I bought my Magna jigsaw brand new and I still use itB but never used it as you did here to cut a large circle. Bach in the '60's, there was not the selection of hand power tools like we have today. Thanks for the great video.
Two things I love about my jigsaw: 1) you can mount a metal file in it! or any abrasive on a stick! Slow speeds really help. 2) this was the first power tool my children could use (with help) I would sit on a shop stool, and they on my lap, my hands atop theirs, and we would make lots of things! Cut wood, soft metal, plastics, paperboard. Trace out leaves, snowflakes, outline of anything. Lots of ideas from my 1950s “woodworking for everyone”. I did add a remote foot power switch when working on the end of the shopsmith.
You may have saved the day. I have never used my jig saw ,came with a 510 I bought for parts. Just looked inside and found a dropped blade. Was about to run it . Part 2 of the cliff hanger ?? Keep them coming. Cool beans Thanks Scott
It was insanely expensive! I almost passed on it and wound up picking up a 4x4 piece just because it was so shocking to see $33 for a 4x8 sheet. That's crazy talk!
It's a great tool, I love mine, just wish I was a better woodworker. Check out the groups on Facebook, and as far as channels go, this is my go to... Now if he would just cover Cove Cuts before I take my finger off....
And... when you are not using it on the scroll saw... you can string up the overarm and use it as an archery bow! Scott, that thing is handier than a pocket on a shirt!!
What a great trick! You sure did go big right out of the gate. I could see that being useful for slightly smaller stock that is still too big with the arm there. I am picking my Craigslist purchased jig saw tomorrow. I am telling my wife it is your fault!!
Just picked up my new to me Jigsaw. It came on its own Shopsmith power stand(not sure what the official name of that is). Is that stand specific to the Jigsaw or can other SPTs be mounted to it? Trying to decide if I want to keep the stand or not.
@@coopkeyl Nice! The power stand SS made can be used with any of the SPTs, but they each have their own pulley and belt combination to get them to their correct speed range. Definitely worth saving. Scott
Great video again, thanks. I half guessed this trick and have an idea what the next one is. But I wouldn’t have known or even thought of it without you so thanks so much for helping me get the most out of this fantastic machine.
Love seeing a weekend video! Hey, I'm a Worx guy too. Got sucked in by the Aero Cart and the Switch Drive. Now I have a bunch. I guess I'm a sucker for multi-purpose tools. Oddly enough I'm getting frustrated with batteries and as I slowly migrate BACK to corded tools, I've been buying Bosch because almost all of them have variable speed dials. That circle cut went way better than if you had tried a hand held jigsaw with that material. Material needs to be 19mm (3/4 inch) or thicker before a cutting with a hand held unit is anything other than a freak show.
I have never been disappointed with the Worx tools I've purchased, but I've avoided a few that I thought would be a let-down. One of my favorites is the WX255L SD semi-automatic power screwdriver. I have a half dozen of them at work and use them during hands-on training for my students to drive screws. I never have to worry about them damaging the screwdriver recesses in the screw heads, because they can't speed it up, and they never lose bits. And they hold a charge forever! I have a couple other of their drills, their leaf blower, the Switchdriver, and several versions of their string trimmer. Yeah, I was disappointed in myself for thinking I had everything at the ready. That point never did get sharp and I couldn't find a file to save my life. Perhaps I'll redeem myself mid-week. Scott
@@MyGrowthRings I thought the demo was effective. It showed the benefit of a stabile table for saber sawing vs hand held. And removing the the top was a good setup for what's comming.
Scott your videos are always interesting with a lot of in depth knowledge. You convinced me to look for the jig saw. You did remind me though, that I could use my vintage Hirsch Saw Table (Portable, foldable, Table circa early 80's ) and mount my portable Scrolling Sabre saw on it. It was made to mount either a Circular Saw, Router, or Sabre Saw under the table. I could then use the Shopsmith as an extension table.
I have the variable speed version of the bladerunner. In my shop, it's a niche tool that I don't use very often. But every once in awhile, it's exactly the tool I need.
Bob Hesperia Ca., if you use a T-nut with a quarter-20 stud + a slug left from a large hole saw, put croshairs on one side and 2 sided tape on the other. Match the croshairs on the sulg to your mark on your part . Finding your c point under a large sheet is dificult , doping your sulg over a small bolt is a lot easyer. I do this w/ my band saw!
That is so cool! I have been using the bandsaw as my circle cutting jig with limited success. Thanks for showing us a new trick. By the way my actual Shopsmith jig saw has an insert of some kind under the blade chuck and nothing can fall in my oil bath. Thanks for a great video. Cant wait for the next one. Oh the anticipation!
Another great video Scott! I never tried the cup center/fence trick….but now I will try that! I have a Mark VII (similar to the V 500 fence) and an original Magna cup center. Thanks for the tip and inspiration Scott! Of course I could probably do it faster on the bandsaw with a circle cutting jig….but that’s not the point of this exercise, is it? :-)
Please can you put up a US link to the sabre saw blades that you use? From there I can then track them down here in the UK. After watching your video I’m now much less willing to sell my eldely Shopsmith jigsaw (I also have a scroll saw). And I’m fairly sure that one of the many lathe centres that came with my 1981 vintage 500 will fit in to its fence in the way that you describe, thus avoiding blunt nail syndrome. Looking forward to next week!
Thanks for the reminder about the links, Graham, I meant to do that. I've added two links; one to a 5 pack of my go-to blade, and another to a 5 piece assortment that includes 3 wood and two metal cutting blades. The best thing about the assortment is that once you find the one that works for you, you can order that blade in bulk packs of 3, 5, or 100. Glad to hear that you are going to give your jigsaw one more chance to prove its worth. Yes, "Blunt Nail Syndrome" isn't something that most men are comfortable talking about. Scott
Not to complicate things, but would it be possible to mount a small lathe faceplate on the underside of the work piece, assuming the work piece is thicker and would not be seen, and then fabricate a 5/8" rod to a plate, which could be mounted on a pice of wood with a rail for the miter slot? That would provide a very secure pivot point jig that could be used on any Shopsmith Mark V model. Now I must go read my owner's manual to see if I can ferret out the nature of the next big trick. Thanks for all the good stuff. Glen, not Sandy, but you probably know that by now.
Actually, with the blade positioned at 90 degrees from the standard position, as I had it in the video, the backup is removed. I showed the removal in the Introductory video, but I should have mentioned this in this video.
Since 1983 I have been arguing defending and debating Shopsmith and Scott since I’ve been watching you first as tool hunter and now I no longer feel like I am alone like a Republican at meeting of the Democratic Party! I appreciate you!
i just took the chuck off mine (magna, not clone) and the tube is filled with some sort of caulk or soft rubber plug, so either someone at the factory got some feedback or a previous owner got bit. ;-)
If you aren't concerned about the mark in the middle of the circle, couldn't you mark the center and drive a nail/screw completely through it and into the wood fence extension? That way it wouldn't wander.
Yes. Another way would be to drill a through hole through a block that is double sided taped to the plywood. Lots of ways to do this that would work better than pivoting on a nail head!
Yes, either style will work. I own three sabre saws that use the T-ends, so that's what I use. The older U-end style do tend to be cheaper, but they don't seem to have kept up with the latest wisdom on tooth geometry. Scott
I don’t not have the jig saw or scroll saw….tho I did see a SS for sale I’m my area with the scroll saw. I don’t think I can talk the CFO into a third SS 😜
I have this jigsaw (second hand) but there doesn’t appear to be any spring tension. Is there a way to check on the condition of the spring? I could not figure out how to gain access.
Oh great! Yet _another_ segment-and certain skeptics suspect that there will be MORE! (I think I heard an echo. Oh … hee hee I had my hands over my ears. 🤣 False alarm) So are you paying rent on that basement shop? That big-cut trick is great, but the pivot pin needs to be put in the workpiece, then dropped into [the fence | whatever]. Trying to eyeball it into place will never be reliable, and it seems that it would be very very useful for some of us. Maybe you can take the frisbee back to Home Depot and tell them it was obviously out of square. 😂
There's always room for more! Basement shop? At my sister's place? Yes, everything about locating the pivot was a fail. My eyeball has proven to be very good for things like this, but the fact that my nail wasn't sharp and never penetrated the plywood was my biggest issue. I like your return suggestion. That could be fun to put to the test. Scott
I bought my Magna jigsaw brand new and I still use itB but never used it as you did here to cut a large circle. Bach in the '60's, there was not the selection of hand power tools like we have today. Thanks for the great video.
It really is a versatile saw.
Two things I love about my jigsaw: 1) you can mount a metal file in it! or any abrasive on a stick! Slow speeds really help. 2) this was the first power tool my children could use (with help) I would sit on a shop stool, and they on my lap, my hands atop theirs, and we would make lots of things! Cut wood, soft metal, plastics, paperboard. Trace out leaves, snowflakes, outline of anything. Lots of ideas from my 1950s “woodworking for everyone”. I did add a remote foot power switch when working on the end of the shopsmith.
Very cool. My kids grew up with the scroll saw for the very same reason. There's more to come next weekend. Scott
You may have saved the day. I have never used my jig saw ,came with a 510 I bought for parts. Just looked inside and found a dropped blade. Was about to run it . Part 2 of the cliff hanger ?? Keep them coming. Cool beans
Thanks Scott
Cool beans indeed. Happy to help. Scott
I love the video. I glad I'm not the only one who goes looking for a file and ends up using what ever is at hand (like a drum sander).
Wasn't that sad? And we see how well that turned out. There really is a reason that most tools exist. Scott
More new and great ideas - I'm glad I kept this tool - hope you find some use for the plywood considering how the cost has more than doubled lately.
It was insanely expensive! I almost passed on it and wound up picking up a 4x4 piece just because it was so shocking to see $33 for a 4x8 sheet. That's crazy talk!
Since I just became a shopsmither a couple months ago, I just feel lucky this channel exists… great job 👍
Thanks, Zack. It's good to have you here. Scott
It's a great tool, I love mine, just wish I was a better woodworker. Check out the groups on Facebook, and as far as channels go, this is my go to... Now if he would just cover Cove Cuts before I take my finger off....
@@Me58651 Fist advice: Don’t do that.
And... when you are not using it on the scroll saw... you can string up the overarm and use it as an archery bow! Scott, that thing is handier than a pocket on a shirt!!
BULLSEYE!
What a great trick! You sure did go big right out of the gate. I could see that being useful for slightly smaller stock that is still too big with the arm there.
I am picking my Craigslist purchased jig saw tomorrow. I am telling my wife it is your fault!!
I accept the responsibility, so feel free to enjoy it without guilt. Scott
Just picked up my new to me Jigsaw. It came on its own Shopsmith power stand(not sure what the official name of that is). Is that stand specific to the Jigsaw or can other SPTs be mounted to it? Trying to decide if I want to keep the stand or not.
@@coopkeyl Nice! The power stand SS made can be used with any of the SPTs, but they each have their own pulley and belt combination to get them to their correct speed range. Definitely worth saving. Scott
Great video again, thanks. I half guessed this trick and have an idea what the next one is. But I wouldn’t have known or even thought of it without you so thanks so much for helping me get the most out of this fantastic machine.
I'm sure you know it too, and I get what you are saying. Thanks for keeping it hush-hush. Scott
Love seeing a weekend video! Hey, I'm a Worx guy too. Got sucked in by the Aero Cart and the Switch Drive. Now I have a bunch. I guess I'm a sucker for multi-purpose tools. Oddly enough I'm getting frustrated with batteries and as I slowly migrate BACK to corded tools, I've been buying Bosch because almost all of them have variable speed dials.
That circle cut went way better than if you had tried a hand held jigsaw with that material. Material needs to be 19mm (3/4 inch) or thicker before a cutting with a hand held unit is anything other than a freak show.
I have never been disappointed with the Worx tools I've purchased, but I've avoided a few that I thought would be a let-down. One of my favorites is the WX255L SD semi-automatic power screwdriver. I have a half dozen of them at work and use them during hands-on training for my students to drive screws. I never have to worry about them damaging the screwdriver recesses in the screw heads, because they can't speed it up, and they never lose bits. And they hold a charge forever! I have a couple other of their drills, their leaf blower, the Switchdriver, and several versions of their string trimmer. Yeah, I was disappointed in myself for thinking I had everything at the ready. That point never did get sharp and I couldn't find a file to save my life. Perhaps I'll redeem myself mid-week. Scott
@@MyGrowthRings I thought the demo was effective. It showed the benefit of a stabile table for saber sawing vs hand held. And removing the the top was a good setup for what's comming.
Scott your videos are always interesting with a lot of in depth knowledge. You convinced me to look for the jig saw. You did remind me though, that I could use my vintage Hirsch Saw Table (Portable, foldable, Table circa early 80's ) and mount my portable Scrolling Sabre saw on it. It was made to mount either a Circular Saw, Router, or Sabre Saw under the table. I could then use the Shopsmith as an extension table.
Perfect, Andre. Either way it’s great to hear that an old tool is going to get to do its thing once more. Scott
I have the variable speed version of the bladerunner. In my shop, it's a niche tool that I don't use very often. But every once in awhile, it's exactly the tool I need.
The VS version is a real winner. One of the best blade changing devices I've ever used. Scott
Links to everything I used or discussed can be found in the "Show More" link above. Scott
So very interesting. The different things you can do with the jig saw are really cool. Thanks for taking the time to share.
Thanks. And thanks for becoming a Chairperson!
Bob Hesperia Ca., if you use a T-nut with a quarter-20 stud + a slug left from a large hole saw, put croshairs on one side and 2 sided tape on the other. Match the croshairs on the sulg to your mark on your part . Finding your c point under a large sheet is dificult , doping your sulg over a small bolt is a lot easyer. I do this w/ my band saw!
Yep, several ways to skin this cat. Thanks for sharing, Robert. Scott
Great pointers. Thanks
That is so cool! I have been using the bandsaw as my circle cutting jig with limited success. Thanks for showing us a new trick. By the way my actual Shopsmith jig saw has an insert of some kind under the blade chuck and nothing can fall in my oil bath. Thanks for a great video. Cant wait for the next one. Oh the anticipation!
Yeah, I remember them having a plug of some sort too.
My Magna 18" jigsaw is plugged below the blade. I don't know if it came that way or was modified. Why not make a cork for your Total Shop jigsaw?
@@mars1952 That’s the plan.
Another great video Scott! I never tried the cup center/fence trick….but now I will try that! I have a Mark VII (similar to the V 500 fence) and an original Magna cup center. Thanks for the tip and inspiration Scott! Of course I could probably do it faster on the bandsaw with a circle cutting jig….but that’s not the point of this exercise, is it? :-)
Please can you put up a US link to the sabre saw blades that you use? From there I can then track them down here in the UK. After watching your video I’m now much less willing to sell my eldely Shopsmith jigsaw (I also have a scroll saw). And I’m fairly sure that one of the many lathe centres that came with my 1981 vintage 500 will fit in to its fence in the way that you describe, thus avoiding blunt nail syndrome. Looking forward to next week!
Thanks for the reminder about the links, Graham, I meant to do that. I've added two links; one to a 5 pack of my go-to blade, and another to a 5 piece assortment that includes 3 wood and two metal cutting blades. The best thing about the assortment is that once you find the one that works for you, you can order that blade in bulk packs of 3, 5, or 100. Glad to hear that you are going to give your jigsaw one more chance to prove its worth.
Yes, "Blunt Nail Syndrome" isn't something that most men are comfortable talking about. Scott
Not to complicate things, but would it be possible to mount a small lathe faceplate on the underside of the work piece, assuming the work piece is thicker and would not be seen, and then fabricate a 5/8" rod to a plate, which could be mounted on a pice of wood with a rail for the miter slot? That would provide a very secure pivot point jig that could be used on any Shopsmith Mark V model. Now I must go read my owner's manual to see if I can ferret out the nature of the next big trick. Thanks for all the good stuff. Glen, not Sandy, but you probably know that by now.
Sure, that could be done. There are several ways to thread this needle. Scott
Scott i know what you will talk about and a while back i purchased all of the original shopsmith versions of the round versions for my jig saw. :D
Very nice, Joseph, and not so easy to come by these days. Scott
@@MyGrowthRings Correct so when i spied them on ebay i snapped them up :)
I got five of them do you know how many there were from shopsmith?
@@joecouncil Originally there was a set of 6, and later they only sold 5, but they were only sold individually.
Scott love your videos! They made my rebuild of my bandsaw much easier. What brand of shop apron are you wearing in your videos? Thanks.
Hey Michael. I just added a link to the video description. I had to search for it in my purchased item list on Amazon. Scott
Scott, do you know if the cast iron bandsaw table will fit on the jigsaw? The miter gauge groves on the band saw table could be a game changer.
I don't know, but it is doubtful. I check and report back. Scott
Another great video. :You didn't set the lower blade guide/backup, that would have helped keep the blade perpendicular to the table.
Actually, with the blade positioned at 90 degrees from the standard position, as I had it in the video, the backup is removed. I showed the removal in the Introductory video, but I should have mentioned this in this video.
Since 1983 I have been arguing defending and debating Shopsmith and Scott since I’ve been watching you first as tool hunter and now I no longer feel like I am alone like a Republican at meeting of the Democratic Party! I appreciate you!
Happy to provide you a safe space!
i just took the chuck off mine (magna, not clone) and the tube is filled with some sort of caulk or soft rubber plug, so either someone at the factory got some feedback or a previous owner got bit. ;-)
Yes, they may have a plug, which is a simple and smart solution. Scott
Scott, always interesting! I can hardly wait for your reveal!
Thanks John. Scott
Shopsmith also made short files for use in this saw just an FYI
Yes, Richard, they did. You might be seeing more in that next week. Scott
If you aren't concerned about the mark in the middle of the circle, couldn't you mark the center and drive a nail/screw completely through it and into the wood fence extension? That way it wouldn't wander.
Yes. Another way would be to drill a through hole through a block that is double sided taped to the plywood. Lots of ways to do this that would work better than pivoting on a nail head!
neat! have you ever seen one set up as a die filer? seems its like 90% of the way there
That's an interesting idea. Could be that's my next trick...
Was I the only one worried that Scott would loose control of the magnets and that they would fall in?
No, not the only one!
I was ready with a snarky "I don't know why she swallowed the fly.." comment.
Oh Yes!
"roughly the exact center" 😂
Exactly.
Oh I looked and looked and looked for the Shop Smith toolbox that you use. Is it still available and where do I find it? Thank you, Ted
Ted, I’ve linked to it in the “Shop Notes, but here’s the link: My favorite 9" long T-handle "Shopsmith Toolbox" 5/32" Hex Wrench: amzn.to/3sm3NcJ
I see you used the newer style of saber/jigsaw blades "T" , would the older type blades work as well?
Yes, either style will work. I own three sabre saws that use the T-ends, so that's what I use. The older U-end style do tend to be cheaper, but they don't seem to have kept up with the latest wisdom on tooth geometry. Scott
I don’t not have the jig saw or scroll saw….tho I did see a SS for sale I’m my area with the scroll saw. I don’t think I can talk the CFO into a third SS 😜
Who's counting?
I have this jigsaw (second hand) but there doesn’t appear to be any spring tension. Is there a way to check on the condition of the spring? I could not figure out how to gain access.
Yes, there is. Do you have a manual?
Oh great! Yet _another_ segment-and certain skeptics suspect that there will be MORE! (I think I heard an echo. Oh … hee hee I had my hands over my ears. 🤣 False alarm)
So are you paying rent on that basement shop?
That big-cut trick is great, but the pivot pin needs to be put in the workpiece, then dropped into [the fence | whatever]. Trying to eyeball it into place will never be reliable, and it seems that it would be very very useful for some of us.
Maybe you can take the frisbee back to Home Depot and tell them it was obviously out of square. 😂
There's always room for more! Basement shop? At my sister's place? Yes, everything about locating the pivot was a fail. My eyeball has proven to be very good for things like this, but the fact that my nail wasn't sharp and never penetrated the plywood was my biggest issue. I like your return suggestion. That could be fun to put to the test. Scott
omg that's great
Thanks!
WORX is horrible and their customer service is terrible! I will never buy another one of their products!
Obviously that hasn’t been my experience. How did their customer service let you down? Scott