Shopsmith Jig Saw
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Pg. 1-4, Pg 5-8, Pg 9-12, Pg 13-16

Jigsaw Blades

The jigsaw will mount three types of blades: regular jigsaw (or fret saw) blades, sabre saw blades, and jeweler's blades. Within each of these categories, there are many different blade sizes that are classified by blade width, thickness, and number of teeth per inch. Choosing the right blade for the job will depend on:

• the kind of material you're about to cut
• the thickness of the material
• the intricacy of the pattern
• the accuracy and smoothness of cut you want.

Choose jeweler's blades for delicate scrollwork in veneers, thin woods, nonferrous metals, plastic, mother-of-pearl, and abalone thinner than 1/8". Thin, fine-toothed jigsaw blades will cut in-tricate patterns in stock 1/8" to 1/2" thick. Medium-width, medium-toothed blades will cut uncomplicated patterns in wood 1/4" thick or thicker. Coarse, heavy blades work well when sawing long curves in thick materials. Some wide blades have fine, tempered teeth for cutting plastics and metal 1/8" thick or thicker.

Sabre saw blades are useful for sawing uncomplicated patterns and long curves in large workpieces. The blade you select should cut with at least three teeth in contact with the stock at all times.

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