Cordless Jigsaw

[tyyost]

I am looking to round out my cordless collection. I currently have Milwaukee M12 and M18 tools and just added a Makita set to the mix. While I’d like to stay in those systems, I looked at some I’d the offering at HD and I’m underwhelmed. In addition, it seems like they want a kings ransom for them as well. I currently have a corded Bosch so my standards a high, but at the same time ditching the cord on a jigsaw would be a real gam changer.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[KnurledNut]

Have had good results with this Makita:
https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/XVJ03Z

 

[acer66]

I am happy with the 12V Bosch if a 12V has enough power for your needs.

Reason why I am saying that is that Milwaukee 12V has a similar form factor as the Bosch battery which I really like because it keeps the tool small and light weight.

So I would check out the Milwaukee 12V jig saw.

 

[pbon]

I’d stick with Milwaukee since you already have the batteries and chargers to share. I have the M12 barrel and M18 D handle versions.

 

[tarmy]

I have the m18 and love it. Gets used a good amount too.

 

[Cortez the Killer]

We tried a Black n Decker at work a few years ago. Could not track straight. Maintenance guy tore it apart, back together again, never did work right.

We just got a Makita one and it is excellent.

 

[alinc100]

I have the M12 and it is handy. I have not used it extensively so I really don't have a well-informed opinion.It will never be a full on replacement for a corded Bosch top handle,which in my opinion is the best made.

 

[ItsNemo]

I have the Dewalt older one, works great, super fast or super precise depending on oscillation mode...and has an air puffer to keep the cut line clean.

That said, sticking with your battery platform is probably the better move.

 

[paulsomlo]

Have had good results with this Makita:
https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/XVJ03Z

I have the same one - very happy with it. And surprisingly, made in the UK.

 

[neophyte]

Don’t purchase a cheap jigsaw, unless you only plan to use it yo cut 1/4 wood, and don’t care snout the cuts bring straight.
Even some of the professional brands have had issues.
The top of the line corded Bosch models were always reliable.
The mid level Bosch were also somewhat reliable, but not as good.
The Bosch cordless jigsaws used to use different gear housings than the corded models, snd were not as good.
I’m not sure about the current status.

The Makita jigsaws seem to mostly use the same mechanism gor both corded and cordless jigsaws, and they have a good reputation.

Metabo (not HPT) also had a decent reputation for jigsaws.

Milwaukee produces different jigsaws for the US and European market, and different mechanisms depending on cordless voltage etc.
I would honestly be iffy about the brand for a jigsaw.

The Festool Carvex uses the same basic mechanism on cordless and corded jigsaws.
The brand is very expensive though, snd I think they partially copied a bad blade locking mechanism used on older Milwaukee jigsaws, and had dome of the same issues the Milwaukee had.

I have no clue about Dewalt.

I think the Hilti cordless jigsaw came out decently in the Concord Carpenter jigsaw test.

 

[danski0224]

I have the older M18 and it is OK. Not as good as a corded Bosch or Festool. But, really nice when you don't want to drag out a cord.

The newer M18 is supposed to be nicer, and a light was added.

 

[Paul_The_Builder]

I have a fancy pants 18V barrel grip jigsaw that I normally use with dust collection.
Also have an M12 jigsaw, because I got it cheap on Amazon several years ago.
I find myself using the M12 jigsaw 90% of the time. Its pretty small and light, has a narrower shoe than my 18v jigsaw, and has plenty of power. Not a lot of bells and whistles, but its better than I expected.
Now if I were making accurate curved cuts in 1" oak to make decorative trim... I wouldn't trust the M12 jigsaw. But for most things I do in the shop, its been a really good tool for me.

I got my first cordless jigsaw about 15 years ago, and could never go back to a corded one. Cordless is very nice on jigsaws in particular. I don't mind a corded circular saw, but cordless jigsaw I'm willing to pay extra for.

 

[tyyost]

I have a fancy pants 18V barrel grip jigsaw that I normally use with dust collection.
Also have an M12 jigsaw, because I got it cheap on Amazon several years ago.
I find myself using the M12 jigsaw 90% of the time. Its pretty small and light, has a narrower shoe than my 18v jigsaw, and has plenty of power. Not a lot of bells and whistles, but its better than I expected.
Now if I were making accurate curved cuts in 1" oak to make decorative trim... I wouldn't trust the M12 jigsaw. But for most things I do in the shop, its been a really good tool for me.

I got my first cordless jigsaw about 15 years ago, and could never go back to a corded one. Cordless is very nice on jigsaws in particular. I don't mind a corded circular saw, but cordless jigsaw I'm willing to pay extra for.

Years ago I had a 14.4 volt Bosch Jigsaw for work. It was a great tool, when I made the switch to lithium ion it was one of the tools that didn’t get replaced. The batteries aged out and it went away. My cordless circular saw just died and I just replaced it for a big project at home. I remembered I really disliked corded sidewinders in the first day. I often set up a “cut station” when I’m working with a miter saw, tablesaw, and jigsaw. The problem comes in a project like I have coming up, a laminate flooring project. I’d really like to make the jigsaw cuts in the room without having to get up and go out for every cut. I find my impatience kicks in and I cut too much rather than sneaking up on the right size after the 3rd or 4th walk outside.

 

[mepstein]

I got an m18 a couple months ago. The regular top handled one. Worked fine for me.
Not having a cord on these type of tools certainly makes it more convenient to pull out for that one tiny cut.

 

[dnschmidt]

I have a bunch of them and if I were to do it again I'd go Makita or Bosch. Bosch has owned the jigsaw category for about 60 years so you can't go wrong there and Makita makes really good carpentry stuff. DeWalt's 20V jigsaw gets great reviews as well. That stated I have both the barrel grip and the top handle M18 and they work fine. There are many excellent choices and I'd go with whatever battery platform you've got the most of. The M12 Milwaukee does not have a tiltable base. 90 degrees and that's it. The guy that makes the Collins Coping Foot (a game changer if you cope joints) likes the M12 Milwaukee the best for use with his foot.

 

[engineer2]

I have a Makita brushed 18V jigsaw and I like it so much I sold the other corded ones I had. Great ergonomics and it does whatever you need. I heard to stay away from the BL ones that require you to press a button to turn the saw on to use it. A PITA.

 

[nadogail]

I too am a fan of Makita Cordless Tools, I have tried other brands but, compared to my personal Makita experience, they have been lacking.

 

[rharman]

I have the Dewalt older one, works great, super fast or super precise depending on oscillation mode...and has an air puffer to keep the cut line clean.

That said, sticking with your battery platform is probably the better move.

^^^^ What he said ^^^^

Once you start with a platform, you're basically married to it. I'm in the DeWalt camp myself. The jigsaw works fine for me. I've switched from the 18V NiCad to the 20V Lithium battery system using the adapter sled.

I went DeWalt because I tried all the other drills in various stores and just felt the balance and overall "feel" of the DeWalt drill (the most used tool) fit me better.

 

[Trapps]

All the power and precision you're used to...



GST18V-47N

 

[cherrybomb]

I'm in the Makita 18v camp,so I have the Makita which does an excellent job.I came from the Bosch 1587 so I'm comparing it to that.

 

[dcg9381]

Have had good results with this Makita:
https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/XVJ03Z

This is what I've been using. 100% great so far.

 

[duneslider]

The lowes by me currently has the bosch baretool jigsaw on offer with 2 free 4amp hour batteries. If you already have a bosch tool and charger that is a pretty good deal.

I want to pick one up to go with my bosch cordless sander that has been a game changer for me. Haven't touched my corded sanders since I got it.

 

[timgunn1962]

I've always had Bosch corded jigsaws and been quite happy with them. I got a Makita DJV180 (the same as the XVJ03) brushed 18v cordless for work, perhaps 5 years ago, as we use that battery system. I haven't had the corded ones out since, except for my "Bosch GST25 Metal Professional" when I needed to cut some 8mm stainless steel plate. That was not because I felt the Makita cordless wasn't up to the job, more because I felt I'd rather wear out the less useful tool.

 

[neophyte]

I've always had Bosch corded jigsaws and been quite happy with them. I got a Makita DJV180 (the same as the XVJ03) brushed 18v cordless for work, perhaps 5 years ago, as we use that battery system. I haven't had the corded ones out since, except for my "Bosch GST25 Metal Professional" when I needed to cut some 8mm stainless steel plate. That was not because I felt the Makita cordless wasn't up to the job, more because I felt I'd rather wear out the less useful tool.

You might want to hold onto that Bosch corded jigsaw.
That Bosch has a lower maximum speed, specifically intended for cutting thicker sheet metal plate.
Not many jigsaws are specifically made for cutting thick steel nowadays.
Fein made a couple models that have since been discontinued. (At least in the USA)
The Festool Trion supposedly has a gear housing up to the task, but the plastic footplate insert is stupid for use on metal, and unlike the Bosch jigsaws, or the Festool Carvex, there is no steel foot for the Trion.

 

[duneslider]

The only thing I have to say for the plastic footplates is they don't scratch metal. I have to put tape on my footplate to ensure I don't scratch finishes.

 

[Rabid Badger]

Right now the UK-made Makita XVJ03 is under $100 from multiple sellers on Amazon. That's an incredible price on a great saw if you aren't hung up on having a brushless motor.

 

[neophyte]

The only thing I have to say for the plastic footplates is they don't scratch metal. I have to put tape on my footplate to ensure I don't scratch finishes.

My issue with the plastic footplate, is that using a jigsaw on metal raises a burr on the metal, and that will chew the **** out of the Festool plastic footplate in no time.
The plastic footplate also has a complicated design on the obverse, with air channels for dust collection, that prevents replacement with a simple homemade flat piece of metal.
Replacements also have to be ordered from Festool as a part rather than purchased at a dealer.

 

[GrayFlattop]

Bosch all day long. The Makita is pretty nice though - I use whichever is closest. I have no idea if the Milwaukee jig saws are any good - most of the rest of their M12 and M18 tools are.

MY opinion - don't make a purchase decision SOLELY on the battery platform used. Sure, it's a factor, but that is mostly about economy and available space - particulary if you operate on site - out of a truck. Buy the best tool you can. Granted, my opinion is not universal, but there are enough deals over time to flush out your battery situation.

My work is now mostly stationary - either garage shop or basement shop. Plenty of batteries and chargers deployed.

Currently using M12, M18, Makita 18, Bosch 18, Ryobi 18 (great portable lights), Hitachi 12 and an oddball Festool. Somewhere I still have a few 9.6 V makita. I might have missed one, but...