What if you need to use a jigsaw, but have no desire to purchase one? Experienced craftsmen They will answer that in this case the easiest way is to make a jigsaw with your own hands.

There are multiple ways to make and repair such a tool yourself. Below is a list of options for using the simplest and most accessible of them.

Making a manual jigsaw using simple technology

Before making a jigsaw, you should prepare inexpensive and available materials. Let's present them in the form of a list:

• sheet plywood - 12 mm;
• sheet plywood - 5 mm;
• sheet steel - 2 mm;
• set of bolts and nuts;
• drill (manual or electric);
• chisel;
• sanding paper;
• files.

As a base for a manual jigsaw, you must use a bracket, which is made from a sheet of plywood (12 mm).

After this, you should thicken the handle using a thinner plywood sheet (5 mm). This thickening is glued evenly on both sides of the handle, which ensures its comfortable position in the hand during subsequent work with a jigsaw. At the same time, the bracket and handle must be carefully processed using sandpaper and files of different classes.

The steel plate must be cut out using a chisel and the clamping jaws must be cleaned using a file. Next, you will need a drill to make slits in the jaws. Having taken this step, we begin to cut out notches on them with a sharp chisel. The left clamping jaw must be modified in such a way that it is done threaded hole for the bolt. We attach the jaws to the bracket, and then screw in the bolts on the left clamp, securely securing it with a nut.

Options for making a tabletop jigsaw

Desktop devices of this type can be made either from scratch or by modifying existing devices.

Option 1

To make a new benchtop mechanical jigsaw, you must first acquire the following tools and consumables:

• duralumin pipe;
• plastic base;
• screws;
• copper sheet;
• drill.

First, we prepare the frame; a duralumin pipe is well suited for this purpose. During the manufacturing process of the frame, a passage must be provided through which an electrical wire is laid, which will provide the tool with power. Using a copper sheet, a U-shaped frame is made, which is then attached directly to the frame. In the area where the frame connects to the jigsaw handle, the frame is screwed in with screws.

Then we take a plastic base to drill holes and mounting slots in it. We fix the jigsaw on the prepared base so that the file can pass freely through the hole. Using clamps, we attach the finished device to a flat surface, for example, to a table.

Option 2

To make a jigsaw, you can use a sewing machine, the repair of which is not necessary. To make such a tool you will need following materials and tools:

• foot or manual model sewing machine;
• hacksaw blade;
• needle file;
• electric drill.

We unscrew all the bolted fastenings from the lower parts of the machine structure, completely remove all working system with thread. We remove the metal fastening rod by knocking it out and remove it drive shaft. We unscrew 2 more bolts and disassemble the panel that covers the sewing machine; removing it is quite simple. Using gentle movements, remove the sewing needle and get to work.

First of all, we carry out work with the slot for the needle. We expand it to such a size that the file can fit there. A needle file will help you cope with this task. It should be selected based on the size of the hacksaw blade. Try to adjust the size of the slot for the file as accurately as possible. Having bored out the connector, you can install the blade in place of the former needle holder. And finally, when turning the wheel, you need to check a few things to:

• there was no contact between the saw, the panel and the presser foot;
• there was free passage of plywood under the saw in the upper position;
• the materials were drawn in a smooth motion without jerking.

These jigsaws are suitable for use with plywood, balsa wood and plastic, and when using an electric machine, such a device can be converted into a jigsaw.

Video “Jigsaw. Choosing a tool and working with it"

If it is not possible to repair the jigsaw

In case the use hand jigsaw does not correspond to the tasks, and electric ones cannot be repaired, then it is worth using the possibilities presented below, which will allow you to make a jigsaw. Electric jigsaw desktop type:

• electric jigsaw for manual use;
• sheet plywood;
• set of clamps;
• 10 pieces of screws;
• electric drill.

We make markings for the slots in the plywood and carefully cut them out. If there is a pendulum stroke, it must be turned off. Then we place a hacksaw blade in the slot and attach it there. We also make several slits on the plywood by drilling holes with a drill and connecting them to each other. Screws are placed in the slots made. As a result, securing the tool with clamps on flat surfaces will not be difficult. The device is ready.

Jigsaw from an electric drill:

• steel sheet (4 mm);
• steel sheet (1.5 mm);
• steel sheet (1 mm);
• steel rail (2 mm);
• spring rail (0.9 mm);
• steel rod (7 mm cross-section);
• electric drill.

Using sheet steel (4 mm), we make a product in the form of a C-shaped frame, which will be the base of the jigsaw. Next, attach it to an electric drill. For this purpose, it is necessary to create a special clamp from a steel sheet (1.5 mm), which will ensure fastening. We attach spring slats to the edges of the base. Steel sheet(1 mm) we will need to make clamps with which the saw will be attached. Clips like these on the edges will also help strengthen the C-frame. And from a steel rod you can make a crank that will power the saw. For the connecting rod we need a steel strip, which will allow us to create a crank mechanism.

At this point, the work on making the jigsaw can be considered complete. Due to its massive size, for safety reasons it is better to clamp the drill in a vice while working. And it’s best to place working materials on flat surfaces.

Video “Jigsaw. Modernization"

What to do when you need a jigsaw but don’t need to buy one? You can make a jigsaw with your own hands. There are many ways to make or repair such a tool. Let's look at the simplest and most accessible of them.

Manual jigsaw - simple, fast and affordable

How to make a jigsaw quickly from available and inexpensive materials? Here's the easiest way.

List of tools and materials:

• plywood sheet (10 mm);
• plywood sheet (4 mm);
• steel sheet (2 mm);
• bolts and nuts;
• drill;
• chisel;
• sanding paper;
• file.

The base of a manual jigsaw is a bracket; it should be prepared from plywood sheet(10 mm). Next, it is recommended to make thickenings for the tool handle from more thin plywood(4 mm). These thickenings must be glued to the handle on both sides, which will ensure more convenient operation in the future. Sand the bracket and handle well using sanding paper and a file. It is necessary to cut out the steel plate with a chisel, and then clean the clamping jaws with a file. After this, drill slots in the jaws with a drill, and then use a sharp chisel to cut notches inside the clamping jaws. In the left clamping jaw, modify the slot for the bolt; for this you need to make a thread. Attach the jaws to the bracket, then screw the bolts into the left clamp, securing them with nuts.

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Table jigsaw: two manufacturing options

The desktop fixture can be made either new or by modifying or repairing improvised means.

Making a new benchtop mechanical jigsaw will require the following tools and materials:

• duralumin pipe;
• plastic base;
• clamps;
• screws;
• copper sheet;
• drill.

First you need to prepare the frame; for this purpose it is better to use an aluminum pipe. When making the frame, it is necessary to provide a passage through which the cord will be laid to provide power. A copper sheet should be taken to make a U-shaped frame, which will subsequently need to be attached to the frame itself. At the junction of the frame with the handle of the jigsaw, screw the frame with screws. In the plastic base, use a drill to drill a hole for the file, as well as slots for fasteners. Attach the jigsaw to the prepared plastic so that the file passes through the hole. Using clamps, attach the finished tool to a flat surface, such as a table.

A hand-held device made on the basis of a sewing machine is perfect option, if repair sewing machine is not as important as making such a tool. List of tools and materials:

• sewing machine (you can use either a foot- or hand-operated model);
• file;
• needle file;
• drill.

After unscrewing the bolts at the bottom of the sewing machine, you should remove the entire threading system. Next knock out the metal fastening rod and remove the drive shaft of the thread weaving system. The panel covering the sewing machine parts can be easily removed by unscrewing 2 more bolts. Carefully remove the needle. Needle slot required minor repairs– it should be expanded so that a file can be placed in it. To do this, it is better to cut the hole using a needle file, focusing on the dimensions of the file itself. After this, adjust its size to the maximum possible needle size by cutting top part files. After grinding off the upper teeth with a file, and the lower part on the tip, you can begin to next stage. The prepared file must be placed in the place of the former needle - in the needle holder. After this, you should turn the wheel and check:

• so that the saw does not come into contact with the panel and the presser foot;
• so that in the upper position the plywood passes freely under the saw;
• so that the material can be drawn smoothly.

Such a jigsaw will do in order to work with materials from plywood, balsa wood and plastic, and if you use an electric machine, you will get an electric jigsaw.

This article will discuss the design homemade machine from household jigsaw. Below will be given step-by-step instruction, photos, videos, as well as drawings and diagrams.

Introduction

There are a lot of design options - from the simplest, where it just sticks out from the tabletop, to quite complex structures with guides, the ability to cut at an angle, when it is possible to set not only 90 degrees to the base, but also change the angle (well, within reason, of course). There are devices (machines) for, that is, making straight and even cuts.

Such devices are increasingly used due to their versatility and functionality. In fact, their parameters and purpose are similar to stationary machines and have a strictly defined practical use in every workshop.

Purpose

Plywood thickness, mm	Layers of plywood, no less	Sanded plywood		Unsanded plywood
		Maximum deviation, mm	Different thickness	Deviation, mm	Different thickness
3 mm	3	+0,3/-0,4	0,6	+0,4/-0,3	0,6
4 mm	3	+0,3/-0,5		+0,8/-0,4	1,0
6 mm	5	+0,4/-0,5		+0,9/-0,4
9 mm	7	+0,4/-0,6		+1,0/-0,5
12 mm	9	+0,5/-0,7		+1,1/-0,6
15 mm	11	+0,6/-0,8		+1,2/-0,7	1,5
18 mm	13	+0,7/-0,9		+1,3/-0,8
21 mm	15	+0,8/-1,0		+1,4/-0,9
24 mm	17	+0,9/-1,1		+1,5/-1,0
27 mm	19	+1,0/-1,2	1,0	+1,6/-1,1	2,0
30 mm	21	+1,1/-1,3		+1,7/-1,2

Preparatory stage

• draw up sketches and make a drawing of the future product,
• make paper patterns for future elements and details
• stick templates onto blanks for future parts.

There are two ways to make templates - take tracing paper and draw kennels on it future procurement. This has been done since ancient times, since nothing is needed for this except a ruler and a pencil. However, if you have a computer and a printer, of course A3 would be nice, but A4 is also suitable (you just have to print several sheets and then glue them together), then the process of drawing with a pencil and ruler can be replaced by drawing the contours of the blanks on the computer.

Then we cut it out with a stationery blade or just a sharp knife.

After that Once the template is ready, it needs to be glued to the workpiece.

Tip: There is no need to glue it tightly, since in the future you will have to remove the template, and this will be difficult if you glue it tightly. Accordingly, you can glue it, for example, with stationery glue, use a glue stick or, as in our example, spray glue.

Creating blanks

At this stage you need to do:

1. Cut the blanks exactly according to the template,
2. Process the workpieces - align the ends, remove burrs
3. Drill the necessary holes;
4. Make grooves with a file;
5. Drill out the seats for the bearings;
6. Select grooves with a router for the cover and a seat;

We install the bracket. It should be noted that the bracket must be fastened without over-tightening the nut - there must be free movement. To do this, use a self-locking nut and only tighten it slightly.

Installing the spring should not be difficult. You need to do it as shown in the photo below.

For future fastening of the file, you need to make a simple clamp in the form of a plate with two holes. It must also be installed on the bracket using a self-locking nut. Moreover, the backlash of the plate in seat The reason is that the bracket moves, and the clamped plate will hinder its movement.

Below is a sketch of the design of the upper attachment point for the file.

Then it is necessary to make technological holes for the jigsaw controls so that it is convenient to change the engine speed, you can gain access to the start button and its lock. There is another solution that makes it more convenient to turn on the tool - this is to place in an easily accessible place on the machine body an socket and a switch that would turn the voltage on and off in the socket. We plug the jigsaw cord into a socket, and it turns out that we will turn it on and off using a switch installed in a place convenient for us. However, this is a matter of taste.

So, below is the manufacture of technological holes on the body.

This is what the controls look like when they are now available.

Now you need to make clamps for the file itself. The principle is simple - take a bolt and make a cut at the base of the head, but not all the way. In the future, the file itself will be inserted into this cut. The principle is shown in the photo below.

This is how the upper saw attachment unit is installed and assembled.

The lower unit is almost similar to the upper one, except that it is not a plate that is used, but a standard file (you can use a “BU” one), almost the entire cutting part is sawed off with a grinder (angle grinder) and the shank is left. A hole is made in the remaining cutting part with a similar bolt with a slot at the base of the head, into which the file will also fit. The principle is shown below.

After the file is secured, we install the jigsaw itself. We fasten it with bolts with countersunk heads so that they do not stick out on the tabletop of the machine.

Now we need to adjust the perpendicularity of the file relative to the table of our machine. To do this, you can use a square, or, as in our case, just a block that is precisely trimmed. We make the adjustment as follows. To adjust the file left/right, the top plate is adjusted - its displacement on the axis - respectively, in the desired direction.

And to adjust the saw blade position forward/backwards, the saw blade mounting unit itself is shifted forward or backward.

The machine is almost ready, all that remains is to make and install the plate that surrounds the jigsaw file. It can be made from PCB or any piece of sheet plastic.

This completes the manufacturing of the jigsaw machine.
We hope that the material presented was useful to you.

Conclusion

dimensions

Here is a table with overall dimensions:

General assembly diagram

Let's attach a complete assembly diagram, which in a sense can be a 3B drawing for making a machine from a jigsaw with your own hands.

Video

Videos on which this material was made.

The jigsaw has long ceased to be a rarity and is present in the tool kit of almost everyone. home handyman. It is convenient and capable of cutting various materials, relatively safe. The jigsaw is designed for cutting curved shapes, closed or with complex configuration. It is indispensable when performing many works on home improvement, during construction plasterboard structures, boxes, on other works.

However, in some cases, working with a hand tool becomes difficult or inconvenient: poor visibility of the cut line interferes, it becomes necessary to hold the workpiece with both hands, etc. But the main problem with a manual jigsaw is that the file moves to the side, which is especially noticeable when cutting materials. large thickness and with small radii of curvature. In such cases you need jigsaw machine, which you can create with your own hands.

Purpose of the machine and operating principle

Figure 1 – Jigsaw machine

The jigsaw machine is designed to perform curved or straight cuts sheet materials along a pre-planned contour or along guides.

Unlike hand tools, where the file is attached only at one end and holds its shape solely due to its own elasticity, on jigsaw machines the file is attached at both ends.

Such a machine can become a woodworking, tabletop, saw, 4 in 1, made from a circular saw, drill and cutter, etc.

The main design elements are:

• frame with tensioned file;
• crank mechanism, providing reciprocating motion of the frame;
• work table and stand.

The jigsaw successfully replaces the crank mechanism, driving the frame with the saw. There are more simple designs, where the jigsaw is simply attached in an inverted position to the work table from below, and the file either holds its position during operation due to its own elasticity, or is fixed on top by guides or a spring-loaded bracket that moves with it during operation. This allows you to reduce power losses when transmitting movement to the frame, but requires the use of elongated saw blades, which are not often found on sale.

Advantage

The main advantage of a jigsaw machine is the ability to perform precise cuts without the file moving to the side. In addition, the advantages of jigsaw machines over hand tools are:

• more efficient visual control for the direction and accuracy of the cut;
• possibility of using guides;
• it becomes possible to install special templates that allow you to obtain many identical blanks;
• A narrower file is used to reduce the radius of curvature and cut out parts of more complex shapes.

Along with these advantages, another one appears - the need to organize a workplace for sawing disappears, since the machine has an appropriate plane for this.

Important! Along with the advantages, there are also obvious disadvantages - sawing becomes significantly more difficult or impossible internal parts, only trimming along the outer contour.

Basic design - drawings

There are ready-made platforms that allow you to quickly transform hand tool into the machine. However, they are designed for jigsaws from a specific manufacturer and are not suitable for any device. In addition, the price of such platforms often far exceeds the cost of the tool itself. Therefore, it is much easier to make the machine yourself.

Figure 2- Design of a jigsaw machine

The basis is the desktop.

It has been experimentally established that tables made of sheet metal- they are durable, ensure precision installation, do not require frequent replacement and do not reduce the working length of the file.

The jigsaw is attached to the table through holes in the support plane; if necessary, it can be easily detached and used in the usual way.

The work table is installed on the bed. It can be made of wood, chipboard or other materials. The main requirement is strength, easy access to the jigsaw and a size (height) convenient for the master.

A rocker arm is installed at the end of the table, on which the second end of the file is attached with tensioner. The simplest option is a regular spring, which tensions the file and prevents it from being pulled to the side when sudden changes cutting directions. The manufacture of this unit is one of the most difficult stages of work, since the quality and cleanliness of the sawing depends on it, as well as the amount of load on the mechanism and electric motor of the jigsaw.

There are two design options for the tensioner:

1. Rigid rocker and spring block at its end with a movable saw attachment.
2. A movable rocker with a spring at the opposite end and a rigid saw attachment.

Both options have their pros and cons; the choice is usually made in favor of the option that is the simplest and most accessible in terms of technical capabilities.

How to make a machine from a hand jigsaw?

Let's consider the procedure for making a jigsaw machine. The design consists of a work table with a jigsaw attached to the bottom. The rocker consists of a rigidly reinforced post with a movable spring-loaded lever. This option is considered affordable and reliable, devoid of unnecessary components and parts.

For simplicity and clarity, it is recommended to sketch out working drawings that will clarify some design features and answer questions regarding dimensions, connection points and other details of the assembly process.

The creation of a machine can be divided into three stages, which should be considered separately:

Preparatory stage

Before starting the actual manufacture of the machine, it is necessary to make some preparation. First of all, you should make a special adapter for installing the file. In most jigsaws, the seat end of the file is inserted into a socket and clamped with a screw.

The cutting element of the machine is thinner and long file with holes at the ends, which are placed on special pins (or through which mounting screws pass). Therefore, it is necessary to make an adapter, the lower part of which copies the shank of a standard file for a given jigsaw, and the upper part is equipped with a hole for a screw with a nut, with which the adapter is connected to the bench saw.

Here the order of actions is not limited by anything - some grind the part the desired shape from a metal plate, others take a piece of a finished file with a shank and weld a steel washer to it, followed by processing for accuracy.

In addition, you need to prepare necessary tools and materials, including:

Figure 3 – Drawing of a jigsaw machine

• Bulgarian;
• electric drill with a set of drills;
• screwdriver;
• welding inverter with electrodes;
• pieces of chipboard or multi-layer plywood for desktop and bed;
• connecting corners;
• fasteners(self-tapping screws or bolts with nuts).

This list is not exhaustive; additional tools or materials may be needed.

Creating blanks

The first step will be to make a desktop. A piece of plywood or chipboard of the planned size is sawn off. There are no special restrictions here, but you will have to take into account the size of the room in which the machine will be placed. Too much small table will be inconvenient for working with large parts, and excessive table space will take up a lot of space in the room (or workshop).

As a rule, when choosing the size of the table, they are guided by the size of the parts that will be processed on the machine. Holes are made on the table for attaching a jigsaw and for a file. To do this, unscrew the sole from the tool, apply it to the table and mark the centers of the holes for the connecting bolts.

Important! Connecting bolts securing the jigsaw to work surface, must have a countersunk head so that they do not protrude from the plane of the table and do not scratch the workpiece during operation.

Figure 5 – Jigsaw beam

The second step will be making the rocker arm. It will require two elements:

• rack;
• movable lever.

Take for the stand profile pipe rectangular section and weld the support platform at the bottom.

Its size should ensure immobility, stability and reliability of the rack during operation under load.

The height should correspond to the length of the file in the maximum raised state, plus a small margin for the size of the attachment point.

The best option is that in the middle position of the saw, the movable lever is in a horizontal position.

The moving element is a beam mounted on a rack using a hinge joint. The length of the front part ensures that the saw blade attachment point is positioned exactly above the corresponding jigsaw element. The back of the lever is connected to a spring that provides tension.

Then you need to make a tension unit. It is a regular spring, which is tensioned using an adjusting screw. It is attached to one end of the spring, threaded through a special loop on the frame and tightened using a nut and washer.

Attention! Vibration can cause the tension nut to unwind, loosening the tension. It is recommended to secure it with a lock nut.

Assembly

The assembly process is not difficult. You need to do the following:

1. Connect the work table and the bed.
2. Install the jigsaw.
3. Secure the stand with bolts.
4. Install the lever.
5. Attach the tension spring and secure on both sides.

If the calculations were performed correctly, the file will move exactly vertically without yawing to the sides. It is recommended that before starting the jigsaw, check its progress and make sure that no unforeseen situations are expected.

When working with a jigsaw, you should adhere to the following rules:

• do not put your hands near the moving saw;
• do not try to stop the saw or lever with your hands;
• change the cutting element only when the jigsaw is stopped;
• do not make much effort when feeding the workpiece to the cutting body;
• Do not work with workpieces that are too thick.

In addition, you should remember the rules fire safety and always unplug the tool from the socket after finishing work.

Self-production a jigsaw machine is not fundamentally difficult, however, not every craftsman needs it. As a rule, such devices are used by people who perform a large amount of work and need to create a optimal conditions. Everyone chooses the design features of the machine according to their own considerations and preferences, available options There are many. The quality and safety of the product directly depends on the degree of care and accuracy of assembly.

Making an even, straight cut with a budget jigsaw is not at all easy. The reasons are simple - play in the jigsaw, the saw moving, little experience of the craftsman. All these reasons can be easily eliminated with the help of a homemade frame with guides for the base of the jigsaw.

The presented design allows you to cut wood, sheet metal, plastic and even paper at an angle of 30, 45 or 90 degrees. Purely for the sake of experiment I cut old magazine and as you can see in the photo, the cut turns out almost like it came from a printing house.

Required materials and tools:

• Sheet of fiberboard or plywood 400 x 700 mm;
• Slats 30 x 50 and 20 x 30 mm;
• Self-tapping screws;
• M6 studs;
• Wing nuts M6;
• Furniture fittings (screw nuts) M6;
• Tools: jigsaw, screwdriver/drill, square.

Step-by-step instructions for making jigsaw guides

1. As a base for the village, I took a door made of DPV from an old cabinet. You can use a sheet of plywood. Based on this, we mark the centers of future supporting elements from wooden slats– the distance from the edge should be equal to half the thickness, in my case 15 mm with a strip thickness of 30 mm.

2. Along the perimeter we make holes for screws with a diameter of 3 mm with chamfers so that the heads of the screws do not protrude above the plane of the base of the frame. There are 2-3 holes on each side.

3. The next step is to use wood screws to fasten the base supports from 30x50 mm slats one by one. Supports are necessary for there to be free space for a jigsaw file.

Finished base from the reverse side.

And from the working side.

4. Next, we make guides from two 20x30 mm slats and a base from 10 mm plywood, as well as jigsaw travel limiters from a slats of the same section.

The length of the guides must correspond to the length of the bed, and the width is selected individually for each jigsaw. Looking ahead, I will present a photo from which the principle of selecting the width of a plywood base is clearly visible.

5. First you need to dismantle the base of the jigsaw. Next, applying a 20x30 mm strip, we make markings for fastening with self-tapping screws.

6. Place the batten under the sheet of plywood, with the markings remaining on top!

We make three holes for self-tapping screws with chamfers to “hide” the fastener heads.

We attach the rail to the base of the guide.
7. We attach the second side rail only after trying on the base - it should move freely between the slats, but without play. After “trying on” the slats, we temporarily fasten it on top with two self-tapping screws, and then, by analogy with the sixth step, we fix the second slatting and unscrew the temporary screws.

8. We secure the travel limiters with two self-tapping screws.

9. Based on the completed markings, in the first step we make marks with a pencil along the edges of the guide.

Using the marks, we mark and make holes with a diameter of 6 mm.

10. Using the holes made in the previous step as a jig, we make holes in the base.

11. Use a 10 mm drill to make blind holes 10 mm deep.

12. Screw furniture fittings into the resulting holes using a hexagon. They can be purchased at hardware stores.

We screw M6 studs into the footings.

13. We perform similar operations on the guide.

Then we drill out internal thread futorki with a 6 mm drill.
14. Mount the guide on the studs.

The movement should be free, without jamming.
15. Using the markings, we make a through hole for the jigsaw file (don’t forget to take into account the protruding pin).

16. We carry out a longitudinal cut with a jigsaw; at this step it is important not to rush, performing the cut at low speed with the pendulum mode turned off (mark “0”) in order to get the most even cut without moving the file.

17. Using a square, we attach a stop from a 20x30 mm rail perpendicular to the guide.