Using a Bosch JS365 Jig Saw for Mitering

[Will Crosby]

I recently purchased a Bosch jig saw model JS365 for a few projects, involving some mitered cutting. When the jig saw's foot is set to a zero degree angle, it cuts like a dream, and is very accurate. The foot can be rotated for making 15, 22½, or 45 degree angled cuts, and there is a pointer to indicate you have successfully adjusted the foot to one of these angles. But loosening the single screw that holds the foot, in order to rotate to a new cutting angle, actually allows the foot rotate on all planes. The loosened foot is so wobbly around the single screw, that in theory it could be re-tightened at an infinite number of angles, with the indicator still pointing to the desired angle setting. I retightened it numerous times, with the indicator pointing to 45 degrees, but cut a different angle each time, none of which were actually 45 degrees. The foot remained flat to the wood I was cutting, and I was running it along a parallel edge guide. I’m wondering if another brand or model might be more effectively designed for cutting angles other than zero. I'd be grateful for anyone's response. Thank you.

[Rick Fisher]

Welcome to Sawmill Creek Will.

I have never cut a miter with a Jig saw because I never considered it to be accurate.. I have an old Bosch.. the blades bend .... etc..

The way things change, I wont be surprised if its possible and I just missed it .. but I am a bit skeptical..

[Charles R Johnson]

Jig saws are really a roughing out tool mainly for curves. For mitering with nice joints I'd look into a powered miter saw and for real accuracy a jig on the table saw. Be careful as this is the slippery slope of wood working tools.

[Jerry Miner]

What you are observing is the precision limits of a jigsaw. It is not the right tool for a precise miter. You can rough-cut a miter with it, if you are prepared to finish with another tool (block plane, for example), but don't expect any jigsaw from any manufacturer to give you a precise miter.

[Matt Day]

I think the answer is that you need to reevaluate the tools you're using. There are many other tools that can be used - CMS, table saw with jig, CS with jig, hand saw, etc.

[Will Crosby]

I really appreciate everyone's responses to this posting. It's frustrating that the manufacture suggests the tool might be used for mitering, and the adjustability is so poor. But I can definitely now see how a circular saw would be preferable. Thank you!

[Bill Orbine]

I really appreciate everyone's responses to this posting. It's frustrating that the manufacture suggests the tool might be used for mitering, and the adjustability is so poor. But I can definitely now see how a circular saw would be preferable. Thank you!

Accuracy is a challenge when I miter with a Bosch jigsaw. But I have done it but very rarely. However, I would be very disappointed if the jig saw DIDN'T have tilting base. For example, the jig saw is excellent for a skew scribe cut on cabinets and baseboards to make it easier to hand plane to fit.

[Loren Woirhaye]

The idea that a jig saw is appropriate for mitering may have to do with a specific definition of mitering as it's used in scribing crown moulding. With a jigsaw you can make a contoured coping cut on an angle.

For things like picture frame miters a Japanese pull saw works well. I like the Gyokucho wood-handled Ryoba saws and they are a lot of saw for the money and well balanced.

Miters can be cleaned up with a hand plane, or if you're feeling less craftsman-like a jig can be made up using coarse sandpaper glued to a flat board and used as a sort of "shooting board" for correcting hand sawn miters.