Abstract: An output shaft assembly for a jigsaw having a tool housing, a motor arranged in the tool housing, and an output shaft adapted to be driven in a reciprocating motion relative to the tool housing by means of the motor and to support jigsaw blade for reciprocating motion of the blade relative to the tool housing is disclosed. The output shaft assembly comprises an output shaft (20) of generally flat cross section and having a pair of generally D-shaped inserts (94) to form a region of generally circular external cross-section to allow the output shaft (20) to pivot relative to a scotch yoke mechanism (54) for driving the output shaft in a reciprocating motion relative to the tool housing. A jigsaw incorporating the output shaft assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A support assembly (62) for an output shaft (20) of a jigsaw is disclosed. The support assembly (62) comprises a support housing (64), a lower bearing (102) arranged in the support housing and adapted to support an output shaft (20) of the jigsaw for reciprocating movement of the output shaft along a first axis relative to the lower bearing and to substantially prevent movement of the output shaft (20) relative to the lower bearing (102) in a direction transverse to the first axis, and a blade support roller (110) adapted to abut a jigsaw blade (18). A support arm 108 supporting the blade support roller (110) is adapted to pivot to a limited extent relative to the lower bearing (102) about at least one second axis transverse to the first axis to minimise the extent to which a force applied by the jigsaw blade (18) to the blade support roller (110) during cutting action causes the lower bearing (102) to apply a turning moment to the output shaft (20) about an axis transverse to the first axis.