Setting the Orbital Action on a Jigsaw

This video is the snippet missed in the full video on Using Jigsaws that explains about the blade angle switch or Orbital Lever Adjustment.

[DerekKerton]

You've got it backwards. "Orbital Action" is when that bearing is moved backwards, which allows the blade to rock as well as move up and down.

You know how when you cut a log with a chainsaw, you slowly "rock" the saw up and down to cut faster?
That's exactly like "orbital action".

In so doing, you focus the cutting blade to a "pointier" part of the wood, not a flat profile. The saw blade rips faster through the reduced surface area of the wood.

Thus, when you push the blade forward with the "Orbital Action" bearing so that it doesn't rock, you SLOW DOWN the cut. But you gain a bit of control, a cleaner cut, and an INCREASED ability to TURN the jigsaw. In wood, this setting is mostly about turns.

The above applies to wood. If you're cutting sheet metal, you would NOT want orbital action, since the material profile is already thin. You just want control.

[carefulfelix]

It's a feature I've never used, and have always been surprised that it ever became a standard feature on pretty much all jigsaws. This is the first time I've seen it tested though, thanks Colin!

[thenormanfair]

I'm glad I came across this video. I saw some reviews on Amazon of the Bosch JS470EB I am considering and at least two reviews complained about the blade not being completely vertical. I'm thinking now that they just had the setting wrong.

[MrRichot]

Hi, I needed to rip cut (along the grain) some 15mm Pine board,  dreaded using hand saw (had a fair bit to do). Tried with my old jigsaw set orbital on ONE and it cut like butter, using inexpensive blade,  NO effort and it was easy to keep to the line. Cut about a meter then the inside of saw disintegrated. Mind you I had given that saw a rough life and put it through hell and back....so no surprise. Have renewed it with a "Einhill". Cant wait to use it (with loving care) !  I've had it two weeks, not used it yet Ive not tested it yet, don't want get covered in sawdust !!!    I just go in shop and "dust and polish it everyday).!!  Waiting for its first project.!
Thank you for good vid....I, m 65yrs old and NEVER too old to learn.
Happy days,

[timmurski]

I saw somewhere written "orbital jigsaw" and didn't know what that meant, and wanted to know what I was missing out on. My jigsaw has this feature and I don't remember "orbital" being anywhere on the literature or box that it came with, but I could have missed it. Thank you for the information. I didn't know what I didn't know. Learn everyday.

[frankjenkins]

I just bought a Ridgid R3101 with the orbital option specifically for a certain job.  I was cutting 1/2" thick Birch plywood.  Tried both the straight vertical and orbital the better, smoother cutting and quicker cutting on the vertical selection.  Could have saved the money and used my 35 year old Craftsman.

Love all of your videos.

[hoffmannMP]

First of all, thanks for all the videos :-)

Now, I am by no means an expert, but I did do some basic research on jigsaws when I bought one a few years ago.

As I understand it, when you engage the orbital mode you are not just changing the angle of attack, but you are setting the range of the "orbit".

The bearing behind the blade shifts in and out in time with the blade, so on the upstroke (when the blade is cutting) it is forced into the material. But on the downstroke (when the blade isn't cutting) the blade is kept vertical and therefore away from the material. This way the blade has less contact with the material when it is not cutting, and so it should keep sharp for longer.

In the vertical setting, the blade will rub against the material in both directions, even though it's only cutting on the upstroke.

[Squibbleses]

I was wondering about what exactly the orbital setting does too.  I knew it changed the movement of the blade but I didn't know what difference it actually made to the cut.  I have a Ryobi jigsaw that shows little pictures of different materials next to each setting and was following those as a guide.  Though when I set it to the option for plywood I got incredibly bad tearout.  Once I set the orbital setting to minimum/off it made for a much cleaner cut in my case.

[williamgonsalves]

Thanks for your videos.I have a ibell js1070 700/w jigsaw and I was wondering if you could tell me why I find it easier to insert the blade in the keyless chuck with the pendulum set on no 3 position. By the way, your tutorials are excellent. Thanks again.

[colinfarrier]

Hi Colin,
I use a bimetal Starrett blade for wood and it cuts fine. However the dust extraction seems to improve with a higher motor speed. Lowwer speeds allow build up of sawdust and obscuring the pencil line that I am cutting to.
Great videos Colin.
Regards
Colin Farrier
Northern ireland

[MazMaslin]

The orbital action is for rip cuts as it helps shift more waste. You wont notice much difference on cross cuts or sheet material.

[jackfountain]

On mine, you can see distinct differences, between the settings. Zero is super clean while 3 is super rough.

[jochenmayer]

Hi, from my point of view it seems that the blade is orbiting in the top position (labeled 3) and it's not orbiting in the left position (labled 0) at all.
So it's doing what it should: Slow, but accurate at left position (0) and fast but inaccurate at top position (3).
I think it's just vice versa what you explained.

[robertbarcus]

Thanks for the all the videos you put out for us weekend warrior woodworkers.
I always look forward to the next video. Maybe you can make them more frequently.
Ah just make them at your own pace:)

[seephor]

I did find the orbital action useful when rough cutting 3/4" subfloor TnG plywood on a not so sharp blade. It would definitely increase the cut rate for me. This was on a Bosch jigsaw...

[greygoosemafia]

I've often. Wondered about that switch. I just have one of those green craftsman jigsaws. 4.5amps. Enough to get things running. The lower speeds seems to almost stop the blade when cutting wood. User error? Idk... lol not super cheap but on the lower end of things. I think it was around $50 or $60

[Boomers_Bud]

Great video Colin. The Jig saw is not a "go to" tool for me and the biggest reason are the very limited selection of blades. It's too bad that the Industry has really not addressed this. Take care.
Derek

[loganp]

I just use mi dewalt jig saw in the up position and it does fine

[ttfweb]

My experience is the quality of the blade so over-shadows this adjustment, that it becomes negligible.

[peterhaughton]

Colin in my eye's if it cuts true well to me that's all that matters sorry my friend .