's 15 to 20 degrees out says something is going badly wrong somewhere, I've never measured the cut angle I get but I'm pretty sure it's well within +/- one or two degrees or I'd notice it was off.

 

[yetloh]

I'm sure you are right about blade choice but I think the professional Bosch jigsaws are a cut above the De Walt, something I didn't know when I bought it.

Jim