I’ve a Dewalt DW721K jigsaw, and a lot of 6″ radius cuts to make in 1-1/2″ framing lumber. Recommend me a blade. Thanks.
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I smell smoke here - not from the blades but from the flaming responces about cutting 6" duct holes in 2x12 floor joists so let's put that to bed first. That would be taking too much meat out.
This is trim quality cuts in those exposed rafter tails, right?
Looking for a smoother cut quality is different from hogging out materials quickly ion framing that will be exposed.
Excellence is its own reward!
Whatever you want to cut, for whatever reason, there's only one brand...Bosch. Now be a little more specific about what you're doing, and I could probably tell style and number... EliphIno!
Here is what I am doing. The pic shows a plan view of the jigsaw sole with blade, upper left, positioned against a jig clamped to the end of a 2x8 (#2 SPF), ready to make the cut. The saw will be freehanded around the curve, with sole held tighty to bear onto the jig face, the bearing point always against the point of the sole adjacent the blade front. The hole profile shown dotted will be bored after, in the drill press. It's my decorative rafter tail. I have used Bosch T-shanks in my jigsaw, both Progressor-type and regular. Do you think the Bosch T244D blade is the right one for this?
I know, I know. Some might say, "just get it set up and try something," but, hey, they don't call me Mr. Micro for nothing. I figure someone has done something like this before and has resolved things knowing just the right blade.
Oy, when we do rafter tails, I haul out my old Rockwell band saw on a mobile base. We move the band saw, not the wood.
With a jig saw, hmmm, how many do you have to cut? I'm a T101B fan, they do a smooth cut, put the saw on high orbit , and clean things up with a belt sander.
I haven't used the progressor much, so, I can't say fer sure, but that may really give you the fastest and straightest cut in a 2x.
Whatever blades you're gonna use, they'll overheat doing curves, so, have plenty on hand...
Good luck, I like your design. EliphIno!
Went to the Bosch site, and it turns out the progressor blades are for straight cuts. That is what I have done when I used them. If I can get some of the T244s locally, which I doubt I can, I will try them in some 2x stock. I have asked Bosch what might be best, through their website, but have no reply yet. Go there sometime and see how many different blades there are, just in the t-shank style. Bewildering!
Haven't tried the 244. If it's skinny, I'd be worried about deflection. You're not cutting that tight a curve. I've got some progressors, I'll take one for a test run on a curved track, tomorrow. Does your DeWalt orbit? EliphIno!
Yes, my Dewalt orbits. It has variable speed, also.
I tried the Progressor on a yellow pine 2x with your approximite curve. Set on high orbit, it cut fast and pretty square. It's a little rough, but would be easy to touch up with a belt sander or sanding block. I'm not sure why Bosch sez it's only for straight cuts. I also tried a144D and the 101B, both on high orbit. The 144 also cut fast and a little rough, but not as square as the Progressor, and the 101 cut slower, smoother, but not squarely. All the cutting was done with the grain and not into it.
I know you don't want to, but I'd experiment. For myself, I'd use the Progressor...let us know what you do and how it works. EliphIno!
I think I would hog these out with the jigsaw, and clean them up with a router against a jig.
I have to think there are going to more than a few of these, and this is Mr Micro we are talkin about.
What do you think of that one?
I like the bandsaw trick, I saw that on TOH or Home (alone) Again.
Yeah, pattern routing works great, guess I was lost in the jigsaw mania...but remember, always wear these, safety glasses, and rout with the grain;}
Tell you whut tho, that Progressor blade hauls azz... EliphIno!
>>> "that Progressor blade hauls azz..."
Ya they do, but I don't have all the numbers memorized yet.
I'll get right on that, while you learn this " ... be sure to read, understand, and follow all the safety rules that come with your power tools. Knowing how to operate your power tools properly greatly reduces the chances of personal injury .... and remember this, there is no more important safety rule than to wear these - safety glasses".
Oh man, I am I bored. This could be trouble. ;-)
Man, you need to go bowling;} EliphIno!
Last time I went bowling the machine kept eating my balls. How great is that?
Mr Micro, are you following all of this ok?
I'm sorry, I was skiing during most of the chitchat. Yep, I follow. Got some 2x8 stock and some blades, and will try out some technique after the guests leave. A progressor is in the saw, now.
Spelling, grammar, puncuation and a size too small to be able to read anyways.
Throw in a few words not relative to any thing.
More "nevers" and just maybe, just maybe you'll have something there.
See http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages/?msg=10975.1
Bosch progressor series by a long shot and then some. Last long time cut great. Plunge cut too.
MORE TOYS NOW....
I love the Bosch blades, but then I have a Bosch jigsaw. Do they fit into the Dewalt Mr Mocro has?.
Excellence is its own reward!
DIIK....Have a pair bosch JSs. One older than dirt and the other fairly new. All of the Bosch I have have done me right. Bosch themselves have done me well also. Gots lots of their toys. Absolutely no angle or blade height change problems what so ever with their portable table saw. HD and Stable. Regardless of temps or dirt.
THE QUEST FOR MORE TOYS WILL NEVER END....THANK GOODNESS....
I did throw the roller guide bearing once when I took it directly from the truck at minus 20°F to some hard cutting immediately. They sent me a new one by express mail though for free. I offered to pay and they never sent a bill..
Excellence is its own reward!
bosch does make two styles of shank, one for their saws and one for others. i'm not sure if this carries through their progressor line though...
I just changed over to Freud jug saw that takes Bosch blades - that and the discount was why I got it.
The higher end DeWalts take the "T" blades.
I'm a believer in the system, too. I pay 2x as much for the Bosch blades, and they pay for themselves every time with longevity.At my age, my fingers & knees arrive at work an hour after I do.
Aaron the HandymanVancouver, Canada
I'm tire-kicking new jig saws and seem to recall that Dewalts (at least the models I'm looking at) accept universal and t-shank blades.
Side rant: Why do they call them universal shanks when they decidedly aren't?If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something.
Yeah, try finding Porter Cable blades at the local Ace.
NO ONE carries them.
Just rantingView ImageGo Jayhawks