I recently had a couple of projects that required some curve cuts in both 4/4 oak and 8 ft. 2×12 pine. I don’t own a bandsaw ( bandsaws, horses, and teen agers all make me nervous) no problem , I had my trusty Skil jigsaw.
Forget it! What was supposed to be a perfectly plumb 90 degree cut ended up as a 45 degree edge. I think the blade was trying to run away from the wood. So…, off to Home Depot. I was mentally prepared to spend a few bucks and get the best jigsaw available. I settled on a Bosch for slightly under one hundred dollars. I wish I could say it worked but it didn’t. Might as well have used the Skil. Forget Home Depot, now I’m going to the internet and check the reviews. I laughed at the glowing Bosch articles. Who writes this stuff? Something called a Festool got my attention but caused sticker shock. To make this long story short, I bit the bullet and bought it. Good choice! When used with the sacrificial blade guide and Festool’s Trion blades this baby don’t stutter. It attacked the oak like it was hot butter. This tool now has a special spot hanging on the edge of my bench within easy reach. it’s great for cutting stock to rough length and I don’t have to clean the junk off my tablesaw. There is a God in Heaven.
6 comments so far
Robb
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630 posts in 2105 days
#1 posted 1911 days ago
Good pics, and a great review…you’re on a slippery slope now with the acquisition of a Festool, now though. At least that’s what I hear :).
-- Robb
kosta
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946 posts in 1526 days
#2 posted 1473 days ago
damn I know festool makes great tools but its kind of hard to pay that much money for a jig saw for me dewalt and delta and jet and companies like that are top of the line for me
-- kosta Virginia Beach, VA http://www.kostasworkshop.blogspot.com/
a1Jim
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87312 posts in 1748 days
#3 posted 1473 days ago
I don’t mean to put a damper on your festool but for almost the same amount of money you could of purchased a band saw. I have used many jigsaws and I have not found one while cutting thick stock that the blade will not bend and cut at an angle sometimes. that’s why you use a table or band saw for many cutting operations. We all have choices re tools so that does not make yours wrong and mine right only different approaches.
http://grizzly.amazonwebstore.com/Grizzly-G0555-The-Ultimate-1434-Bandsaw/M/B0000DD0AC.htm
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
miles125
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2177 posts in 2177 days
#4 posted 1473 days ago
I’m not sure what kind of bosch sells for under 100 dollars (new hobby model?). I’ve had mine about 15 years and its equivalent sells now for about 150-170? Neither of the task you described would be the least bit of trouble for it.
-- "The way to make a small fortune in woodworking- start with a large one"
GABHAGER
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1 post in 1473 days
#5 posted 1473 days ago
I have a bosch jig saw that I bought in 1989, and although I have had to replace the chord a few times, it still runs like a champ. At the time, I believe I spent 179.00 on it, which might as well been 1790. The saw has a built in blower to remove dust, and it can be set to cut straight up and down, or so the blade can also make a somewhat of a circular motion. It does a fine job, but all jigsaws have their limitations. If I need a good clean cut, I head to my band saw. If you have to use the jigsaw instead of a band saw, cut slowly and don’t force it. You might consider chucking up a sanding drum to clean up your cuts. Congrats on the new tool.
Scott Bryan
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27262 posts in 1993 days
#6 posted 1473 days ago
Thanks for the review. You did a excellent job on reviewing the jigsaw.
-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine
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