Jigsaw / Pendulum Saw Operation Internationally - How do you do it?

[peter halle]

I have always been fascinated by our international members and how they do what they do.  When it comes to using a jigsaw / pendulum saw such as a Festool Trion or Carvex or even another similar product from another manufacturer I wonder how many use a saw on top of the wood, underneath, pulling toward you, or pushing away.  Does the design of the saw handle dictate the usage or does the usage dictate the choice of the handles?  Why do you do it the way you do it?  Accuracy?  Ease of use?  Any benefits one way versus the other?

Please note that I am NOT looking for recommendations on brands or models.  I have read so much here and really thought that it would be informative to find out how our international members use their saws.

Help me out?

Peter

 

[flair woodworks]

When following curved lines, if the workpiece is small I use the jigsaw on top of the material.  If the workpiece is large, I work from below.  One exception is when the workpiece is too awkward to move - then I cut it however I can.

Bottom line, I prefer cutting from below.

Regards from exotic Port Moody, BC.

 

[joiner1970]

Hi Peter, personally I use jigsaws in various ways. Ive only recently got into barrel grips first with a Bosch and now I've bought the ps300. Only yesterday I had to scribe some architrave in and usually I cut from underneath but it was too fiddly so ended up cutting from above. I tend to use whatever method works at the time.

Really glad I got the ps300 , I was put off Festool jigsaws years ago before I had even got into Festool , I met a kitchen fitter and he had the psb300 and said it was no good and explained why. This stuck in my head and had always put me off getting a fessy jigsaw but now I've got one I think its very accurate and well made , I'm sure the blades help as they're thicker.

 

[Kev]

Cutting marine plywood for a small boat project. Barrel Festool CARVEX and barrel Hitachi. Clamped and cut from about in all circumstances.

 

[Nigel]

Always from above unless in the cms and always pushing away.

 

[jmbfestool]

The jig saw dictates how you use the jigsaw I think. 

A barrel grip I will if I can use from underneath.  As for cuting it towards or away from me depending on size of material and cut really but normally away from me.

A D handle I always use from above I dont like using them from underneath not got a nice feel/hold.  I often borrow my mates D-handle if its next to me and ill always cut from above with it and away from me.

JMB

 

[RC]

Always above except when in CMS and preferably away or parallel to my position. I find that seeing the cut line works best from a vantage point on the side of the blade.

I prefer a barrel grip and lay my forearm along the top/outer side of the barrel grip for maximum accuracy and steer with my whole forearm.

 

[kev carpenter]

i mainly use mine upside down as i can see the line better

 

[IWT-Tom]

Depends on the task.  I actually find the D Handle Carvex easier to use upside down and the barrel from above.