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what is your opnion about your jig saw?

5K views 50 replies 42 participants last post by  LeeJ 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I own one i think it's Ryobi and I just can't use it. the blade runs all over the place. the blade won't stay straight. total junk. The angle of the base changes if you push too hard..CRAP all the way.
 
#2 ·
I guess that I lucked out. I bought an AMT (now defunct) scroller a long time ago. It is no production saw by any means, but sure has done a good job. Cleaned and lubed the pivot bearings a couple times, use good blades, and keep the table polished.
I steer clear of the Ryobi stuff except for a 3" x 21" belt sander I bought 15 years ago. It has been a keeper for some reason. It won't quit.
Bill
 
#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
Sounds like my Craftsman. Base wont stay where you put it, slotted screw to hold blade in ( bad idea ) is wore out, black paint on base comes off on wood. Maybe we can both get some good info here on a good one to buy. BTW, I assumed you are referring to a hand held unit.
 
#4 ·
Mine sucks. It is a Black and Decker that is probably 20 years old, but I hardly ever use it for anything but cutting up sheets ready for more precise cutting with other tools. The blade won't stay in, it bends a lot and the base flops around. I think it is the nature of the tool. They are okay I guess for construction work but I don't think they are capable of precise cuts.
 
#5 ·
Well if the blade won't stay where it's supposed to, then it probably is missing it's blade guide….
I know of a company that couldn't figure that out….

I have 2 dewalt jigsaws. a newer one, that the blade will track off a shave every once an a while, and an old one that is just about perfect when it comes to cutting, but the chord is old and dry wrotted, though no exposed wire…

Bosch makes some good jigsaws, craftsman does, though the one described above is either a really old model or he bought it from someone who didn't take care of it. Porter Cable makes a nice one. There are several good ones. But they need to be taken care of.
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have a Bosch barrel type, it works well, but I also find it is a bit difficult to control, especially when using it on double thickness material, it runs off 90 degrees no matter what the feed rate or what blade I use.

I almost always go to my bandsaw instead unless it's too large a project.
 
#7 ·
My opinion is that it is very a very educated little tool, although it can be rude at times.

I have the bosch barrel grip JS and it is by far the best one I've used. it has some great features to make it a very precise tool for intricate cuts, but it is still requires getting to know how to use properly for certain cuts, and there is some learning curve there to go through.
 
#10 ·
The need to use a jig saw in my woodworking has never been a priority, but yet enough of a priority to have one in the shop for those moments when its the only tool to use.

I had 2 old Black and Deckers with the olive green body and orange short cords for rough cuts as they didn't cut very precise. I used them till they burnt out. Then the kids bought a very cheap off brand that lasted all of 5 mins. I then inherited a Craftsman that worked fairly well, till it fell apart and wasn't worth repairing.

The one I have now is an off brand called Apprentice Tool. I bought it at a close out sale/tool lottery for $15. It has the adjustable orbit cut feature, Laser/Light I find the light useful, and it has the T shank style blades. Surprisingly it has turned out to be one of those times where I won the tool lottery for a change. So far it has been a pleasure to use and cuts quite precise and smooth. Who knows this might be the jig saw that finds its way into my woodworking more. At least it gets used more than the biscuit jointer ever will.
 
#11 ·
Had a Craftsman. It was a fair tool till it quit. Bought a B&D….Nuff said. Then I "MOVED UP" a DeWalt…..biggest POS I ever owned. Worse than the B&D, for gosh sake. Couldn't cut a straight line with out beveling out in any but the thinnest of material. Cutting curves in a piece of 3/4 MDF for patterns was never gonna happen. I gave it to a friend….I hope he's still a friend.
Bought the Bosch and it's the finest jig saw I've ever used. Cutting even 2X material is like slicing bread. Sooo smooth.
 
#12 ·
I've had a bunch of them, and most were pretty inaccurate.
The present model, a Makita 4324 seems to be a bit different than the other ones I've had. I bought it to cut sheet metal in tight places while repairing RV's and so far it's been accurate, easy to control and doesn't overheat.
Some of the aluminum I've cut has been up to 3/8" thick and it never slowed down.
I've cut wood with it up to 2" thick and like someone else said, there is a learning curve. Once you figure it out it seems to do a good job.
However, I still like my band saw better when I can use it!
 
#13 ·
I also have a Bosch that I bought a few months ago and I really like it but I dont' use it much. I use the bandsaw whenever I can. The only time I use it is if its a piece to large for the bandsaw or its a inside cut and I don't want to mess with the scroll saw.
 
#14 ·
I have borrowed a Festool PSB 300 and didn't find it to be any better than my own Makita 4340. Both are good, but not exceptional. The blade will go slightly off perpendicular on both in thick stock - but that's to be expected anyway. (Not just stating that to cause a Festool v's rest arguement, that's just my evaluation).
I was talking to a builder about his Dewalt tools, he loved every one of them except the jigsaw, "couldn't ever get it to work properly" - just goes to show, you can equip yourself with everything from your favourite brand and still bag a lemon.
 
#18 ·
Paul,

Why application do you use it for??? I use mine very seldom, most recently I used it to cut out a silhouette of a witch in our front yard for Halloween…. It did the job, but precision and cut quality was not a goal…

Now, I made a reindeer for my mother in law this Xmas, and I didn't even pull the jig saw out… I used a fine/ screw blade on the bandsaw…. Better cleaner more consistent cuts…

Honestly, I think the Bandsaw is the best tool I own….. I use that thing constantly, my only gripe is not having 3 of them for different applications… Changing the blades a pian in the behind (cause of laziness, of course!!!!!)
 
#20 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have a Worx Jigsaw... and it is a very nice saw variable speed saw with dust port and all that… It is classed as a semi professional brand here… (you most likely you have never heard of the brand… like I have never heard of powermatic, craftsman and grissely before coming on here…)

All jigsaws will wonder off course, it can be for a variety of reasons… from the blade type to you being drunk lol or not drunk enough take your pick (joking… never use power tools when you have had to many accidents happen then) ... to the type of stock you are cutting, what shape you are cutting, if a straight line a fence or straight edge can help etc.

The angle of the base should not change or move once locked and should be able to be locked in to place… but you shouldn't need to push too hard down on the saw when cutting anyway and just let the saw do the work. But maybe just needs to change the bolt on the locking mechanisum.

You do know most of the big brands including Ryobi come from the same factory, just rebranded. Ryobi also make pro trade gear… and industrial gear that come from a different factory… as well as have another brand that the trade guys use with out even knowing in reality it it is a Ryobi. (enter trade brand name here) Ryobi has been around for a long time and are tageted for the D.I.Y.

It is like Makiti have OEM trade and Makita for the DIY. Both are branded as Makiti… the trade tools are usally blue and the price is higher. DIY the tools are usually green and a bit cheaper but comes from a different factory and people think they are getting a Makiti… well in away you are but in a way they are not… BOSCH are the same Blue (professional) Green (DIY)

Now on saying that just because you have a DIY does not mean you can't get the same quality of cut… it should… the different usually is that the professional gear can usually handle heavier load, get banged about more on the job site ie being dropped more etc. Being used every day instead of once a month type of thing…

The point of this is to buy the correct tool to met your needs… and not to just blame the tool if it doesn't or you break it after a month of continuious use when it was a DIY tool desined to only be used once a month… Age old saying "a good craftsman never blames his tools…"
 
#24 ·
I have a Porter Cable and have beat on it quite a bit and it is still as good as new. Last week I found myself in the attick with a plywood panel (for a floor) that was too wide. Rather than haul the wood down/up the ladder again, I brought up the jigsaw and ripped it (3/4 ply) no problem. I rarely use it for anything precise, maybe just a quick notch in something or cutting a rounded corner.
 
#26 ·
I have 2, both a bit older….a Bosch 1587 and a Dewalt 321 (I believe). Both are pretty good. I give the edge to the Bosch for the main reason that is is balanced better in my hand, and for some reason the way the Dewalt is balanced I seem to hit the power trigger when I don't want to. And to me that's a big negative for the Dewalt.

If I was buying new, I'd get the new Bosch.
 
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