Jig saws

[poolhound]

There is this story about a guy new to woodworking who needed to make some jigs, so he bought a jig saw. He brought it back to the store and complained that he couldn't get any accuracy, it took forever, and it drained all his energy.

The clerk examined the saw, and plugged it in to test it, and the guy said "What's that noise?"

OMG is that what that long cable thingy is for

[sweensdv]

The tool in my shop that I have the most fun using is my Freud FJ-85 jigsaw. As important as the saw itself is the choice of blades is also important. I won't use anything except Bosch blades.

[maxparot]

There is only one word in jigsaws and that is Bosch. I agree with only using Bosch blades. They were the first improvement to my Craftsmans jigsaw. I had used a 1587 at work but decided to give a Craftsman a try when it was on sale for $40. When I got the opportunity to purchase a 1587 for $90 I jumped on it.
That was many years ago and it still serves well today.

[JSUPreston]

IIRC, there is a Craftsman that is a clone of a Bosch. Here's the link: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...ame=Sabre+Saws

[jonmulzer]

IIRC, there is a Craftsman that is a clone of a Bosch. Here's the link: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...ame=Sabre+Saws

It is made by Black and Decker. I had an earlier version and it was a POS. The guide foot broke after about a year of owning it and only using it 3-4 times. I took it back to Sears and they said the warranty had run out. The cost to fix it was more than I paid new and so were the parts to do it myself. I could not get just the part I needed, I had to order a new shoe. I need to dump it on craigslist for $30 sometime.

[sweensdv]

IIRC, there is a Craftsman that is a clone of a Bosch. Here's the link: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...ame=Sabre+Saws

Do you define clone as lookalike or exactly the same?

[LinuxRandal]

I define that not as the Bosch, but the Triton clone.

http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=25784

http://www.triton.com.au/product.php?id=31

[jussi]

Yet another vote for the Bosch. Couldn't believe the difference going from my old Skil model.

[JSUPreston]

IIRC, there is a Craftsman that is a clone of a Bosch. Here's the link: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...ame=Sabre+Saws

I had read or heard somewhere it was a clone. Apparently, a very poorly made one based upon the posts here. I'll go back and hide in the Alabama snow now.

[spagington]

Another vote for the Bosch. My wife got me the 1591 for my birthday at the beginning of Feb. Used it a couple of days later and excitedly told my wife how great it is....and I am the furthest thing from an excitable person. My wife took that as a good sign. The thing cuts through wood like butter. I am convinced that with a little work on my technique, I could cut a finished cut without sanding with the Bosch. I could never say that about the Craftsman I had before (and still have if anyone is interested in it...).

Scott

[Garasaki]

Bosch 1587 here too.

Only used it for construction purposes but I really like it. Pretty smooth operator.

[vaking]

I had read or heard somewhere it was a clone. Apparently, a very poorly made one based upon the posts here. I'll go back and hide in the Alabama snow now.

There was a Craftsman clone of Bosch's 1587. I have it and I like it a lot. I got it on clearance and it came without a manual. I went to Bosch's site and downloaded a manual for 1587 - it is an exact match. I don't think it still exists though

[gimpy]

I don't know what you've decided or what price range you are looking at, but, if you are looking at Bosch and don't mind refurbs or using the internet, check out cpotools.com or more specifically: http://www.cpotools.com/search/20080...s=jig+saw&fh=|.

I did get my refurbed through them and have been very happy with it. They also provided me with pretty good service.

[Crash2510]

I don't know about the bosch, but i picked up a festool barrel grip for $100 bucks last year and it is a pleasure to use. If the bosch runs anything like it you will be extremely happy. For me the jigsaw upgrade made the biggest difference of any tool I have upgraded.

[Sawatzky]

I also have the Bosch 1587. I upgraded from an old Black & Decker to a newer Black & Decker but the saw had too much plastic on it. It just did not feel sturdy. When I bought the Bosch I couldn't believe that a jig saw could cut so smooth. So, if you buy a Bosch I doubt you will be dissapointed!