Hey guys. While reviewing a new Starrett tool promotion at work, I noticed a new jigsaw blade. Knowing that Starrett sells jigsaw, bandsaw, and hole saw blades, I was interested. So I went to their website, and found them. It seems they are neutral in the center, have teeth going down on the down stroke, and teeth directed up on the up stroke. I thought this was ingenious, and wished I had invented it!! I can’t speak for other woodworkers, but I seldom use my jigsaw on furniture due to the blade chipping out the wood on the bottom. I think this is a viable solution, and may very well resurrect the jigsaw!! See for yourself!!
http://www.starrett.com/download/183_pta_dualcut_ds.pdf
-- Matt Garcia Wannabe Period Furniture Maker, Houston TX

















12 comments so far
Peter Oxley
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1424 posts in 2070 days
#1 posted 1613 days ago
Interesting. Would probably work okay in engineered wood (particle board, ply, etc), but I would think that cutting harder wood on the down-stroke is going to make the saw jump all over the place.
-- http://www.peteroxley.com -- http://north40studios.etsy.com --
matt garcia
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1739 posts in 1868 days
#2 posted 1613 days ago
Glen Huey says to lower the speed on hardwoods. He routinely cuts dovetails with his jigsaw! I don’t know, but I’ve got some on order!!
-- Matt Garcia Wannabe Period Furniture Maker, Houston TX
Peter Oxley
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1424 posts in 2070 days
#3 posted 1613 days ago
Let us know how they work out! I’d be really interested.
-- http://www.peteroxley.com -- http://north40studios.etsy.com --
davidroberts
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959 posts in 1681 days
#4 posted 1613 days ago
If Bosch quit making “clean edge” blades, I’d probably try another brand. But until that time, it’s all Bosch, all the time. Using the barrel grip 6.4 amp bosch jigsaw and their clean edge blades, I can cut an edge on a sheet of 3/4 plywood that is glass smooth. I mean smooth, defect free, glass, with no fuzz on either side, and certainly no chip out. It is just scary the quality of the cut. I can also trim a 6” long 1/32 to 1/16 shaving off that same sheet of plywood. Don’t settle for less. Your results will probably not vary much.
-- david roberts, spinning Tales from Topographic Oceans, no, really.
HokieMojo
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2084 posts in 1924 days
#5 posted 1612 days ago
yes, please let me know how it goes. thanks for posting this. I’m intrigued. just when you think there are no “simple” ideas left, someone has something like this.
Scott Bryan
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27253 posts in 2018 days
#6 posted 1612 days ago
This is an interesting post. I will be looking forward to a review of the blade.
-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine
miles125
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2175 posts in 2201 days
#7 posted 1612 days ago
My Bosch jigsaw has always been an indespensable tool. You can build a house with one. The latest thing i figured out is coping 5 1/2” crown mould in about 30 seconds with it.
-- "The way to make a small fortune in woodworking- start with a large one"
mrtrim
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1696 posts in 2076 days
#8 posted 1612 days ago
miles , way to go son ! lol i bought my barrel handle bosh at least 12 yr ago specificly to cope large crown !
still works great with only a new cord replacement 1 yr ago . id certainly try out the double cut blade tho if they make them for a bosch . im always open to something new . let us know how they work thx .
dsb1829
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367 posts in 1823 days
#9 posted 1612 days ago
Here is a good little blip on the bosch blades. They are well trusted and also cut on the up and down stroke.
http://www.coptool.com/blog/2008/10/bosch_jigsaw_blades_extra_clea.html
I am curious is Starret actually makes these blades or if they are just branded. Sorry, I am always suspicious when a company know for certain tools releases something out in left field. Know what I mean?
-- Doug, woodworking in Alabama
John Gray
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2364 posts in 2081 days
#10 posted 1612 days ago
I ordered the blades from Amazon this morning and got free shipping because I ordered Shop Drawings of Shaker Furniture & Woodenware, Vols. 1, 2 & 3 too. If your order is over $25.00 and is shipped from Amazon’s warehouse the shipping is free.
-- Only the Shadow knows....................
Dusty56
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10710 posts in 1884 days
#11 posted 1540 days ago
I used to have some scroll saw blades that were made the same way . How are your new blades working out for you ?
-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.
matt garcia
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1739 posts in 1868 days
#12 posted 1540 days ago
I had a POS Craftsman jigsaw that couldn’t cut butter, even with a laser guide!! So I bought a Makita 4351FCT. That is a JIGSAW!! With that jigsaw, and the Starrett blade, I made some splinter free cuts on both sides of the plywood!! Makita makes some great tools!!
-- Matt Garcia Wannabe Period Furniture Maker, Houston TX
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