Why Your Jigsaw Isn't Cutting Straight. How to Avoid Wandering, Deflection, and Bevelled Edges.

The jigsaw can be a difficult tool to great results with. I’ve identified six factors that you must get right in order to make the jigsaw behave and work well for you.
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[@OutoftheWoodwork]

The jigsaw is 1 of only 5 affordable power tools you need to create amazing woodworking projects. Discover the others with this Free Tool Guide download: downloads.outoftheww.com/5-tool-guide

[@rockeysingh8841]

Hey man why are you using a free learning -- site run by charitable kind folks to help others who need help--to sneakily advertise your business. That's cheap lowdown deceitful cunning trickster behaviour. Get a real job.

[@Baptistique]

Your "pushing too hard" digression was the perfect analogy and earned you my subscription. Good tips, great writing? I'm in.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Awesome, thank you!

[@SLaird22]

Haa same

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Lmfao the garden magazine and the pushing kids to play football puns lmfao 🤣😂

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

😀

[@michaelhendricks7117]

My Dewalt dw321 has a blade holder that is not parallel to the fence. It is visibly out of alignment. I figured there would be a way to adjust this but cannot find any information. I don't want to force anything and snap the shaft or other part. Any help?

[@Willdabeest97]

I have an old Black & Decker 3.5 amp jigsaw that I’m trying to use to cut circles. Tried Diablo fast wood blades and Warrior 10T blades. Both blades bend within the first half-inch. I took it nice and slow and noticed bend as soon as the blade touches the wood. I’m thinking it’s time for a new saw.

[@adamlow7143]

What i do is use a straight edge to outline it with a thick marker (moved over a little bit depending on how accurate i need the cut) and go straight on the edge of the marker line and it works every time. Only with about 2 very minor bump

[@remowo_]

Amazing analogy for pushing hard ... awesome guide. Thank you sir for your time and effort and humorous scenario...

[@alirazaalijee2192]

hello bro,, May bought new jigsaw today, the first time use in life,, your videos are very supported

[@kathrynnewton8721]

Trying to cut grooves for small interlocking pieces, and struggling to get them straight? Any ideas?

[@WarPigstheHun]

my milwaukee m12 vibrates like crazy, and I learned that the chuck is misaligned and slightly tilts the t shank clockwise. causing massive cutting issues. I'm using a bora straight edger with a t track "jig" that guides the jigsaw perfectly straight. The blades are totally new, Diablo fine tooth for "straight, angled, or curved jigsaw cuts." but the m12 has already warped one of them. I cut pretty slow as well and let it cool down after a few inches. Compounding the issue, the right side of the bottom is bent upward, and causes the anti-slip guard to pop off if it gets hit by the blade (which it eventually does due to the blade warping from the misalignment.) The manual does not tell me how to realign the chuck (manuals are becoming extremely useless, not nearly as detailed as they were in the past.) My dad has experience with older jigsaws and is also suprised by the crazy vibration.

[@izzy8823]

I had the same issue..

[@WarPigstheHun]

@@izzy8823 yeah. I returned my m12. I suspect that home Depot mishandled it causing the bent shape, and that they will just put the defective item back on the shelf. Could also be design flaw. I bought a reciprocsting saw that converts to a jigsaw with (with the ability to reciprocate for faster cuts) from worx. Which is pretty neat. Just have to flip the blade to use either.

[@s.a.mpelican]

LOVE YOUR Video! U made it interesting! 😄 Love your comparison to parents. So true

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

thanks!

[@motherfudger6664]

I am nearly in tears because I thought my Metabo HPT jigsaw was defective, because I never had proper training on jigsaw use and had been pushing it like a circular saw and it was veering all over the place. I just did some test cuts after watching your analogy and am cutting perfect lines. Oh my god subscribed omg thank you.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Love to hear this 👍

[@grantliddiard7742]

Thank mate. Good video

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

thanks Grant!

[@glg3945]

This was a great video!!😁🤣🥰👍Love your humor. Peace and good fortune and good health to you and your family. 👍All the best!

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

😀. 👍

[@peaceofmind6768]

Great advice man

[@patricktkeegan]

At first I was like "noooo why over-produce a video like this?" Then I was like "omg I love this sense of humor. This is perfect!" Quite the rollercoaster. Great vid. Thank you!

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

😂 thanks Patrick!

[@laurademarco5070]

Exactly at first I was like (eye roll) " a little over the top" by the halfway mark I was grinning (-----) this big

[@kelli8923]

Thank you!

[@rockeysingh8841]

Thanks Brother.

[@georgeyboyhowe1685]

always a school day thanks

[@Iam_Machines]

Lol good info and made me chuckle. You earned my sub 🤙

[@leonardl9921]

I have to turn my makita xvj03 clockwise some to make a straight cut. Even then, it floats back to the left (rotating counterclockwise) while cutting. It's like the blade is too thin, and rotates some in the blade holder. Anyone ever hear of this issue?

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

It's normal to have to turn the jigsaw to stay on a straight line. If it's moving all over the place, then you might be using a scroll blade which is made to cut tight curves.

[@jamespolucha6911]

Thanks for the video,I bought a black and decker fairly cheap and couldn’t get it to cut very good not straight and vibrating a lot, I rented a Makita and what a difference like night and day, but with all the top brands which do you prefer?

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

I haven't used many brands, but I do really like the Dewalt I have

[@jamespolucha6911]

Thanks I was thinking probably can’t go wrong with Dewalt, all my Dewalt tools work really nice and no trouble with them, I’m going to pick up a Dewalt tonight thanks again

[@gaalxystar1873]

I have both circular saw for straight cuts and jigsaw to make shape holes

[@DougHinVA]

This guy is smart and has common sense ... listen to him and follow his advice!

[@lafamillecarrington]

Nice video. Good luck with the channel.

[@gregghernandez2714]

Great video! That football analogy almost had me choking on my dinner. I knew someone who was convinced her son was going to play in the NFL. All I could think to myself was "Jez lady, let the poor kid have fun in high school, he may decide he hated football."

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

😂 exactly

[@Mighty_Atheismo]

"You're pushing too hard" had me dying.

[@lesd2633]

I can never get a cut that is square. The blade always seems to bow out, especially on even slight turns. Im no rookie wood working. I bought a new jig saw, use new blades, pay close attention. As im cutting but the cuts never are square. Its like the blades or the saws are just flimsy these days. Never use to have this problem. I am using the upper level Ryobi 18V saw. I square the base to the. Blade etc. I just dont know what is going on.

[@jasemali1987]

This was a gem

[@kathrynnewton8721]

So cute love the pushing analogy!

[@laurademarco5070]

Your video was so entertaining I forgot why I was watching it to begin with. Subscribed!

[@vigrue-kingofscrew4804]

nice video

[@jeffcoulter7181]

That was great….and funny 😂😂 thanks

[@filfil9902]

In my jigsaw blade jumps out of the rollers that are there to make sure it stays Straight. How to prevent that?

[@WarPigstheHun]

I know this is old but, my milwaukee m12 vibrates like crazy, and I learned that the chuck is misaligned and slightly tilts the t shank clockwise. causing massive cutting issues. I'm using a straight edger with a track that guides the jigsaw perfectly straight. The blades are totally new but the m12 has warped one of them. I cut pretty slow as well and let it cool down after a few inches. To add insult, the right side of the bottom is bent upward, and causes the anti-slip guard to pop off if it gets hit by the blade (which it eventually does due to the blade warping from the misalignment.) Sadly my manual says nothing about how to fix the chuck, so I'm just gonna return it. I've never had this issue with my dewalt items.

[@rah1735]

You’re awesome bro

[@EffendiChung]

And here's a beginner's tips for beginners. Buying the cheapest jigsaw from a reputable brand is ok. Buying the cheapest jigsaw from a dubious or sometimes no brand at all will give you nightmares. Not even for a simple d.i.y. I bought mine a decade ago when I needed one to cut some boards, thus thinking a $20 jigsaw is ok. It is not. I could never cut straight with it, because the saw chuck itself sat on an angle with no way to straighten it up. And it gets worse after some use. A trip to the store later to return my machine and a $20 additional price gets me the lowest tier Bosch jigsaw. Still runs today through several house remodeling with only brush replacement.

[@speway]

Funny yet informative.

[@tayyibfurqan3577]

Hi, my brother's old jigsaw's blade used to steer on its own while making the cut... I then bought a new jigsaw, but the issue remains same with the new one with new blades too. To make a straight cut, we need to turn the jigsaw as the blade turns towards right or left. And I am sometimes holding jigsaw at about 40 degrees steered to the cut line in order to keep the cutting straight. It's so annoying, I have to constantly keep turning the jigsaw and can't use jigs or straight guides at all... I am a beginner and I thought perhaps all the jigsaw's are this way. But I never see this issue even being discussed or demonstrated in any videos... Pls put some light.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Are you using a really thin scroll blade? Those are meant for cutting tight curves and move around easily. Try using a wider blade

[@abhimanyunigam3116]

@@OutoftheWoodwork i am facing a similar issue, i am using bosch t244d , I am new to this tool but as i can see the blade is twisted a little even at rest, its black and decker jigsaw, Can it be repaired ? Thanks 😊

[@michaelhendricks7117]

I too have this issue. My Dewalt dw321 has a blade holder that is not parallel to the fence. It is visibly out of alignment. I figured there would be a way to adjust this but cannot find any information. I don't want to force anything and snap the shaft or other part. Any help?

[@BAMAGIRLTNWX]

This video is amazing!!! 😂

[@MH-in1ei]

Loved the humour. I wish I had known all this before I bought my stupid skill jigsaw.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

If it's a newer one, it's probably fine. Mine was from the 80s and it had just run its course.

[@kathrynnewton8721]

You’re too funny! And informative. Thank you!

[@kylieb4836]

Lol @ the comparison to kids and parents - I thought you were going to suggest we start talking to the jigsaw - I mean, I might curse at it occasionally, but not sure I could have a complete discussion with it.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

😂 It can be cathartic to talk to inanimate objects that don't hear you...I may or may not be guilty of this.

[@bgaraujo21]

One other reason that i saw, was the angle of the blade on it's lock. Cheaper jigsaws (like mine) not able to lock the blade, straight

[@fatewineroses]

Thanks. Lots of reviews and how to’d, but nothing practical like you put together.

[@researchandbuild1751]

Cool now try cutting a curve while maintaining that square 90 degree angle. Doesn't really seem to ever work with any jigsaw I've tried.

[@ChristianCMC]

Love the sarcasm. Thanks Chris.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

😂 👍

[@mfmr200]

my jigsaws blade holder is literally crooked. it have to be pointed 15 degree to the left to be cutting straight.

[@davidstrickland6428]

Bro, I came here to learn how to make a non-beveled cut with my jigsaw, and you delivered. My take away is 1) Replace my 8-yo blade and 2) Be sensitive to the Jigsaw's needs, not mine. Makes me wonder: What about my skil-saw ? my drills ? my planer ? my table saw ? agggh !

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

😂

[@chrise202]

If Jig saw is not easy to setup and get on work with. Try calibrating a miter saw for accurate simultaneous 90, 45 and bevel cuts.

[@fuedaseoyt]

My cuts start straight, but end bevelled. What can be the reason?

[@nateb4543]

Im really struggling with this. Had to outline my template on both sides, made a bunch of relief cuts and never made a cut longer than and inch or two without checking...and still had to sand it even a bunch

[@eng.Georgi_Hristozov]

You talk nice but you hav a Dewalt, try the same technics with Rider, with the blade, is tilting even the base is 90 degrees. Even on slow speeds, with very little push the blade tilts on one side and sometimes is poping up from the roller which support it.

[@johnw2758]

Number 2 made me lol

[@MADKingR]

4:59 video was also cut. Who knows if this is the original wood you cut and not with a miter saw.

[@SoyEntusiasta]

Nice video 😂😂😂

[@kathrynnewton8721]

I need a clamp or two as well

[@Felix-tz6hn]

Man I never knew my blade had dreams 😂❤

[@5-minute-witness356]

Woodworker stands in spotless neat beautifully organized shop. Woodworker tosses used dull blade over his shoulder to random floor location.

[@vulnerablerummy]

1 minute in and my ptsd's already triggered, good analogy tbh

[@lovesdoggies1481]

I need belp cutting for my window

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Nice tips 👌

[@therealsparkman]

Jigsaws have their select purposes and cutting thick pieces of wood is NOT one of them. I don't care what method you are trying, I can guarantee that you are going to get blade deflection. I am in the process of trying to cut a canoe paddle out of a solid piece of cherrywood that is an inch and three eights thick, and that's because I don't have access to a bandsaw. I am not pushing it, I am not cutting on an angle because I am not holding it straight, I have a brand new blade. The wood is like rock and it took me 50 minutes to allow the saw to do its own thing by not forcing it. It still cut on an angle, and lucky for me it was away from where the paddle outline was. Thin wood jigsaws are okay, but thick hardwood pieces? Forget it.

[@scmorton2370]

Funny saw like that makes it more watchable

[@giorgio84]

Not really had this problem but opened video for super funny thumbnail

[@debragardens6563]

I was laughing too much to learn!

[@gplusgplus2286]

Factor #5: That shitty, shaking $29.99 jigsaw with crooked base you got from Harbor Freight won't cut it. Get a good one. Thanks for an excellent video

[@martin_fujak]

Man, im crying after pushing too hard part 😹

[@danielestrada3624]

Thanks for the information.. Much appreciated.

[@sunniesideup74]

this is what the kids would call quality content. thank you!!!

[@barryfoster453]

We shouldn't have to reset the base! The problem is caused by manufacturers not having a locking position for 90 degrees. It's so annoying!

[@danilodistefanis5990]

Miguel Bosé, is that you?

[@noelritchie-robinson3237]

Funny Guy!

[@user-vj1ke4im2z]

Bro you should sell your blade in the museum, and you will become millionaire , as your blade is 5000 years old😂

[@ViewtifulJosh388]

Where's he going with this story about the kid???? "Don't push too hard" *Proceeds to laugh hysterically*

[@jakebobday3531]

My jigsaw actually cuts left

[@jawadbashir6714]

😂😂😂

[@yomiikotun3495]

😂

[@ali-sleimanchehade6129]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@woodensquid560]

Say it don't spray it dude

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Just don't stand so close

[@woodensquid560]

@@OutoftheWoodwork you sound like my uncle

[@thekingdomofbaddecisions7982]

Wait. What? You were a little unclear on one point. Is the gallon of coffee and phone scrolling potentially problematic?

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Great point, would we even have the motivation to use a jigsaw if not for coffee and our phone?

[@ekahamidhamid7514]

Bikaus broken

[@nejoh713]

I always use hand saw than jigsaw. Jigsaw is useless tools.

[@jb888888888]

1:55 It is a poor workman who blames his tools. Because he's too poor to get better tools.

[@cohoblue6512]

Why not just cut the Bullshit theatrics and do a proper review- there are too many of you guys on KZbin trying to mix their “Not Funny” presentation with some facts about the product .. It really wears thin just get on with it…

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

No. And, this comment is, ironically, more theatrical than my video could ever be.

[@lesd2633]

Nice to see you again since you left the Senate Adam K. Btw good job with the Jan 6 committee.

[@kadrestutorials]

😂