How to Fix a Jigsaw That Keeps Jumping and Vibrating?

Why does my jigsaw keep jumping?

The reason your jigsaw keeps jumping is because it’s using the wrong blade type or the blade has damage due to excessive use. Sometimes if your attachments are not installed correctly, or there are bearing problems due to mechanical wear, this could also cause your jigsaw to jump.

 

 

Wrong blade type

To achieve the variety of cuts jigsaws are capable of, you need different kinds of blades. This is why there are lots of blades available out there. All vary in size, length, thickness, and the number of teeth per inch.

Using the wrong blade for a cut will cause your jigsaw to jump while you are using it. Blades with downward-pointing teeth are most notorious fot this. This is because the teeth will sometime grab onto the wood fibers on the blade’s downward stroke, which will forcibly push the saw back up.

Also, the thickness of the wood you want to cut should determine the blade you select. Using a short blade when you need a long one will cause it to catch on the wood on its way up and cause your saw to jump.

 

Damaged blade

The set (how much the teeth protrude from the shank) determines the clearance of the blade. The clearance allows you to cut through the wood without any binding.

However, after repeated use, the set gets worn out and reduces in length. That means that the blade is blunt or worn out. This kind of blade will generate a lot of friction while cutting, leading to repeated jumping and bouncing.

Also, a bent blade will cause your jigsaw to jump. This is because the awkward angle will not allow it to travel through the wood efficiently.

 

Attachments that not installed incorrectly.

To enhance your woodwork experience while working with your jigsaw, you sometimes need to install accessories like guides and clamp edges. While this is a good practice, using these attachments causes more harm than good.

An attachment you did not install properly would cause your jigsaw to bounce and jump awkwardly during use.

 

Bearing problems

The bearing in your jigsaw helps limit the motion of your blade so that they only move as you intend them to. They also help to reduce friction between the moving parts and make such movement smoother.

However, they are subject to mechanical wear and tear after using them for a while. When this happens, the small balls inside the bearings lose their alignment. As a result, the motion of the blade becomes less smooth, and the jigsaw jumps as you use it.

 

How to fix a jigsaw that keeps jumping?

You can change your blades, reinstall recently installed attachments, or change the bearings to fix a jig saw that keeps jumping.

Change your blade

You should regularly check the set of your blade and replace it as often as possible. A blunted or bent blade will cause many headaches from jumping and bouncing. Follow these steps to replace your blade easily:

1. Power off your jigsaw.
2. Check your jigsaw manual to determine the blade type you’ll need. For example, there are u-shank and t-shank blades.
3. Buy good quality replacement blades. They are available for around $10 for a pack.
4. Some brands like Ryobi use a spring-loaded collar. Press on to the collar and rotate it to remove the worn-our blade.
5. Insert the new blade. Rotate the spring collar back into place to secure it.
6. Other models like the Bosch use a set screw to hold the blade into place. You can access it with a long Allen screwdriver from the top of the saw. Loosen this screw and rotate the old blade 90 degrees to remove it.
7. Install the new blade and then secure it with the screw.
8. Some other jigsaws use a simple set screw just beside the blade slot. Loosen this screw to remove and replace your blade.
9. Replace your blade as soon as it shows signs of wear and tear.

 

Select the Right Blade For Each Cut

Using the wrong blade for a cut will cause your jigsaw to jump during use. Follow this guide to select the right blade for each cut:

1. Ensure you installed the right blade into your saw. Use u-shank or t-shank as recommended by the manufacturer.
2. If you want to make sharp curves, use a thinner blade.
3. For more rigid materials like metal, use a thicker blade and one with higher tooths-per-inches.
4.  If you want a fast cut with no regard for accuracy, use a blade with low TPI.
5. Also, your blade should be at least 2.5cm longer than the thickness of the material.
6. The pack often includes a more detailed guide on the diameter each blade can handle.

 

Reinstall your jigsaw’s accessories

If you recently installed a new jigsaw accessory and your saw is jumping than it was before, this should prompt you to troubleshoot your installation.

1. Power off your jigsaw.
2. Remove all the attachments currently installed on your saw.
3. Power on the saw and try to use it without any of those attachments. You have established that the extensions are responsible if it works properly without any jumps.
4. Reinstall the attachments one after the other using the guide with them or following a youtube video.

 

Change the bearings

A worn-out bearing could be why your saw is jumping during use. Follow these steps to replace it:

1. Turn off the saw.
2. Remove the blade following the steps highlighted above.
3. Remove the metallic base of the saw by unscrewing the screws that hold it in place.
4. Proceed to unscrew all the screws that hold the casing together. Depending on the manufacturer, there could be around 10 of them.
5. Remove the clamps holding the assembly and lift them out of the case.
6. Remove the armature by loosening all the screws that hold it in place.
7. If the control bearing is damaged, buy a replacement. It costs around $5 on Amazon.
8. Transfer the o-ring from the old bearing to the new one.
9. Install the new bearing and return the assembly into the case.
10. Reinstall the case and secure the base back onto the saw with the screws you removed earlier.
11. Install your blade.

 

Why does my jigsaw keep vibrating?

The reason your jigsaw keeps vibrating is because the accessories that you are using have become loose or your blade has become damaged due to excessive usage. A loose base or bearing problems due to a mechanical failure could also cause your jigsaw to keep vibrating.

 

Damaged blade

When your blade gets worn out or bent out of shape, it tends to bind to the wood as it makes its way through it. In addition, such a blade will generate a lot of friction while cutting, leading to many vibrations.

 

Improperly installed attachments

Accessories like guides and clamp edges help to improve your woodwork experience. However, if improperly installed, they vibrate against the jigsaw and cause more problems than they solve.

 

A loose base

The base of your jigsaw is supposed to bring stability to the machine and reduce vibrations. However, A loose base will cause repeated vibrations, reducing your efficiency.

 

Bearing problems

When the bearings in your jigsaw get damaged, the small balls inside lose their alignments. When this happens, the motion of the jigsaw becomes less smooth, generating more vibrations than usual.

 

How to fix a jigsaw that keeps vibrating?

You can tighten the base, change your blades, reinstall accessories, or change the bearings to fix a jig saw that keeps vibrating. The base should be your first point of call. Pick up your screwdriver and secure the loose screws. If that doesn’t work, proceed to other steps.

Change your blade

You should regularly check the set of your blade and replace it as often as possible. A blunted or bent blade could cause your saw to vibrate more than usual. Follow these steps to replace your blade easily:

1. Power off your jigsaw.
2. Check your jigsaw manual to determine the blade type you’ll need. For example, there are u-shank and t-shank blades.
3. Buy good quality replacement blades. They are available for around $10 for a pack.
4. Some brands like Ryobi use a spring-loaded collar. Press on to the collar and rotate it to remove the worn-our blade.
5. Insert the new blade. Rotate the spring collar back into place to secure it.
6. Other models like the Bosch use a set screw to hold the blade into place. You can access it with a long Allen screwdriver from the top of the saw. Loosen this screw and rotate the old blade 90 degrees to remove it.
7. Install the new blade and then secure it with the screw.
8. Some other jigsaws use a simple set screw just beside the blade slot. Loosen this screw to remove and replace your blade.
9. Replace your blade as soon as it shows signs of wear and tear.

 

Reinstall your jigsaw’s accessories

If you recently installed a new jigsaw accessory and your saw is vibrating more than usual, this should prompt you to troubleshoot your installation.

1. Power off your jigsaw.
2. Remove all the attachments currently installed on your saw.
3. Power on the saw and try to use it without any of those attachments. You have established that the attachments are responsible if they work correctly without vibrations.
4. Reinstall the attachments one after the other using the guide with them or following a youtube video.

 

Change the bearings

A worn-out bearing could be why your saw is vibrating during use. Follow these steps to replace it:

1. Turn off the saw.
2. Remove the blade following the steps highlighted above.
3. Remove the metallic base of the saw by unscrewing the screws that hold it in place.
4. Proceed to unscrew all the screws that hold the casing together. Depending on the manufacturer, there could be around 10 of them.
5. Remove the clamps holding the assembly and lift them out of the case.
6. Remove the armature by loosening all the screws that hold it in place.
7. If the control bearing is damaged, buy a replacement. It costs around $5 on Amazon.
8. Transfer the o-ring from the old bearing to the new one.
9. Install the new bearing and return the assembly into the case.
10. Reinstall the case and secure the base back onto the saw with the screws you removed earlier.
11. Install your blade.

 

Why does my Dewalt jigsaw keep jumping?

Your Dewalt jigsaw keeps jumping because of a damaged blade, using the wrong blade type, improperly installed attachments, or bearing problems. To fix it, follow these steps:

1. First, turn off the power to the saw.
2. Next, check your blade for damages and reinstall a new one using the above steps if necessary.
3. Use the correct blade type for each type of cut and each material.
4. If you recently installed new accessories, troubleshoot them using the abovementioned steps.
5. Finally, change your bearing if it is worn out.

 

Why does my Bosch jigsaw keep jumping?

Your Bosch jigsaw keeps jumping because of a damaged blade, using the wrong blade type, improperly installed attachments, or bearing problems. To fix it, follow these steps:

1. Shut off the power to the saw.
2. Check your blade for damages and reinstall a new one using the above steps if necessary.
3. Use the correct blade type for each type of cut and each material.
4. If you recently installed new accessories, troubleshoot them using the abovementioned steps.
5. Change any damaged bearing using the steps above.