Using the CMS with PS 420 jigsaw instead of buying a bandsaw?

[Aegir]

I wanted to add a bandsaw to my garage and had a good read and look at what is available local to me.
Realistically it will cost me a little over $1000 AUD to get something half decent.
The Festool rep is bringing over a new mounting plate on Monday , for the 55 saw in the CMS table, as mine appears to be bowed. So providing that works and I finally have a table that makes a straight cut after more than a month! I plan to add the router module and do what I intended to do with the CMS.

So, while I know it is not really a replacement for a band saw, could I get away with using the PS 420 jigsaw for much of the work a band saw would do without having the blade distort much?
It would be convenient if I could, so anybody doing this out there? I would not be using it on a regular basis and I am just a hobbyist playing around , so thoughts?
As for material I am cutting, it would be used for hardwoods as well, as so far that is mostly what I have been playing around with.

 

[infer]

My opinion is that a handheld P1CC would be a better option. For resaw a quality bandsaw is good to have. FYI I have a full kit CMS for about a year. A cheaper and not so quality option is ahttps://www.neutechnik-toolshop.com/products/jigsaw-table-accessories/precision-jigsaw-table/

 

[Roachmill]

I had a "portable" (30Kg!) bandsaw that had to be carried up a flight of stairs to use. This ended up being a heavy lump that never saw the light of day so I sold it on. I had the same thought as you and splashed the cash for the CMS insert and PS300 Trion but, I have to say, found it lacking. Without something to hold the workpiece down there's vibration issues (standard downcut blades try and push the workpiece up and away from the table) along with small amounts of blade wandering off 90 degrees. Slow feed rates and upcutting blades (so it cuts going down into the table) can help but it's not a bandsaw at the end of the day.

Everything in my shop has to be portable so I've ended up going for a budget bandsaw (£100 UKP) weighing in at ~18Kg. It's not going to resaw 4" oak but it does most of what I need.

 

[ali]

Pointless going down this route, I considered it too years ago before I bought a bandsaw.

Bandsaws don’t take up that much footprint, and I’d saw a bandsaw is a safer tool than the jigsaw blade bouncing up and down.

Even a bench top bandsaw will do most of what you need - you would be surprised.

Doesn’t have to be new either, don’t be fooled. A bandsaw is invaluable and the jigsaw won’t compare to it.

 

[Aegir]

Ok. Sort of what I thought as well, just needed some validation. Would have been ideal if it worked near as well though. But a bandsaw it will be. Thanks

 

[bertv]

I own one. Used it maybe two times. It is really scary to use and not as useful as expected (flex with longer blades). I think you are better off with a proper bandsaw (as I am with a Hammer N4400 that helped me get over my fear of thin saw blades at high speeds).

 

[AlexThePalex]

Your jigsaw blade will go all over the place. Get a bandsaw.

 

[sancho57]

It depends on what you plan on using it for.

I have one in my CMS and love it.

remember its for scrolling not resawing.

Where mine excells is for making templates and jigs.

It scrolls well in hard woods but you have to use the correct blade.

The key is to remember it is not a band saw.

So it does have limitations

 

[Aegir]

My intended use would be for cutting shapes, trimming bits and pieces, not re-sawing. Light duty stuff, but if the blade flexes I would be annoyed quite quickly. And watching the Festool video, it does look quite dangerous!

 

[Gregor]

And watching the Festool video, it does look quite dangerous!

As the blade is exposed: You shouldn't fade and fall onto the table, keep limbs at safe distances, etc.

Apart from that it works to the same limitations as the saw in free-hand use, so in case you already have the PS it might make do the trick for what you listed. One idea could be to ask the Festool rep [] bringing over a new mounting plate on Monday if he, when doing the trip anyway, could bring a PS plate for a quick on-site testdrive (and leave behind in exchange for some money or a signature on a delivery note and an incoming invoice - should you like it).

 

[TinyShop]

There's always the option of adding an overhead blade guide to the CMS jigsaw insert. A shop-made version appeared elsewhere on this forum.

Here's another that appears on youtube:


Both approaches build on the design of mass produced jigsaw tables like the one made by Neutechnik and those once sold under the Bosch and Wolfcraft brands.

The idea of employing an overhead guide has also been utilized in numerous DIY jigsaw tables, as evidenced by the results of the following image websearch:
https://www.google.com/search?q=jigsaw+table&client=firefox-b-1-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjtgYeZifPgAhWOc98KHZVWBN8Q_AUIDygC&biw=1366&bih=693

...and the following pinterest theme:
https://www.pinterest.com/jackson1453014/jigsaw-table/

 

[Aegir]

I don't have the Festool jigsaw, all my hand held stuff like that is DeWalt. I priced a bandsaw , which basically comes to the price of the Festool sawand module, so thought I would ask here if people use their CMS tables with this setup. The idea of a blade guide is a nice idea, but I think the bandsaw seems to be the way forward for this one. I like the compact module idea though, but think I will just be going with three of the four modules

 

[Aegir]

Bought a band saw today

 

[jarbroen]

Which one did you get?
I don't use my bandsaw every day, but when I do it's super handy.

 

[Aegir]

It is branded as a " woodcraft" and is a 14 inch one. Doubt I will use it much, so I didn't get too carried away.