Jigsaw + VAC SYS?

[FastEasySmartTOOL]

Sitting right on the fence about a VAC SYS at the moment, and looking for some advice.

Has anyone tried to cut something held by it with a jigsaw? Besides the obvious risk of cutting into the pad (that would be a bad day), is the suction/stability it provides enough to support a workpiece during a jigsaw cut?

In my head it it’s the ideal way to hold material because clamps/tables constantly get in the way when I’m using the jigsaw. For example: if cutting a circle out of plywood on the MFT, I have to reposition the material multiple times.

I am just a tad concerned because haven’t found anyone demo a SYS VAC application with a jigsaw yet, so I wonder if there’s something I am missing.

 

[Kev]

I'm about to order VAC-SYS and cutting a shape out using a jigsaw wouldn't cause me to hesitate. Careful placement to avoid a vac head is an obvious consideration, in the same way I'd avoid cutting into a bench. Even if you slip up the heads are replaceable.

 

[Nat X]

If you're trying to cut a four foot circle for a table top, you'll probably have way too much vibration to make it worthwhile. If you're cutting a one foot circle for a speaker, it'll hold it perfectly steady so long as you have good suction.

 

[Cheese]

I wouldn't have any reservations at all about cutting with a jigsaw and using the VAC Sys.

The only thing to consider is that a 36" tall bench places the material to be cut at the 45"-46" height. A lower bench height would be more comfortable.

 

[FastEasySmartTOOL]

If you're trying to cut a four foot circle for a table top, you'll probably have way too much vibration to make it worthwhile. If you're cutting a one foot circle for a speaker, it'll hold it perfectly steady so long as you have good suction.

Do you think it would help to have a second SYS VAC head for the larger case?

 

[Nat X]

If you're trying to cut a four foot circle for a table top, you'll probably have way too much vibration to make it worthwhile. If you're cutting a one foot circle for a speaker, it'll hold it perfectly steady so long as you have good suction.

Do you think it would help to have a second SYS VAC head for the larger case?

I'm sure it would help, but then you'd lose the ability to rotate the workpiece, and at that point it's not what you wanted anymore. If this is your only use case, a heavy duty lazy susan you can lock down would probably be a better bet.

 

[rst]

Using two Vac Sys heads should not really a problem.  While I have not used my Vac Sys this way yet, I have done it with my Virutex heads.  Use one approximately centered, and set the other out further. when you need to rotate, release the outer one and rotate the piece on the centered one and re-clamp the outer one.  I've cut large acrylic patterns this way for years.

 

[Nat X]

Using two Vac Sys heads should not really a problem.  While I have not used my Vac Sys this way yet, I have done it with my Virutex heads.  Use one approximately centered, and set the other out further. when you need to rotate, release the outer one and rotate the piece on the centered one and re-clamp the outer one.  I've cut large acrylic patterns this way for years.

How do you release the outer one without releasing the inner one? I only got one pedal for both.

 

[Kev]

Using two Vac Sys heads should not really a problem.  While I have not used my Vac Sys this way yet, I have done it with my Virutex heads.  Use one approximately centered, and set the other out further. when you need to rotate, release the outer one and rotate the piece on the centered one and re-clamp the outer one.  I've cut large acrylic patterns this way for years.

How do you release the outer one without releasing the inner one? I only got one pedal for both.

Two separate systems [wink]

Realistically it would be so quick to release and move I wouldn't be worried.