Jig Saw Alternative (Quick Dremel Saw Max Review)

[jdbailey1206]

Working with my jig saw yesterday I was cutting and when I was done I noticed that the blade had bent slightly and made what was supposed to be my flush cut all out of whack.  I luckily had a spare piece of plywood and I fixed the mistake the saw made.  This has happened several times and I am at my wits end with my jig saw.  Frustrated I walked away after fixing the cut and sat at my computer.  I found that dremel makes what is called a 'saw max'.  I'm quite happy with my dremel and my questions about jig saws and the saw max are as follows:

1.  How often does everyone use their jigsaw for anything but scroll and bulk cuts?

2.  Has anyone purchased a saw max and what are their thoughts?

3.  Does anyone have an alternative tool that they are happier with that they use for smaller, precise cuts besides the two listed above? 

Thanks again in advance for the help guys.  By the time anyone reads this I may have a saw max in my hands just from the reviews that it was given online.

[spoot]

If you're bending your jigsaw blades while cutting you are probably trying to feed too quickly.

[drventure]

On cheaper jigsaws the foot will often not click to exactly 90 degrees, or you might not be holding the saw flat on the piece as you're sawing, I've seen that more than I'd care to admit to using my jigsaw.

A good jigsaw, and cutting slowly/improving your technique should correct that kind of problem.

Depending on the cut, a good bandsaw with a small blade can work wonders.

The sawmax just looks like a smallish replacement for a circular saw. Ie good for straightcuts only.

A jigsaw can make fine straightcuts with a decent sawboard, but its slower.

[jdbailey1206]

The sawmax just looks like a smallish replacement for a circular saw. Ie good for straightcuts only.

Thats exactly what I am going to use it for.  Building a Nintendo cab and Im making tjhe cuts in the back of the machine.  Im finding more and more that the jigsaw is good for curved lines and removing bulk material.  It tends to become more unreliable when you have to do straight cuts.  Looking forward to the saw max if I pirchase one.

[drventure]

Cool. yeah, I've always found jigsaws better for curves and scrolling work. Curves, you tend to cut slower, so the saw naturally works better.

Straight cuts, you get in a hurry, try to push the saw faster than appropriate and the blade will start to bend.

A saw max or a good old fashioned circular saw with a fine blade works way better for straight cuts (and way faster)

[Fursphere]

The sawmax just looks like a smallish replacement for a circular saw. Ie good for straightcuts only.

Thats exactly what I am going to use it for.  Building a Nintendo cab and Im making tjhe cuts in the back of the machine.  Im finding more and more that the jigsaw is good for curved lines and removing bulk material.  It tends to become more unreliable when you have to do straight cuts.  Looking forward to the saw max if I pirchase one.

This.

If you want straight cuts get a circular saw and a guide.  Or a table saw.

You can use a guide with the jig saw, but that damn thing can still drift on you.  Its just not made for long straight cuts.  Personally, i want a track saw. 

http://www.rockler.com/dewalt-dws520ck-heavy-duty-6-1-2-165mm-tracksaw-kit-with-59-102-track?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_content=pla&utm_campaign=PL&gclid=CIC4oIuk4roCFe-DQgod2m4Anw

But damn they're expensive!

[CaptainMarvel]

Personally, i want a track saw. 

http://www.rockler.com/dewalt-dws520ck-heavy-duty-6-1-2-165mm-tracksaw-kit-with-59-102-track?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_content=pla&utm_campaign=PL&gclid=CIC4oIuk4roCFe-DQgod2m4Anw

But damn they're expensive!

Well, here are some possible DIY alternatives for ya  . . .




http://www.woodworkingtalk.com/f2/diy-track-saw-17413/


http://www.tool-rank.com/tool-blog/cool-tools/turn-your-circular-saw-into-a-track-saw-20081121297/


http://woodworktoolsblog.tumblr.com/post/10201015206/home-made-track-saw


http://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/my-homemade-track-saw-t69969.html


 






BTW, this whole discussion would be better located within the WOODWORKING section  . . . . Just Sayin'   

[jdbailey1206]

The sawmax just looks like a smallish replacement for a circular saw. Ie good for straightcuts only.

Thats exactly what I am going to use it for.  Building a Nintendo cab and Im making tjhe cuts in the back of the machine.  Im finding more and more that the jigsaw is good for curved lines and removing bulk material.  It tends to become more unreliable when you have to do straight cuts.  Looking forward to the saw max if I pirchase one.

This.

If you want straight cuts get a circular saw and a guide.  Or a table saw.

You can use a guide with the jig saw, but that damn thing can still drift on you.  Its just not made for long straight cuts.  Personally, i want a track saw. 

http://www.rockler.com/dewalt-dws520ck-heavy-duty-6-1-2-165mm-tracksaw-kit-with-59-102-track?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_content=pla&utm_campaign=PL&gclid=CIC4oIuk4roCFe-DQgod2m4Anw

But damn they're expensive!

Man!  That would be nice to have.  I have tried with a guide that I purchased at Home Depot but like you said Cap it tends to drift out.  And the blade bends.  Hopefully the Saw Max does some good.

[CaptainMarvel]

Man!  That would be nice to have.  I have tried with a guide that I purchased at Home Depot but like you said Cap it tends to drift out.  And the blade bends.  Hopefully the Saw Max does some good.

Before you spend $100+ on a Dremel SawMax, you might want to take a look at the Harbor Freight 5" Double Cut Saw





With a Harbor Freight  25% Discount Coupon (which can be easily found) - it would be about $45



 

[matt4949]

I have had the same problem with my Ryobi jig saw. I ended up tightening the angle adjustment so tight that it no longer functions. I am quite pleased with this modification. I can only cut 90 degrees to the wood surface. Also I started using a flush trim bit with a router after my rough cut with the jig saw. If you have a template this works great and even if you don't it's still pretty close. Just run your flush trim bit on one side, then the other after getting as close as you can with the jigsaw.

[Xiaou2]

The problem is less about the tools build quality... and more to do with the blades that are only supported on one end..

 Thin blades can flex and bend easily.  A mere degree change, can amplify into several degrees.. in mere seconds.

 Even a bandsaw can twist & skew..  but the speed of the blade and having 3 sided bearing guides + dual end  support, helps keep things in check.

 Some models of Jigsaws allow enough play in the blade holder for 2 or more blades to be inserted.  This will help reduce blade flex problems a bit more...  But even then... its still not a wonderful solution.   

 If you make a Jigsaw blade similar to a tablesaw blade... with rigid thick steel and high strength carbide teeth... then flex would be nearly eliminated.  Only problem is, thicker the blade = you need more power to cut the material.  You would need a 2 to 3hp motor on it.  It would  and it would be dangerous as hell.   The vibrations alone would be nearly impossible to deal with.. let alone accidental kickback.   Only way to use that design, would be mounted to an inverted table.   And if your gonna do that... you might as well just use a tablesaw.

 Basically,  a Jigsaw really isnt made to be a precision cutting instrument.  Its more for fast curvy rough-cut material removal... and then sand / route the edges.

[jdbailey1206]

BTW, this whole discussion would be better located within the WOODWORKING section  . . . . Just Sayin'   

    

I'm really aprehensive about using the Harbor Freight alternative.  Don't get me wrong that was my first stop when I was looking for an alternative but the bad reviews of it dying after 3 months really threw me off.  I went with Dremel, because like I have said before, I trust it.  I have had my dremel for 15 years and I have put it through more than it deserves and the only repair I've had to do is change the brushes.  (Knock on wood) 

Matt:  I have a router and a flush trim bit but the material I am using is very thin plywood.  I'm afraid of it chipping and then I would have to run wood filler on it.  I just don't want to do a lot of work on this piece since it will be on the back of the cabinet.

Xiaou:  I agree with you man.  The jig saw is good for removing bulk material and doing fine finishing afterword.  I shouldn't have to do that for straight cuts.  Like I stated above it seems like too much work for the end result.

I ended up buying a Saw Max this morning so hopefully I can make my cuts tonight and show you guys how it has turned out.   

[jdbailey1206]

Well I used the Saw Max last night and it was worth it's weight in gold.  This will definitely be nice when I have to make longer cuts on larger boards and I can't quite maneuver the board onto my table saw.  Now I know that I could use my circular saw but I find it to be bulky and like it to using a sledge hammer to swat a fruit fly.  I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking to buy it.  It may be a little more expensive than I had hoped but Dremels products definitely stand the test of time.   I still had to use my jig saw for smaller cuts but small cuts were never a problem.  A little bit of sanding and they were just fine. 

[CaptainMarvel]

Glad that you're happy with your purchase .... and good information to know.

What kind of wood are you using/cutting again?

[Xiaou2]

Interesting.  Its basically an angle grinder, with a base.