I am looking at buying a jigsaw for my old unimat, there are 2 available.

One is the old type with a round table and spring loaded blade attached at both ends. While the other is the newer model with the bigger rectangular table and is a jigsaw and sabre saw and the blade only attaches at the bottom and runs in a groove at the top.

Some thoughts and advise as to the advantages and disadvantages of the two and which would be more suited to my old cast iron unimat and is better to buy.

Much appreciated.

Dave

Birneo

On Sun, 1 Jun 2025 at 0:17, Carl

<carl.blum@...> wrote:

Hi David:

I think it matters more what you expect to cut. The scroll saw with a thinner and shorter blade supported at both ends would be better for intricate work in thin materials. The saber saw with the blade only clamped at the bottom would be better for straighter cuts. I have a saber saw mounted to the underside of my table saw that I use often. Good for cutting curves in 3/4" plywood, but not fine scroll work.

I do like the slow speeds possible with the Unimat circular saw since it doesn't melt plastics, and the same may be true with the Unimat scroll saws.

Good luck, Carl.

On 5/31/2025 8:27 AM, David James via groups.io wrote:

I am looking at buying a jigsaw for my old unimat, there are 2 available.

One is the old type with a round table and spring loaded blade attached at both ends. While the other is the newer model with the bigger rectangular table and is a jigsaw and sabre saw and the blade only attaches at the bottom and runs in a groove at the top.

Some thoughts and advise as to the advantages and disadvantages of the two and which would be more suited to my old cast iron unimat and is better to buy.

Much appreciated.

Dave

Birneo

Thank you for highlighting the orientation I was not aware of that. What is of concern to me is on the new model the thin little blade is only attached at the bottom, while on the older version it is attached at both ends. Will that thin little blade not buckle and bend under pressure?

Dave

On Sun, 1 Jun 2025 at 0:17, Carl

<carl.blum@...> wrote:

Hi David:

I think it matters more what you expect to cut. The scroll saw with a thinner and shorter blade supported at both ends would be better for intricate work in thin materials. The saber saw with the blade only clamped at the bottom would be better for straighter cuts. I have a saber saw mounted to the underside of my table saw that I use often. Good for cutting curves in 3/4" plywood, but not fine scroll work.

I do like the slow speeds possible with the Unimat circular saw since it doesn't melt plastics, and the same may be true with the Unimat scroll saws.

Good luck, Carl.