I draw the line where I want the cut to be and then move over about 1/8 of an inch and draw another line. I have found that it is easier to stay between 2 lines than it is to follow one single line
I totally agree with you, jigsaw is a wrong tool to cut a straight line, not only because the movement of the blade, but also blade tooth design, you can compare it with circular saw blade tooth, when people said they can cut a perfect straight line with jigsaw, I laugh
Loved the video. The jig saw is often simply the wrong tool. Love your base idea. You could also add a zero clearance plate to it and help with chip out. The big tip was the damn shaft moves. It's like wrapping a knife with My pillow foam and placing that against a guide to cut a straight line. Going slow helps a lot with keeping that blade straight but if the shaft moves, you are screwed. Love the fake news comment!
I recently tried building a guide, and the (not so) strangest thing happened. The brand new blade I had put in got too hot and bent a good 30 degrees or so. Lesson learned.
It just takes 3 things, a jigsaw with adjustable speed and adjustable orbital cutting. Good blades that don't cause your jigsaw to make the wood your cutting fly with the jigsaw still on and cutting with the bade at the edge of the mark
This is a very smart man. I've watched numerous videos on how to get a straight cut with a jigsaw -- using a fence, and NONE of them work. When I try to do it by eye, without a fence, I actually get a better cut. But he's right, it's hard to see the line. And as you move along the line, your angle of vision changes. I don't know if I can do this to my new jigsaw,...but he is correct. Thank you.
Blade side-friction. So that's been my problem - the cut wanders towards the carefully clamped guide-rail and no amount of hand force correction brings it back to the line. Your explanation is gonna save me a sleepless night. Thanks Larry.
This is correct for entry level and 'DIY' branded jigsaws, but what you find is there are jigsaws and jigsaws! For example Bosch do a 'professional' range at $150-$400 and they are completely different animals, the mechanism to hold the blade is far better, they have more power and crucially far better control over the power, the top end ones have automated power feed systems too. They are also much better to hold and have far less vibration. All I can say it's like the difference between a wooden tennis raquet and the the composite ones you see today where the ball pings off the strings. The other thing is Bosch make blades with a 5mm thick kerf, they are pretty solid! So don't be fiddling with your jigsaw and compromising safety, the answer is you need a better quality machine. If you try a top end Bosch DeWalt or Festool you will know what I mean! But if you want to cut something 100% straight then buy a tracksaw. Even the entry level ones do a fantastic job.
Good god, i have no doubt that a jigsaw for $400 dollars will do a much better job than your average $40 dollar jig saw. Also, 5mm blades? are you kidding? You mean half a Centimetre thick? Yikes!. Anybody who buys a jig saw for 400 will likely also have a a circular saw and a bench saw and all sorts of tools. So, while I don't dispute what you are saying, I don't think it applies to the average jig saw owner who wants one cheap saw to do a variety of tasks.
thanks' a lot, i was frustrated while using a guide and the blade keeps popping out of the blade roller guide, although when i cut freely and trying my best of following my line, it cuts fine.
Interesting. I haven’t tried the fence method but I was planning to try it. I also planned to leave about an 1/8” of material then finish up with a router (don’t own a table saw). Still looking for an easy, safe and accurate way to cut plywood.
This is exactly what I realized trying to cut straight with a guide. My cuts were better when I freehand it..
Your video is the most honest and practical I have seen regarding trying to cut a straight line. Thanks so much, thought I was nuts!
Thanks!
I draw the line where I want the cut to be and then move over about 1/8 of an inch and draw another line. I have found that it is easier to stay between 2 lines than it is to follow one single line
I totally agree with you, jigsaw is a wrong tool to cut a straight line, not only because the movement of the blade, but also blade tooth design, you can compare it with circular saw blade tooth, when people said they can cut a perfect straight line with jigsaw, I laugh
Thanks for your confirmation comment ! :)
Loved the video. The jig saw is often simply the wrong tool. Love your base idea. You could also add a zero clearance plate to it and help with chip out. The big tip was the damn shaft moves. It's like wrapping a knife with My pillow foam and placing that against a guide to cut a straight line. Going slow helps a lot with keeping that blade straight but if the shaft moves, you are screwed. Love the fake news comment!
lol, thanks for your nice and humorous reply!
This explains why I can cut straight with a circular saw!
Thanks
Excellent instructive & affirming video. I speak from experience. Now, I am looking for quarter-round to conseal my wobbles. Thank you.
I recently tried building a guide, and the (not so) strangest thing happened. The brand new blade I had put in got too hot and bent a good 30 degrees or so. Lesson learned.
:)
thank you
Hello sir,
What about using acrylic flexi glass instead of ply wood? Would that be better?
Sounds like a good idea. It's hard to work with plexi glass though.
It just takes 3 things, a jigsaw with adjustable speed and adjustable orbital cutting. Good blades that don't cause your jigsaw to make the wood your cutting fly with the jigsaw still on and cutting with the bade at the edge of the mark
This is a very smart man. I've watched numerous videos on how to get a straight cut with a jigsaw -- using a fence, and NONE of them work. When I try to do it by eye, without a fence, I actually get a better cut. But he's right, it's hard to see the line. And as you move along the line, your angle of vision changes. I don't know if I can do this to my new jigsaw,...but he is correct. Thank you.
Thanks for your nice comment!
wish i had seen your video before i made a mess 🥲
Great sir
Thanks!
Blade side-friction. So that's been my problem - the cut wanders towards the carefully clamped guide-rail and no amount of hand force correction brings it back to the line.
Your explanation is gonna save me a sleepless night. Thanks Larry.
This is correct for entry level and 'DIY' branded jigsaws, but what you find is there are jigsaws and jigsaws! For example Bosch do a 'professional' range at $150-$400 and they are completely different animals, the mechanism to hold the blade is far better, they have more power and crucially far better control over the power, the top end ones have automated power feed systems too. They are also much better to hold and have far less vibration. All I can say it's like the difference between a wooden tennis raquet and the the composite ones you see today where the ball pings off the strings.
The other thing is Bosch make blades with a 5mm thick kerf, they are pretty solid! So don't be fiddling with your jigsaw and compromising safety, the answer is you need a better quality machine. If you try a top end Bosch DeWalt or Festool you will know what I mean!
But if you want to cut something 100% straight then buy a tracksaw. Even the entry level ones do a fantastic job.
Good god, i have no doubt that a jigsaw for $400 dollars will do a much better job than your average $40 dollar jig saw. Also, 5mm blades? are you kidding? You mean half a Centimetre thick? Yikes!. Anybody who buys a jig saw for 400 will likely also have a a circular saw and a bench saw and all sorts of tools. So, while I don't dispute what you are saying, I don't think it applies to the average jig saw owner who wants one cheap saw to do a variety of tasks.
thanks' a lot, i was frustrated while using a guide and the blade keeps popping out of the blade roller guide, although when i cut freely and trying my best of following my line, it cuts fine.
Yes , you are Wright, for me its imposible to make straight cut with all those jig for cutting. So I will try your idea. Thanks from Buenos Aires
Interesting. I haven’t tried the fence method but I was planning to try it. I also planned to leave about an 1/8” of material then finish up with a router (don’t own a table saw). Still looking for an easy, safe and accurate way to cut plywood.
you can get easy safe and accurate, but not cheap. There are expensive setups designed to cut plywood.
You are exactly Right