Jigsaw Massager

Intro: Jigsaw Massager

Better than anyone's thumbs... this produces a really amazing Thump.

I saw Stig's version of this at the last Instructables Show & Tell. I was enraptured. I had to have one, and of course that meant I had to make one.

Materials:

• a power jigsaw. cordless is ideal; bladeless is fine; quiet motor is best. I spent about two weeks not finding anything like this in thrift stores or on eBay and finally bought a new, cheap-ass jigsaw off Amazon for about $30.
• one of those old keys you have lying around that you can't remember what it's for. brass is better than aluminum.
• a rubber foot for the bottom of a chair leg. 1 inch diameter is a good size
• Bondo or similar hard-curing filler

Tools:

• Dremel with grinding tip (or metal file, if it's all you've got)
• popsicle stick or plastic spoon or some such to mix the bondo
• screwdriver of whatever sort your jigsaw comes apart with (mine took a hex wrench)

This is really a very easy project. All you have to do is remove the parts of the jigsaw that have to do with actually sawing, and create a thumping attachment that fits in the chuck to replace the blade.

STEP 1: Prep the Jigsaw

Remove the base plate from the jigsaw using whatever means are appropriate to the jigsaw you've got. Mine, as noted, needed a hex wrench.

It is not strictly necessary to remove any plastic as I did from around the chuck assembly, but I found it difficult to get the hex wrench in to loosen the chuck. (Chuck may be the wrong term but I mean the clamp that holds the blade.)

STEP 2: Make the Pounder Foot

This contraption is the part that hits you in the shoulder so wonderfully. There are any number of ways you could do this but here's what I did.

Take the key and see how close it is to fitting into the chuck of the jigsaw. It'll be a lot thicker than a blade so most likely you'll need to grind it down. Note that the pictures show two different keys as I made two of these. Note also that aluminum keys are not as strong as brass keys, and if someone tries to massage their lower back while sitting in a chair and leaning back on the jigsaw at an angle, the key may break off.

Once the key fits in the chuck, attach the chair leg tip to it (you may need to grind down some of the key head too). I filled the tip with some Bondo to support it, give it more heft, and attach it to the key. Mix a small amount (a tablespoon or so if plenty) according to Package Directions and squish it into the chair leg tip. Push the key head into the tip, you probably have to squeeze the tip to make it wide enough. Let the bondo cure, which will take between 5 and 15 minutes depending on the mix proportions.

STEP 3: Fix the Pounding Foot Into the Chuck and Massage Away

Insert the key into the chuck and tighten it down well (you don't want it flying off during use).

It's easier to use on someone else but possible to massage yourself. As demonstrated, it's good practice to start the jigsaw engine before approaching the muscle with the pounding foot.

Comments

[DanijelM]

Tool for a man, toy for a wife

[gemtree]

Who cares if it is noisy. When you REALLY hurt, just fix it. If it works HALF as good as it looks to do, it will do the trick, quick! Thanks for the great idea! <3

[RedGreenFan]

Good idea! I'm gonna give it a try!

[mikeasaurus]

Wow. This is DIY at it's best. No special dowel, no special thumper foot, just a key and a chair leg tip. Simple enough that anyone could build this right now if they took a look around their place. Now all I want to see is a reciprocating saw turkey cutter! Also, you are correct, the part that holds the blade/drill bit is called a chuck.

[jeff-o]

Hey, all you need is a 12" blade for that saw and you're good to go! Just make sure you don't cut through the table, too...

[mark0680]

Actually you can use a jigsaw blade, its easier to fit than a key. Use the blade the jigsaw came with and file the teeth down so what’s left looks like a popsicle stick. I used a compound called: "Cold Steel", and the massager works great.

[med]

This was my idea. Thank you that you made it work. Now I am more confident of myself. will try it soon. Besr wishes.

[knexfan9182]

ouch.

[frollard]

A tad loud; perhaps, not the soothing I would want from a massage, but it gets the job done.

[rachel]

This one is definitely too loud. I'd say, at this point, that loudness is probably the most important quality to look for in a jigsaw if you're going to do this. I have some ideas about covering it to try and cut down on some of the noise, but haven't made any attempt yet. If I do get any success at this I'll add on to the instructable.

[SFHandyman]

That is so great! I love tools. It's about time they returned the love. (Just talking about the shoulder massage!). If you still have the clear plastic dust shield - I'd pop it back on so your hair doesn't slip into the hole in the plastic and get caught on something.

[!Andrew_Modder!]

cool, BUT the loud noise will make me NOT want to use it :-\

[zachninme]

Cool! You look like you need sleep, though! Hang in there! You should keep the vibrating pillow on your desk or something, so when you try to fall asleep, it'll wake you up!

[Weissensteinburg]

Is this what you do when you're trying to not sleep? =]

[andy60]

kwl idea!

[dacker]

Slick! When I first saw your idea -- but before I read your procedure, I was worried that you may have used an old jigsaw blade instead of the key. I was worried that a blade could break-free from the Bondo, puncture the tip, and turn the "massagee" into sort-of a "tatooee." :-) The key has the advantage of a hole for the Bondo to flow thru and hold the key, plus the handle of the key is very blunt. I suppose the paranoid could drop a washer or coin into the bottom of the tip before embedding everything in Bondo.