What jig saw to get?

[Cheeky]

I am often glad that I was able to use less expensive tools for a while, like my old Craftsman scroller jig saw. When you get a chance to use a much better tool like the Bosch 1590, you don't have to try to pick out the subtle reasons it seems a little better. You use it and are truly surprised at how much better everything is.

I also have a Ridgid 18V cordless jig saw that I do use just for convenience sake. While it is an ok saw, it is not nearly as good as the Bosch in several ways. The Ridgid, like all cordless tools, just doesn't have the same power as the corded saw. When you are cutting material that is a little tougher, you find the saw bogging down a bit. It also is hard to keep the blade vertical in the cut.

I have the Ridgid 18V cordless jig saw too, and agree for convenience sake it's nice, but doesn't compare with the power of a corded one.

My corded jig saw is the Ridgid, made in Germany. I've used the Bosch 1590, and the Ridgid is almost as nice, especially with some Bosch progressor blades

Others (out of my league yet very nice), of high quality are the Hilti (you can put it on a table top, running without it moving. really doesn't vibrate much), and the Festool (really doesn't get anybetter than this one).

[footprintsinconc]

dam* it! i should have bought one at rockler during thanksgiving when they had it on sale . but i will now definately be looking for one .....

[JimD]

I have a barrell grip Bosch. Things that make it a good choice include:

Orbital blade motion (adjustable in 3 stages and also an off setting). This is available on all professional models and really speeds up cutting wood. I can cut a 4x4 almost as fast as with a circular saw. If I put a long blade in, I can cut it in one pass with the Bosch so it would actually be quicker. If you use a consumer version versus a professional side-by-side this is the biggest and most obvious difference IMHO.

Professional models also have better blade support so the blade does not wander around in curved cuts.

Bosch models have "extras" available that you may not find for other professional models. I have a little cast aluminum table mount attachment, for instance, for mine that I have never seen for another brand. There are also plastic base inserts to minimize chip-out. You can also get plastic non-marring snap on covers for the base.

Bosch is consistently near the top in the convenience features. Mine has a tool-less blade change that has been improved on more recent models. When I bought mine, Bosch was one of the few manufacturers doing this. They have also further improved the blade support in more recent models but mine is pretty good.

I think a jig saw is a place where a consumer duty tool is junk and a professional model is definitely the way to go. You can save a little on a PC or DeWalt or Makita but the difference is usually not a lot. I don't have a Bosch tool of any other type - it is not my favorite brand or anything - but I think they are the way to go for a jigsaw. Any professional model will do most of what a Bosch will do, however, it just might be a little harder to use and you might have to make your own zero clearance inserts or something like that.

Jim

[IBBugsy]

Well, I just placed my Bosch barrel-grip order today.

Amazon has reduced the price for it ($156) and the handle grip ($149). I've been waiting for the price drop since Xmas and it's low enough for me, especially the barrel grip.

My 20 year old Craftsman is still running strong and can cut a nice, wavey, broad and splintering path through 1/4" plywood but that's about it.

[scorrpio]

I have a DeWalt jigsaw I scored on ebay for $40, and it works fine for me, but the blade-changing mechanism (it uses U-shank) does not thrill me. It cuts very well, has no trouble following a line.

If I were in the market for a jigsaw, I'd definitely go for a T-shank model where you don't have to twist anything - either a Dewalt 331 or a Bosch 1590. Barrel grip vs top handle is personal preference - I like top handle.

[atgcpaul]

I treated myself to the Bosch 1590 last year and compared to the cheap Skil
jigsaw I had for $35, I was kicking myself for having wasted that $35. The
Bosch blades do make a real difference but the saw cuts so well. The old Skil
was like a bucking bronco compared to the easy going-ness of the Bosch. I
don't get angled cuts because the blade guide is so nice. And splintering is
greatly reduced with the anti-splinter insert.

Paul

[leehljp]

One thing that many people do not understand is the difference in one level of tool performance versus the next level up. How many times have I heard people to be very skeptical on the other's exuberance, only to be WOWED at the differences when they did:

• Buy a BT3x after having used a framing contractors saw or other low end saw.
• Use a cordless impact driver after using a cordless drill driver.
• Use a Bosch jig saw after using a cheaper or even another well known brand.

I have a Porter Cable Jig saw. It is a well known industrial brand. But it just does not cut like a Bosch and vibrates too much. It is not the price that makes one tool better than another, but more than anything else - the design.

[Luckbox]

I had a cheap skill also and about a year and a half ago I got the Bosch 1590. It was such an improvement. I use to hate using the jig saw, my cuts weren’t straight and the blade never seems to track on the line. But the first cut with the Bosch and I was amazed. I though I just didn't know how to use a jig saw properly, but in reality it was the tool. I have done my best to block the memories of the skill jig I used for 3 years.

Buy the way I had the same feeling when I upgraded from the skill to the Bosch router. I will never buy a cheap tool again. The money you think you are saving you are losing in the frustration you are causing yourself.

[movnup]

After reading the posts I finally used my HD gift card from x-mas and picked up the Bosch 1587. I was going to get the 1590 but felt it was a little too heavy but that was just a personal preference, not because of features.

As to trying it out I cut all the metal brackets for my ceiling mounted lumber rack today (over 30 cuts) and for the first time in using a power tool I was amazed!!!! I was using a metal blade in my 12" Dewalt chop saw and the difference was night and day in how it cut and the final finish. This thing is sweeeeeeet ... I didn't know a jig saw could cut like that.

It took me a little while to figure out how to change the blade but once you do it makes sense and is easy. I wish it had the dust collection feature (the borg had the plain jane model) but you can easily get it from Bosch as an accessory. Thanks everyone on the forum, you made a job I was deading to do very easy and actually fun !!!!

[ChrisD]

One thing that many people do not understand is the difference in one level of tool performance versus the next level up. How many times have I heard people to be very skeptical on the other's exuberance, only to be WOWED at the differences when they did:

• Buy a BT3x after having used a framing contractors saw or other low end saw.
• Use a cordless impact driver after using a cordless drill driver.
• Use a Bosch jig saw after using a cheaper or even another well known brand.

I have a Porter Cable Jig saw. It is a well known industrial brand. But it just does not cut like a Bosch and vibrates too much. It is not the price that makes one tool better than another, but more than anything else - the design.

Guilty here on the BT3, Hank! The pre-purchase questions I posted here more than two years ago were very indicative of the fact that I had a portable. For my first jigsaw, however, I got a Bosch.