Jigsaw advice please

My immediate thought would be to make sure that it’s truly a jigsaw that you want, and not a small band saw. This because of the amount of blade tilting they all seem to suffer from. Indispensable when you need something that can cut curves freehand, but if not maybe think of a band saw…

I saw but can’t remember the name of the maker (European i think) that has just launched a jigsaw with a blade that resists sidewards bending…

ian

-- Late awakener....

I have an older Makita and it works great. Mine has an adjustable roller behind the blade to allow for more or less aggressive cutting. It also has variable speed built into the trigger.

Bosch 1590 or 1591 if you prefer the style BUT NOT the 1587 or 89 or whatever the cheaper one is. Add the Bosch blades and you never want for any thing else. ( You might want to check under jigsaws in the review tab)

-- RTB. "dumb animals are not stupid they simply can't talk "

If you ask me a jig saw is made for rough cutting something before bringing it to the table saw or band saw for a really nice cut. The way they work just doesn’t allow for good straight line, no bend cuts. No support for the other end of the blade. It’s like trying to make nice cuts with a sawzall? The thicker the wood your cutting the more likely to get that bottom end blade drift.

-- LAS

That said I have a craftsman and a dewalt both do great at what I explained above. Screwing up cuts, but they do cut….

-- LAS

I’ll have to disagree with the assessment of not being able to cut straight lines. This is of course assuming you have a good jigsaw, my Bosch 1590evs makes some of the cleanest cuts I’ve ever seen from any saw. Just use a speed square as a guide and it does a great straight line cut. Probably not ideal for really long cuts but as long as the guide is straight and you keep the sole plate against it, should be golden. I would buy my jigsaw again in a heartbeat. Pick up some Festool Trion extra long blades and you can make a cut on 5” thick lumber. My default blade is the Bosch extra clean wood blade though.

-- Ooo, er.

Thanks!! I have a small bandsaw (Craftsman 10”) which I would use for outside cuts. I was thinking of the jigsaw for “interior” cuts that I can’t get to with the bandsaw.

-- Dave, Colonie, NY

I have the Ridgid and it works great. Variable speed and variable oscillation of the blade. That said, the blades are the main thing to select, cheap blades will bend and warp, causing crooked cutting, binding, and blade breakage. I have been using Bosch blades and really like the performance of them.

-- Dan-- Info for all @ http://www.hoistman.com

Because the Craftsman and Skil are considered home shop tools, any industrial brand would be better. However, nothing even comes close to the Bosch Jigsaw. The Bosch holds up longer, has less maintenance, it runs smoother, and it doesn’t vibrate. The features on the Bosch Jigsaw also out number every other brand hands down. Each brand has their power tool strength and when it comes to jigsaws…..Bosch wins.
You can also save money by buying the Bosch Reconditioned Jigsaw which sales for not much more than $100.00 and it comes with the same warranty. This wouldn’t be a rebuild, but a recon which means it has never left the factory or been out in the field.
Santa should leave everyone this Power Tool.

-- Don, Utah, www.toolsandmachinery.com

BOSCH

-- My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their therapist....medic20447@gmail.com

One word of advise, don’t get the DeWalt DW317, the dust blows right in your line of sight and you constantly have to blow it out of the way, I got this as an “upgrade” from an old Mastercraft I bought on sale at Canadian Tire and it makes me wish I had the Mastercraft back.

-- A hammer dangling from a wall will bang and sound like work when the wind blows the right way.

The Bosch 1590 or 91 -anything else is waaaay behind.

-- http://www.brianpenning.com/

BOSCH is best!!!! I have owned one for about 3 years and love it. Also get the Bosch T234X Progressor Wood Blade. Link to read about blades below check out the reviews there I agree with them 100%.

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-T234X-Progressor-Blade-5-Pack/dp/B0000223FW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1258169446&sr=8-3

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

Yup, I have that more costly Bosch. I am known for NOT being able to cut anything straight nor keep anything at a 90 degree angle. This tool has improved my cuts by 500% or more. It cuts like butter.

Thanks everyone!!! Looks like its a Bosch!! Now my only problem is finding somewhere local that has the 1591 so I can see which one I prefer. Been to the orange place and the blue place, but they only have the 1590 on display.

-- Dave, Colonie, NY

I know I’m going against the grain here… But, I love my Festool jigsaw. It is more expensive but it’s a great saw.

-- Chris

just get one that feels comfortable in your hands me i like the bosch barrel grip but i dont have one yet so i have another bosch top grip saw bought for $100 at rockler. its ok

-- Ike, Big Daddies Woodshop,www.icombadaniels@yahoo.com