l_bilyk
Well-known member
I just purchased this jigsaw. Does anyone have anything good or bad to say about it? I generally stay away from dewalt, but the cheap one I had before was a nightmare, and i couldn't justify spending the money on a bosch
DW317K - anyone have one?
- Thread starter l_bilyk
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boiler7904
Well-known member
No experience with that saw, but here's something that might interest you. Fine Homebuilding magazine has a head to head comparison of 12 pro level saws in the September 2006 issue (#181). Prices range from $100 to $280. The Hitachi CJ110MV was rated as the author's best value choice at $100 (no case or no-mar base shoe included). The Bosch 1590EVSK was the author's best overall choice at $160. I bought the Bosch last fall when I needed one and love it.
FYI, Amazon.com has a sale on jig saws and other power saws right now.
FYI, Amazon.com has a sale on jig saws and other power saws right now.
Coach James
Well-known member
I also have the Bosch 1590. Best jigsaw I've ever used. One of my employees recently bought the Hitachi and has been totally pleased with it.
Paradise Ridge
Well-known member
Coach James
Well-known member
When I bought my 1590, I thought it was a lot of money also. What convinced me was the fact that I had just burned up a $50 jigsaw in about a year's time. I decided that over the next 15 to 20 years, this 1590 would cost me very little per year.
Coach
Coach
boiler7904
Well-known member
The 1591 that Paradise Ridge mentioned is the same saw as the 1590 just with a different handle configuration (and a higher price). If you can, go to a tool store and hold each in your hand to see how they fit. Coastal Tool has both on their website. The 1590 includes a free blade assortment.
Update: couldn't afford the 1590 as planned, ended up with the 1587 instead (got a good deal on it since it's an old design). Kept the dewalt for the duration of the "free trial" period just to compare the two.
I'm probably not telling anyone anything new, but there is a huge difference between the dewalt and the bosch. These are the problems with the dewalt:
1. Will not cut straight. The blade clamp looks to have come out of the black and decker parts bin... the same clamp is used on cheap 30 dollar jigsaws. If you get careless for a second and apply too much force, the blade shifts inside the clamp and gets jammed that way, causing the jigsaw to pull to one side. There is also considerable play in the reciprocating bar that actually drives the blade.
2. No blower fan for dust. The cut line gets covered up in no time.
3. Metal base has a tendency to scratch.
4. Bad casting. Maybe I am being picky, but the dewalt logo on the front was miscast, and housing generally did not line up as well as the bosch.
The one thing I liked about the dewalt was that you could adjust the angle graduations for the base (like most of their tools). The bosch has a positive stop at 90 degrees that appears to be a hair off.. about 1 degree off from 90 would be my guess
The bosch isn't exactly flawless either.. i'm sure the 1590 is better. The blade change is frustrating and it would be nice if the base adjustment was keyless. But i rarely use a jigsaw, so i think i can live with it so long as it cuts straighter than the dewalt
I'm probably not telling anyone anything new, but there is a huge difference between the dewalt and the bosch. These are the problems with the dewalt:
1. Will not cut straight. The blade clamp looks to have come out of the black and decker parts bin... the same clamp is used on cheap 30 dollar jigsaws. If you get careless for a second and apply too much force, the blade shifts inside the clamp and gets jammed that way, causing the jigsaw to pull to one side. There is also considerable play in the reciprocating bar that actually drives the blade.
2. No blower fan for dust. The cut line gets covered up in no time.
3. Metal base has a tendency to scratch.
4. Bad casting. Maybe I am being picky, but the dewalt logo on the front was miscast, and housing generally did not line up as well as the bosch.
The one thing I liked about the dewalt was that you could adjust the angle graduations for the base (like most of their tools). The bosch has a positive stop at 90 degrees that appears to be a hair off.. about 1 degree off from 90 would be my guess
The bosch isn't exactly flawless either.. i'm sure the 1590 is better. The blade change is frustrating and it would be nice if the base adjustment was keyless. But i rarely use a jigsaw, so i think i can live with it so long as it cuts straighter than the dewalt
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Coach James
Well-known member
bilyk, the 1587 is a really good saw. Actually that was the one I bought after burning up my $50 B&D. I took it back the next day as the blade change I really didn't like. If you're ok with the blade change, the saw will give you many years of good use.
Coach
Coach