i would like to mount it to the underside of a table and cut metal with it. i have seen guys make these for wood but for metal they need to go much slower. my electric drill starts at 1rpm and goes up from there. do you know a sabre saw with that kind of variable speed that can be mounted to a table?
looking for variable speed jigsaw to cut metal.
- Thread starter Enigma
- Start date
Ok. I just checked out some youtube vids and it looks great for dedicated metal. I was thinking inverted var speed sabre saw because it could be used for wood or metal and inside and outside cuts. Variable speed sabre saw/jig saw from 0 rpm to normal wood speed. Be nice for plastic too so it doesnt melt it.
Last edited:
anndel
Well-known member
neophyte
Well-known member
The best jigsaws for metal may be the ASTE638 model from Fein, which at this point might be very hard to find since I believe it’s been discontinued in the US. It might still be possible to get one in 110v from the UK.
This Fein saw was specifically made to cut steel from what I can tell.
1,050-2,600 strokes per minute.
No blade orbit function, just up and down with a slightly canted blade holder.
Rated for 10mm mild steel and 6mm stainless.
Simply made but very solid.
Alternatively, Bosch made a jigsaw for metal, Model GST25M. It was never sold in the US, although it was sold in the UK in 110v. It doesn’t seem readily available in 110v even in the UK anymore.
That had a stroke rate of 500-2,600 per minute.
Decent jigsaw will cut metal well even at the higher stroke rate though, unless the metal is some weird alloy like inconel.
Carbide tooth, carbide grit, diamond grit, bimetal, hss, etc. jigsaw blades are all available in Bosch T-shank blades, as are blades for all sorts of plastics and other materials.
As JRW mentioned, a Swag table with a portable bandsaw mounted might also be an option.
Depending on the type of cuts and material/alloy and thickness, a sheetmetal nibbler might also be an option.
This Fein saw was specifically made to cut steel from what I can tell.
1,050-2,600 strokes per minute.
No blade orbit function, just up and down with a slightly canted blade holder.
Rated for 10mm mild steel and 6mm stainless.
Simply made but very solid.
Alternatively, Bosch made a jigsaw for metal, Model GST25M. It was never sold in the US, although it was sold in the UK in 110v. It doesn’t seem readily available in 110v even in the UK anymore.
That had a stroke rate of 500-2,600 per minute.
Decent jigsaw will cut metal well even at the higher stroke rate though, unless the metal is some weird alloy like inconel.
Carbide tooth, carbide grit, diamond grit, bimetal, hss, etc. jigsaw blades are all available in Bosch T-shank blades, as are blades for all sorts of plastics and other materials.
As JRW mentioned, a Swag table with a portable bandsaw mounted might also be an option.
Depending on the type of cuts and material/alloy and thickness, a sheetmetal nibbler might also be an option.
I have a wood blade in mine right now. Big box stores don’t carry wood blades (at least around here) but they are available online.
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bob15
Well-known member
Metabo: https://www.metabo.com/us/enus/tools/saws/jigsaws/stab-18-ltx-100-601003890-cordless-jigsaw.html
I believe they are still German made
I believe they are still German made
Slednut
Well-known member
ricleh
Well-known member
Fein ASTE638 or Mafell P1CC. Both are very smooth and powerful. Good for metal or wood. I have both and have been very satisfied with their capabilities.
What you are trying to do is available and ready to go. The Rockwell Blade Runner is a tabletop saw that uses standard t-shank jigsaw blades that stick up out of the table.
The ad says: cuts wood, tile, metal..." with a built in saw that is supposed to cut metal, I assume it goes slow enough. It is $88 at HD. I will let you research the reviews. I have their multitool, that I have no complaints with but know nothing about the saw but it is basically what you are asking about. Hope it does the trick.
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The ad says: cuts wood, tile, metal..." with a built in saw that is supposed to cut metal, I assume it goes slow enough. It is $88 at HD. I will let you research the reviews. I have their multitool, that I have no complaints with but know nothing about the saw but it is basically what you are asking about. Hope it does the trick.
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nice tools. $800 is out of my pay grade though.
I found a Black and Decker.
0-3000 strokes per minute. Maybe this will work. 4.5 amps.
https://www.target.com/p/black-decker-153-4-5-amp-jigsaw/-/A-12460546?
0-3000 strokes per minute. Maybe this will work. 4.5 amps.
https://www.target.com/p/black-decker-153-4-5-amp-jigsaw/-/A-12460546?
does it start at 0 strokes per minute? I like the dial to adjust the speed instead of the trigger position.
I'll check it tomorrow for ya. Been a long time since it's gotten seriously used.
I bought that same model jigsaw when I turned 14, so over 50 years ago, and still keep it for grins. Jigsaws have improved immensely during that time, and Bosch is head and shoulders above any non-orbital saw like that CM.
Milton Shaw
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Depending on what you are cutting a nibbler type cutter may be a lot faster and accurate as they don't set the material vibrating like a jig saw can. I have a couple of air powered small ones and a old B&D Gobbler that does 1/4" thick at several feet per minute. Other choices would be a metal shear depending on the thickness of the metal. Saw is about the slowest choice for metal cutting compared to shearing it.
you have a hand held electric nibbler that cuts straights and curves without distortion on 1/4" thick plate steel at a rate of 2 feet per minute?!! WOW
Barrel grip jig saws (no handle) like the ones made by Bosch have a dial and a power switch, no trigger. Mine is the older 1584AVS. It doesn't go to zero but it gets damn close. Maybe 3 or 4 strokes per sec. I can still see the writing on the blade. That is slow.
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