Jigsaw Basis 4 insert as table

[Ned]

Here are some pictures of the NAINA Basis 4 insert.  I wanted to be able to use my PS 300 in a table mount, and the Basis 4 part was the only solution that didn't add a plate between the jigsaw base and the work.

I didn't buy an entire Basis frame.  I thought about cutting into the MFT to install the insert, but it is large and would have removed too many useful holes.  Instead I made legs for it.

The insert was not modified in any way.  The legs are made from 5/16-18 threaded rod and fasteners.  The wood bases are simply clamped onto the MFT.

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Incidentally, the pictures show the S155/W knife blade (493656).  This blade is for soft materials such as foam rubber, insulation, soft plastics, leather, and paper towel rolls.  Bosch makes a small straight knife blade, but the Festool one is better.  Unless your dealer carries every blade, they probably don't have this one in stock, so I suggest ordering a pack.  You'll be able to cut materials you couldn't cut otherwise.

 

[brandon.nickel]

Ok, Ned.  The real question is:  How did you manage to get your hands on the insert?  Did you order it as a separate part number, or get it imported?

 

[Corwin]

Man, that plate is larger than I would have thought -- nice! 

 

[Ned]

Did you order it as a separate part number, or get it imported?

I don't believe you can order it from Festool USA--although I didn't try, figuring that none of the Basis system would be stocked in NA.  If you could get Festool USA to order it for you, you'd save a pile on shipping cost.

I ordered from a dealer outside NA, and no, I won't tell you their name or country.  At the time of the transaction (over a year ago), I asked if they wanted to be publicized on FOG.  They seemed very nervous about it.  I'm guessing they didn't want to upset Festool.  In any event, I don't want to punish them for helping me, so mum's the word.

Recent Euro court decisions (it was mentioned on FOG somewhere) have weakened the barriers to, say, a Brit buying from a German dealer at a better price.  This might also imply that manufacturers cannot lean on Euro dealers about outside-Euroland sales, I don't know.

The plate is far and away the best solution for table mounting of a Festool jigsaw, but you have to really want it.  Current price in the UK is 126 GBP (~256 USD, ~252 CAD).  That would be the export price to NA; it doesn't include the VAT that Brit hobbyists would have to pay.  Shipping to NA from Europe is at least 50 USD, probably more.

Hope this helps, but it probably just disappoints,
Ned

 

[woodshopdemos]

Ned,
  Thanks for the post and the pictures. A very simple clamp in mechanism. I dont see why I can't route out the shape in a standard router plate insert and add clamps and have the same things but cheaper.  It looks like there is 3/16" of plate at the thinist and it is of plastic...am I close?

 

[Eli]

It's anodized aluminum (aluminium for multiple compliances. You ought to see them pull a face when ah say a-loo-mi-num), only a few mm thick.

The clamp is really pretty simple. Two bars, four hold-down (up) knobs. You could make one for sure John. Or tell the lady wood-elves to whip you up one.

 

[woodshopdemos]

"Or tell the lady wood-elves to whip you up one. "

  Don't mention whips!

 

[Wim]

I have attached two pictures of the mounting plate of the TS55 for the CMS table. Here you can see the plate head-on. The plate is mounted into the table by inserting the U-formed side to the rim of the table, then it is lowered down completely and locked with the 2 eccentric black knobs.
I think there are 2 options if somebody wishes to use the plate without the CMS table. One option is to simulate the opening of the table (quite a job), the other is to drill holes in the plate and screw down or clamp the plate in a hole like you place a sink in a kitchen top. The plate is about 580 x 320 mm (22 3/4 x 15 inch).

 

[Michael Kellough]

...This blade is for soft materials such as ... paper towel rolls.

What are you making with cut down PT rolls? 

Glad you finally got the jig saw set up.

 

[Ned]

What are you making with cut down PT rolls? 

I use the thick "shop towel on a roll" variety of paper towels.  I've found that cutting the roll in half results in a useful size.  Oh, to answer your question, I don't make anything with paper towels.  I use them to clean up things I've made  .  Or the dog (see avatar) has made.

You can also cut alumin(i)um foil and waxed paper rolls.

Photographer's background paper, on the other hand, didn't work out too well.  I think it was too dense and too large a diameter.

Ned

 

[Michael Kellough]

Photographer's background paper, on the other hand, didn't work out too well.  I think it was too dense and too large a diameter.

Ned

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An ordinary jigsaw blade (medium TPI) works. If the backdrop paper is still tightly wound it's not much different than cutting wood. Just vacuum the freshly cut ends and it isn't too messy.

 

[Frans]

Ned,
   Thanks for the post and the pictures. A very simple clamp in mechanism. I dont see why I can't route out the shape in a standard router plate insert and add clamps and have the same things but cheaper.  It looks like there is 3/16" of plate at the thinist and it is of plastic...am I close?

I made one myself for my Basis table. I ordered all the clamping parts from my Festool dealer for about 30 euros, and made the plate from some 8mm phenolic I scrounged from a building site. Works perfectly. I suppose you could make a clamping mechanism yourself, but I didn't want to spend too much time on it.

Frans

 

[Eli]

Photographer's background paper, on the other hand, didn't work out too well.  I think it was too dense and too large a diameter.

We (film biz) cut gel rolls and seamless paper on a chop saw. Did you try that? I wouldn't do paper towels because they'd just shred and make a big mess, too soft, but you should be able to do your drop paper that way.

I want it to be duly noted that I intentionally squandered a chance here to rub in any posession of any sort of tool that anyone would want that I have already.

 

[Dave Rudy]

I want it to be duly noted that I intentionally squandered a chance here to rub in any posession of any sort of tool that anyone would want that I have already

Duly noted.  And appreciated.  It's ok, really, you can tease us if you want.  Really.  How soon we forget that we were once INA ourselves, where tools are scarce and so much more appreciated for that reason.

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