Which jig saw to buy

[mpauly]

I'm the one that recommended the Ridgid, but I actually have the craftsman 27719 jig saw that is made by bosch (same as the 1587). I doubt you can still find one in the stores, but they were on clearance for under $50 a few months ago. The craftsman/bosch is a very smooth and powerfull saw and as someone else said 'cuts like butta'. The only thing I don't like about it is that the blade changing mechanism is a little clumsy.

The reason I recommended the ridgid is you can get them locally at HD, probably find a 10% off coupon and if you have any problems just bring it back to HD (does it get the lifetime warranty?). Not that they make it a better saw, but it does have more features than the bosch and a simpler blade changing mechanism. At twice the price of the clearance craftsman, I couldn't justfiy the cost difference, but when comparing to a full price bosch, or if you don't want a reconditioned tool, the Ridgid is a solid contender.

[sweensdv]

Why is it that you seldom see reconditioned Freud FJ-85K jigsaws for sale? Maybe its cuzz they don't break. For just a few dollars more than you want to spend, you can get one at Amazon for under $90, http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...1?ie=UTF8&s=hi

[BigguyZ]

Why is it that you seldom see reconditioned Freud FJ-85K jigsaws for sale? Maybe its cuzz they don't break.

Or they're too cheap to bother fixing?

[gimpy]

Thx, for all of the answers. You guys make it extra hard. But I knew when I wrote this that I would get the Bosch recommend. I would get it in a heart beat, but I don't know if I can justify the price. It is $160 here at HD. the Ridgid that I saw was well over $100 as I recall. They also had a Dewalt for $99.

I've done a lot of traveling (vacationing) the last month (read--lots of money spent) and getting ready to go again tomorrow. I'm getting ready to throw another 5-600 on some parts to do a little speaker building (thus the desire for a new jig saw) when I get back.

Just trying to relate my problems/thinking to you here. I've got a $30 gift cert from the HD. With this, I would only be out about $50 or so. Just so you know, my better half does control the $$$. I will hit her up for the extra on our return next week, but... Then again, there is the saying, it is better to ask for forgiveness, than ask for/get permission.

Thx, Frank

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Why is it that you seldom see reconditioned Freud FJ-85K jigsaws for sale? Maybe its cuzz they don't break. For just a few dollars more than you want to spend, you can get one at Amazon for under $90, http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...1?ie=UTF8&s=hi

Or the fact that they sell 1/100th the amount that Bosch does? (number pulled out of my butt).

I own 2 Bosch, 1 Skill. I do use the Skill for cutting metal cause I got a great deal on metal cutting blades (free) and they don't have Bosch style shanks. It vibrates like crazy, weighs about 1 lb and feels like it will break at any moment.

The Bosch 1587 is a great jigsaw that you can catch on sale or reconditioned as it is being phased out for the 1590 replacement. The 1587 was one of the first WW tools I owned so I used the heck out of it in place of circular saw, bandsaw, tablesaw, etc. Great saw. If you get this version be sure that you read and understand the tool less blade changing mechanism. That is probably the most prone item for failure on the saw because you can incorrectly use the button on the top that you turn to change the blade. Remember, once the blade "clicks" you then turn the button the other way, gear disengaged, to re-seat the button in its proper place. Lot of words here, will make sense if you get one.
I also have the 1590. Great saw that "fixes" the blade changing issue. Simple push button operation. Works great. The saw is of the same quality as the 1587.
I have not used the Ridgid but it seems to be well liked by those who have it. Ridgid has been mixing up their suppliers lately so it will remain to be seen if they keep Metabo as the supplier of this item. Also, there are features on the BOsch saws that are missing on the Ridgid such as true variable speed at the trigger, rather the Ridgid has 5 set speeds. I guess you would call the Bosch infinitely variable or something.
Any of the 3 above mentioned would work great.

[BigguyZ]

I'm getting ready to throw another 5-600 on some parts to do a little speaker building (thus the desire for a new jig saw) when I get back.

I got interested in WW from speaker building, but a jigsaw isn't totally neccessary. I used a jig saw to trim oversized panels only to use a flush trim bit to make the final clean cut. For that a $10 pawn shop POS will work. Then save the rest of your money for the Bosch- you'll be happy you did. Use the gift card for the MDF.

[cwsmith]

I'm going to be the "odd man out" here. When you say you only want to spend $60 to $80 for a jig saw, I can understand your situation. While I am sure that the Bosch is an outstanding jig saw, if it is beyond your immediate needs and expense allowance, I know where you are coming from.

I have the Ryobi. I like it. It has more features than any other jig saw that Home Depot carries. Now understand, that I haven't used it a tremendous amount and certainly there is the possibility that over time, the thing might fall apart of fail miserably. But so far, I've been happy with every Ryobi tool that I've purchased. I also have a Ryobi-made, Craftsman jig saw that is over thirty years old and it is still going strong. I've used it for cutting through horsehair-laced plaster, panelling, plywood, chipboard, and various boards. The old saw was a cheap buy, and featureless, but it has yet to fail me.

The new Ryobi Jig Saw Model JS550L is 5.5 amp, 0-3200 spm, variable speed unit with lockable 360 degree, scrolling head, laser guide, and tool-less blade change and shoe adjustment. The bottom shoe is cast aluminum with a removable steel wear plate. The saw is equipped with a variable speed trigger that has an adjustment wheel to preset the speed. The trigger also has a lock button. The saw has a 4-position switch for adjusting the orbital action and it comes with an edge guide, removable dust chute w/intergral blade storage, and a case. The cord is 10 ft. long and the molded case has enough room for the addition of a blade storage wallet or case.

As far as usage is concerned, the saw cuts well and is more than aggresive enough for my needs. With the scrolling head, curves are easy work. I read one of the magazine reviews where several models were tested (I think the article was a couple of years old, and it didn't cover the Ryobi, which had not been introduced at the time of publishing) and one of the tests were for vibration. I decided to check out the Ryobi and was pleasantly surprised that freestanding at full speed, it moved less than two inches over the course of a minutes time.

Hey, it's a good tool for the money. Go for the Ridgid, the Bosch or whatever fits you pocketbook or work needs; but, the Ryobi isn't a bad tool at all. I probably wouldn't recommend it for commercial use, but that is only because from a business point of view, the Ridgid's Lifetime Service Agreement would be a much better investment in my opinion.

CWS

[paintandbodtman]

when comparing the two brands to each other my personal experence is that ryobi makes a better consumer brand tool than skill. But as mentioned their are several brands that are better than either of those, but than thats comparing apples to oranges since those mentioned are considered contractor quality tools

[maxparot]

Why is it that you seldom see reconditioned Freud FJ-85K jigsaws for sale?

Maybe it's because they don't sell!

[PALefty]

Anybody have any experience with the Hilti jigsaw. The local HD Hilti rep was pushing that one pretty good. I wasn't sure how much he was telling me was hype.

[JoeyGee]

I have the Grizzly and like it a lot

My only real complaint on the Grizzly is the screwdriver-needed blade change--which really is a pain. I do use Bosch blades, and it has done everything I have needed it to.

Yes, I know it's not a Bosch, but my TS isn't a Unisaw, either, and I seem to "get by" with my BT3100 : )

[gimpy]

Bigguy, my next project will be a pair of 3-ways, but have to wait just a while. I have already built some, but will give these to my son when he gets home in Oct/Nov.

Sweensdv, I almost pulled the plug and ordered the Freud, but it received 3 or 4 bad reviews on Amazon (1 out of 5 stars), although it did have some good reviews, too. But, those 3 or 4 scared me away from it, at least for now.

cw, I agree with you about the Ryobi. I have their p. router and the bt3100. They both do what I want, but buying the reconditioned Bosch (or the Freud for that matter) is becoming more enticing. LOML actually said to wait next week (payday) when I spoke to her about it.

So, right now, I am waiting until my return from my 3 day trip and will continue to do some more researching/looking and waffling back and forth on what to get.

thx, all, Frank

[dwolsten]

The current Fine Homebuilding magazine issue in the newsstands has a jigsaw review. This will come as no surprise to most people here: the Bosch 1590 got the top award. The next award ("best value") went to the Hitachi jigsaw for ~$100. Maybe you should check out the Hitachi.

The reviewer also had good comments about several other saws: the Metabo-made Ridgid (which is probably hard to find now), and the Milwaukee. The Porter-Cable did very badly though, mainly because it blows sawdust directly in the operator's face.

The Ryobi and Skil were not reviewed.

[vaking]

Sears have recently cleared out a craftsman version of Bosch's 1587 clone. If you have Sears stores around - check if any still have them. Clearance prices were in the range $30-$60 depending on store.
If this option is not available - I would go for Ridgid for $99 at HD.
I have lived for some time on a $25 cheapo jig saw "The Big Lots" style until I got myself a craftsman clone and the old saw went straight into garbage bin.

[gimpy]

Well, doggone it, Ken. Your site did it. I went ahead and ordered the cpo recon Bosch this morning. Did it w/o telling my better half, but, she was pretty good about it and didn't say toooo much. I will get it in about a week. I hope it is in good shape. FYI, guys, the site says free shipping over $99 I think (til Sunday?). The one I bought was knocked down to $94, so I bought a set of blades to get it over the 99 mark. Well, it added $27 shipping to my total at the end, so I cancelled it and called this morning and ordered it over the phone. She did not charge me shipping.

I'm thinking the Ryobi would have done me OK, but, I just couldn't resist all of you good people on this site.

Thx, to all who answered and gave me their good advice.

Frank